Bassem Youssef made his comeback on MBC Masr last Friday with his satirical show Al-Bernameg (The Programme) after it was pulled by CBC in November. Youssef — often compared to US comedian Jon Stewart — once again made fun of Egypt's current political situation. Egyptians' obsession with Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who ousted President Mohamed Morsi, was the target of Youssef's satire. In the first episode of the programme on MBC Masr, Youssef joked about his comeback, saying it could well be the “first and last episode of the new season” if he dared to talk about Al-Sisi. The decision to suspend Youssef's show was made by CBC's administration. CBC claimed the satirist had violated its editorial policy and his contractual obligations and had upset Egyptian sensibilities by attacking “symbols of the state”. While the ban was widely viewed as being prompted by the military, the government insisted that the decision was an internal one for CBC and denied state officials were involved. The suspension of Youssef's show raised questions about the fate of any dissent. Media voices critical of the authorities have dwindled to a whisper. The suspension of the programme, however, is not the only blow Youssef has received. Viewed as a hero during the presidency of Mohamed Morsi supporters of the interim authorities now brand him part of a foreign plot against Egypt. The outspoken critic of the Morsi regime was recently accused of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood by his criticism of the current political situation. Youssef vowed to continue his show saying, “we will not be afraid of anyone” as a profile of Al-Sisi appeared behind him, adding “although it's best we don't say anything about him”. Earlier in the show Youssef and his team burst into a skit to the tune of a comic song-and-dance number from the 1960s. He said this was dedicated to those “upset by us, who don't want us to carry on, just in case they feel like condemning the show”. “After 16 years work as a doctor my dream of hosting a satirical show finally came true …it turned out to be an ill-fated job rife with troubles; first you become a heretic and then a traitor or spy.” In Arabic it rhymes. Youssef's popularity peaked under Morsi's rule when the president and his Islamist allies were the target of his biting sarcasm. Youssef was briefly summoned by the general prosecutor after being accused of insulting the president and Islam. His show has often stirred controversy, making him the target of many legal complaints. Youssef describes the new incarnation of Al-Bernameg as “the show which has nothing to do with politics and tackles everything else so as not to mention him [Al-Sisi] and lose our jobs.” Youssef presented spoof fashion and cooking shows, which often seemed to go out of their way to mention Al-Sisi. He joked about street vendors selling clothes “autographed by Al-Sisi” and depicted a popular chef attempting to bake a birthday cake for the military chief. He also joked about a newscaster Rania Badawy who referred to a restaurant menu offering an “Al-Sisi mix” sandwich and a football association official who said the presence of Al-Sisi in the national team would ensure Egypt qualified for the World Cup. “Politics is everywhere and if we leave it to talk about anything else then we are making fools of ourselves,” he said. Speaking on Amr Al-Leithy's talk show broadcast by the Al-Hayat network, Youssef did not hesitate to say he was against Al-Sisi's nomination for president, warning it was “not good for the country” to involve the army in politics. People's feelings for the army might change, he explained, if its leadership did not meet their expectations. “Other candidates will not be running against Al-Sisi but against the army and the Ministry of Defence. The army should not be drawn into the games of politics.” On whether he thought 30 June was a coup or a revolution, Youssef said: “I think what applies to 25 January applies to 30 June. The army influenced the outcome.” He added that it was too early to decide.
