Given the reaction to his work by the authorities, Bassem Youssef rarely gives interviews and he has said little about Tickling Giants. This week, however, he took part in an online discussion on Reddit with a select group of fans and supporters. The National was also invited. Youssef is in the United States working at The Institute of Politics at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a resident fellow for the spring term. Here are some of the highlights of what the Egyptian revealed about his work and the upcoming documentary.
On future plans and returning to Egypt
“I’m staying in the US until I finish my residency at Harvard at the end of the spring break, and then I will go back to Dubai, where I reside at the moment. It’s still too early to decide. I’m taking a break and focusing all my attention in supporting the documentary.
“My next project is working with Arab talents across the Arab world in order to fulfil their own dream through digital media. And if you support my documentary, you will definitely see me soon.”
On rumours his satirical TV comedy Al Bernameg will be relaunched in Dubai
“There are so many rumours that have been circulating about me, including that I am a secret alien. But as you can see, all of them are not true.”
On whether we’ll see more Daily Show appearances. Could he take over hosting the show when Jon Stewart steps down this year?
“Well, I’m here in Boston. I’m four hours away by train from New York – if they want me, they know where to find me.”
On whether he would consider taking Al Bernameg back to YouTube, where he launched the show
“People who had followed the programme on the live show have some expectations for the performers and the quality of the programme. Going back to YouTube would be a step backwards and it would be disappointing for so many people expecting a certain level of performance.
“Doing a show is not a single-handed effort, it is doing it with a whole team, and it is difficult to get this team to change their mindsets from performing onstage, and getting it back on YouTube.
“I have said before, in my press conference as we were ending the programme, that banning the programme is a message louder than anything that could ever be said. And we stand by this.”
On how he became involved with Tickling Giants
"I got involved by being harassed by Sara Taksler to be the subject of this documentary. I couldn't tell her no because at the time she was working at The Daily Show and I didn't want to say no to anybody working with Jon Stewart. So I basically said yes to be on his good side – but I discovered it didn't really make any difference, so if we went back in time, I would perhaps have second thoughts about being in this documentary. But now I am amazed at the kind of work Sara has put in, documenting my experience to put it in the archives of history."
On regrets about agreeing to Tickling Giants when he could, perhaps, have settled into a cosy academic career
“No, I don’t regret at all having gone through this journey. It gave me the chance to meet wonderful people and have wonderful fans. So please don’t let me regret this move, and go and donate.”
On his hopes for the public’s response to the movie
“I hope that people’s response will be in the form of understanding this era of Egyptian history and understanding the importance of political satire in promoting free speech. And also, it’s quite entertaining, so I hope you are entertained.”
His advice for Egyptian youth
“Eat well, brush your teeth and be kind to your fellow Egyptians.”
• Visit the Tickling Giants’ crowdfunding campaign at www.indiegogo.com/projects/tickling-giants--2
cnewbould@thenational.ae
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
India team for Sri Lanka series
Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
Fixtures
Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA
Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland
Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland
Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA
Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland
Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland
Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
