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Arash Shahali

Arashiel ‘Arash’ Shahali (née Vanderbilt) is a fictional character on the American sitcom ‘The Brigadoons’ (1992-1999). Created by Franklin White and Max Demona, he is portrayed by Pedro Suarez (his singing voice is provided by Julia Delisle). Generally well received by critics and often regarded as a main contributor to the show’s success, Arash is also one of prime time television’s first openly gay characters. His trademark catchphrase ‘That’s a spicy meat-a-ball!’ has been ranked #52 in the Top 100 of Television Quotes. Out of the main cast, Arash by far makes the least appearances on the show, his first appearance being in season one’s final episode “Turnstiles”.

Background

Little is known about the character’s life prior to the beginning of the show. He appears to be in his mid-twenties (his age is never mentioned throughout the series). In several episodes it is implied that he grew up in the wealthy Vanderbilt family (explaining why he is able to purchase the Brigadoon house from the Pudney government in the season 4 episode ‘Pearls before swine before eviction’) and enjoyed the benefits of an upper class upbringing (eating oranges with knife and fork and being able to balance stacks of books on his head). Arash appears to have been quite popular in high school, having received both the Prom King and Prom Queen titles at his high school dance, as mentioned in the episode ‘Boondocks galore’. His mantelpiece also showcases a 1995 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress (part of a recurring gag where Arash seems to be nominated only for female prizes). According to his parents, who visit the Brigadoon household in season 4, he was “your average teenage cheerleader with budding magical powers and low self-esteem”. References have been made to him having a Broadway career before the start of the show. After he randomly meets Johnny Brigadoon at an Applebee’s Restaurant in the season one finale, he joins Johnny’s gang of twenty-something misfits as its final member.

In the series

Arash starts out as a sensitive pushover with a flair for the dramatics, he occupies the top floor of the Brigadoon house and is considered eccentric and outlandish by most of the house’s other inhabitants. Despite his lavish lifestyle and quirky antics, he often acts as the voice of reason throughout the show’s run. Most of the character’s humor is derived from the fact that the other characters know so little about him. He also serves as a comic foil for Gisto. Arash is shown to be a skilled player of the recorder, which he sometimes uses to cheer up the other characters and he regularly hosts charity events in his living quarters. He usually helps the other characters with their endeavors, from Gisto’s jewel heist in ‘La Perfecto Crimo’ to Rhetta’s nail boutique in ‘Brittle shop of Horrors’, yet remains secretive when it comes to his own escapades (which he claims are non-existent). Throughout the series he forms close bonds with some of the other characters, particularly Rhetta, Vinnie, and Johnny Brigadoon. His best friend on the show is Gisto, whom is allowed to enter Arash’s living quarters at all times. Much of the show’s most noteworthy episodes feature storylines where the two join forces. In earlier seasons it is often implied that the two harbor romantic feelings for one another, but after season 3 in which Gisto marries Regina (“Game Over, Gisto”) these feelings are played down. When the Pudney government threatens to demolish the Brigadoon house in the season 4 episode “Pearls before swine before eviction”, it is Arash who saves the day by privately purchasing it from them. This results in his parents paying him a visit in the season’s finale (“Rover Glover”) and putting him in a state of ‘eternal slumber’ to atone for his lavish spending spree. Arash, who is supposedly asleep, is not seen in season 5 and the door to his living quarters remains locked for the duration of that season. He reappears in season 6, now married to a young oceanographer called Hunter Shahali; their marriage seems to be picture perfect. In the last two seasons, Arash is rarely seen (due to the conflicting schedule of actor Pedro Suarez). He makes an appearance in the alternate universe episode ‘snoodagirB’, wearing a revealing French maid costume. In the series’ final episode he helps Johnny turn the Brigadoon house into an orphanage. During the last scene, when all the gang members hand in their keys to Johnny, Arash mentions that he’ll be joining Hunter to the Pacific on a deep-sea expedition.

Personality

Arash appears to be the most level-headed of the Brigadoons, often lending a helping hand or a word of advice. Shy and reserved, he is the only Brigadoon who doesn’t care for mischief or chaos, preferring to ‘doze off around 8 pm. while watching reruns of 'Murder, She Wrote’. The others commonly refer to him as ‘Mother Brigadoon’; in accordance, Arash often describes himself as the embodiment of virtue, patience and dignity. He has a strong affiliation with magic and the occult. According to several characters on the show he possesses a wide range of supernatural abilities, from mind control to time travel. In the episode “Double trouble” he and his sisters appear to communicate telepathically and throughout season 5 he is assumed to be in magical slumber. It’s unclear whether these powers are real or not. Writer Max Demona stated that because of the character’s limited screen time and unexplored background, much of his ‘magical exploits’ are not necessarily real, but probable nonetheless.

Despite of his timid and sensitive nature, Arash manages to be somewhat of a socialite. His connections to the Pudney upper class are often abused by the Brigadoon gang and on several occasions he has been threatened to be thrown out of the Pudney Country Club. In addition, Arash is shown to be quite vain and superficial, as most of his storylines revolve around his obsession with weight loss and social standing. At times he seems mentally unstable and overly dramatic, contrasting with his otherwise composed appearance. Critics have applauded the dual nature of the character; Moira Tank from U.S. Weekly wrote: “''He manages to unite the human and the divine. His connection to the Brigadoon household is as nonsensical as his overall demeanor. And that is why we love him so much!''”