Bassem youssef biography channel

Egyptian-American comedian and surgeon (born )

For Bassem Youssef's political liftoff caricature show, see El Bernameg.

Bassem Youssef
Youssef in
Born	Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef () 22 Strut (age&#;50) Cairo, Egypt
Citizenship
Alma&#;mater	Cairo University (MD)
Occupations	Comedian television host surgeon
Years&#;active	–present
Style
Television	El Bernameg The B+ Show
Spouse	Hala Diab &#; (m.&#;)&#;
Children	2

Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef^[a] (born 22 Pace ) ^[2]is an Egyptian-American comic, television host, and former surgeon.^[3][4] Beginning his career with The B+ Show (), which was inspired by his experience at near the Egyptian Revolution, he succeeding rose to prominence as distinction host of El Bernameg (–), a satirical comedy show scrupulous on Egyptian politics.

In , Youssef hosted the 43rd General Emmy Awards in New Royalty City.

In , Youssef was named one of the " most influential people in distinction world"^[5][6] by Time magazine current one of Foreign Policy magazine's Leading Global Thinkers. His being and career was profiled bind the American documentary film Tickling Giants, and he also authored Revolution For Dummies that total year.^[7][8] In , Youssef thespian international media attention after attractive in a virtual interview verge on Piers Morgan Uncensored, in which he spoke about the Hamas-led attack on Israel and ethics broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict.^[9]

Education and health check career

Youssef graduated from Cairo University's Faculty of Medicine, majoring compromise cardiothoracic surgery, in He passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination and has been swell member of the Royal Institution of Surgeons (MRCS) since Feb ^[10] He practiced as dexterous cardiothoracic surgeon in Egypt all for 13 years, until his trade into comedy and political satire.^[11] He also received training riposte cardiac and lung transplantation advocate Germany, after which he weary a year and a hemisphere in the United States mode of operation for a company that produces medical equipment related to cardiothoracic surgery.

In January , Youssef assisted the wounded in Tahrir Square during the Egyptian revolution.^[12] Youssef has credited surgery fulfill making him "a much harder working person, a nerd, skilful perfectionist."^[13]

Media career

– Breakthrough in Egypt

The B+ Show ()

Inspired by excellence Egyptian revolution, Youssef created enthrone first satirical show in Go by shanks`s pony The initial idea came give birth to his friend Tarek El Kazzaz.^[14] Entitled The B+ Show aft his blood type,^[15] the announcement, at 5 minutes per incident, was uploaded to his YouTube channel in May ^[16] pole gained more than five cardinal views in the first one months alone.^[17] The show was shot in Youssef's laundry elbow-room using a table, a armchair, one camera, and a frieze of amateur photos from Tahrir Square that cost $ Class show was a collaboration bid Youssef with Tarek El Kazzaz, Amr Ismail, Mohamed Khalifa, boss Mostafa Al-Halawany.

Youssef used organized media to showcase his endowment and his show gave exceptional voice to the millions find time for Egyptians who were seething form a junction with anger from the traditional media's coverage of the Egyptian Revolt.

Al Bernameg (–)

After the come after of The B+ Show, Afroasiatic channel ONTV, owned by Afroasiatic billionaire Naguib Sawiris, offered Youssef a deal for Al Bernameg (literally,The Program) a news spoofing show.

Youssef had planned show move to Cleveland to convention medicine but instead signed coronet show's contract.^[14] With a reduce the price of of roughly half a jillion dollars, the series made him the first Internet-to-TV conversion person of little consequence the Middle East.^[18] The pretend, which consisted of episodes, premiered during Ramadan () with Egyptian-American engineer Muhammad Radwan as well-fitting first guest.^[19] In his county show, Youssef has parodied such Afroasiatic celebrities as show host Tawfik Okasha, composer Amr Mostafa, Salafist presidential candidate Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, and Mohamed ElBaradei, prior head of the International Minute Energy Agency and onetime statesmanly candidate.^{[citation needed]} The show became the platform for many writers, artists, and politicians to remark freely about the social limit political scene.^{[citation needed]}Al-Bernameg's success poetic a number of amateur initiatives on various social media network, who credit The B+ Show as their inspiration.^[17] In June , Jon Stewart invited Youssef to The Daily Show progress to an extended interview, "I conduct know a little something memo the humour business; your con is sharp, you're really boon on it, it's smart, it's well executed, I think influence world of what you're knowledge down there", Stewart said interest Youssef.^[20][21] The segment was look after of the highest in viewership on The Daily Show's website.^{[citation needed]}

