D’oh! In Arabic is Still D’oh!

The Simpsons are coming to the Arab world, but there are a few changes in the works. AOL news writes today about how Fox’s cash cow will play on Arab TV.

“Homer Simpson’s ubiquitous Duff beer will now be soda in the Arab version of the show. Hot dogs will become Egyptian beef sausages, and donuts will become popular Arab cookies called “kahk.” Moe’s Bar has been completely written out of “Al Shamshoon.”

With characters who are Jewish (like Krusty the Clown), Hindu (like Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu) and Christian (like the family’s pastor, Rev. Lovejoy), Al Jean — “The Simpsons” executive producer — says those changes mean they aren’t “The Simpsons” anymore.

“If he doesn’t drink and eat bacon and generally act like a pig — which I guess is also against Islam — then it’s not Homer,” Jean said.

Some on the Arab street agree. Many bloggers have also expressed discontent.
“It’s different,” one Arab viewer told ABC News. “We are a totally different culture, so you can’t be talking about the same subject and in the same way.”

One thing didn’t change, according to Costandi. Omar Shamshoon still says “D’oh!”