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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    'Egypt's Jon Stewart' on whether satire can bring political change

    President Trump met with Egypt’s president this week. We get reaction from comedian Bassem Youssef, who launched the first political satire show in Egypt. But for making fun of those in power, his safety was threatened, and he had to cancel the show. He ended up fleeing the country after President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Apr 6, 2017 • 1 min read

    President Trump met with Egypt’s president this week. We get reaction from comedian Bassem Youssef, who launched the first political satire show in Egypt. But for making fun of those in power, his safety was threatened, and he had to cancel the show. He ended up fleeing the country after President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power. Youssef is the subject of the documentary, “Tickling Giants,” which premieres April 7 at the Beverly Hills Laemmle Music Hall.

    Bassem Youssef was a practicing heart surgeon before he became a full-time comedian. He created the first political satire show in Egypt. (Photo courtesy of Sarkosmos Productions)

    The full episode

    4 of 5
    Russian hack investigation gets new leader
    1. 0:00Texas Rep. Mike Conaway takes over Russian meddling investigation
    2. 9:04National Trade Council chief sees China as an existential threat to the U.S.
    3. 19:20Visa program moves rich Chinese investors to the front of the green card line
    4. 26:50'Egypt's Jon Stewart' on whether satire can bring political changeYou’re reading this
    5. 40:04With facial recognition tech, will it be impossible to be unrecognizable?
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sarah Sweeney

      Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jolie Myers

      Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Bassem Youssef

      comedian, political satirist and author

      News

    The full episode

    4 of 5
    Russian hack investigation gets new leader
    1. 0:00Texas Rep. Mike Conaway takes over Russian meddling investigation
    2. 9:04National Trade Council chief sees China as an existential threat to the U.S.
    3. 19:20Visa program moves rich Chinese investors to the front of the green card line
    4. 26:50'Egypt's Jon Stewart' on whether satire can bring political changeYou’re reading this
    5. 40:04With facial recognition tech, will it be impossible to be unrecognizable?
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand