We all know Bassem Youssef. The Egyptian-American comedian who’s never been afraid to call out the media, drop truth bombs, and make us laugh while doing it. He joined the Lovin Dubai Show to talk viral interviews, Hollywood setbacks, and the crazy media circus around Palestine. Here’s the lowdown.
The VIRAL interview that shook the internet
Bassem reflected on his 2023 Piers Morgan interview, which went viral for how it challenged Western media narratives on Gaza. He admits he doesn’t claim to have changed the world, but he went in with a satirical approach to “tear apart” the talking points while keeping it funny. “All I can do is talk about it and joke about it. That’s what I do,” he said.
WATCH the full interview here:
Media circus & performative activism
Bassem didn’t hold back on calling out talk shows. He described some media coverage as performative, “buying time” and giving cover to Israel while pretending to be inclusive. “It’s a circus, and unfortunately I play part of that circus too,” he said, stressing that many platforms are more about relevance than the cause.
Hollywood setbacks turned funny
Going viral wasn’t without consequences. Youssef revealed he lost several Hollywood roles and had shows canceled. But he turns those setbacks into comedy material, sharing his highs and lows with audiences. “I lost a show or a role, but I turned it into a 10-minute segment in my material. Win-win,” he joked.
Despite the backlash, he finds strength in audience support. “The only power I rely on is the people showing solidarity and support, which I really appreciate,” he said, adding that he hopes to fill the Coca-Cola Arena when he returns for his live show.
Catch Bassem Youssef live at the Coca-Cola Arena on November 16 for a night of laughs, stories, and unapologetic truth!
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