David Stacy in "30 Days"
photo by Randy Tepper
"30 Days" (F/X)

"30 Days" is one of the more recent entries in the "reality show" market. Created by Morgan Spurlock, this show places individuals into new and unknown situations for a period of thirty days. The first show dealt with Spurlock and his fiancée' living off a minimum wage income. The second concerned a thirty-four year old man trying to reverse the aging process. This week's show focuses on a practicing Christian from West Virginia living with a family of practicing Muslims in Deerborn, Michigan.

Spurlock is the man who gained fame with his 2004 film "Super Size Me." This film chronicled Spurlock's life when he lived off McDonalds's fast food for a period of thirty days. The film won several national awards and was even nominated for an Academy Award. It made Spurlock a familiar face in the documentary world, and his fame there led him to do this show for the F/X Channel.

In the segment titled "Muslim and America," a man named David Stacy moves in with a family in Deerborn, Michigan. This town has the largest Muslim population in the United States and the family with whom David stays is one that practices the Muslim faith.

Stacy is required to follow the Muslim ways and to merge himself into the Muslim culture for thirty days. It is an eye-opening experience for him and an informative one for the audience. It would have been even more informative and entertaining had Stacy been a more enjoyable guide. 

From the time the camera first sees him, he appears to be totally uncomfortable in front of the camera and almost twitchy in his actions. He does not have the best communicative skills and any enlightenment he receives is vague and non-defined.

Still this is a one-hour show you should watch. Even if David Stacy didn't learn a lot, the audience will. That is what the show is all about it and that is definitely what it accomplishes.

"30 Days: Muslims and America" airs on the F/X Channel June 29 at 10PM. A new episode will air in this time period through July 20.

 

 

 

 

 

©2005 Jackie K. Cooper

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