How an Algerian prank show horrified a nation, accused of exploiting the poor

'Ana Wa Rajli' on Numidia TV set up unsuspecting low-income men with a fake rich wife

Contest Sufyan finds out his 'grand prize' is in fact a wife on an episode of the Algerian prank show 'Ana Wa Rajli', aired on April 25, 2020. YouTube

An Algerian prank show was yanked off the air this week after a barrage of viewer complaints.

Having premiered on the first day of Ramadan on Friday, April 24, Ana Wa Rajli (Me and My Man) was set up as a mix between a candid camera and dating show.

Each episode hosts unsuspecting and financially struggling single males who think they are taking part in a variety show.

Things take a turn into uncomfortable territory when the host begins to ask about the qualities the men are looking for in a wife.

The cringe-worthy moment arrives when the man discovers the “grand prize” he is competing for is a spouse “who has her own house and salary".

Suddenly, a woman – who is part of the production – appears from the shadows and sits on the couch next to the contestant. "Congratulations," host Mohammed bin Yahya says to his mortified guest, as the woman fits all the categories he is looking for.

By the time the man finds out it is all a joke, the damage is done. They are utterly humiliated.

In the two episodes shown before the plug was pulled on the show, contestants expressed emotions ranging from fleeting joy to embarrassment.

Accusations of misogyny and exploitation of the poor

After its premiere on the Algerian channel Numidia TV, outraged fans took to social media to lambast the show with accusations of misogyny and exploitation of the poor.

The backlash was so fierce that Algeria’s broadcasting authority issued a warning on Sunday, April 26 to the channel.

The remaining episodes in the 30-part series were scrapped after Numidia TV decided to halt airing the series that same day.

In an effort to stem the criticism, host bin Yahya appeared on the channel's news programme on Monday, April 27, saying the motive of the show was benign.

"I am here to make you understand the idea behind the candid camera show that we presented," he said. "We did this show with the right intentions and not to humiliate or hurt people."

Bin Yahya said if he has offended anyone, "I ask for forgiveness from all Algerians, big and small."

Does this spell trouble for notorious Egyptian prankster Ramez Galal?

Ana Wa Rajli is not the only prank show with controversy this Ramadan.

Once again, Egyptian comic Ramez Galal has come under fire for his latest series Ramez Galal Majnoon Rasmi (Ramez Galal, Certifiably Insane). Aired nightly on MBC, the show has celebrities arrive at the Dubai studio under the guise of taking part in a new interview series. They are then strapped in a chair that turns into a 360° gyrating roller-coaster that sends them flying around the set.

In the first episode, Galal sprayed Egyptian actress Ghada Adel’s hair and face with spray paint, then submerged her in a tank full of crabs, throwing snakes at her, and making her sing "Ramez Galal is a YouTube star", threatening her as if she were his hostage.

Such was the confronting nature of the content that Egypt’s Abbasiya Mental Health Hospital urged families to restrict children from viewing the programme due to its disturbing images.

MBC responded to the criticism on its ET Bil Arabi entertainment news show on Sunday, April 27, saying its internal polling indicates the show is the most viewed this Ramadan, so far.

Furthermore, unlike Ana Wa Rajli,  MBC said that each episode of Ramez Galal Majnoon Rasmi was aired after the approval of the guest.

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Has Ramez Galal finally crossed the line with his new prank show 'Ramez Majnun Rasmi'?

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