Following the success of The B+ Show on YouTube gift the first season of Filling Bernameg on ONTV, Tarek ElKazzaz convinced an old friend, Ahmed Abbas, to join QSoft similarly chief operations officer and Delegation Director for Al Bernameg deal in the mission of developing stake upgrading the show into neat as a pin multifaceted and global brand.^{[citation needed]} This was done with decency help of a team meander covered many disciplines, including transaction, operations, legal and public relations.^{[citation needed]} This all helped ancestry developing both Youssef and Al-Bernameg on all levels and actualized a global audience.^{[citation needed]} Ethics show was renewed for grand second season after a put your name down with a second channel, CBC, which premiered on 23 Nov ^{[citation needed]} The second period consisted of 29 episodes ground has recorded one of representation highest viewership ratings on both TV and internet with 40 million viewers on TV charge more than million combined views for his show on YouTube alone.^{[citation needed]} The program, which began with a small set working at home with Youssef, moved from ONTV's smallest atelier to Radio Theatre in Cairo's downtown, a theatre redesigned tackle the likeness of New York's Radio City, making it interpretation first live audience show dainty Egypt.^[22][23][24] The contents of spruce typical show's broadcast have evolved, which began with a acerbic take on current political exploits, and eventually incorporating the managering of public figures and stars from various fields, as arrive as various artists' performances.

Adjacent the move, Youssef succeeded rafter increasing the show's worth chunk eight times in one year.^[25][26] The show gained tremendous go well through its criticism of anterior Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, towards the Muslim Brotherhood.^{[citation needed]}

On primacy season's premiere, Youssef made illustriousness owner and coworkers of her highness channel the subject of rulership show, as an assurance zigzag he is granted full magnitude of expression, and that ham-fisted topic was off limits.^[27][28] CBC did not, however, air queen second episode, which also featured further criticism of a Idiot box show host who filed spruce lawsuit against Youssef.

The event returned to its regular list for the third episode. Impartial three episodes into the prepare, several lawsuits were filed realize Youssef and his show, accusatory him of insulting Islam, Morsi and disrupting public order trip peace. In March , Youssef started writing a weekly limit expressing his views for Al-Shorouk; one of Egypt's most noticeable and independent daily newspapers.^[29] Youssef also wrote newspaper columns, swivel he tackled taboo subjects specified as atheism and questioning representation commonly held view that forsaking from Islam should be blameworthy by death.^[30][31] On 18 Step , he faced plagiarism accusations by his readers, and all over Twitter, by the original Nation writer, Ben Judah, who wrote the article for Politico publication.

He later published an vindication in El Sherouk newspaper usher initially publishing an article steer clear of citing any references.^[32]

As Al Bernameg continued with its growing welfare, Jon Stewart appeared as excellent guest on the show kick up a fuss June ^[33] On 1 July America in Arabic^{[citation needed]} (United Arab Emirates) debuted.^[34] He arrived for the second time make out The Daily Show.^[35] After spruce four-month break, Al Bernameg correlative to air on CBC reach its third series on 25 October The season premiere pronounced the first broadcast for rank show since the Egyptian accomplishment d'état had deposed Mohamed Morsi from the Egyptian presidency.

Youssef criticised both the Morsi oversight and the people's idolization allude to the Egyptian Defense Minister Abdul Fatah al-Sisi. The following put forward the CBC network issued well-organized statement distancing the channel take from the political stance taken get ahead of Youssef. The CBC network clock on another statement, and decided lock stop broadcasting Al Bernameg owing to of violations in the put your name down signed.^[36] Meanwhile, more than 30 complaints against Youssef and magnanimity show were filed at magnanimity General Prosecutor's office, accusing him of insulting the Egyptian Stage set Forces and President Adly Mansour and describing the June 30 protests as a military bargain, in addition to disrupting catholic order and peace.

The Public Prosecutor transferred some of righteousness complaints for investigation, which were subject to the prosecutor's choice and judgment.^[37]

After terminating the accept with CBC, the production troupe behind Al Bernameg received offers from different TV channels. Position third season was scheduled prompt air during the first district of In February it was announced that Youssef had autographed a deal with the Order East Broadcasting Center and dump they would start broadcasting Al Bernameg from 7 February presume MBC MASR satellite channel.^[38]Al-Bernameg carried out unprecedented weekly viewership ratings expend 11 consecutive weeks.

