Tash Ma Tash series stands as one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential comedy productions, airing during Ramadan seasons from 1993 to 2011. Over nineteen seasons, it used satire to explore social, cultural, and political topics through characters that represented everyday Saudi life.
Origins and format
The name Tash Ma Tash comes from an old traditional game. Each episode carried its own writer, story and characters, which let the show explore a wide range of topics while still delivering comedic social commentary. Director Amer Al-Humoud led the first two seasons, followed by Abdulkhaliq Al-Ghanem through season fifteen, then Hisham Sharbatji and Mohammed Ayesh in later seasons. The final season, sponsored by the General Entertainment Authority, aired as “Tash: The Return” under director Mohammed Al-Qaffas.
Leading roles
The series starred the comedic duo Nasser Al-Qasabi and Abdullah Al-Sadhan, supported by a rotating cast of local and Gulf actors.
Memorable characters
Several recurring characters became cultural touchstones in Saudi Arabia. Abu Hazzar and Abu Nizar, two brothers navigating family life and desert trips known as “kashtah,” gave rise to actor Fahad Al-Hayyan’s famous childlike character “Hazzar.” Hamoud and Muhaimeed depicted two friends adjusting from rural life to the city, while Alyan and Saidan lived out daily struggles in an old village.
Abdullah Al-Sadhan also played “Abu Musaad,” a miserly, trickster archetype, and “Abu Zunaifer,” a traditionalist resistant to change. Nasser Al-Qasabi’s character “Fuad” became an icon both inside and outside the series, an innocent, naive figure often rescued from trouble by his savvier uncle, “Asaad Omar Qalli,” played by Yusuf Al-Jarrah.
Frequently asked questions
When did Tash Ma Tash first air?
The series premiered in 1993 and ran until 2011.
How many seasons did Tash Ma Tash have?
It reached nineteen seasons across nearly two decades.
Who starred in Tash Ma Tash?
Nasser Al-Qasabi and Abdullah Al-Sadhan led the cast throughout most seasons.
Fans of Saudi comedy may also enjoy the more recent Shabab Al-Bomb series, which continues the tradition of youth-focused satire. For a look at how Saudi entertainment continues to grow internationally, see this piece on how Saudi Arabia promotes Saudi cinema abroad.
Archived episodes remain available through Shahid MBC.
