Aliens in America is a 2007 American sitcom regarding a Pakistani Muslim foreign exchange student named Raja Musharraf, who is reluctantly taken in by his American host family the Tolchucks, and his struggles with fitting into American high school culture while staying true to his religion.
This series provides examples of the following tropes:
- Abhorrent Admirer: In episode 15, Raja gets a
clingy, talkative, overly excited girl named Mindy Weinblau deeply interested in him simply because he was nice enough to sign a "petition to end petitions". After volunteering at a nursing home with Mindy for just one night, Raja is deeply annoyed and Justin is happy to say "I told you so!" regarding her personality. Raja still doesn't listen to Justin about being honest and tries to let her down gently by stating that they cannot be a couple as he is a Muslim and needs to be married in order to be allowed to interact as a couple with a woman who is not a member of his family. Mindy being lead to believe that the difference of religion is what is keeping her and Raja apart decides to convert to Islam, and starts wearing a black overhead Pak Chador and niqab face veil at school. - Heel–Faith Turn: Mindy converts to Islam due to Raja telling her that they cannot be together because of difference of religion. This actually changes her personality somewhat where she is quieter and calmer and dressing very modestly. When her parents were horrified to find out about her conversion, they were attempting to get Raja to stop her from being a Muslim, where Raja explained that Mindy while being free to become Muslim most likely didn't actually convert and only did it because of a crush she had for him. Unfortunately for Raja and Mindy's parents, she did her research in the faith before converting and was able to recite the Shahada (declaration of faith) accurately and according to Raja is "technically" Muslim. Though Raja's suspicions about Mindy converting to Islam based on a high school crush was correct and he "breaks up with her" (even though they weren't actually a couple, despite Mindy's obsession) when she later admits to Raja that she became Muslim solely for the reason they could be together.
- Schemer: Justin's father Gary is always looking for new ways to make money. He was enthusiastic when he finds out the host family of the foreign exchange student is paid five-hundred dollars per month. He was contemplating committing Loophole Abuse by having multiple exchange students stay at his home for an additional five-hundred a month per student, but was told by his wife Frannie that the program only allows one student per household.
- Unconfessed Unemployment: Gary loses his job. He's too ashamed to tell the family, so he tries to get them to cut costs. Raja, not wanting to be a burden, takes a job at a convenience store.
