Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Podcast Info
    • Hanania Podcast intro
    • Live Arab Radio
  • Your Views
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022 Activism
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast Arab News
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022
    Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland American Arabs
  • Voting sticker issued to voters in Cook County elections in 2016. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Gov. Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions — no Arabs included American Arabs
  • Closure notice posted on the doors and windows of Arab American businesses during Mayor Lori Lightfoot's closure of Arab owned stores in June - Sept. 2021. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Pritzker again ignores needs of Arab businesses in latest appointments Activism
  • Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) official candidate endorsements for the November 8, 2022 General elections.
    Arab American Democratic Club issues endorsements for Nov. 8, 2022 Cook County Illinois elections Activism
  • Arab Democrats urge NO VOTE on Gov. J.B. Pritzker re-election bid Activism
  • Assyrian American GOP issues endorsements in Nov, 8, 2022 elections
    Assyrian American GOP group endorses candidates in Illinois Activism
  • Abdullah Hammoud, elected Mayor of Dearborn Nov. 2, 2021. Photo courtesy of Abdullah Hammoud Facebook Page
    AHRC’s 2022 Spirit of Humanity Gala a Great Success American Arabs
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts Arab World
  • Rep. Cyril Nichols to be feted by supporters at fundraiser Saturday Oct. 22 Activism
  • Stand up For Human Rights website, United Nations
    UN experts condemn Israel’s ‘sadistic’ punitive measures against French-Palestinian rights defender Salah Hammouri Activism
English: Comedian Maz Jobrani (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

US sitcom showcases American Arab character

Posted on March 6, 2017June 12, 2019 By rayhanania No Comments on US sitcom showcases American Arab character
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

US sitcom showcases American Arab character

A new comedy sitcom on CBS TV showcases an American Arab character played by well known standup comedian Maz Jobrani, and includes some major stars in the comedic entertainment circuit. The show Superior Donuts is getting some strong reviews in its first season

By Ray Hanania

A new comedy sitcom on CBS TV offers American audiences an American Arab character in a humorous series that lampoons the daily adventures of a donut shop owner in a fast gentrifying neighborhood of Chicago.

Superior Donuts brings together a talented cast of comedians including Judd Hirsch (Taxi, Welcome Back Kotter) as Arthur, a gruff, to-the-point Chicagoan who refuses to sell newfangled “cronuts” and “macchiatos” or to renovate his dated shop that hasn’t changed since it first opened in 1969.

That all changes when enterprising go-getter Franco, played by standup comedian Jermaine Fowler, fast-talks his way into Arthur’s life as his new (and only) employee. Franco convinces Arthur that he can bring the shop – and Arthur – into the 21st century.

The series is just plain funny. Although it includes racial and ethnic stereotypes, they are presented in a positive, refreshing style that plays into the comedy and the humor of the show.

The sitcom is hilarious and it is so nice to see an American Arab character on a major television network, especially at a time when the various TV networks have stepped up their ethnic presence in launching several shows including Blackish, Fresh Off the Boat, and The Goldbergs.

Supportive regulars appearing on Superior Donuts include loyal patron Randy (actress Katey Sagal, Married with Children), a cop whose late father was Arthur’s best friend; her overeager rookie partner, James (Darien Sills-Evans); Tush (David Koechner, The Office, Anchorman and Anchorman 2), a colorful customer who uses the shop counter as a makeshift office, where he keeps tabs on a variety of odd jobs via fax machine; Maya (Anna Baryshnikov), a privileged grad-school student working on her Ph. D; and Sweatpants, Franco’s longtime friend who’s willing to dress as a donut to help drum up more business.

English: Comedian Maz Jobrani
English: Comedian Maz Jobrani (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Looking to cash in on the urban renewal is Arthur’s over-caffeinated neighbor, aspiring real estate and Arab American capitalist Fawz, played by Iranian American standup comedian Maz Jobrani. Fawz pushes Arthur on a daily basis to sell the building to him. With his business in jeopardy, Arthur grudgingly realizes that he had better embrace the change around him and that Franco could be exactly what he – and the donut shop – need to thrive.

