A new episode for Egypt’s popular satirist Bassem Youssef’s program El-Bernameg,” or “The Program” in Arabic has not been produced, a close source to the show’s team told Al Arabiya.
Youssef had his second episode for the new season suspended. The private CBC channel said it has barred Youssef’s second episode last Friday because the satirist did not follow its editorial policies.
The source said the episode was meant to be produced on Wednesday in Radio Theater, downtown Cairo, but show’s team didn’t go to work to make satire happen.
After suspending the second episode, the show’s production company “Q Soft” said it was “committed” to complete all episodes and hand in the whole entire show to CBC. It expressed hope that it could solve any differences with the TV channel.
Youssef, who is often compared to the American comedian Jon Stewart, has kept silent ever since he flew to the United Arab Emirates on Friday morning.
It is said that his trip is unrelated to the show’s suspension.
Usually outspoken, Youssef only tweeted to correct some false reports circulating on the social media, saying a video containing some segments from the suspended second episode was released. He said it was an old video.
His fans were waiting for Youssef to upload the second episode on YouTube. They described YouTube as Youssef’s free outlet to express his comical satire.
On Oct. 25, in the season’s first episode Youssef sparked controversy when he mocked the widespread support for the military sentiment in Egypt.
He poked fun at army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who many Egyptians see as a charismatic “national symbol.”
