- The show has been blocked by ‘order of the honorable judicial authority’
The Iranian version of Blind Date has been shut down by the country’s theocratic rulers after the program became extremely popular among a younger audience dreaming of a more Western lifestyle.
The crackdown comes after more than a year of nationwide protests, sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who was arrested for not wearing the hijab properly.
In the Iranian version of the show, which has been watched by millions of viewers online, young men and women try to find love by answering questions posed by Iranian influencer Viny.
The show’s Instagram page was also blocked until “further notice” by “order of the honorable judicial authority.”
The British version of the show, which is best known for its stint on ITV when it was presented by Cilia Black between 1985 and 2003, attracted an audience of 14 million viewers at its peak.
The Iranian version of Blind Date has been shut down by the country’s theocratic rulers after the program gained immense popularity among a younger audience dreaming of a more Western lifestyle
Born in 2003, Viny was a comedian and a popular YouTuber before hosting the Iranian version of Blind Date.
Some episodes, which remain available on YouTube, provide a rare insight into life in a pariah state, where the hijab is mandatory for women and where 650 people have recently been killed in street protests.
In one episode, a woman named Neusha reveals that she has lived in California for the past twelve years, where she works as a real estate agent.
Since 2020, more than 1.8 million young Iranians have left the country.
Her future partner, Majid, reveals that he is an accomplished and successful sportsman, prompting Neusha to flex her muscles in approval.
Viny then asks the participants what month they were born in, because in Iran astrology is believed to be helpful in choosing a husband or wife.
After revealing he was born in June, Majid appears to shock a disappointed Neusha as she shouts, “Oh no! Real?’
The crackdown on the show comes after more than a year of nationwide protests, sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini (pictured), a young woman who was arrested for not wearing the hijab properly.
Viny also quizzes the couple about their happiest and saddest moments, Western culture and their favorite Persian food.
To undermine their chances of romance, Majid reveals that he hates the smell of onion, a key ingredient in Neusha’s beloved minced lamb kebab.
While such talk may seem harmless by Western standards, dating can be difficult in a country that requires its citizens to adhere to strict Islamic laws.
A 2022 study found that half of Iran’s population of 86 million people was under the age of 35, of whom almost 68 percent were single.