Maz Jobrani is a comedian and actor who has been entertaining audiences for nearly 20 years. He has had three SHOWTIME stand-up comedy specials: “Brown and Friendly,” “I Come In Peace” and, most recently, “I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One on TV.”

Jobrani performs stand-up live around the world, including the Middle East where he performed in front of the King of Jordan. This past spring, he performed at the White House where he had the privilege of introducing Michelle Obama. Also, his stand-up tour took him to the Kennedy Center where he headlined a show as part of their 2016 season.

Jobrani has made more than 50 guest appearances on television series, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “True Blood” and “Shameless.” Also, he was a founding member of “The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour” which includes Egyptian American standup Comedian Ahmed Ahmed and Palestinian American standup comedian Aron Kader.

Jobrani’s film credits include the award-winning indie comedy “Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero,” which he starred in, co-wrote and co-produced; “The Descendants,” directed by Alexander Payne; “The Interpreter,” directed by Sydney Pollack; and “Friday After Next,” produced by Ice Cube.

Additionally, Jobrani is a regular panelist on NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” and has given two TED talks. His book, “I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One on TV,” was published by Simon & Schuster and was a Los Angeles Times bestseller.

The sitcom is based on the play by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning writer Tracy Letts.

Hirsch is perhaps best known to television audiences for his Emmy-winning role as Alex Rieger in the classic series “Taxi.” Also, he starred as the title character in “Dear John,” for which he won a Golden Globe. Other notable television credits include the comedy “George and Leo,” co-starring Bob Newhart, and the drama “Numb3rs,” both on the Network, and more recently, “Forever,” opposite Ioan Gruffudd. In 2016 Hirsch guest-starred as Leonard Hofstadter’s father on THE BIG BANG THEORY, on the Network.

Hirsch began his career on the stage playing Murray Burns in Herb Gardner’s “A Thousand Clowns” at the famed Woodstock Playhouse in 1964. Thirty-three years later, he starred in a production of the same play on Broadway. Additional Broadway credits include “Knock, Knock” by Jules Feiffer, “Chapter Two” by Neil Simon, “Talley’s Folly” by Lanford Wilson, “Art,” and “Sixteen Wounded.” For his performances in a pair of Herb Gardner plays, “I’m Not Rappaport” and “Conversations with My Father,” Hirsch won two Tony Awards for Lead Actor. He made his Broadway debut as a replacement for the Telephone Man in Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park.”

Deadline Hollywood writes about Superior Donuts, “The strongest of the three newcomers last night was CBS sitcom Superior Donuts (1.9, 10.6 million), which followed The Big Bang Theory (3.1, 14.6 million). The new comedy starring Jermaine Fowler and Judd Hirsch was even in the demo with the premiere in the same slot of The Great Indoors in the fall, which had a stronger BBT demo lead-in (3.4, 14.3 million).”

The sitcom Superior Donuts is in its sixth week and you can catch up on past episodes if you missed them by clicking here.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States - January 19, 2023
  • Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 - January 18, 2023
  • CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd - January 12, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Features, Humor, Movies, News, Ray Hanania, Television Tags:CBS, comedy, Judd Hirsch, Maz Jobrani, sitcom, Superior Donuts, Television, TV

Post navigation

Previous Post: Wikipedia Censors Mordechai Vanunu and “The Samson Option” May Provide an Explanation
Next Post: Trump issues new restrictions on immigrants

Related Posts

  • Imad Hamad Director American Human Rights Council
    Voting Right: Vote for the Program and the Values American Arabs
  • The Joker is to Gotham City as Muslims are to Earth American Arabs
  • Palestinians protest Violence against women Arab World
  • The Rise of Christian Zionism and Vice President Mike Pence Arab World
  • Morocco tourism group showcased by the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce April 23, 2018. Photo courtesy of the NUSCC
    US Arab Chamber showcases Morocco tourism drive American Arabs
  • Mansaf (mensiff) -- lamb, rice, toasted Syrian pita bread and jameed sauce -- popular as a holiday dish and the national dish of Jordan. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Mansaf, one of the most important Arab recipes Arab World

