Mo Amer is Putting Houston on the Map
Palistenian-American comedian Mohammed "Mo" Amer is shining a light on life in America’s most diverse city with Mo, the first-ever narrative sitcom set in Houston. Premiered last month on Netflix, Amer’s eight-episode, A24-produced comedy-drama brings to life his family’s lived experiences as immigrants looking for a place, legally and culturally, in the US.
Houston notably resettles more refugees than any other major city, and much of the show’s action takes place in the city’s Alief immigrant enclave, where the actor’s family relocated after fleeing Kuwait as refugees in the '90s. Houston kids will instantly recognize the downtown skyline sprawling Funplex game center, dozen-lane freeways, trilingualism and Bun B cameo.
"Understanding that Houston is the fourth-largest and most diverse city in America, I couldn’t believe there had never been a narrative sitcom here before," Amer told PAPER. "We’re a global producer of icons, from Megan Thee Stallion and Travis Scott to Paul Wall and Bun B before that. Chicago has had shows, and New York City. So when we’re talking about inclusion and diversity, it was important to me to do something fresh and different."