Bassem Youssef

Bassem Youssef, an Egyptian comedian, journalist, and former cardiothoracic surgeon, gained international fame as the creator and host of "Al Bernameg," the first political comedy show in the Middle East. This groundbreaking program, initially a 5-minute online series, rapidly expanded to become the most watched show on Egyptian TV, drawing an average of 40 million viewers weekly. It also made a historic mark as the first internet to TV conversion story in the region and was recognized at South by Southwest for this achievement.

The show's popularity extended globally, with substantial coverage in major international media outlets and Youssef making four appearances on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, who supported Youssef by guesting on "Al Bernameg" in Cairo. Despite this success, Youssef faced significant political challenges; he was interrogated and faced legal issues under the Muslim Brotherhood regime and subsequent military rule, ultimately leading to the cancellation of his show and his relocation to the United States.

Now residing in Los Angeles, Youssef continues his career in satire and storytelling in a new cultural and linguistic context. Alongside touring for live performances and hosting his podcast "Remade in America," he advocates for a plant-based diet and has authored the bestselling book "Revolution for Dummies." His life and career are also the subjects of the documentary "Tickling Giants."

Youssef's influence and courage have been widely recognized. He was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People and received the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2013. His educational pursuits continued with a role as a Resident Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in January 2015. Moreover, his digital influence is underscored as the YouTube channel for "Al Bernameg" became the first in the MENA region to reach one million subscribers, earning a gold button trophy.