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Outlook: Bassem Youssef: Egypt’s revolutionary comedian

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Bassem Youssef

11/02/2021 GMT

Bassem Youssef: Egypt’s revolutionary comedian

BBC World Service - Outlook, Bassem Youssef: Egypt’s revolutionary comedian

From heart surgeon to Arab Spring satirist – the rise and fall of Bassem Youssef

Egyptian doctor Bassem Youssef gave up his surgical scrubs to become a satirist during the Arab Spring. But his political parodies soon landed him in trouble with the authorities

Bassem Youssef was a heart surgeon in Cairo during the Arab Spring when he started poking fun at the politicians in power. His style of subversive comedy was groundbreaking, and Bassem soon became one of the best-known comedians in the Middle East. For a while he was described as 'Egypt's Jon Stewart'. Bassem's television show was wildly popular but his fan base didn't extend to the Egyptian authorities. His show was cancelled and soon he had to flee his home. He talks to Jo Fidgen about the personal price of satire in Egypt's revolution. This programme was first broadcast on 19th August, 2019.  Since then Bassem has become the star of the web series Plant B which explores how diet can radically improve one's health. He's also written a children's book - The Magical Reality of Nadia - which is published this month.  

Image: Bassem Youssef Credit: Kareem Mazhar

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