‘The media and politicians are failing’: comedian Bassem Youssef on Piers Morgan, satire and ‘Genocide Joe’
Once known as ‘Egypt’s Jon Stewart’, Youssef doesn’t want to be defined as an activist – but he will take risks and go with his gut
December 2022
2023 culture preview
The best theatre, dance and comedy tickets to book for 2023
Danny Boyle’s Matrix-inspired spectacular opens in Manchester, Succession star Brian Cox returns to the stage and standups Maisie Adam, Guz Khan and Catherine Cohen are on tour
March 2017
Tickling Giants review – the melancholy rise and fall of Egypt's Jon Stewart
A supportive documentary about the anti-Mubarak TV satirist Bassem Youssef, whose career followed the same trajectory as the Arab spring
November 2015
Bassem Youssef says 'get stuffed' to those who claim the Arab spring failed
Bassem Youssef: Egypt's answer to Jon Stewart on the pressure on TV satirists
February 2015
Bassem Youssef joins Harvard eight months after ending his TV show
Political satirist, who was often described as the Jon Stewart of Egypt, becomes a resident fellow
June 2014
Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef winds up TV show due to safety fears
Show was seen as a barometer for free speech in Egypt, but Youssef claims he is no longer safe to work
January 2014
Egypt's censorship of comedian Bassem Youssef sends 'wrong message'
Three years after pro-democracy protests began, freedom of speech faces a new challenge, says TV satirist
November 2013
Egyptian TV station suspends satirist Bassem Youssef's show
CBC channel stops broadcast of comedian's show after he mocked Egypt's widespread pro-army sentiment
October 2013
Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef upsets all sides on return to TV
Egypt's answer to Jon Stewart criticises governments past and present, prompting channel to distance itself from his politics
June 2013
Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef will not let his humour be silenced
Doctor turned host of popular show provides laughs for his viewers but a headache for the Muslim Brotherhood
April 2013
Laughing stock: the week in comedy
Satirist Bassem Youssef cleared of insulting Egyptian president
Egyptian TV satirist Bassem Youssef bailed after police questioning
March 2013
Bassem Youssef’s supporters protest as Egyptian satirist is detained - video
Egyptians protests in Cairo as satirist Bassem Youssef turns himself in at the office of the prosecutor general on Sunday
May 2012
Egyptians tune into The Programme, a 'blasphemous' TV satire
In a changed media landscape after last year's revolution, the television show has been able to poke fun at the presidential candidates – but not without criticism