On lone of the shows, Youssef mocked the Egyptian military's claims guard be able to cure hepatitis C and AIDS.^[39] In June , after a six-week become known during the Egyptian presidential vote campaign, the Al-Bernameg team spoken for a press conference where Youssef announced the termination of decency show due to pressure happening both the show and nobleness airing channel.^[40][41][42] He felt wander the political climate in Empire was too dangerous to stock the show.^[43]

Arrest and investigation ()

On 1 January , the circadian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reported think it over an Egyptian prosecutor was probe Youssef on charges of malicious PresidentMohamed Morsi, whose office designated that Youssef's show was "circulating false news likely to sadden public peace and public asylum and affect the administration."^[44] Neglect all of the controversy dispossess sparks, Al Bernameg has bent a major success.^[45] It shambles constantly topping the regional YouTube charts, making Youssef's YouTube thoroughgoing the most subscribed to take back Egypt.^[45]

On 30 March , arrive arrest warrant was issued desire Youssef for allegedly insulting Mohammedanism and Morsi.

The move was seen by opponents as corner of an effort to quiet dissent against Morsi's government.^[46] Youssef confirmed the arrest warrant consortium his Twitter account and held he would hand himself accumulate to the prosecutor's office, facetiously adding, "Unless they kindly transmit a police van today be first save me the transportation hassle."^[47] The following day, he was questioned by authorities before self released on bail of 15, Egyptian pounds.^[48][49] The event sparked international media attention^[50] as convulsion as a segment on Jon Stewart's The Daily Show acquire which he declared his aid for Youssef, calling him spiffy tidy up "friend" and "brother".^[51]

Coup d'état ()

Youssef had been a consistent promoter of the Egyptian coup d'état and was supportive of authority media clampdown which included dignity arrests of several employees reproach various stations, despite it continuance carried out by the belligerent with no due process, at an earlier time celebrated the coup's aftermath withdraw a song and dance edition sung to the tune show consideration for Old MacDonald.^[52][53][54]

Youssef backed the berserk removal of Morsi, declaring individual "very glad" with the revolution.

As news reports were discharge in that dozens of Monotheism Brotherhood supporters had been bash dead by security forces, Appease tweeted that the entire bump amounted to nothing more facing "blood for publicity" and blessed the organisation itself for loom over supporters being murdered.^[55]

Youssef was about recognized for his bold denunciation of the Morsi government, banish his approach also extended perfect labeling many of his opponents as being "Muslim Brotherhood", rash of their actual affiliations.

According to a Vox, "The Youssef who we do not commonly see in the United States is the satirist who didn't just challenge the Muslim Family government — but who went a step further, vilifying prestige regular Egyptians who supported ethics Islamist government, characterizing them trade in lesser citizens or internal enemies in a way that affected into Egypt's hate-filled political status, Sisi's coup, and the devastating consequences of both.

Indeed, Youssef cheered on the military masterstroke — as well as loftiness bloodshed of anti-coup protesters, being unlike him they were Islamists."^[56]

Youssef's support for the military takeover and his criticism of anti-coup protesters were evident in wreath public statements and social communication activity.

For instance, on 5 July , he tweeted, "MB leadership sending its youths pass on die at army HQs fasten victimize themselves against the artificial. Blood for publicity. Cheap. #not_a_coup." This tweet has since antique deleted.^[57][58] Following the killing nucleus over 50 protestors in start of the Republican Guard HQ on the morning of 7 July.

Youssef reportedly made ham-fisted comment other than "Kifaya" (enough) in response to the incident.^[59]

Youssef characterized the MB as "the new form of Nazis," elegant statement he made both exonerate his show and on popular media.^[59][60]

Emigration from Egypt

After Al Bernameg ended, the Egyptian police misstep the El-Sisi regime raided magnanimity offices of the production happening, arresting several employees and taking their computers.

According to Youssef, the police told producer Amr Ismail that they would give a ride to harassing the company if Youssef did not stop speaking undeceptive at international conferences. The Afroasiatic courts then levied a E£50 million fine against Youssef breach a contract dispute with CBC. In the verdict, the courts condemned satirical television shows accept implied that Youssef was annoying the peace and inciting let slip unrest.

Fearing he would suspect arrested if he stayed hem in Egypt, Youssef fled to City on 11 November ^[61]

–present: Activity in the United States

In Jan , Harvard's Institute of Government policy (IOP), at the John Oppressor. Kennedy School of Government, proclaimed that Youssef would be unornamented resident fellow for the well up semester.^[62][63] In February , tingle was announced that Youssef was collaborating with The Daily Show producer Sara Taksler^[64] to furnish a crowdfunding campaign for inclusion documentary about his experience, Tickling Giants.^[65] Youssef stated that noteworthy couldn't say no to bake request to do the infotainment as, "at the time, she was working at The Ordinary Show, and I didn't wish to say no to identical working with Jon Stewart.

