Bassem Youssef: Egypt’s revolutionary comedian
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.
The rise and fall of Egypt's star satirist.
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 ground-breaking, 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.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producers: Nathan Gower and June Christie
Image: Bassem Youssef
Credit: Kareem Mazhar
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