User reviews

The negative reviews are little more than religious policing. The one star reviews for Mo are the same one star 'blasphemy' reviews you'll find on The Life of Brian. While Mo isn't a satire - it doesn't mock religion - it works as a comedy because it's about a story of ridiculous contradictions and the distinctly familiar, muddling human attempts to make sense of it all and survive.

99% of the bellyaching reviews are critical of the characters not being Muslim enough, the situations not being true to scripture and strict observance of Islam.

But is this not demonstrably true of most religious people today? Most Abrahamic religions do not adhere to ultra orthodoxy, most seek a modern sensibility because dogma denies the personal purposes of faith. I don't need anachronistic dogma to legitimise my beliefs, in fact I blame it for a lot of problems.

Mo is realistic, modern and deeply funny series that is first and foremost about people. It works because it's about experiences we share as humans regardless of - or because of - politics or religion. It works because it gives a perspective we don't often see but with a humanity that we very much understand.

Entertaining, funny and real. I have seen Moe's standup show and I enjoyed it. I didn't really know what to expect when I started the series, without even noticing I was already in. It's very short! If there's one thing i'd complain about, I would've loved to see more. For some reason most stand-up comedians when they do fiction it's really bad. Not many comedians can do both stand up and fiction, Mo is officially now one of those few. Also this series gives a voice to a group of people that the world never really was able to empathize with since your voice is hardly heard, and to have that be entertaining in the same time I would call a great success.

Endearing multifaceted telling of a refugee immigrant family in the US wrapped in a barrel of unexpected laughs

A fun brilliantly-directed expression the ordinariness and complexity of the experience of a refugee/immigrant/Muslim/Palestinian/Arab asylum seeker in the US, who also happens to be thoroughly US American. Told with a touch a humour, lots of nuance, and beautiful insights. A rewatching will reveal tonnes of stuff that can be easily missed. And there are layers that you might only get if you're Palestinian, or Arab, or Muslim, or Brown etc.

While I thought the presentation of a Palestinian, Muslim, Asylum-seeker... Might be difficult to present; the show presents the characters with a charm, honesty and emotional depth. All the cultural peculiarities and challenges along with the contradictions, but not dealt with in a condescending way. The protagonist's own hang-ups allow us to be frustrated but also understand those frustrations.

No perfect people. Just relatable characters who bring you into their circle and who you genuinely empathise with and relate to and want to see succeed in their interpersonal relationships and their life goals.

Can the low ratings have something to do with the fact that the series centers around a Palestinian/Arab family? Of course it does. If you know you know. Watch it, great show, great acting. I have to write 600 characters, for it to be long enough. But that was the only thing I wanted to share. Are we there yet? 600? Watch it. It's good. Well acted. Watch it. 600 characters. That's a lot. But I'm gonna keep going. Palestine. Great acting. Love the scene in where the mother makes the olive oil. Great song while at it. 600 characters. Are we there yet? Mo is a good actor. Why does this show scores only a 7? It's obvious. It should get an 7.8-8.2. Are we there yet?

New prospective to life where I find it relatable to me, I liked how it's an Arab show done right, authentic and real Arab. And the cherry on top is that I recognised Farah (Mo mom) from before when I was a teen, it's so good to see her acting on Netflix.

I liked it and I want more, waiting for season 2!

Interesting view into something culturally different than I am used to. Great pacing, cinematography, and love the H town music influence. Dj screw, and the crews songs are placed nicely throughout the show.

Engaging plot with some pretty funny situations/scenes. Lot's of good actors and especially hats off to Mo.

Went into this with no knowledge of the plot and bo expectations. Really delivered on an enjoyable experience. Unique and flavorful. Highly recommend and hope it is renewed for a second season. Pretty real feeling situations. Believable.

Unique shows are hard to find and I wish Mo and his team all the best.

Step 1 - Give the show an eponymous title, named after an Arab-American stand up comedian.

