'Shahs Of Sunset' To Be Developed By Ryan Seacrest And Bravo

Soon the entire nation will know about "Tehrangeles," the tight-knit and stereotypically wealthy Persian-American community of Los Angeles.

Ryan Seacrest and Bravo television are developing a series called "Shahs Of Sunset" (a working title), that will center on a group of young Persian-American adults living and working in Los Angeles.

Ryan Seacrest, executive producer of the "docu-series," made the announcement this morning on his radio show during a phone call with Bravo Executive Vice President Andy Cohen. Seacrest described the upcoming cast as a mix between "hot" people and "not so hot, but funny" people, while Cohen emphasized their affluence.

More details from a press release:

From over-the-top shopping sprees on Rodeo Drive to traditional family feasts at home, "Shahs of Sunset" celebrates the opulent lifestyle of a group of young, friends who have grown up together in Los Angeles and are now trying to balance their active social lives with their up-and-coming careers. Armed with chromed-out cars, logo-ridden purses and designer outfits, they've got it and they're not afraid to flaunt it. But while these young socialites know how to spend money – they also know the value of family and tradition. It's a part of Los Angeles culture and lifestyle that definitely has to be seen to be believed.

Los Angeles is home to an estimated 800,000 Persian-Americans, according to the LA Times. They are stereotyped for their wealth, over-the-top weddings, and preoccupation with status symbols.

Prominent "Tehrangelenos" include club promoter Sam Nazarian, actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, and recently deceased designer Bijan Pakzad.

Curbed LA points out that the producer of MTV's "Jersey Shore," Doron Ofir, announced plans last year for his own take on the Persian community in Los Angeles, titled "The Persian Version." There has been little word of this show since its announcement. Last fall, MTV cast members for a reality show focusing on the Korean-American community in Los Angeles, but the show was never produced.

Seacrest is the executive producer of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" On E! Network, as well as its several spin-offs. This is his first project with Bravo.

Comments

[littlegigik]

01:54 PM on 09/16/2011

This is going to make Persians look really bad :(

[TheBlackPen]

08:50 PM on 08/12/2011

This is the worst idea ever. It will only show the ugly side of Iranian people that everybody everyone in LA can on a daily basis. Most Iranians live in "budget Beverly Hills" on the other side of sunset. FACT

[wowme]

05:09 PM on 07/27/2011

How about if we stick with good old white american television!

[The Realhawkman]

07:39 AM on 07/27/2011

And who give a flying carpet camel fart?

[msc13]

07:03 AM on 07/27/2011

THIS IS SPARTA!!! sorry I felt compelled to say it.

[Jeffrey Fuentes]

06:47 PM on 07/24/2011

If you thought Jersey Shore is bad, wait until you get a taste of these jackasses. Sh***s of Sunset indeed.

[ThatsForSure]

04:18 PM on 07/23/2011

I JUST HOPE THAT RYAN AND ANDY COHEN HAVE SOME SENSE AND DO NOT PUT ALL THE INDIVIDUAL PERSIAN COMMUNITIES AGAINST ODDS WITH EACH OTHER. FOR EXAMPLE IF THE STEREOTYPES SHOULD SHOW THAT ONLY PERSIAN JEWS, FOR EXAMPLE ARE THE ONES WHO FLAUNT THEIR WEALTH. AND LATER MUSLIM PERSIANS, WHICH ARE THE MAJORITY OF IRANIANS/PERSIANS IN THE US AS A WHOLE, TELL PEOPLE THAT THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL IRANIAN/PERSIAN PROBLEM, BUT JEWISH PERSIAN ONE. I WONDER WHAT ANDY COHEH (JEWISH HIMSELF) WOULD DO THEN?

[Brigette]

02:13 AM on 07/22/2011

I understand this is not ALL people, but I have certainly had my own experiences with said group in this surrounding area. I've been shoved off sidewalks, pushed, judged, insulted (my fave was when one man asked me why Americans are so stupid), and the best was when a guy in $500 sunglasses, waving his hands around to make a point during a conversation, smacked me in the face with his cell phone and didn't even acknowledge I was human, much less apologize. I will not be watching.

[Baileygk]

04:09 PM on 07/26/2011

I've kicked them when they walk by just to remind them

[bad spelling grammar]

04:10 PM on 07/21/2011

As an American (Born in Santa Monica California) who came from wealthy Persian parents I think this show is stupid and will only create more stereotypes which will be developed and promoted by all the racists in this country. I will be the first to admit that there are plenty of lame Persians (the people that will be on this show) out there and we don’t need them to be on TV to give the rest of us a bad name.