More Related Articles

Dems Must Debate Israel’s WMD and Vanunu’s Human Rights American Arabs
9/11 is a National Day of Service and Remembrance FDNY to Palestine Arab World
Pollard Free in Israel: Vanunu Remains Captive Arab World
President Clinton presides over White House ceremonies marking the signing of the peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians, with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, left, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, right, in Washington Sept. 13, 1993. (Courtesy Wikipedia) Yitzhak Rabin and The Red House of Zionism Arab World
Winter in Bekaa Lebanon January 2015 Photo courtesy of NRC Lebanon. January 7, 2015 in Bekaa valley Lebanon. Heavy snowfall in Lebanon January 7, 2015. Yesterday staff from NRC Lebanon’s Bekaa office were working with refugees to put in place flood mitigation measures in advance of the forecast harsh storm which hit overnight. Field teams distributed 1,205 plywood sheets and 885 bricks as floor-raising kits for tents in two settlements in the town of Sarain, and 250 wooden pallets to ensure a clear pathway in five settlements in the town at risk of flooding. Niamh Murnaghan, NRC’s Country Director in Lebanon said, “This morning residents of these informal settlements awoke to a knee-deep blanket of snow. With roads impassable in Bekaa, our staff have not been able to reach refugee settlements, but refugees have sent photos of themselves clearing the snow from their tents.” Photo credit: NRC Lebanon/Syrian refugees in Lebanon. January 7, 2015 in Bekaa valley Lebanon. Heavy snowfall in Lebanon January 7, 2015. Yesterday staff from NRC Lebanon’s Bekaa office were working with refugees to put in place flood mitigation measures in advance of the forecast harsh storm which hit overnight. Field teams distributed 1,205 plywood sheets and 885 bricks as floor-raising kits for tents in two settlements in the town of Sarain, and 250 wooden pallets to ensure a clear pathway in five settlements in the town at risk of flooding. Niamh Murnaghan, NRC’s Country Director in Lebanon said, “This morning residents of these informal settlements awoke to a knee-deep blanket of snow. With roads impassable in Bekaa, our staff have not been able to reach refugee settlements, but refugees have sent photos of themselves clearing the snow from their tents.” Photo credit: NRC Lebanon/Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Radio Podcast: Istanbul Palestinian Diaspora conference Ali Younes
Jared Kushner addressing the Peace to Prosperity Conference, providing details for a strategy to empower Palestinians as a part of a planned political solution with Israel. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Palestinians ‘let down by their leaders,’ Kushner says Arab News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Tiktok.com/@RayHanania
    Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States
    January 19, 2023
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    To what extent is Hezbollah responsible for the current crisis in Lebanon?
    January 17, 2023
  • Image from Rashid-al-Din Hamadani's "A Compendium of Chronicles. Image courtesy of Wikipedia
    Why allow religious extremists to re-define Islam in the West?
    January 10, 2023
  • CAIR Executive Director and co-founder Nihad Awad
    This Thanksgiving, let’s use our Blessings for good
    November 23, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd
    January 12, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action
    January 11, 2023
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022
    January 4, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd
    January 12, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action
    January 11, 2023
  • Stand up For Human Rights website, United Nations
    UN experts condemn Israel’s ‘sadistic’ punitive measures against French-Palestinian rights defender Salah Hammouri
    October 19, 2022

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Ad-Pantry-essentials.jpg
  • ZiyadBrandLogo-2016BlackRedBackgrnd.jpg
  • 08-09-21-Ziyad-Sices-Ad.jpg
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib, book cover. Photo courtesy of Cune Press
    Stories My Father Told Me by author and artist Helen Zughaib
    November 1, 2021
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme