Arab talent shows have been on a roll of late with such programmes as The Voice, Arab Idol and The X Factor Arabia commanding huge audiences with their mix of appealing stars with inspiring backstories.
While Arab audiences embraced nearly all of the contestants, Arabs Got Talent has a special place for Gulf audiences due to locals reaching the finals in last year's season.
Emiratis welcomed the eventual winners, the Saudi illusionist group Khawater Al Thalam, but the performer on locals' lips was Shamma Hamdan, who excited the region with her mix of Khaleeji balladry and western rock influences.
The Dubai singer has since gone on to perform in concerts across the Middle East, with her next big engagement headlining Beats on the Beach on Abu Dhabi's Corniche in November.
Such developments make the Lebanese superstar Najwa Karam proud.
The Arabs Got Talent judge and music diva explains the programme is about giving people chances in a fiercely competitive industry.
"The show is all about working hard," she explains. "As you see throughout the programme, the contestants eventually realise what it takes to make it in the industry. It is about having that dream and really giving it your best. The experience pays off in the end as they end up working hard and following that dream after the show."
Arabs Got Talent has also been a revelation when it came to the programme's judging panel.
Those who initially dismissed the idea of Nasser Al Qasabi joining the programme as a judge last year would have been surprised by his insights throughout the past two seasons.
The Saudi comic's advice to Khawater Al Thalam on timing and stage presence was instrumental in the group taking out the competition.
Karam's often feisty demeanour in Middle Eastern tabloids found a more accommodating home within the programme. Her direct remarks to Hamdan throughout the series - including the memorable instruction to "make sure you open your mouth more when you are singing" - are always laced with almost motherly affection.
"I do feel the show did help some of us in the judging panel," Karam states. "I always care about my fellow performers because I understand it's not always easy to get on that stage and give it your best all the time. I wanted the audience to know that. I think what Arabs Got Talent did for me was that it showed the fact that I am emotional, I do care about people and that I am a really sociable person. I think it brought me even closer to the people."
With more than 50 million albums sold throughout a near 30-year career, the 47-year-old Karam transcended the Arab music scene to become a world music icon despite maintaining a classic Arabic pop feel throughout her 20 official albums.
She is proud of the fact she didn't succumb to the current musical style of singing in different Arabic accents to maximise her popularity.
In terms of attempting a Khaleeji dialect for a future release, Karam is dismissive. "Why would people accept me singing a song with a bad accent?" she asks.
"A lawyer cannot be an architect, they have to know the details of their respective jobs.
"I am Lebanese and I know the language and its techniques intimately. If I sing in any other accent, you just won't believe me."
That said, Karam doesn't have a problem with collaborating with young and up-and-coming artists from different genres if the chemistry is right.
"I am open to the idea if I feel there is some artistic affinity between me and someone from this new generation of artists," she says. "But I do feel these artists have to come to us as opposed to us coming to them."
. Arabs Got Talent is shown on MBC4 and MBC Masr at 10pm on Saturday. For details, go to www.mbc.net
Last year's winners, Khawater Al Thalam
Their goal might be to headline in Las Vegas, but last year's winners Khawater Al Thalam are obeying the age-old rule of show business: take over your neighbourhood before going global. The Saudi illusionist group have now expanded to include up to 27 members with various acrobatic talents. They have been busy playing locally, with shows in Jeddah and Medina, in addition to performing at humanitarian events in both Saudi Arabia and Qatar. A regional tour was recently held, with the UAE getting a taste of the magic back in August when the group headlined Ferrari World Abu Dhabi as part of its Eid celebrations.
Meet the new judge, Ahmed Helmi
Adding some exuberance to the judging panel is the Egyptian comedian and actor Ahmed Helmi. Known for his off-the-cuff performances in the comedies Aboud Ala Al Hodoud, Omar 2000 and Al Nazer, the 42-year-old hit pay dirt in the 2007 smash hit Keda Reda, a romantic comedy in which he played three different characters. It will be interesting to see whether Helmi's appearance on the show will reveal a more thoughtful personality or whether he will inject some of his screwball humour into the sometimes weary judging panel.
sasaeed@thenational.ae
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
Company%20Profile
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Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
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The specs: 2019 Audi A8
Price From Dh390,000
Engine 3.0L V6 turbo
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy, combined 7.5L / 100km
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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South Africa squad
: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
The%20specs
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
SPECS
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Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The years Ramadan fell in May
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
RACE CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
8.15pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
9.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Match info
Manchester United 4
(Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72')
Bournemouth 1
(Ake 45 2')
Red card: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
Scores
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand