Avrupa Yakası (TV Series) is a Turkish television comedy show that aired on ATV from 2004 to 2009. Created by Gülse Birsel and produced by Sinan Çetin, the show belongs to the genre of situational comedy and was filmed at Plato Film studios. The first season premiered on February 11, 2004, and marked the beginning of a hilarious journey that spanned six seasons and a total of 190 episodes.
At the heart of Avrupa Yakası are the main characters Aslı and Volkan, portrayed by Gülse Birsel and Ata Demirer respectively. The show takes place in the Nişantaşı district of Istanbul and centers around the lives, relationships, and humorous mishaps of the Sütçüoğlu family, the employees of the Avrupa Yakası magazine, and their friends and neighbors.
The show was created by Gülse Birsel and was initially directed by Hakan Algül for the first 41 episodes, followed by Jale Atabey for the rest of the series. The main cast featured renowned actors like Gazanfer Özcan, Hümeyra, Levent Üzümcü, Şenay Gürler, Hale Caneroğlu, Yavuz Seçkin, Veysel Diker, and Yıldırım Öcek, among others. Throughout its six-season run, the series continued to introduce new characters while retaining some familiar faces.
Avrupa Yakası captivated audiences with its relatable and humorous storytelling. The show's charm lay in its ability to blend everyday situations with comedic exaggerations, creating moments that made viewers both laugh and reflect. Each season explored various themes, relationships, and dilemmas faced by the characters.
The show's first season began in February 2004 and concluded in June 2004, consisting of 19 episodes. It introduced the audience to the quirky dynamics of the Sütçüoğlu family, Aslı's romantic pursuits, Volkan's dreams of fame, and the office shenanigans at Avrupa Yakası magazine.
The subsequent seasons continued to explore the characters' adventures and misadventures. Aslı and Cem's romantic saga, Volkan's pursuit of stardom, and the comedic interactions at the Sütçüoğlu residence remained central themes. The evolving relationships within the show provided a consistent source of laughter and entertainment.
Avrupa Yakası left an indelible mark on Turkish television. Its witty humor, relatable characters, and memorable catchphrases became part of the cultural fabric. The show's popularity extended beyond its TV run, influencing conversations, pop culture references, and even inspiring spin-offs and adaptations.
The popularity of the show had an impact on the consumer market as well. The striped pajamas worn by the character Gaffur, portrayed by Peker Açıkalın, became a trend in Turkey. The striped pajamas produced by Sümerbank, which had gone out of fashion in recent years, regained popularity due to the character Gaffur's constant attire in the show. These pajamas were even labeled with signs saying 'Gaffur pajamas have arrived' and were displayed on mannequins in store windows. News articles reported instances where the pajamas sold out and even entered the black market in some places. However, with Gaffur's departure from the show, the sales came to a halt. Additionally, Gaffur's influence led to the creation of a sports team named 'Gaffur Nasılım Spor' in Şırnak, as well as a rock band named 'Gaffur' in Beyoğlu.
In an article titled 'Current Risks Towards the Family Institution' published by the Prime Ministry's Family and Social Research Institution, it was stated that one of the individuals negatively affecting the Turkish family structure was the character Makbule Kral, portrayed by Hasibe Eren. Makbule's divorce from İzzet and her sharing a house with her uncle and former fling Burhan were highlighted as factors contributing to this perception. It was argued that Makbule and other characters in the show created undesirable behavior patterns in the context of the audience, posing a risk to societal life. Dr. Ünal Şentürk, who discussed this article, later mentioned that the reason for Aslı and Cem's divorce was unknown and living together in the same house was also considered a societal risk.
The character Burhan, portrayed by Engin Günaydın, was cited as an example when explaining the importance of the Law on the Establishment of Probation and Assistance Centers implemented in Turkey since July 3, 2005, by the then Minister of Justice, Mehmet Ali Şahin.
The General Organization Secretary of Diyanet-Sen, an organization affiliated with the Memur-Sen Confederation, criticized the names used in Avrupa Yakası and other TV series. He argued that names like Burhan, Taceddin, and Gaffur had religious origins, and characters with such names being portrayed as bad, naive, and foolish could lead to irreversible damage to the nation's national and spiritual sentiments.
Actors who portrayed characters in Avrupa Yakası gained popularity and were subsequently cast in various commercials and movies. Several cast members, including Levent Üzümcü, Gülse Birsel, Ata Demirer, Evrim Akın, Hümeyra, Bülent Polat, Yavuz Seçkin, and Veysel Diker, appeared in advertisements for various brands. Engin Günaydın's popularity increased with his character's introduction in the third season, leading him to appear in commercials for Garanti Bankası and Türk Ekonomi Bankası.
Some actors, like Sarp Apak and Bülent Polat, who gained popularity through the show, ventured into various film projects. Gülse Birsel, the show's writer and actress, mentioned that due to the 90-minute duration of the episodes resulting from the requirement to have advertising breaks every twenty minutes, she was unable to find time to write books, despite releasing books like 'Gayet Ciddiyim' (2003), 'Hâlâ Ciddiyim' (2004), and 'Yolculuk Nereye Hemşerim' (2005).
In the 2020 New Year's special episode of Jet Sosyete, Ata Demirer and Gülse Birsel appeared in their characters from Avrupa Yakası.
The show received several awards and honors, including the following:
RTGD Awards: Year's Best Actress (Binnur Kaya).
Bonus Card International Comedy Films Festival: Comedy Honor Award (Gazanfer Özcan).
35th Golden Butterfly Awards (2008): Best Female Comedy Actress (Binnur Kaya), Best Male Comedy Actor (Tolga Çevik).
Galatasaray University 'Best of the Year' Awards (2008): Best TV Series (Avrupa Yakası), Best Female Cinema and TV Actress (Binnur Kaya).
34th Golden Butterfly Awards (2007): Best TV Series (Comedy, Avrupa Yakası), Best Female Comedy Actress (Hasibe Eren), Best Male Comedy Actor (Peker Açıkalın).
And more, including various awards for Best Comedy Series, Best Female and Male Comedy Actors, and Best Supporting Actors.
The show's first season, consisting of 19 episodes, was released on DVD. The DVD included behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the actors. However, the other seasons were not released on DVD.
The show experienced censorship, particularly through techniques like audio bleeping and blurring. Some instances, like the 'Hotmale' reference on Volkan's shirt, were blurred due to potential innuendo. RTÜK's censorship techniques were also applied to specific words like 'manyak' (crazy), 'aptal' (fool), 'geri zekâlı' (mentally challenged), 'çüş' (wow), and 'salak' (idiot).
Avrupa Yakası had far-reaching effects on Turkish culture, society, and the careers of its actors. From influencing fashion trends to sparking discussions about societal norms, the show left an enduring mark on Turkish television history.