Youssef: The Daily Show’s new Middle East correspondent

On Monday night, Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef appeared on the Daily Show with fellow political commentator and comedian, Jon Stewart.  The two became friends after Youssef’s first appearance on the American satirical news show after the Egyptian revolution, with Stewart making a public plea for Bassem's release when a warrant was issued for his arrest in Egypt 2013. 

Youssef appeared as 'Senior Middle East Correspondent' for the Daily Show.  His own programme, 'al-Bernameg' – similar to Stewart’s Daily Show – was shut down in Egypt this year due to numerous complaints from the Egyptian government under Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and subsequent “safety concerns”. 

Youssef, looking agitated, complained that Stewart had chosen Trevor Noah as the new host for the Daily Show instead of himself. He is often dubbed the Egyptian, less handsome equivalent of Jon Stewart.  

After expressing disappointment at his missed job opportunity, Youssef offered his take on the current state of affairs in the region. 

“I'll start with my country….so remember the Muslim Brotherhood? The military threw them out with backing from the Saudis. Well now the Saudis and the Egyptian army are fighting Shia rebels together in Yemen.  And guess who's fighting alongside them? The Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen!”

Stewart asked if this was “some kind of new psychological torture when they try to confuse us to death”. 

Youssef replied that the political situation in the Middle East is “constant intractable madness”. 

Youssef is currently a resident fellow at the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government and picked up an award this week at the 'New York Festivals Best TV and Films' for his work on al-Bernameg.