Bassem Youssef and Maz Jobrani are set to take the stage at Etihad Arena this May.
Last month, we reported on some of the biggest names in comedy gearing up to perform alongside emerging talents at the inaugural edition of Abu Dhabi Comedy Week at Etihad Arena from 18 to 26 May — Aziz Ansari and Tom Segura included. And the line-up only continues to grow as Bassem Youssef and Maz Jobrani are also confirmed to take the stage. Both comedic powerhouses will perform on Friday, 24 May.
Youssef, for starters, needs no introduction, but here’s a brief one. A surgeon-turned-comedian who hails from Egypt, he’s known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary. As for Youssef’s claim to fame? He was the host of Al Bernameg, the first political satire show in the Middle East, one that grew in popularity and reached a staggering 30 million viewers a week. It’s no wonder that he was recognised in Time magazine’s most influential list and received the International Press Freedom Award in 2013. And let’s not forget his viral appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored in October.
Jobrani, meanwhile, is a renowned Iranian-American comic and actor who has made many appearances on television’s most popular shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Last Man Standing, and Shameless. He starred as the title character in the award-winning indie comedy film Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero, which he co-wrote and co-produced. Jobrani’s other stand-up comedy specials include Immigrant, a Netflix original, and solo specials on Showtime such as Brown and Friendly and I Come in Peace. More recently, he released a new stand-up comedy special called The Birds and the Bees, which is now available on YouTube.
Incidentally, Etihad Arena is no stranger to the biggest draws in comedy — everyone from Mo Amer and Bill Burr to Russell Peters and Andrew Schulz have entertained Abu Dhabi audiences in recent years. The upcoming weeklong extravaganza is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Yas Island in partnership with leading entertainment company Live Nation Middle East. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, 8 March at 10am via www.livenation.me
DSCVR: Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. @etihadarena.ae
