Bassem Youssef
{{Short description|Egyptian-American comedian and surgeon (born 1974)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bassem Youssef
| image = Bassem Youssef.jpg
| caption = Youssef in 2016
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ar|باسم يوسف|rtl=yes}}}}
| native_name_lang = arz
| birth_name = Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1974|03|22}}
| birth_place = Cairo, Egypt
| citizenship = {{hlist|Egypt|United States}}
| alma_mater = Cairo University (MD)
| occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|television host|surgeon}}
| years_active = 2011–present
| notable_works = Revolution for Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring (2017)
| style = {{hlist|Satire|stand-up comedy}}
| television = El Bernameg
The B+ Show
| spouse = {{marriage|Hala Diab|2010}}
| children = 2
| awards =
| footnotes =
}}
Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef{{Efn|{{langx|ar|باسم رأفت محمد يوسف|rtl=yes}} ({{IPA|arz|ˈbæːsem ˈɾɑʔfɑt mæˈħæmmæd ˈjuːsef|small=no}})}} (born 22 March 1974) is an Egyptian-American comedian, television host, and former surgeon.https://www.twitter.com/byoussef/status/1770789181628760442?s=46{{Citation |title=HEATED Israel vs Palestine Debate w/ Bassem Youssef {{!}} PBD Podcast {{!}} Ep. 349 | date=12 January 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE71VcdvpAs |access-date=2024-01-14 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=20 February 2023 |title=No more nostalgia: Embracing change as an immigrant with comedian Bassem Youssef |url=https://www.newarab.com/features/no-more-nostalgia-embracing-change-bassem-youssef |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=The New Arab}} Beginning his career with The B+ Show (2011), which was inspired by his experiences during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, he later rose to prominence as the host of El Bernameg (2011–2014), a satirical comedy show focused on Egyptian politics. In 2015, Youssef hosted the 43rd International Emmy Awards in New York City.
In 2013, Youssef was named on the Time 100{{Cite web |title=Egypt's Bassem Youssef included in Time's 100 most influential people - Egypt |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/69576.aspx |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Ahram Online}} and on Foreign Policy
Education and medical career
Youssef graduated from Cairo University's Faculty of Medicine, majoring in cardiothoracic surgery, in 1998. He passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination and has been a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) since February 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/patients/the-surgical-team/finding-a-surgeon?searchableText=Bassem%20Youssef&membership_type=&name_type=|title=Surgical Staff & Regulation — Royal College of Surgeons|last=sitecore\lewis.ashman@rcseng.ac.uk}} He practiced as a cardiothoracic surgeon in Egypt for 13 years, until his move into comedy and political satire.{{cite web |title=Who am I? |url=http://bassemyoussef.net/who-am-i/ |access-date=2019-09-03 |archive-date=2020-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516064004/http://bassemyoussef.net/who-am-i/ |url-status=dead }} He also received training in cardiac and lung transplantation in Germany, after which he spent a year and a half in the United States working for a company that produces medical equipment related to cardiothoracic surgery. In January 2011, Youssef assisted the wounded in Tahrir Square during the Egyptian revolution.{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/35/19963/Arts--Culture/Stage--Street/Revolutionary-satire-Bassem-Youssef-speaks-to-Ahra.aspx|title=Revolutionary satire: Bassem Youssef speaks to Ahram Online|work=ahram.org.eg}} Youssef has credited surgery for making him "a much harder working person, a nerd, a perfectionist."{{cite web |title=Ask Me Anything #2 |date=6 June 2017 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/6fn443/i_am_bassem_youssef_the_jon_stewart_of_the_middle/ |publisher=Reddit}}
Media career
= 2011–2014: Breakthrough in Egypt=
File:Dr. Bassem Youssef (graffiti; 2012-04-20).jpg in the city of Cairo, 2012]]
== ''The B+ Show'' (2011) ==
Inspired by the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Youssef created his first satirical show in March 2011. The initial idea came from his friend Tarek El Kazzaz.{{cite web |last1=Minazad |first1=Orly |title=Serious Laughing Matter: Bassem Youssef on Comedy and the Arab Spring |url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/serious-laughing-matter-bassem-youssef-on-comedy-and-the-arab-spring/ |website=LARB|date=24 April 2018 }} Entitled The B+ Show after his blood type,{{cite web |last=Gladstone |first=Brooke |title=Egypt Finds Its Own 'Jon Stewart' |work=NPR|date=15 April 2011|access-date=9 January 2014|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=135444956}} the program, at 5 minutes per episode, was uploaded to his YouTube channel in May 2011{{cite news|last=Elkayal|first=Heba|title=Comedy show du jour: Bassem Youssef's Al-Bernameg|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2011/09/07/comedy-show-du-jour-bassem-youssefs-al-bernameg/|newspaper=Daily News Egypt|date=7 September 2011|access-date=9 January 2014}} and gained more than five million views in the first three months alone.{{cite web|url=http://www.cairo360.com/article/tvanddvd/1619/cairo-360-presents-the-bassem-youssef-show-b|title=Cairo 360 Presents: The Bassem Youssef Show (B+) - TV & DVD Feature - Cairo 360|work=cairo360.com}} The show was shot in Youssef's laundry room using a table, a chair, one camera, and a mural of amateur photos from Tahrir Square that cost $100. The show was a collaboration by Youssef with Tarek El Kazzaz, Amr Ismail, Mohamed Khalifa, and Mostafa Al-Halawany. Youssef used social media to showcase his talent and his show gave a voice to the millions of Egyptians who were seething with anger from the traditional media's coverage of the Egyptian Revolution.
== ''Al Bernameg'' (2011–2014) ==
After the success of The B+ Show, Egyptian channel ONTV, owned by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, offered Youssef a deal for Al Bernameg (literally,The Program) a news satire show. Youssef had planned to move to Cleveland to practice medicine but instead signed his show's contract. With a budget of roughly half a million dollars, the series made him the first Internet-to-TV conversion in the Middle East.{{cite news|last=Montasser|first=Farah|title=Revolutionary Satire|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/02/165062.html|access-date=2 September 2011|newspaper=Al Arabiya|author2=Deena Adel}} The show, which consisted of 104 episodes, premiered during Ramadan 1432 (2011) with Egyptian-American engineer Muhammad Radwan as its first guest.{{cite news|title=Interview with Mohamed Radwan|url=http://www.syrianrevolution2011.com/videos/player/tabid/68/videoid/2857/---------interview-with-mohamed-radwan-the-program-with-basem-yousef-20110731.aspx|date=31 July 2011|access-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192419/http://www.syrianrevolution2011.com/videos/player/tabid/68/videoid/2857/---------interview-with-mohamed-radwan-the-program-with-basem-yousef-20110731.aspx|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=dead}} In his show, Youssef has parodied such Egyptian celebrities as show host Tawfik Okasha, composer Amr Mostafa, Salafist presidential candidate Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, and Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency and onetime presidential candidate.{{Cite news |last=Kirkpatrick |first=David D. |date=14 January 2012 |title=Nobel Laureate Drops Bid For Presidency of Egypt |url=https://nytimes.com/2012/01/15/world/middleeast/mohamed-elbaradei-pulls-out-of-egypts-presidential-race.html |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |date=3 July 2011 |title=البرادعي يعلن ترشحه للرئاسة |url=https://www.masrawy.com/News/Egypt/Politics/2011/march/7/barad3i_president.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314144824/http://www.masrawy.com/News/Egypt/Politics/2011/march/7/barad3i_president.aspx |archive-date=14 March 2011 |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Almasry Alyoum}} The show became the platform for many writers, artists, and politicians to speak freely about the social and political scene.{{citation needed|date= February 2024}} Al-Bernameg{{'s}} success inspired a number of amateur initiatives on various social media channels, who credit The B+ Show as their inspiration. In June 2012, Jon Stewart invited Youssef to The Daily Show for an extended interview, "I do know a little something about the humour business; your show is sharp, you're really good on it, it's smart, it's well executed, I think the world of what you're doing down there", Stewart said to Youssef.{{cite web|url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/okmooj/exclusive---bassem-youssef-extended-interview-pt--2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418053236/http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/okmooj/exclusive---bassem-youssef-extended-interview-pt--2|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2014|title=Exclusive - Bassem Youssef Extended Interview Pt. 2|work=Comedy Central}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=6 May 2013 |title=Bassem Youssef's interview with Jon Stewart |website= YouTube|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=oK-rBQfv_Rc }} The segment was one of the highest in viewership on The Daily Show{{'}}s website.{{citation needed|date= February 2024}}
Following the success of The B+ Show on YouTube and the first season of Al Bernameg on ONTV, Tarek ElKazzaz convinced an old friend, Ahmed Abbas, to join QSoft as chief operations officer and Project Director for Al Bernameg with the mission of developing and upgrading the show into a multifaceted and global brand.{{citation needed|date= February 2024}} This was done with the help of a team that covered many disciplines, including marketing, operations, legal and public relations.{{citation needed|date= February 2024}} This all helped in developing both Youssef and Al-Bernameg on all levels and created a global audience.{{citation needed|date= February 2024}} The show was renewed for a second season after a contract with a second channel, CBC, which premiered on 23 November 2012.{{Cite news |date=24 November 2012 |title=Bassem Youssef Returns On CBC |url=https://scoopempire.com/bassem-youssef-returns-on-cbc/ |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Scoop Empire}} The second season consisted of 29 episodes and has recorded one of the highest viewership ratings on both TV and internet with 40 million viewers on TV and more than 184 million combined views for his show on YouTube alone.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Bassem Youssef |url=https://mei.edu/profile/dr-bassem-youssef |access-date=21 March 2025 |website=Middle East Institute}}{{Cite web |title=Bassem Youssef |url=https://www.bigspeak.com/speakers/bassem-youssef/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=BigSpeak Motivational Speakers Bureau: Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers and Celebrity Speakers |language=en-US}} The program, which began with a small group working at home with Youssef, moved from ONTV's smallest studio to Radio Theatre in Cairo's downtown, a theatre redesigned in the likeness of New York's Radio City, making it the first live audience show in Egypt.{{cite web |title=Albernameg | |url=http://www.albernameg.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106125405/http://www.albernameg.com/ |archive-date=2014-01-06 |access-date=2013-02-11}}{{cite web |title=ONtv Official Website – الموقع الرسمي لقناة أون تي في - الموقع الرسمي لقناة أون تي في – ONtv Official Website |url=http://ontveg.com/ |work=ONtv Official Website - الموقع الرسمي لقناة أون تي في}}{{cite web |title=Radio Theater"Down Town Cairo" |url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Radio-TheaterDown-Town-Cairo/173511029436584 |work=facebook.com}} The contents of a typical show's broadcast have evolved, which began with a sarcastic take on current political events, and eventually incorporating the hosting of public figures and stars from various fields, as well as various artists' performances. Following the move, Youssef succeeded in increasing the show's worth by eight times in one year.{{cite web |date=20 February 2012 |title=Profile: Bassem Youssef professionalizes satire - Egypt Independent |url=http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/profile-bassem-youssef-professionalizes-satire |work=egyptindependent.com}}ONTV (Egypt) The show gained tremendous success through its criticism of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, representing the Muslim Brotherhood.{{Cite magazine |last=Hessler |first=Peter |date=19 June 2019 |title=Mohamed Morsi, Who Brought The Muslim Brotherhood To The Egyptian Presidency |url=https://newyorker.com/news/news-desk/mohamed-morsi-who-brought-the-muslim-brotherhood-to-the-egyptian-presidency |access-date=20 March 2025 |magazine=The New Yorker}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=24 June 2012 |title=Brotherhood candidate Morsi wins Egypt presidency |url=https://france24.com/en/20120624-muslim-brotherhood-candidate-mohammed-morsi-wins-presidential-vote-egypt |access-date=20 March 2025 |website=France 24}}{{Cite web |title=Mohamed Morsi |url=https://www.presidency.eg/en/الرئاسة/الرؤساء-السابقون/محمد-مرسي/ |access-date=20 March 2025 |website=Presidency.eg}}
On the season's premiere, Youssef made the owner and coworkers of his channel the subject of his show, as an assurance that he is granted full freedom of expression, and that no topic was off limits.{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/12/08/254037.html|title=Egyptian comedy show takes on 'merchants of religion'|publisher=AlArabiya|date=8 December 2012|access-date=27 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Un7YwQtQ1M|title=Egypt satire show sparks media clash |publisher=Al Arabiya|date=November 2012|access-date=9 January 2014}} CBC did not, however, air his second episode, which also featured further criticism of a TV show host who filed a lawsuit against Youssef. The show returned to its regular schedule for the third episode. Just three episodes into the show, several lawsuits were filed against Youssef and his show, accusing him of insulting Islam, Morsi and disrupting public order and peace. In March 2013, Youssef started writing a weekly column expressing his views for Al-Shorouk; one of Egypt's most prominent and independent daily newspapers.{{cite web|url=http://www.shorouknews.com/columns/Basem-youssef|title=رأي - باسم يوسف - بوابة الشروق|work=shorouknews.com}} Youssef also wrote newspaper columns, where he tackled taboo subjects such as atheism and questioning the commonly held view that apostasy from Islam should be punishable by death.{{cite news|title=Youth: Give us a chance|url=https://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21580627-lots-young-people-and-few-decent-jobs-are-recipe-trouble-give-us-chance|publisher=Economist|date=11 July 2013|access-date=9 January 2014}}{{Cite web |last=Youssef |first=Bassem |date=7 June 2013 |title=Islamic Debates On Apostasy in Egypt |url=https://newageislam.com/the-war-islam/bassem-youssef/islamic-debates-apostasy-egypt/d/12052 |access-date= |website=New Age Islam}}{{Cite news |last=Youssef |first=Bassem |date=2 September 2012 |title=فوائد الإلحاد |url=https://shorouknews.com/columns/view.aspx?cdate=02092012&id=b6075716-12ab-4fb1-836a-71349ce44e04 |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Shorouk News}} On 18 March 2014, he faced plagiarism accusations when he submitted an article to Al-Shorouk, an Egyptian newspaper. Entitled ‘Why Putin does not care,’ the piece was a comment on the events unfolding in Russia. Although it was written in Arabic, sharp-eyed Twitter users spotted striking similarities to a piece called ‘Why Russia No Longer Fears the West,’ by British writer Ben Judah, who wrote the article for Politico magazine. He later published an apology in Al-Shorouk newspaper for initially publishing an article without citing any references.{{cite web|title=Bassem Youssef 'very sorry' after plagiarism accusations|url=http://thecairopost.com/news/102869/news/bassem-youssef-very-sorry-after-plagiarism-accusations|publisher=The Cairo Post|date=19 March 2014|access-date=20 March 2014}}{{Cite news |date=2014-03-20 |title=#BBCtrending: The satirist and the anti-Semites |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-26664503 |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Youssef |first=Bassem |date=22 March 2014 |title=باسم يوسف يعتذر عن مقال الأزمة |url=https://shorouknews.com/columns/view.aspx?cdate=22032014&id=367455ec-673c-4b3e-a107-a364f80d92bc |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Shorouk News}}
File:Bassem Youssef in an interview at the University of California, Berkeley (cropped).png in 2014]]
As Al Bernameg continued with its growing success, Jon Stewart appeared as a guest on the show in June 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.upworthy.com/jon-stewart-of-america-meets-the-jon-stewart-of-egypt-and-hilarity-ensues|title=Jon Stewart Of America Meets The Jon Stewart Of Egypt, And Hilarity Ensues|work=Upworthy}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEO2Rd3sJbA |title=البرنامج - لقاء باسم مع جون ستيوارت - الحلقه 28 Jon Stewart with Bassem Youssef in Egypt |date=2013-06-21 |last=Albernameg |access-date=2025-03-24 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=Jon Stewart in Cairo for Bassem Youssef's El-Bernameg - Politics - Egypt |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/74496.aspx |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Ahram Online}} On 1 July 2013 America in Arabic{{Cite web |date=13 June 2013 |title=حصريا باسم يوسف علي قناة النهار في امريكا بالعربي |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=vqbRxG-1DIE |access-date=21 March 2025 |website=Youtube}}{{Cite news |last=Nady |first=Motaz |date=14 November 2014 |title=باسم يوسف يكشف حقيقة ظهوره في أمريكا بالعربي ب26 كلمة |url=https://almasryalyoum.com/news/details/571797 |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Almasry Alyoum}} (United Arab Emirates) debuted.{{cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/70127458|title=America In Arabic Episode 01 |publisher=Vimeo|website=Vimeo.com|access-date=25 January 2018}} He appeared for the second time on The Daily Show.{{cite web |title=Bassem Youssef |url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/hiwtrs/bassem-youssef |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416182839/http://www.cc.com/video-clips/hiwtrs/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-bassem-youssef |archive-date=16 April 2016 |work=Comedy Central}}{{Cite web |author=T. H. R. Staff |date=2013-04-25 |title=Bassem Youssef, 'Egyptian Jon Stewart,' Appears on 'Daily Show' (Video) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bassem-youssef-egyptian-jon-stewart-446483/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2827668/ |title="The Daily Show" Bassem Youssef (TV Episode 2013) ⭐ 7.4 {{!}} Comedy, News, Talk-Show |language=en-US |access-date=2025-03-24 |via=m.imdb.com}} After a four-month break, Al Bernameg returned to air on CBC for its third series on 25 October 2013. The season premiere marked the first broadcast for the show since the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état had deposed Mohamed Morsi from the Egyptian presidency. Youssef criticised both the Morsi administration and the people's idolization of the Egyptian Defense Minister Abdul Fatah al-Sisi. The following day the CBC network issued a statement distancing the channel from the political stance taken by Youssef. The CBC network issued another statement, and decided to stop broadcasting Al Bernameg because of violations in the contract signed.{{cite web |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |date=28 October 2013 |title=Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef upsets all sides on return to TV |website=TheGuardian.com |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/oct/28/egyptian-satirist-bassem-youssef-returns |access-date=9 January 2014 |agency=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Czajkowski |first=Elise |date=2013-11-04 |title=Egyptian TV Station Pulls Episode of Bassem Youssef's Satirical Show 'El Bernameg', "The 'Daily Show' of Egypt" |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/egyptian-tv-station-pulls-episode-of-bassem-youssefs-satirical-show.html |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Vulture |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=El-Dabh |first=Basil |date=2013-11-03 |title=Al-Bernameg suspension draws widespread criticism |url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/11/03/al-bernameg-suspension-draws-widespread-criticism/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Dailynewsegypt |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Aaron T. |date=2013-11-18 |title=Youssef and company seek to terminate ties with CBC |url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2013/11/18/youssef-and-company-seek-to-terminate-ties-with-cbc/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Dailynewsegypt |language=en-US}} Meanwhile, more than 30 complaints against Youssef and the show were filed at the General Prosecutor's office, accusing him of insulting the Egyptian Armed Forces and President Adly Mansour and describing the June 30 protests as a military coup, in addition to disrupting public order and peace. The General Prosecutor transferred some of the complaints for investigation, which were subject to the prosecutor's decision and judgment.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/12/02/bassem-youssefs-el-bernameg-in-trouble-on-cbc/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206051735/http://dailynewsegypt.com/2012/12/02/bassem-youssefs-el-bernameg-in-trouble-on-cbc/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2012|title=Bassem Youssef's El-Bernameg in trouble on CBC|date=2 December 2012}}
After terminating the contract with CBC, the production company behind Al Bernameg received offers from different TV channels. The third season was scheduled to air during the first quarter of 2014. In February 2014 it was announced that Youssef had signed a deal with the Middle East Broadcasting Center and that they would start broadcasting Al Bernameg from 7 February on MBC MASR satellite channel.{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/egyptian-satirist-signs-contract-network-185153886.html |title=Egyptian satirist signs contract with new network |last1=Hyde |first1=Maggie |date=1 February 2014 |website=Yahoo! News |access-date=2 February 2014}} Al-Bernameg achieved unprecedented weekly viewership ratings for 11 consecutive weeks. On one of the shows, Youssef mocked the Egyptian military's claims to be able to cure hepatitis C and AIDS.{{Cite web |date=2014-03-03 |title=Top Egyptian Comedian Slams Military For Saying It Can 'Cure' AIDS And Hepatitis C |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bassem-youssef-aids-hepatitis_n_4889382 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} In June 2014, after a six-week break during the 2014 Egyptian presidential election campaign, the Al-Bernameg team held a press conference where Youssef announced the termination of the show due to pressure on both the show and the airing channel.{{cite web |title=Egypt's Bassem Youssef returns to the air on MBC |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/media/television-and-radio/2014/02/08/Egypt-s-Bassem-Youssef-returns-to-the-air-on-MBC.html |access-date=25 January 2018 |website=English.AlArabiya.net|date=8 February 2014 }}{{cite web |author=Nancy Tartaglione |title=Jon Stewart Bids Farewell To Egyptian Satire As Pal Bassem Youssef's Show Cancelled (Video) - Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2014/06/jon-stewart-farewell-to-egyptian-satire-bassem-youssef-show-cancelled-pressure-video-739390/ |work=Deadline|date=3 June 2014 }}{{cite news |date=8 June 2014 |title="The Jon Stewart of Egypt": Bassem Youssef |work=cbsnews.com |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jon-stewart-of-egypt-bassem-youssef/}}{{Cite web |date=3 July 2014 |title=مؤتمر صحفي لبرنامج البرنامج في مسرح راديو |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DL5Gtp_JcU |access-date=21 March 2025 |website=Youtube}} He felt that the political climate in Egypt was too dangerous to continue the show.{{cite web |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |date=2 June 2014 |title=Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef winds up TV show due to safety fears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jun/02/bassem-youssef-closes-egyptian-satire-tv-show-over-safety-fears |access-date=3 June 2014 |website=theguardian.com}}{{Cite news |date=2 June 2014 |title=Bassem Youssef's El-Bernameg gone for good |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/102760.aspx |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Ahram Online}}{{Cite news |date=3 June 2014 |title=Cairo comic Youssef stops show |url=https://dw.com/en/egyptian-satirist-bassem-youssef-stops-show-fearing-for-safety/a-17678157 |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=DW}}{{Cite news |date=2 June 2014 |title=Satirist Bassem Youssef announces the end of Al-Bernameg |url=https://madamasr.com/en/2024/06/02/news/u/satirist-bassem-youssef-announces-the-end-of-al-bernameg/ |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Mada Masr}}{{Cite news |date=2014-06-02 |title=Egypt satirist Bassem Youssef confirms end of show |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27671642 |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
== Arrest and investigation (2013) ==
On 1 January 2013, the daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reported that an Egyptian prosecutor was investigating Youssef on charges of maligning President Mohamed Morsi, whose office claimed that Youssef's show was "circulating false news likely to disturb public peace and public security and affect the administration."{{Cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/01/01/host-of-egyptian-daily-show-investigated-after-being-accused-of-insulting-president-morsi/|title=Host of Egyptian 'Daily Show' investigated after being accused of insulting President Morsi|agency=Associated Press|date=1 January 2013|access-date=9 January 2014}} Despite all of the controversy it sparks, Al Bernameg has been a major success.{{Cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/authors/Bassem-Youssef.html|title=Bassem Youssef|agency=Al Arabiya|access-date=9 January 2014}} It is constantly topping the regional YouTube charts, making Youssef's YouTube channel the most subscribed to in Egypt.
On 30 March 2013, an arrest warrant was issued for Youssef for allegedly insulting Islam and Morsi. The move was seen by opponents as part of an effort to silence dissent against Morsi's government.{{Cite news|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/85402/Egypt/Politics-/Freedoms-in-Egypt-questioned-after-ElBernamegs-sus.aspx|title=Freedoms in Egypt questioned after El-Bernameg's suspension|agency=Ahram Online|date=2 November 2013|access-date=9 January 2014}} Youssef confirmed the arrest warrant on his Twitter account and said he would hand himself in to the prosecutor's office, jokingly adding, "Unless they kindly send a police van today and save me the transportation hassle."{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/30/bassem-youssef-arrest-warrant-egypt-jon-stewart_n_2985235.html|title=Arrest Warrant Issued For Bassem Youssef, TV Satirist Known As 'Egypt's Jon Stewart'|agency=Associated Press|date=30 June 2013|access-date=9 January 2014|work=Huffington Post}} The following day, he was questioned by authorities before being released on bail of 15,000 Egyptian pounds.{{Cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/03/20133318332892628.html|title=Egypt satirist questioned for insulting Morsi|agency=Al Jazeera English|date=31 March 2013|access-date=9 January 2014}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/01/world/middleeast/bassem-youssef-posts-bail-as-egyptian-authorities-press-case.html|title=Egyptian Satirist Posts Bail as Authorities Press Case |date=31 March 2013|access-date=9 January 2014|work=The New York Times|first1=Kareem|last1=Fahim}} The event sparked international media attention{{Cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/02/Worldwide-support-for-Egyptian-satirist-s-fight-for-free-speech.html|title=Worldwide support for Egyptian satirist's fight for free speech|agency=Al Arabiya|date=2 April 2013|access-date=9 January 2014}} as well as a segment on Jon Stewart's The Daily Show in which he declared his support for Youssef, calling him a "friend" and "brother".{{Cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyDOAQNsTrI|title=The Daily Show: Egypt, Mohamed Morsi, and Bassem Youssef|agency=YouTube|date=2 April 2013|access-date=9 January 2014}}
=== Coup d'état ===
Youssef had been a consistent supporter of the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état and was supportive of the media clampdown which included the arrests of several employees of various stations, despite it being carried out by the military with no due process, and celebrated the coup's aftermath in a song and dance number sung to the tune of Old MacDonald.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jonathan |date=3 November 2016 |title=The Greatest Crime |url=http://drjonathanbrown.com/2016/the-greatest-crime/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624140513/https://drjonathanbrown.com/2016/the-greatest-crime/|archive-date=24 June 2024 }}{{Cite web |last=Mansour |first=Thaer |date=30 June 2022 |title=A new era of repression: Egypt's media landscape after the coup |url=https://www.newarab.com/analysis/after-coup-egypts-media-landscape-crisis }}{{Cite web |last=(البرنامج) |first=Albernameg |date=2013-10-25 |title=البرنامج - حلاوتها في ثورتها - جزء 1 |website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9FZP4Ah2D4 }}
Youssef backed the forcible removal of Morsi, declaring himself "very glad" with the putsch. As news reports were trickling in that dozens of Muslim Brotherhood supporters had been shot dead by security forces, He tweeted that the entire incident amounted to nothing more than "blood for publicity" and blamed the organisation itself for its supporters being murdered.{{Cite web |last=Galey |first=Patrick |date=31 Oct 2013 |title=Bassem Youssef and the Lie That Is Freedom in Post-coup Egypt |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bassem-youssef-and-the-li_b_4176877 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519175722/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bassem-youssef-and-the-li_b_4176877 |archive-date=19 May 2024 |website=huffpost}}
Youssef was widely recognized for his bold criticism of the Morsi government, however his approach also extended to labeling many of his opponents as being "Muslim Brotherhood", regardless of their actual affiliations. According to a Vox, "The Youssef who we do not typically see in the United States is the satirist who didn't just challenge the Muslim Brotherhood government — but who went a step further, vilifying the regular Egyptians who supported the Islamist government, characterizing them as lesser citizens or internal enemies in a way that played into Egypt's hate-filled political polarization, Sisi's coup, and the disastrous consequences of both. Indeed, Youssef cheered on the military coup — as well as the bloodshed of anti-coup protesters, because unlike him they were Islamists."{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Max |date=2 June 2014 |title=The real tragedy of Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef's censorship is he played a role in it |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/6/2/5772102/the-real-tragedy-of-egyptian-satirist-bassem-youssefs-censorship-is |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521205017/https://www.vox.com/2014/6/2/5772102/the-real-tragedy-of-egyptian-satirist-bassem-youssefs-censorship-is |website=Vox|archive-date=21 May 2024 }}
Youssef's support for the military coup and his criticism of anti-coup protesters were evident in his public statements and social media activity. For instance, on 5 July 2013, he tweeted, "MB leadership sending its youths to die at army HQs to victimize themselves against the world. Blood for publicity. Cheap. #not_a_coup." This tweet has since been deleted.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Max |date=2 Jun 2014 |title=The real tragedy of Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef's censorship is he played a role in it |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/6/2/5772102/the-real-tragedy-of-egyptian-satirist-bassem-youssefs-censorship-is |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521205017/https://www.vox.com/2014/6/2/5772102/the-real-tragedy-of-egyptian-satirist-bassem-youssefs-censorship-is |website=Vox|archive-date=21 May 2024 }}{{Cite web |last=Siegelbaum |first=Max |date=17 Aug 2013 |title=Polarised media fuels conflict in Egypt |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2013/8/17/polarised-media-fuels-conflict-in-egypt }} Following the killing of over 50 protestors in front of the Republican Guard HQ on the morning of 7 July. Youssef reportedly made no comment other than "Kifaya" (enough) in response to the incident.{{Cite web |last=Pankhurst |first=Reza |date=11 July 2013 |title=Egypt: liberal hypocrisy no laughing matter |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/egypt-liberal-hypocrisy-no-laughing-matter/ }}
Youssef characterized the MB as "the new form of Nazis," a statement he made both on his show and on social media.{{Cite web |last=Youssef |first=Bassem |date=3 Jul 2013 |title="MS are Nazis". |url=https://x.com/Byoussef/status/352394537794146304?mx=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604190816/https://x.com/Byoussef/status/352394537794146304?mx=2 |website=X (formerly Twitter).|archive-date=4 June 2024 }}
== Emigration from Egypt (2014) ==
After Al Bernameg ended, the Egyptian police under the El-Sisi regime raided the offices of the production company, arresting several employees and confiscating their computers. According to Youssef, the police told producer Amr Ismail that they would continue harassing the company if Youssef did not stop speaking publicly at international conferences. The Egyptian courts then levied a E£50 million fine against Youssef in a contract dispute with CBC. In the verdict, the courts condemned satirical television shows and implied that Youssef was disrupting the peace and inciting public unrest. Fearing he would be arrested if he stayed in Egypt, Youssef fled to Dubai on 11 November 2014.{{cite book|last1=Youssef|first1=Bassem|title=Revolution for Dummies|date=March 2017|publisher=Dey Street|isbn=978-0062446893|page=190}}
In March 2018, the Court of Cassation canceled the ruling against Bassem requiring him to pay 100 million pounds in compensation in favor of the Egypt Channel Group.{{Cite web |title=Egyptian court annuls LE100 million ruling against Bassem Youssef - Politics - Egypt |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/180371/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-court-annuls-LE-million-ruling-against-Ba.aspx |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Ahram Online}}{{Cite web |date=2018-03-13 |title=النقض تلغى حكم تغريم باسم يوسف 100 مليون جنيه لصالح مجموعة قنوات مصر |url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2018/3/13/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B6-%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%89-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%BA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85-%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%81-100-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD/3692531 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=اليوم السابع |language=ar}}
= 2015–present: Career in the United States =
