Bassem Youssef (television host)

Bassem Youssef
Born Bassem Raafat Muhammad Youssef
March 21, 1974 (1974-03-21) (age 37)
Cairo, Egypt
Nationality Egyptian
Occupation Political satirist, television host
Years active 2011-present
Notable works The B+ Show, Al Bernameg
Influenced by Jon Stewart

Bassem Youssef (born 1974, Arabic: باسم يوسف) is an Egyptian satirist and the host of the satirical Egyptian news program Al Bernameg. The press has compared Youssef with American comedian Jon Stewart,[1] whose satire program The Daily Show inspired Youssef to begin his career.[2]

Youssef began his first satirical show in March 2011 in response to the Egyptian Revolution and 2011 Syrian uprising. Entitled The B+ Show, the program was uploaded to YouTube and gained millions of views. Around 10 episodes were produced in all.[3] After the success of The B+ Show, Egyptian channel ONTV offered Youssef a deal to create the satirical show Al Bernameg.[4] The show premiered in Ramadan 2011; Syrian journalist Mohamed Radwan was the first guest. Youssef has parodied Egyptian celebrities like talk show host Tawfik Okasha and composer Amr Mostafa in his show.[3]

Personal life

Youssef lives in Cairo with his wife Hala.[5] He works as a cardiothoracic surgeon when Al Bernameg is in hiatus. In his capacity as a doctor, he assisted wounded Tahrir Square protesters after the Battle of the Camel.[6]

References

  1. ^ El-Wakil, Mai (April 21, 2011). "Drawing inspiration from the revolution". Al Masry Al Youm. http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/415194. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
  2. ^ Hassan, Abdalla (April 28, 2011). "Surgeon Using Parody to Dissect the News in Egypt". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/world/middleeast/28iht-M28C-EGYPT-SHOW.html. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b Elkayal, Heba (September 7, 2011). "Comedy show du jour: Bassem Youssef's Al-Bernameg". Daily News Egypt. http://thedailynewsegypt.com/radio-a-television/comedy-show-du-jour-bassem-youssefs-al-bernameg.html. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
  4. ^ Montasser, Farah; Deena Adel (September 2, 2011). "Revolutionary satire". Al Arabiya. http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/02/165062.html. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
  5. ^ "Egypt’s "Daily Show"". PRI. March 28, 2011. http://www.theworld.org/2011/03/egypts-daily-show/. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
  6. ^ Montasser, Farah. "Revolutionary satire: Bassem Youssef speaks to Ahram Online". Ahram. http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/35/19963/Arts--Culture/Stage--Street/Revolutionary-satire-Bassem-Youssef-speaks-to-Ahra.aspx. Retrieved September 28, 2011.