'Aliens in America' Exclusive Screening & Discussion w/ Show's Co-Creators
August 30, 2007
On Thursday, September 6, the Muslim Public Affairs Council's Hollywood Bureau will hold an exclusive screening of The CW Network's new sitcom "Aliens in America" in Los Angeles. Following the screening, co-creators and executive producers Moses Port and David Guarascio will discuss the show, which centers around a midwestern family who host an international student from Pakistan.
The pilot of "Aliens" finds Wisconsin mother Franny Tolchuk agreeing to host a foreign exchange student, thinking it will help her nerdy son, Justin, become more popular. But when the foreign student turns out to be Raja, a Pakistani Muslim, Franny worries that she's invited a potential terrorist into her home. Only Raja's sweetness and idealism force her to reconsider.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A PREVIEW OF THE SHOW
MPAC's Hollywood Bureau has served as a consultant on the show since last fall, when the show was picked up by The CW Network. A half-hour situation comedy from CBS Paramount Network Television for The CW, "Aliens in America" premieres on Monday, October 1 (8:30 9:00 PM, ET/PT) on The CW.
To reserve your free tickets for the free screening, call 213-383-3443 or email hollywoodbureau@mpac.org today! RSVPs are required by Wednesday, Sept. 5th. Everyone attending the event must give complete name to reserve a seat. No children under will be 10 admitted.
SEE: "Comedy Doers: CW Tries to Revive the Sitcom with Post-9/11
'Aliens in America'"
(Los Angeles Times, 8/20/07)
Moses Port and David Guarascio broke into television in 1992 on the critically acclaimed "Mad About You." After several successful seasons they moved on to the hit comedy "Just Shoot Me," where they eventually became executive producers and showrunners.
ABOUT MPAC'S HOLLYWOOD BUREAU
Launched this spring,
MPAC's Hollywood Bureau provides expertise and consultation to television
networks and film studios in order to enhance accuracy and sensitivity of
portrayals related to Islam, Muslims and related issues. Click here for more information and to find out how you can
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ABOUT "ALIENS IN AMERICA"
In "Aliens in America",
Justin Tolchuck (Dan Byrd, "The Hills Have Eyes") is a sensitive, lanky
16-year-old just trying to make it through the social nightmare of high school
in Medora, Wisconsin, with the help of his well-meaning mom Franny (Amy Pietz,
"Caroline in the City"), aspiring-entrepreneur dad Gary (Scott Patterson,
"Gilmore Girls") and his beautiful and popular younger sister Claire (Lindsey
Shaw, "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide").
Although he's bright and funny, Justin is also shy, socially awkward and pretty much resigned to the fact that he'll never be one of the cool kids. Franny, however, is the kind of take-charge mom who micro-manages her family, and she's come up with a plan to help Justin: she signs up for the school's international exchange student program. Picturing an athletic, brilliant Nordic teen, Franny is sure this new friendship will bestow instant coolness on her outsider son. However, when the Tolchuck's exchange student arrives, he turns out to be Raja Musharaff (Adhir Kalyan, "Fair City"), a 16-year-old Muslim from a small village in Pakistan. Raja is thoughtful, responsible and wise beyond his years. To the Tolchucks and everyone else in Medora, he's also just about as foreign as a foreigner can be.
After the initial shock wears off, Justin is quickly won over by Raja's humor, gestures of friendship and by their common status as outsiders. Despite the cultural chasm between them, Justin and Raja develop an unlikely bond that just might allow them to navigate the minefield that is contemporary high school. It's going to be a very interesting year for Raja, Justin, his family and the entire population of Medora.
ALIENS IN AMERICA is produced by CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Warner Bros. Television for The CW. CBS Paramount Network Television is a division of CBS Studios Inc.
Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.