In January 2015, Harvard's Institute of Politics (IOP), at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, announced that Youssef would be a resident fellow for the spring semester.{{cite web|url=http://www.iop.harvard.edu/blog/spring-2015-resident-and-visiting-fellows|title=Spring 2015 Resident and Visiting Fellows|work=The Institute of Politics at Harvard University|access-date=2015-04-05|archive-date=2015-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004121430/http://www.iop.harvard.edu/blog/spring-2015-resident-and-visiting-fellows|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iop.harvard.edu/current-fellows|title=Spring 2015 Fellows|publisher=The Institute of Politics at Harvard University|access-date=2015-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411105241/http://www.iop.harvard.edu/current-fellows|archive-date=2015-04-11|url-status=dead}} In February 2015, it was announced that Youssef was collaborating with The Daily Show producer Sara Taksler{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1582846/|title=Sara Taksler|work=IMDb}}{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=2015-02-16 |title=Bassem Youssef, an Egyptian Talk-Show Host in the Jon-Stewart Vein, Is Film's Focus |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/16/bassem-youssef-an-egyptian-talk-show-host-in-the-jon-stewart-vein-is-films-focus/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=ArtsBeat |language=en}} to launch a crowdfunding campaign for her documentary about his experience, Tickling Giants.{{Cite web |title=Tickling Giants, a documentary on satirist Bassem Youssef, launches crowd funding campaign - Screens - Arts & Culture |url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/32/122699/Arts--Culture/Film/Tickling-Giants,-a-documentary-on-satirist-Bassem-.aspx |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Ahram Online}}{{Cite web |last=Newbould |first=Chris |title=Sara Taksler talks about Tickling Giants, her documentary on the Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/sara-taksler-talks-about-tickling-giants-her-documentary-on-the-egyptian-satirist-bassem-youssef-1.84217 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The National |language=en}} Youssef stated that he couldn't say no to her request to do the documentary as, "at the time, she was working at The Daily Show, and I didn't want to say no to anybody working with Jon Stewart. So I basically said 'yes' to be on his good side, but I discovered it didn't really make any difference".{{cite web |title=2015 Ask Me Anything |date=22 February 2015 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2wrx5r/i_am_bassem_youssef_the_jon_stewart_of_the_middle/ |publisher=Reddit}}
In April 2015, Youssef spoke at Women In The World conference held in New York City.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-10 |title=Bassem Youssef: The wild story of 'Egypt's Jon Stewart' |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180110-bassem-youssef-the-wild-story-of-egypts-jon-stewart |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2015-04-25 |title=Comedian Bassem Youssef speaks on stage during the Women In The World... |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/comedian-bassem-youssef-speaks-on-stage-during-the-women-in-news-photo/471007622 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Getty Images |language=en-us}}
In November 2015, Youssef hosted the 43rd International Emmy Awards in New York City.{{Cite web|title=Awards - Awards Gala - International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences|url=http://www.iemmys.tv/awards_gala.aspx|website=www.iemmys.tv|access-date=2015-12-10|archive-date=2016-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127022446/http://iemmys.tv/awards_gala.aspx|url-status=dead}} In the fall of 2016, Youssef was a visiting scholar at Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL). His research interests were stated as "political satire and its role in disrupting political, social and religious taboos."{{cite web |title=Stanford |url=https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/people/bassem-youssef |website=Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law |access-date=2019-09-03 |archive-date=2021-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411174709/https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/people/bassem-youssef |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Interview: Bassem Youssef Joins ARD as a Visiting Scholar |url=https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/bassem-youssef-joins-ard-visiting-scholar |website=Stanford CDDRL News|date=5 October 2016 }}
In February 2016, it was announced that Youssef had reached a deal with Fusion to produce a digital series, Democracy Handbook with Bassem Youssef.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/bassem-youssef-the-democracy-handbook-fusion-f-comedy-1201695044/ |title=Bassem Youssef to Host Satirical Series for Fusion's New Digital Platform F-Comedy |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth|author-link=Elizabeth Wagmeister|date=2 February 2016 |website=variety.com |access-date=29 July 2016}}{{Cite web |last=Master |first=Web |date=2016-02-03 |title=Egypt's Bassem Youssef to Host Satirical Show on U.S. Politics |url=https://www.arabmediasociety.com/egypts-bassem-youssef-to-host-satirical-show-on-u-s-politics/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Arab Media & Society |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Democracy Handbook |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLPyL4q6Hc7Sbo7DWxTet6YlFXIl32oV5r |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=YouTube |language=en}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5bwkZMFP0Pc |title=باسم يوسف يتحدث عن السيسي من جديد فى "كتالوج الديموقراطية" مترجم |date=2016-07-10 |last=اكتشف تيوب - Discover Tube |access-date=2025-03-29 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2016-02-03 |title="كتيب الديمقراطية".. برنامج كوميدي جديد لباسم يوسف |url=https://www.hespress.com/%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AC-%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A-269299.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية |language=ar}} The show premiered online and in a one-hour broadcast special in mid-July 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bassem-youssef-of-al-bernameg-on-new-web-series-fusion-the-democracy-handbook/ |title=The "Jon Stewart of Egypt" pokes fun at U.S. politics in "The Democracy Handbook" |author= |date=7 July 2016 |publisher=CBS News|access-date=29 July 2016}} Tickling Giants, a documentary film about Youssef directed by Sara Taksler, premiered on 14 April 2016, at the Tribeca Film Festival. John Oliver and Ed Helms were moderators for Q&As at screenings in Los Angeles.{{cite news |last1=Paget |first1=Sharif |title=Bassem Youssef: The wild story of 'Egypt's Jon Stewart' |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20180110-bassem-youssef-the-wild-story-of-egypts-jon-stewart |agency=BBC: Culture |date=January 10, 2018}}
== Advocacy during the Gaza war ==
In October 2023, Youssef signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter, urging President Joe Biden to push for a ceasefire and an end to the Gaza war.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/21/1207783685/celebrities-letter-ceasefire-israel-gaza-biden |title=Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza|last=Veltman|first=Chloe|date=October 21, 2023|work=NPR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021195237/https://www.npr.org/2023/10/21/1207783685/celebrities-letter-ceasefire-israel-gaza-biden |archive-date=October 21, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=April 23, 2024}}
