Most American TV shows and sitcoms do not do the region justice. From poorly researched characters to one-dimensional stories, we've seen it all.
With not many options in play, we, the people of the Middle East have more often than not been narrowed down to rag-headed, oil-rich people with not much going on for us except war, religion, and sex.
Here are six examples of how American sitcoms have mentioned the Arab world.
1. Lisa's school project on ancient Egypt - The Simpsons (1989-)
>The Simpsons spares no topic - that is a fact. From religious scripture to politics, the series is known for turning serious topics into the stuff of hilarity. And Egypt has its share.
In an episode titled," >Simpsons Bible Stories," Moses' exodus from Egypt is narrated in typical Simpson fashion. It's one of the show's anthological episodes featuring several sub-stories.
During one scenario, Homer and Marge imagine themselves as Adam and Eve, and in another, Lisa dreams of becoming one of the Israelites of Egypt among her Springfield Elementary friends.
Lisa and Milhouse play Moses, while Skinner becomes the Pharaoh. Along with her classmates, they attempt to escape a Pyramid prison and lead the 'school-slaves' to the shores.
2. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict - Rick and Morty (2013-)
The black comedy animation sitcom has referenced the conflict several times without declaring the show's producers' stance on the matter.
In one such scene, Morty explains to aliens how sometimes drunk Rick blabs about defense budgets and the United Nations before passing out. Sober Rick then tries to justify that it's just the booze talking, but the alien tells him it's not his business to judge (referring to Rick's stance on the conflict).
In another scene, Rick is sitting at a table with two people who appear to resemble an Israeli politician and a Palestinian leader, as the three of them smoke hookah while Morty watches silently.
3. Iraq Lobster - Family Guy (1998- )
''Death to America. And butter sauce. Don't boil me. I'm still alive. Iraq lobster.''
Family Guy is as brutally honest and satirical as The Simpsons. With this clear wordplay on Rock Lobster by rock band The B-52s, Peter Griffin twists the lyrics without a hint of explanation in the episode, >Screams of Silence.
4. 15 Yemen road, Yemen - F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (1994-2004)
This American sitcom has had a major influence on many viewers since its inception in 1994. However, the show has been criticized for its sexism, take on minorities and immigrants, and lack in racial diversity.
Remember when Chandler couldn't stand Janice anymore and had to pretend he was moving to Yemen to discover an energy replacement for fuel?
In stereotypical American fashion, Janice buys the whole fake address (15 Yemen road, Yemen,) while Joey thinks the name "Yemen" is actually made up.
In another episode, Ross seems offended when Rachel's sister, Amy, mistakes him for the "falafel guy" across the street.
5. Lebanese are the new half-Asians - How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
Barney Stinson, one of American TV's most eligible bachelors, has been known for having a knack for half-Asian girls.
He later upgraded specifically to Lebanese girls, as per this conversation with Ted.
According to Fandom, Yasmin was the first woman seen to be the target of Barney's iconic line, "Have you met Ted?"
Something different: Middle East who? - Halal in the Family (2015-)
Halal in the Family or The Qu'Osby Show is Aasif Mandvi and his team's take on a regular American Muslim family struggling to dodge stereotypes and social stigma.
"The whole joke is that he so is wanting to not be seen as Muslim, because he wants to be accepted, and he wants to be seen as just a regular American, that in his regular-Americanness he actually ends up being more much racist toward Muslims. And in doing that you get to highlight the absurdity of racism and Islamophobia,” Mandvi once told the New Yorker.
This much-needed, unique show is currently being developed as an animated sitcom which humorously addresses the over-obsession many Americans have with Muslims and the Arab region.