Katie Couric Was Right! Muslim-Americans Do Want Their Own TV Show

Katie Couric came under fire this month for suggesting a Muslim version of 'The Cosby Show' would go a long way in fixing America's ignorance about the Islamic faith.

"Maybe we need a Muslim version of 'The Cosby Show' ... I know that sounds crazy," Couric said on a web version of her show, while discussing the major stories from 2010. "But 'The Cosby Show' did so much to change attitudes about African-Americans in this country, and I think sometimes people are afraid of things they don't understand."

Critics were quick to call Couric's well-intentioned remarks simplistic and "bird-brained."

But Muslim and Arab writers, directors and actors say they see Couric's remarks as a stepping stone to tolerance and say the CBS news anchor gave them a platform they wouldn't have otherwise had to express their desire for more positive Muslim portrayals on scripted television. They're hoping her remarks will be the catalyst to make that happen.

"We want to see a typical Arab-American family that is just like every other family in America," said Arab-American comedian Dean Obeidallah, who has developed a pilot for Comedy Central. "Television has had the ability to demonize Muslims and Arabs, but we realize that it also has the ability to humanize us."

Couric's suggestion might not be as radical or as far off as her critics decried. In fact, Muslim-American writers say that broadcast and cable networks are starting to be more receptive to scripts prominently featuring both Arabs and practitioners of Islam. A decade-removed from the September 11th terrorist attacks, television may finally be ready to portray Muslim-Americans as more than terrorists and taxi cab drivers.

"Hollywood would definitely embrace a Muslim 'Cosby Show' with one caveat: It would have to be really good. It's the one factor that has linked shows about minorities like the 'Cosby Show' or even 'Will & Grace.' Currently, I believe Americans are open to any minority as long as the show speaks to universal human truths and makes them laugh," said Muslim-American Hollywood television and movie producer Tariq Jalil, the executive producer of the comedy 'Marmaduke.'

"From a network perspective, a show just needs to be socially responsible and pull in ratings. I don't think there's a single network that would turn down a good show that features Muslim-Americans as long as it brought in viewers."

Jalil says the atmosphere is right; the problem is more Muslims need to write this kind of material.

Wajahat Ali, a Muslim-American playwright and author, recently released a play about the familial drama and comedy of a Muslim-American family, called 'Domestic Crusaders,' through McSweeney's publishing imprint and has been tapped by HBO to write a pilot with bestselling author Dave Eggers about a Muslim-American police officer living in San Francisco. Ali says several theaters passed on producing 'Domestic Crusaders,' despite loving the script.

"There seems to be hesitation amongst artistic directors that the play, featuring all Pakistani-American characters, might not resonate with mainstream audiences. There is also a fear that the mere mention of a play about Muslim-Americans will generate controversy and backlash," Ali said.

But when he pitched his idea for a television pilot featuring a Muslim-American cop, HBO was very receptive.

"HBO has been great, but at the end of the day we have to acknowledge that the color that matters in Hollywood and show business is green. They need to be convinced that the story you are telling will be accessible to the mainstream audience to get their revenue," Ali said.

A Newsweek poll conducted in August showed 58 percent of Americans believe they don't know anyone who is Muslim. A television show won't entirely close that gap, but could go a long way toward making Americans feel like they know a Muslim. More than that, it could help Muslim-American children feel like their American counterparts know someone like them.

"For a Muslim-American child to see people who look like him or her, a normal family living in the U.S., will make them feel a genuine sense of acceptance. Talking to a child about the constitution and their rights will go right over their head, show them a 30-minute sitcom and they will understand tolerance, acceptance and even equality," said Linda Sarsour, director of the Arab American Association of New York and mother of three.

Playwright Aizzah Fatima, who wrote and performs the one-woman show 'Dirty Paki Lingerie' in New York City, just hopes such a program would combat the general ignorance about Islam that Couric was referring to. "Just as the Cosby show debunked stereotypes about African-Americans, so could a similar show do for Muslim-Americans. We are just like everyone else. Some of us are religious, and others aren't. We do not want to impose Islamic law or anything else on our neighbors of different faiths."