On 17 October 2023, Youssef drew international media attention after engaging in a virtual interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, in which he spoke—often satirically—about the recent Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing Gaza war, as well as the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He also drew comparisons with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and criticized the Israeli military's tactics in the Gaza Strip, questioning how the Western world would perceive Israel's response to the attack if it was being conducted by Russian troops.{{Cite web |last=Luu |first=Jennifer |date=16 November 2023 |title='I'm not a freedom fighter': Bassem Youssef on that viral clash with Piers Morgan |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/article/im-not-a-freedom-fighter-bassem-youssef-on-that-viral-clash-with-piers-morgan/165frmj3g |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=SBS News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shaheen |first=Kareem |date=2023-10-18 |title=Bassem Youssef's Darkest Act |url=https://newlinesmag.com/argument/bassem-youssefs-darkest-act/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=New Lines Magazine |language=en}} The video garnered 17 million views by 22 October, becoming the channel's most viewed video.{{Cite news |last=Abbas |first=Faisal J. |date=October 22, 2023 |title=The Bassem Youssef moment |work=Arab News |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2395931 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111163440/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2395931 |archive-date=November 11, 2023}} On 1 November 2023, Youssef was brought back onto the show for an in-person interview after Piers Morgan visited him in Los Angeles for a more serious discussion, with Youssef mostly refraining from satire and debating with Morgan on antisemitism and the historic Arab–Israeli conflict.{{Citation |title=Piers Morgan vs Bassem Youssef Round 2 {{!}} Two-Hour Special Interview | date=November 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqjO5Z9Lt_M |access-date=2023-11-01 |language=en}}
Since his interview with Morgan, Youssef has continued his pro-Palestinian commentary by engaging in debates on numerous podcasts and news channels, such as the PBD Podcast,{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHcg2u1AYag|title= Bassem Youssef's HEATED Debate Over Israel vs Palestine|website= Youtube|date= 12 January 2024|accessdate= February 16, 2024}} ABC News Australia,{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8eICjcWNT0|title= Bassem Youssef on his approach to satirising conflict|website= Youtube|date= 13 November 2023|accessdate= February 16, 2024}} the Lex Fridman Podcast,{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG8u6owzad4|title= Bassem Youssef: Israel-Palestine, Gaza, Hamas, Middle East, Satire & Fame, Lex Fridman Podcast #424|website= Youtube|date= 5 April 2024|accessdate= 14 September 2024}} the LeBatard YouTube show,{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG8JibtumSw|title= Bassem Youssef Reacts to Viral Appearances on Piers Morgan Discussing Israel and Palestine|website= Youtube|date= 22 January 2024|accessdate= February 16, 2024}} TRT World, Al Arabiya, India Today{{cite web|title='Israel a typical narcissist': Comedian Bassem Youssef's takedown of Gaza propaganda|date=16 March 2024 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/comedian-bassem-youssef-india-today-conclave-2024-israel-gaza-war-propaganda-satire-palestine-2515690-2024-03-16}} and BBC's HARDtalk. Regarding the 2024 Presidential Election, Youssef stated in the interview that he doesn't care about former President Donald Trump winning but doesn't want President Joe Biden to win re-election. In his words, "All we asked him (Biden) for was a ceasefire. Stop the killing. Stop the killing."{{Citation | year=2024 | title=Bassem Youssef interview with Stephen Sackur on BBCHardTalks(reupload) | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m8QVDL4bls | access-date=15 March 2024}}{{Citation | year=2024 | title=BBC News - HARDTalk, Bassem Youssef - comedian and political satirist | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001wfxr}}
==Zeteo podcast==
On 19 April 2024, it was announced that Youssef would join Mehdi Hasan's new media company, Zeteo, as co-host for their new podcast 'We're Not Kidding'.{{cite web| url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/mehdi-hasan-rips-shameful-media-handling-of-columbia-protest| title=Mehdi Hasan Goes Off on 'Shameful' Media Handling of Columbia Protests| first=Justin| last=Baragona| date=24 April 2024| website=thedailybeast.com}}{{Cite web |last=Zeteo |first=Team |title=Exclusive: Bassem Youssef Joins Zeteo |url=https://zeteo.com/p/exclusive-bassem-youssef-joins-zeteo |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=zeteo.com |language=en}}
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable unsortable" | ||||
| scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Tickling Giants | Himself | Documentary feature | {{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/tickling-giants-review-boussem-youssef-jon-stewart-1202015825/|title= Film Review: 'Tickling Giants'|website= Variety|date= 25 March 2017|accessdate= February 16, 2024}} |
| 2022 | Under the Roses | Actor | Short film | {{cite web|url= https://fest.afi.com/2022/afi-conservatory-showcase-2022/under-the-roses/|title= Under the Roses|website= AFI|accessdate= February 16, 2024}} |
| 2023 | Upsidedown | Actor | Short film | {{cite web|url= https://tribecafilm.com/films/upsidedown-2023|title= Upsidedown|website= Tribeca Film Festival|accessdate= February 16, 2024}} |
= Television =
Accolades and influence
In 2013, Youssef was named one of the "100 most influential people in the world" by Time magazine and one of Foreign Policy magazine's 100 Leading Global Thinkers.{{Cite web |title=Bassem Youssef - For demonstrating the political importance of satire. |url=http://2013-global-thinkers.foreignpolicy.com/youssef |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526154956/2013-global-thinkers.foreignpolicy.com/youssef |archive-date=26 May 2016 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=2013-global-thinkers.foreignpolicy.com}}{{Cite web |title=Bassem Youssef, Heba Morayef and Hossam Bahget among 2013 FP global thinkers - Politics - Egypt |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/88951/Egypt/Politics-/-Bassem-Youssef,-Heba-Morayef-and-Hossam-Bahget-am.aspx |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Ahram Online}} In November 2013, Youssef's role in the media was recognized by the committee to Protect Journalists, which awarded him with the International Press Freedom Award, along with three other journalists.{{Cite web |title=Bassem Youssef, Egypt |url=https://cpj.org/awards/bassem-youssef-egypt/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Committee to Protect Journalists |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Bassem Youssef Acceptance Speech |url=https://cpj.org/awards/bassem-youssef-acceptance-speech/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Committee to Protect Journalists |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGy8thkr7X4 |title=Bassem Youssef 2013 IPFA Acceptance Speech |date=2013-12-10 |last=Albernameg |access-date=2025-03-24 |via=YouTube}}
In 2015, Youssef received an honorary degree and delivered the commencement address for the College of Online & Continuing Education at Southern New Hampshire University.{{cite web|url=http://www.snhu.edu/about-us/news-and-events/2015/05/snhu-graduates-celebrate-commencement-with-trio-of-speakers|title=SNHU Graduates Celebrate Commencement With Trio of Speakers|author=Boutselis, Pamme|publisher=Southern New Hampshire University|date=May 9, 2015|access-date=July 11, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019234518/https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/news-and-events/2015/05/snhu-graduates-celebrate-commencement-with-trio-of-speakers|url-status=dead}} Al Bernameg was chosen by South by Southwest, one of the largest international interactive festivals, as the first and most successful internet to TV conversion story in the Middle East. Al Bernameg{{'}}s YouTube channel was the first channel in the MENA region to reach one million subscribers and was awarded the gold button trophy.
