If you don’t find his new stand up show funny, he may have to operate on your funny bones...
Bassem Youssef is coming to Australia for the first time for two shows including an appearance at the Just For Laughs Sydney Comedy Festival. Youssef, dubbed the Jon Stewart of the Arab World, was the host of popular television show Albernameg, which was the first of its kind political satire show in the Middle East.
Originally a five-minute show on YouTube, Albernameg became the first online to television conversion in the Middle East and the most watched show across the region with 30 million viewers every week.
Bassem Youssef in Australia
- Sydney Enmore Theatre – Tuesday 14 November
- Melbourne The Palms At Crown – Wednesday 15 November
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The show received worldwide acclaim around the world with coverage in some of the biggest media outlets, topping it off with Youssef’s appearance on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, twice.
Throughout the three seasons, Albernameg remained controversial through its humorous yet bold criticism of the ruling powers, which led to several lawsuits filed against the show and Youssef. In recognition on his success, he was named among the Time Magazine most influential list for 2013. He was also chosen by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the global thinks during that same year.
Youssef went on to host the 2015 International Emmy Awards Gala as well as the 49th Carthage Film Festival in Tunis. He also hosted the digital series The Democracy Handbook. He has released a book about his experiences Revolution For Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring where he gives different perspectives and insights on the Egyptian political scene through the Arab and after. Other credits include doing the voice over for Disney’s Duck Tales as Sabaf, the evil guard on an all mummified Pharoah.
Youssef majored in cardiothoracic surgery, passed the United States Medical License Exam and is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. He practised cardiothoracic surgery in Egypt for 13 years before moving into comedy and political satirism.
Tickets on sale Tuesday 19 September 9am – book at bohmpresents.com.