Celebs Take to Twitter to Show Off Their Sparklers

Spice Girl Emma Bunton is the latest tweet-happy celeb to post pics of her engagement ring to Twitter. It seems like the honeymoon phase starts early for these newlywed-to-be's who can't wait to show the world, or rather their followers, that they're taken. Long gone are the days when a newspaper engagement announcement would do the trick, in the digital age Twitter is all the rage.

The arguably un-holy future matrimony between Sandra Bullock's ex, Jesse James, and his tattoo aficionado fiancée, Kat Von D, was foreshadowed by this black and white shot. J

esse who is known for his frequent @thekatvond 'I love you's' posted this pic of Kat showing off her sparkler.

If you aren't too distracted by her tattoo-covered digits, you'll see that her ring finger is sporting a killer diamond--surprisingly conservative for the unconventional couple.

While most are too excited to disguise their rock bragging with some ulterior reason for snapping a pic of their left hand, Lily Allen found a way to do exactly that.

After suffering two miscarriages, Lily's boyfriend of two years, Sam Cooper, proposed on Christmas Day of 2010.

Weeks later, Lily tweeted a link to her blog on which she snapped a shot of her heavy ring finger to show off her manicure: "A girl can't do Manhattan sans manicure." Right.

Sultry R&B singer, Monica, tweeted a pic of her Texas-sized engagement ring with a shout-out caption to her hair stylist.

Sure, her hair looks great but maybe she should give some credit to fiancé and LA Lakers player, Shannon Brown for that killer rock.

Sister, sister sure snagged the perfect mister. Fox News correspondent, Adam Housley, proposed to the actress when the two were vacationing in Italy in early January.

Although Tamera's sister is less than thrilled about her twin's choice of husband, it looks like Tamera couldn't be happier.

Hopefully third time's a charm for Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris.

Hugh's 24-year-old girlfriend got a Christmas Eve for the story books when Hugh proposed with a multicarat diamond and platinum stunner.

A week later Crystal took to Twitter to post a pic of the ring much to the probable disappointment of Hef's ex, Holly Madison, who left the 84-year-old because he would not propose to her.

Baby Spice is all grown up and engaged.

Emma's longtime boyfriend and baby daddy finally proposed after the couple announced that Emma was pregnant with their second child in November of 2010.

Emma captioned the pic with a resounding, "Yahooooo."

General Motors Ads Run Without Their Consent on MTV Show 'Skins,' Company Says

It looks like MTV goofed when they aired two ads for the new Chevy Volt on the premiere of their controversial new teen reality drama, “Skins,” on Monday night.

“We received a lot of emails,” GM manager of communications Ryndee Carney tells FOX411 exclusively. “So then we began to investigate because we, of course, never intended to advertise on the show in the first place. We talked to MTV and they rectified the situation.”

The Parents Television Council, who launched a boycott of GM along with other brands who advertised on the controversial show on Thursday, applauded the move.

“PTC also thanks General Motors for swiftly responding to PTC members’ concerns about Chevy Volt advertisements," PTC president Tim Winter said in a statement released to FOX411. “GM told PTC that ‘Skins’ was on its ‘do not buy’ list on MTV, and that MTV admitted placing the Chevy commercial on ‘Skins’ in error. GM also stated that MTV had apologized for its error.”

In addition to the call for a boycott against “Skins” sponsors, the PTC asked lawmakers and law enforcement officials to open an investigation regarding possible child pornography on the cable network’s newest series.

The show features several teenage actors engaging in “foul language, illegal drug use, illegal activity as well as thoroughly pervasive sexual content,” PTC President Tim Winter said in a letter sent to the chairmen of the U.S. Senate and House Judiciary Committees and the Department of Justice.

The flurry of controversy follows a series of panicked meetings that the New York Times reported took place at MTV headquarters Tuesday, where executives even went so far as to discuss criminal charges.

In a statement released Thursday, MTV defended the show that they claim addresses “real-world issues confronting teens in a frank way.”

"We are confident that the episodes of 'Skins' will not only comply with all applicable legal requirements, but also with our responsibilities to our viewers,” they said.

Taco Bell announced Thursday they had pulled their ads from the show.