In one snippet, a government talking head said protestors were being offered money and Kentucky Fried Chicken to protest. A small liberal Egyptian TV network gave Youssef his own programme, Al-Bernameg The Show , which continued to parody news reporters as well as Egyptian celebrities and politicians. At the height of its popularity, his comedy was being seen by 30 million viewers a week, roughly a third of the Egyptian population.
Egypt has a rich history when it comes to social satire — this comedic tradition is essentially that people just make fun of themselves. His comedy marked the first time that satire had been publically directed at government authority. Al-Bernameg was a sensation, watched by 30 million people in Egypt, a third of the population — by contrast The Daily Show averages 1.
With so many viewers watching, Youssef managed to upset both governments that succeeded Mubarak: first the Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi, and then the military government led by General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt moved toward more militaristic, hardline rule under General al-Sisi. The signal for his show was jammed twice and his life was threatened.
In , Youssef published a book, took his one-man show on tour, and struck a deal with ABC to develop a sitcom about a Middle Eastern US family with superpowers.
On her popular programme Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, comedian Samantha Bee asked Youssef if he feels better positioned to endure the Trump presidency because of his experiences. Youssef has been slowly building his comedy career in the US — speaking at events like the Women in the World conference and hosting the International Emmys Credit: Getty. Youssef is also trying his hand at a quintessentially American art form: stand-up comedy.
The foray can prove to be especially challenging, since so much of comedy relies on a common cultural understanding between comedian and audience. Youssef had those touchstones in Egypt, especially in joking about the government.
Amr Alfiky, 28, is a medical student-turned-photojournalist in New York City, who left Egypt after joining the revolution at the same time Youssef became a comedian. He speaks for Bassem Youssef and his Western audience. If Youssef is nostalgic about his career in Egypt, he does not hint at it at all. Bassem Youssef left Egypt a short time later.
During that time he appeared twice as a "Senior Middle East Correspondent" on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, commenting satirically on the political situation in the region. This individual is a guest contributor but is not an MEI-affiliated expert.
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