AllMovie

A profound knowledge of American television programs and movies from the '60s through the '80s is needed in order to properly appreciate this comedy. However, one of the points it is making is that even in the remotest parts of the globe, this is one thing practically everyone has in common. The story is set in a village in Muslim Algeria where the population is so television-crazy that the men even watch TV between their legs while they are bent over in prayer. So compelling is the televised imagery that the townspeople have universally adopted the names and personas of their favorite characters. Even the police station is not immune, although the man who has adopted Baretta's guise has to substitute a chicken for his idol's cockatoo, and Columbo's trenchcoat is much too clean.