Block 13
Block 13 is a Kuwaiti animated television series and unlicensed Arabic adaptation of the American animated sitcom South Park. It was created and directed by Nawaf Salem Al-Shammari and aired on Kuwait Television during the second half of Ramadan, December 12, 2000, running until December 5, 2002. It was the first animated TV series to be produced in Arab States of the Persian Gulf. It re-aired on Kuwait Television for 2020's Ramadan, and continues to be re-run each Ramadan.
The series follows Hammoud, Azzouz, Saloom, Honey, Abboud, and his little sister Farooha, who all often go on wacky and unordinary misadventures. Similar to South Park in the United States, the series dealt with many issues that concerned the Middle East population but in a way that could be less offensive and more family-friendly. Unlike South Park, which is adult-oriented, Block 13 was meant for families and children of all ages.
Characters
Main characters
- Abdullah "Abboud" Bu Abboud Al-Abboud – The ringleader of the group who always likes to be the center of attention, and is constantly ridiculed for his obesity. He is bald and wears a white taqiyah – also known as "gahfiya" in Kuwaiti Arabic – which sometimes leads to his teachers calling him "gahfiya" or "gahfiya boy". Abboud is the show's version of Eric Cartman.
- Ahmad "Hammoud" Kashkh Al-Zain – The "coolest" and the most well-mannered boy out of his group. Coming from an upper-class family, he is often shown to be a teacher's pet by his classmates, and constantly relays advice from his father. He is the show's version of Stan Marsh.
- Abdulaziz "Azzouz" Mutlaq Bu Taqqah – The third member of the group. A Syrian-Kuwaiti boy who has a "yes man" personality, constantly in agreement with anything the boys say or do. In the first season, he wore a black and brown ushanka, but in Seasons 2 and 3, he wore a baseball cap with an A on it with the same colors. He has short, curly hair in the first season, and straight hair in the second season and beyond. He is the show's version of Kyle Broflovski.
- Saloom – The fourth member of the group. A timid, reserved, and innocent boy who is shown to be very emotionally sensitive, usually when anyone makes comments about his personal life as a poverty-stricken child. He wears his father's red keffiyeh that covers his face & muffles his speech. A running gag is his constant fatal and comically absurd accidents. He is the show's version of Kenny McCormick.
- Honey Hatif Atlan – The fifth and newest member of the group. An American-Kuwaiti kid who moved to Block 13 to live with his grandmother, first appearing in the second season. He is aloof and constantly code-switches between English and Arabic, his main catchphrase being "Whatever." He is considered by many to be the show's version of Craig Tucker and Butters Stotch.
Secondary characters
- Farooha – Abboud's baby sister who often accompanies the main four on their adventures. Her catchphrase is "Dig-iday!". She is considered by many to be the show's version of Ike Broflovski.
- Halool – The frenemy of the main four in earlier seasons. He is the Bedoon bully classmate, shown to be condescending, arrogant, and constantly butting heads with the main group.
- Jamool – Halool's former sidekick in the first season. Another obese boy shown to be wisecracking at the main four's expense alongside Halool. After the first season, he is transformed into a penguin.
- Jameah – Halool's newest sidekick and the replacement of Halool's former friend, Jamool. His name is mistaken with Friday, which commonly makes him mad. He has squiggly hair with an overbite. He is Omani, and constantly questions Halool's Bedouin Arabic slang.
Teachers
- Miss Attiyat – The portly Egyptian female therapist-turned-teacher of the Block 13 public school. She has a tendency to mispronounce Kuwaiti words and wears a bright orange and yellow abaya. A running gag are cow jokes made at her expense due to her abaya.
- Mr. Saleh - A former teacher at the Block 13 school with severe anger issues, and was the main four's teacher before getting sent to a mental hospital over his relationship with Miss Attiyat at the end of the first season. He occasionally returns throughout the series as an antagonist. He is the show's version of Herbert Garrison.
- Mr. Atiya - A teacher who first appears in season 2 and replaces Mr. Saleh. He is shown to have a strong personality, and not as angry as Mr. Saleh, yet constantly roasts Abboud with fat jokes. He was also the love interest of Miss Attiyat.
History