Youssef's comedic style has led to him being dubbed "Egypt's Jon Stewart"{{citation |title=Bassem Youssef Stuns Piers Morgan on Gaza: You 'Compared Israel With ISIS!' |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=18 October 2023 |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bassem-youssef-stuns-piers-morgan-on-gaza-you-compared-israel-with-isis |access-date=20 October 2023 |quote=During a lengthy appearance on Talk TV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored, Youssef—who has been called Egypt’s Jon Stewart— |last1=Baragona |first1=Justin }} after Stewart's satirical The Daily Show, which had itself inspired Youssef to pursue a career in television.{{cite news |last=El-Wakil |first=Mai |date=21 April 2011 |title=Drawing inspiration from the revolution |url=http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/egyptians-find-their-voice-after-years-repression |access-date=9 January 2014 |newspaper=Al-Masry Al-Youm}}{{cite news |last=Marx |first=Willem |date=29 March 2012 |title=Bassem Youssef: Egypt's Jon Stewart |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-29/bassem-youssef-egypts-jon-stewart#p1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330135444/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-29/bassem-youssef-egypts-jon-stewart#p1 |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |access-date=9 January 2014 |newspaper=Bloomberg Businessweek}}{{cite news |last=Hassan |first=Abdalla |date=28 April 2011 |title=Surgeon Using Parody to Dissect the News in Egypt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/world/middleeast/28iht-M28C-EGYPT-SHOW.html |access-date=9 January 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times}} In 2013, he was named on Time 100.{{Cite magazine |last=Stewart |first=Jon |date=2013-04-18 |title=Bassem Youssef: The World's 100 Most Influential People |url=https://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/bassem-youssef/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |magazine=Time |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X}}
On 2 May 2024, Bassem Youssef was awarded the ″Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse″, College Historical Society, Trinity College Dublin. In his talk he spoke about advocacy for Palestine and the Israel–Gaza war, being arrested for jokes, and the crackdown on free expression.{{cite news |date=30 May 2024 |title=Bassem Youssef Speaks to the Hist |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xr0hcLbgVc |access-date=30 May 2024|publisher=The Hist}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-07 |title=Bassem Youssef - The Muslim 500 |url=https://themuslim500.com/profiles/youssef-bassem/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=themuslim500.com |language=en-US}}
Personal life
In 2010, Youssef married Hala Diab, with whom he has a daughter and a son. The family resides in Los Angeles, California.{{cite news|title=Egypt's 'Daily Show'|url=http://pri.org/stories/2011-03-28/egypts-daily-show|date=28 March 2011|access-date=9 January 2014|agency=PRI}}{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/01/The-Nile-s-Jon-Stewart-Bassem-Youssef-s-mission-to-raise-voice-of-reason-.html|title=Egypt's "Most Wanted": the comedian who made fun of Mursi|agency=Al Arabiya|date=2 April 2013|access-date=9 January 2014}} Diab is half Egyptian and half Palestinian; her Palestinian family is originally from Ramla and was displaced to the Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.{{cite news |website=Farahas |language=ar |script-title=ar:هالة دياب زوجة باسم يوسف ويكيبيديا؛ مع أهم المعلومات عن زوجها|date=19 October 2023 |url=https://news.faharas.net/hala-diab-wife-bassem-youssef/|access-date=20 October 2023 |first=محمد|last=فرحات |trans-title=Hala Diab, wife of Bassem Youssef - Wikipedia; With the most important information about her husband}}{{better source needed|date=May 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Muhammad |first=Yasmine |date=20 October 2023 |title=من هي هالة دياب زوجة باسم يوسف؟ |url=https://cairo24.com/1887384 |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Cairo24}} Youssef identifies as a Muslim.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bassem-youssef-of-al-bernameg-on-new-web-series-fusion-the-democracy-handbook/|title=The "Jon Stewart of Egypt" pokes fun at U.S. politics in "The Democracy Handbook"|date=7 July 2016|work=CBS News|access-date=1 April 2017|quote=As a Muslim and Arab, Youssef aspires to bring new perspective for the American audience.}} He has refused to return to Egypt while it is under the rule of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.{{cite web |title=Ask Me Anything #3 |date=27 June 2018 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/8ucn9l/i_am_bassem_youssef_the_jon_stewart_of_the_middle/ |website=Reddit}}{{Cite web |last=Jebreal |first=Rula |date=2016-02-11 |title=Cairo's Soviet-Style Silencing |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/02/11/cairos-soviet-style-silencing-egypt-sisi-bassem-youssef-arts-culture/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}} Youssef became a naturalised American citizen in 2019.{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/feb/23/bassem-youssef-interview-comedian-egypt|title= 'The media and politicians are failing': comedian Bassem Youssef on Piers Morgan, satire and 'Genocide Joe'|work=The Guardian|date=23 February 2024|access-date=24 April 2024|first=Rhana|last=Natour|quote=Since leaving Egypt, Youssef and his family have lived in Los Angeles. He became a US citizen in 2019.}}
Bibliography
- Youssef, Bassem (2017). Revolution For Dummies. HarperCollins. {{ISBN|9780062446916|}}
See also
- Television in Egypt
- Capital Broadcasting Center (CBC), a TV channel in Egypt
- MBC Masr
- ONTV (Egypt)
- OTV (Channel)
- Reem Maged
- Yosri Fouda
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Bassem Youssef}}
- {{IMDb name|5117997|Bassem Youssef}}
- {{twitter|Byoussef}}
- [http://english.alarabiya.net/authors/Bassem-Youssef.html Profile and articles at alarabiya.net]
- [http://www.shorouknews.com/columns/Basem-youssef Articles on shorouknews.com] (in Arabic)
- [https://www.youtube.com/@americablaraby AmericaBlAraby on YouTube] (in Arabic)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140106125405/http://www.albernameg.com/ Albernameg website]
- [https://www.youtube.com/@albernameg Albernameg YouTube Channel]
- [https://www.c-span.org/person/?bassemyoussef Appearances] on C-SPAN
- [https://oslofreedomforum.com/speaker/bassem-youssef/ Bassem Youssef at Oslo Freedom Forum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709082200/https://oslofreedomforum.com/uploads/listings/_splash/Bassem-Youssef-speaker-web-2.jpg |date=2015-07-09 }}
- [http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=128610&title=headlines-get-smarter The Daily Show with Jon Stewart clip.]
{{Footer CPJ International Press Freedom Award laureates}}
{{Arab Spring}}
{{The Daily Show}}
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Category:Cairo University alumni
Category:Democracy activists from Cairo
Category:Egyptian revolutionaries
Category:Egyptian television presenters
Category:Egyptian emigrants to the United States
Category:Physicians from Cairo
Category:People of the Egyptian revolution of 2011
Category:Mass media people from Cairo