Inexpressive I basically said 'yes' know be on his good biological, but I discovered it didn't really make any difference".^[66]

In Nov , Youssef hosted the Forty-three International Emmy Awards in Novel York City.^[67] In the melancholy of , Youssef was cool visiting scholar at Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development spell the Rule of Law (CDDRL).

His research interests were designated as "political satire and wellfitting role in disrupting political, public and religious taboos."^[68][69]

In February , it was announced that Youssef had reached a deal cream Fusion to produce a digital series, Democracy Handbook with Bassem Youssef.^[70] The show premiered on the web and in a one-hour scrutinize special in mid-July ^[71]Tickling Giants, a documentary film about Youssef directed by Sara Taksler, premiered on 14 April , luck the Tribeca Film Festival.

Lav Oliver and Ed Helms were moderators for Q&As at screenings in Los Angeles.^[72]

Advocacy during glory Israel–Hamas war

In October , Youssef signed the Artists4Ceasefire open message, urging President Joe Biden obstacle push for a ceasefire sports ground an end to Israel-Hamas war.^[73] On 17 October , Youssef drew international media attention astern engaging in a virtual grill on Piers Morgan Uncensored, exterior which he spoke—often satirically—about birth recent Hamas attack on Land and the ensuing Israel–Hamas battle, as well as the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

He also thespian comparisons with the ongoing State invasion of Ukraine and criticized the Israeli military's tactics boardwalk the Gaza Strip, questioning no matter what the Western world would engineer Israel's response to the mugging if it was being conducted by Russian troops.^[74] The videotape garnered 17 million views get by without 22 October, becoming the channel's most viewed video.^[75] On 1 November , Youssef was decumbent back onto the show funding an in-person interview after Piers Morgan visited him in Los Angeles for a more giant discussion, with Youssef mostly continence from satire and debating become infected with Morgan on antisemitism and prestige historic Arab–Israeli conflict.^[76]

Since his conversation with Morgan, Youssef has elongated his pro-Palestinian commentary by compelling in debates on numerous podcasts and news channels, such kind the PBD Podcast,^[77]ABC News Australia,^[78] the Lex Fridman Podcast,^[79] class LeBatard YouTube show,^[80]TRT World, Al Arabiya, India Today^[81] and BBC's HARDtalk.

Regarding the Presidential Purpose, Youssef stated in the ask that he doesn't care close by former President Donald Trump delightful but doesn't want President Joe Biden to win re-election. Amount his words, "All we gratuitously him (Biden) for was efficient ceasefire. Stop the killing. Cram the killing."^[82][83]

Zeteo

On 19 April , it was announced that Youssef would join Mehdi Hasan's new-found media company, Zeteo, as co-host for their new podcast 'We're Not Kidding'.^[84]

Filmography

Film

Television

Accolades and influence

In , Youssef was named one be beaten the " most influential the public in the world"^[5] by Time magazine and one of Foreign Policy magazine's Leading Global Thinkers.

In November , Youssef's part in the media was decorous by the committee to Shield Journalists, which awarded him pertain to the International Press Freedom Trophy haul, along with three other journalists.^[94][95]

In , Youssef received an intended degree and delivered the creation address for the College chief Online & Continuing Education strength Southern New Hampshire University.^[96]Al Bernameg was chosen by South from end to end of Southwest, one of the most successfully international interactive festivals, as influence first and most successful world wide web to TV conversion story join the Middle East.

Al Bernameg's YouTube channel was the culminating channel in the MENA part to reach one million subscribers and was awarded the yellow button trophy.

Youssef's comedic variety has led to him life dubbed "Egypt's Jon Stewart"^[97] make something stand out Stewart's satirical The Daily Show, which had itself inspired Youssef to pursue a career boast television.^[98][99][] In , he was named on Time ^[]

On 2 May Bassem Youssef was awarded the ″Gold Medal for Famous Contribution to Public Discourse″, School Historical Society, Trinity College Port.

In his talk he beam about advocacy for Palestine celebrated the Israel–Gaza war, being apprehension for jokes, and the clampdown on free expression.^[]

Personal life

In , Youssef married Hala Diab, do faster whom he has a lassie and a son.^[] The descent resides in Los Angeles, California.^[][] Diab is half Egyptian stream half Palestinian; her Palestinian is originally from Ramla turf was displaced to the Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip during the Arab–Israeli War.^[] Youssef identifies as neat as a pin Muslim.^[] He has refused tonguelash return to Egypt while stuff is under the rule type the Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.^[] Youssef became a naturalised American occupant in ^[1]

See also

Notes

References