[Mr Bobo]

07:25 PM on 07/21/2011

This show will do for Beverly Hills what the cast of "Jersey Shore" did for the entire state of New Jersey.

[bad spelling grammar]

08:55 PM on 07/21/2011

They already had that show the hills and it sucked, this one will suck just as bad

[skraeling]

12:43 AM on 07/22/2011

Seeing the ugly homes replacing old and tasteful houses in Beverly Hills and watching the rapid decline of Beverly Hills High, it is hard to accept your view that it is only a 'few"...I know stereotypes are bad, but I see no great presence on positive influence on anything to do with the community at large..Persians just never seem to grasp the idea of "community" as it is here..they are trying to create Tehran of the Shahs and they look ridiculous in the attempt. If things are so wonderful in Iran the Persians should return....alas...

[bad spelling grammar]

01:19 PM on 07/22/2011

Thanks for being a racist; if you knew anything about Persians you would understand that they have a HUGE sense of community. Persians offer a lot to the US by creating plenty of small and big businesses that fuel the American economy, the list is huge. We pay our taxes, donate to charity and hold government office (in the city of LA); I don’t know what else we need to do to make racists like you understand. You just sound like a hater with no evidence to back your argument which is typical of people who had all the resources in life but achieved nothing with them. You can hate all you want but the evidence shows the contrary to your argument. America was founded by immigrants and I bet you are not Native American so if you have a problem with this country YOU should leave. This country was founded to provided people from all around the world a better chance at life; we don’t discriminate against any race so how come you do? America is great because we have everyone on our team; our citizens come from every country in the world which makes us the greatest melting pot of culture on earth which allows us to be the greatest country in the world. Finally you should understand that nobody is perfect, Persians like all people (including you) have their short comings, and unless you are perfect you have no reason to judge anyone.

[ThatsForSure]

04:09 PM on 07/23/2011

Skraeling: At least we all came here legally. What did your ancestors do? They came here illegally and killed, raped, the American Indians! Wow, we are so proud of your ancestors for what they did. They just stole land and wealth from other helpless people. So go back to where ever you came from.

[NoushT]

03:24 PM on 07/21/2011

Please change the title!

[MotorcycleBoy]

02:24 PM on 07/21/2011

I'd rather take a kick in the sack than watch this dreck...or anything else produced by that dwarf.

[bad spelling grammar]

03:58 PM on 07/21/2011

fanned for being a animal supporter

[cromag]

01:46 PM on 07/21/2011

Oh I can't wait to see the Tea folk's reaction to this. The comment section on The Blaze is going to be awesome.

[Taha Ebrahimi]

12:26 PM on 07/21/2011

As a Persian-American, I am so scared to see my culture become part of pop-culture (and yet sort of excited).
www.persianperversion.blogspot.com

[skraeling]

12:45 AM on 07/22/2011

Well being part of "Pop" culture is better than being part of nothing but their own fantasy of Iran under the Shah....

[Taha Ebrahimi]

10:00 AM on 07/22/2011

Agreed--it's a fantasy life that particular Bevery-Hills-affluent-BMW-driving set lives, but it existed in the time of the Shah (and it was a catalyst for the revolution and we've seen the opposite side, which is not so pretty), and it continues to exist and (sometimes unfortunately) it's just a part of the culture. There are, of course, other sides of the culture as well, and it is yet to be seen how binary and simplistic this show will turn out. Either way, I hope the show sparks a dialogue about Persians in America because not enough people know that we ARE Americans and there is a whole generation of us who were born here and call the U.S. home. If you hate the show, then you'll understand why the revolution happened and why Iran is now ruled the way it is. If you love the show, then you'll understand that what you see on TV about veiled, bearded, American-hating Persians is not accurate at all.

www.persianperversion.blogspot.com

[Edward Wilkes]

06:02 PM on 07/22/2011

How dare you say THEIR like we are nothing!!!

[summerof68]

12:16 PM on 07/21/2011

Great ariticle about 'Tehrangelenos' from a few years ago: http://www.wmagazine.com/society/2009/07/persian_beverly_hills

[firstep]

11:19 AM on 07/21/2011

Persian Americans?

[ArChiMi]

12:01 PM on 07/21/2011

Having Persian parents, but born on the U.S. soil.

[amyandarthur]

12:20 PM on 07/21/2011

Persia is another name for Iran....