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Broadcast Voices Across Two Cultures
Bassem Youssef and Hoda Kotb show how Egyptian American voices shaped satire, news, and broadcasting.
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Independent
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KRTK · Identity
BassemYoussef
Comedian, television host, actor and former cardiothoracic surgeon, known for the satirical show Al Bernameg (2011 to 2014). In the US he hosted the 43rd International Emmy Awards in 2015 and published the memoir Revolution for Dummies in 2017. Born in Cairo on 21 March 1974. In 2010 he married Hala Diab, with whom he has two children. A Cairo University medical graduate, he practised surgery in Egypt for 13 years and treated the wounded in Tahrir Square in January 2011. He left Egypt in late 2014 after legal and political pressure over his satire. The Committee to Protect Journalists honoured him with its International Press Freedom Award.
Cairolive
BY
Profile / 26
Independent
Location
Los Angeles
KRTK · Identity
BassemYoussef
Comedian, television host, actor and former cardiothoracic surgeon, known for the satirical show Al Bernameg (2011 to 2014). In the US he hosted the 43rd International Emmy Awards in 2015 and published the memoir Revolution for Dummies in 2017. Born in Cairo on 21 March 1974. In 2010 he married Hala Diab, with whom he has two children. A Cairo University medical graduate, he practised surgery in Egypt for 13 years and treated the wounded in Tahrir Square in January 2011. He left Egypt in late 2014 after legal and political pressure over his satire. The Committee to Protect Journalists honoured him with its International Press Freedom Award.
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About
Comedian, television host, actor and former cardiothoracic surgeon, known for the satirical show Al Bernameg (2011 to 2014). In the US he hosted the 43rd International Emmy Awards in 2015 and published the memoir Revolution for Dummies in 2017. Born in Cairo on 21 March 1974. In 2010 he married Hala Diab, with whom he has two children. A Cairo University medical graduate, he practised surgery in Egypt for 13 years and treated the wounded in Tahrir Square in January 2011. He left Egypt in late 2014 after legal and political pressure over his satire. The Committee to Protect Journalists honoured him with its International Press Freedom Award.
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Articles & Media
Expertise
Technical
Satirical ComedyTelevision HostingPublic SpeakingWriting
Leadership
Media Commentary
Education
Education
Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine
Achievements
International Press Freedom Award, Committee to Protect Journalists
Learn moreHost of the 43rd International Emmy Awards (2015)
Learn moreFamous For
Al-Bernameg
Completed2011
Groundbreaking Egyptian satirical news show that brought political comedy to mass television audiences.
The Democracy Handbook
Completed2016
Digital comedy series exploring politics, media, and civic culture with Bassem Youssef's satirical style.
International Stand-Up and Speaking Tours
Ongoing2017
Live comedy and public speaking appearances across North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
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What people say about Bassem Youssef
Bassem did under impossible pressure what most of us do in safety. He is what satire looks like when it actually costs something.
Jon Stewartcollaborator
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Bassem Youssef