Step 2 - Have the lead character struggle to live accordingly to his Muslim principles. Place him in a setting where he must go against these principles to survive. He is ultimately self-destructive.

Step 3 - Provide a diverse supporting cast to comment on different roles of friends/family/genders interacting with the setting around them.

There! There's the template!

As an Arab and a Muslim I like seeing that these shows are being made. I often see online a lot of Muslims getting mad at shows like 'Ramy' and I would assume this one as well for not depicting Muslims "accurately". According to them a Muslim must adhere to their religion perfectly, if not, it's BAD REPRESENTATION. I think what these people miss is that this is exactly the point of these shows. To depict Muslims as people who aren't perfect, who struggle, who are flawed. That is TRUE REPRESENTATION for any ethnic/religious group. Stories need external and internal conflict!

If we want to get to a point where we have more representation, then we need to treat Arab/Muslim characters as we would people of any other group. As people. And people more often than not, are a mess.

I think trailers for these shows (Ramy and Mo) can be misleading. They sell you "Black-ish" for Arabs/Muslims when really it's closer (in theory, not in quality) to something like "Atlanta". Something that challenges characters in relation to their culture, not something that says in neon lights "MUSLIMS ARE PEOPLE TOO".

As for the show itself? It's good. The acting is okay, I like some performances (MO's Mom) but I'm never really convinced when comedians turn to acting; they just play themselves. That being said, Mo handles the more serious scenes very well and I really do like Mo Amer. It's clearly a very personal project and his story is a really interesting one.

SHAMELESS SELF PLUG: If Ramy or Mo see this. I'm also a writer, hit me up! I'd love to write for either of your shows.

This show seriously exceeded my expectations. For some reason, I expected the usual stereotypes and cringe-inducing humor that comes at the price of Arab-American dignity BUT instead found a brilliant, funny, poignant human story told with grace and subtlety. So many laugh-out-loud moments (Sameer is the breakout comic star for me!) alternating with heartbreaking sob-caught-in-my mouth moments. Although I'm not Palestinian, I am Arab, so I found the depictions of music, family, culture, identity powerful and deeply resonant - I'm curious to know if non-Arab audiences will feel the same heart-strings tugged? Either way, I'm convinced there's something in this show for everyone. Pure genius. Bring on Season 2 Ba'a!!

Let's start with the statement: There will be lovers and haters just because of Palestine situation in this series but this is a pure review of this series regardless of politics.

Ramy repeated his show "Ramy" with the same successes and failures. Lazy overall writing with few Well-designed drama moments. The main character "MO" is a good entertainment-show host but his performance dropped when he was needed the most. But some characters were magnificent such as the mother and father, Sameer, Hameed, and the two attorneys.

The last episode is a total disaster the crew should've settled with only 7 and called it a season, why it should be 8?

I loved it from the start. Loved the character, loved the lead, loved the story and the script. It was so bittersweet and painful to watch this man getting knocked down, but getting right back up and starting over - and over... My mother was a first-generation American, and her mother went through SO much to give her children a good chance at life. I was cheering for Mo every episode. His strength of character was uplifting to see. So many times, disadvantaged people are not 'seen' by the people around them. This show is hella entertaining, but there's a big truth under the humor - the struggle too many people face every day, just to have the necessities the rest of us take for granted.

Watch this show! You'll be glad you did.

Some of the things culture/religion wise are bit exaggerated, not really true. Still it's fun to watch and there is humor and succeed in showing some part of culture in a right way. Maybe in the same fun way they can do better, pointing out all the stereotypes for muslims constructed by the western media for decades and correcting them and showing our real culture/religion and why it's beautiful. Love to see Maria's side of the story, hispanics portrayed in a realistic way, instead of the cartel stereotype. How similar our values are, muslims and hispanics, from living with our families to loving food (roti/tortilla) etc.

It's a excellent premise, storyline has potential to be fantastic however it's too much drama, forced and nonsense complications.

I tried to like this show but it lost me after five episodes.

