Behind the Reviews – Edition #10 (Here Come the Habibs)
Here Come the Habibs is one of the first new shows I reviewed when I launched my reviews content in 2016. It premiered on 9 February 2016, attracting controversy before it even aired its pilot.
The controversy of the show’s premiere was due to the assumptions that some of the general public made about the show being racist. I said in my review of the pilot that “while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I believe that if you’re going to be offended by a TV show, you should actually watch the show, rather than making assumptions based on previews.” Six years later, after having watched and reviewed both seasons of the show, I stand by that statement.
When you Google Here Come the Habibs, its listed as a “cringe comedy.” Cringe comedy is defined as comedy “where the humour mostly comes from placing characters in the most embarrassing situations possible, or having them say the most awkward or offensive thing possible at all times,” as well as comedy that “gives you second-hand shame.” Both at the time and looking back on it now, there were plenty of times (and episodes) where Here Come the Habibs was cringey, in both good and bad ways. I even described the pilot as “equal parts awkward, cringeworthy and amusing.” However, I for the most part appreciated its cringey nature and in an overall sense, I enjoyed watching the show.
One of the most interesting aspects of the show and one that I felt put the controversy to rest (or at least should have) was that it brought stereotypes, both Lebanese and Anglo-Saxon to light, and would enable the viewers to question why these stereotypes exist and are constantly perpetuated. I also stated at the time that I believed a good chunk of the controversy came from the general public not realising that highlighting and playing on these stereotypes was the writers’ intention. That being said, one consistent comment I made throughout my reviews of the first season was that the writers should ease up on them at some point, which they did eventually.
Despite the initial controversy, the show was renewed for a second season by the time the fifth episode aired. At the time I was happy for not only the cast and crew, but also happy that the show overcame the controversy and was enough of a success to be given another season. I felt that the second season was an improvement over the first as each episode had more clear-cut A and B stories, and the writers branched out by creating more side characters which provided them with more comedic opportunities.
After it aired, I wrote in my review of the season two finale that it worked as both a season and series finale as all loose ends were tied up, and that the two main love interests, Elias and Madison, getting engaged was a great ending for the show. While this was only one story arc for a potential third season, being that they were main characters it would work for a little while, while the tying up of loose ends would give the writers a fresh start if the show was renewed for a third season.
Overall, I enjoyed the show, although some episodes were better than others, and I felt that the show ended on a high with its much improved second season. The show’s co-creators, Rob Shehadie and Tahir Bilgic would go on to create and air another series, Street Smart, a year after Here Come the Habibs ended, which I also reviewed (and will talk about in this Behind the Reviews series in Edition #25).
Behind the Reviews – Edition #11 will be released next week and will focus on House Husbands.
Loveday Writing 