New Iraqi Television Season Debuts Tonight With “The Sunni and Shia Comedy Hour”

BAGHDAD -  The new Iraqi television season begins this evening with the premiere of “The Sunni and Shia Comedy Hour,” featuring the talents of Sunni Bono and his long-time wife and show-business partner, Shia. 

Sunni and Shia have not performed on Iraqi television since the 1977 Iraqi Emmy Awards, when they were honored for their contribution to Arabic entertainment.  After receiving their award, which was presented by then-President Saddam Hussein, they proceeded to douse the dictator with seltzer water and smash a cream pie in his face. 

Security forces immediately arrested the pair.  They spent the next twenty years in prison.

“We had a lot of time to work on the act,” said Mr. Bono.  “What fans will see this evening will be the fruits of our comedic labor while we languished in the filthy bowels of Saddam’s dark dungeon.  It’s going to be the must-see, feel-good hit of the season.” 

The show, which is sponsored by Al-Sadr Appliances and The Hashemi House of Rugs, will feature sketch comedy, musical numbers, and vitriolic anti-American, anti-Semitic harangues. 

“We are excited about returning to Iraqi television, and for the chance to perform for those people lucky enough to have electricity,” said Mr. Bono. 

Shia refused to say whether or not her outfits for tonight’s show would comply with the strict guidelines on women’s clothing dictated by Islamic law. 

“I told Sunni not to worry,” she said.  “If viewers object to the way I dress and the show doesn’t work out, he can run for the Iraqi Congress and I’ll become an actress.”

Oct 1

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