Finally, a show that does not sugarcoat the reality of many people who struggle throughout their lives to fit in, chase a dream, show their perspective on the constant challenges throughout the show, the reality, is this will make you laugh, cry and feel happy that evolution of different cultures can be displayed, with no warrant of aggression, but showing a case of love and unity while hoping not to be causing too much criticism from extremist groups. I am excited to see the new up-and-coming season and hope that more networks would learn from what Netflix does right!

Chinese immigrant here. I love the show so much that I signed up for IMDB to write this review. My husband, an eastern European immigrant, likes the show too.

Mo, you are great, but Maria's acting is phenomenal. The show has just the right amount of everything for a good drama. East Asian director, learn a thing or two from this show, PLEASE! But... I wonder if a Palestinian immigrant who watches the show may have the same feeling as when I watch the TV show fresh off the boat. The storyline is that we can't become lawyers and doctors, so we started to sell yummy dumplings. That's okay!

Anyway, keep up the excellent work! I am waiting for season two.

Loved the unique plot and interesting solid characters. Man Tobe was a natural had no idea an actor. I have never seen main character Mo before and just pushed play and was not disappointed.

This is another one of hose shows that in the middle of season 1 ....I am already hoping there will be a season 2. This show came out of nowhere but was very enjoyable - lots of laughs - likeable characters - left me wanting more.

I'm a SWAT old school OG, and this show really ties cultural differences together tight like a pair of broken in shoes. So much different cultures and in the backdrop of the 3 largest US city and Southern like comfort. Comedy and Drama really portrayed well, with culture and class. Nice music, please add ESG swaggin and banging. Lol Fun Plex. That guy got shot at the food town next to my house on Wilcrest.

The story of Mo is the story of many Palestinians all over the world who had to behave their homes and even get harassed for telling their story and the story of their ancestors.

For so long it's been an unwritten rule to portray Arabs as either villains or complete helpless pour victims saved by whatever good-willed westerner. Mo portrays Arabs (Palestinians specifically) as normal humans, a normal family with its dysfunctions and contradictions. As an Arab I can finally relate to this show. I didn't like certain aspects of it but I'm not supposed to endorse everything in it. Mo is neither an awesome guy nor a villain. Just normal. Finally !

To our fellow Muslims and Arabs: don't expect this TV series or ANY other to ever represent the "average" Arab (Muslim or other) or Muslim (Arab or other) immigrant experience.

For starters there is no monolithic profile for the Arab/Muslim immigrant. We run the gamut from complete rejection of roots and heritage, to rigid adherence to a way of life that is not even practiced in the country of origin anymore. And, BTW, the same can be said of any Arab or Muslim population in their homeland. It's just the that the distribution shifts to the latter.

Most of us are somewhere in between. Most of us are probably even "more" Muslim or "more" Arab than Mo, the character, or the real one.

More likely than not, educated, slightly above average income, family-oriented, socially conservative, etc. Yeah, most of us are probably like that. But not all of us. Not by a long shot.

Mo, the series does not attempt to be an accurate portrayal of the average Muslim/Arab American. But there is truth in it. Sure, it skews towards the seedy, and the dysfunctional. But we've all experienced, or wrestled, with those aspects, that some reviewers find so objectionable, to a lesser extent, at least.

It does not represent you. But it is funny. And, the thing is, only you, with your life experience, that this show does not represent, only you can get some of the jokes.

This new series has an interesting story line that's well presented, well directed, and well acted. The story line about an illegal immigrant is touching as well as humorous. All the characters bring a delightful side to Palestinian immigrants and their issues. The cinematography is impressive as well. This is one of the better series on television this year. Been bingeing on it and have enjoyed every episode to date. Hoping that this Netflix series gets renewed for additional seasons as there has been a dearth of entertaining features that are streaming. Watch it and see a novel new series. Not sure how many more characters you need for this review to be posted.

Even if this weren't based in my home town, I would have loved this show. It's just an added bonus to get all the Houston in-jokes and location spots.