Iraq's new YouTube satirist
"Al-Bashir Show" is an irreverent take on Iraqi politics in a country where most media outlets are afraid of criticizing politicians.
The first episode of "Al-Bashir Show," hosted by Ahmad al-Bashir, has received nearly 84,000 views — and counting — barely two weeks after its posting on YouTube. That's a substantial number compared with programs by Iraqi TV channels on the video-sharing website. Bashir’s way of presenting his show is different from the rest of the Iraqi programs, since he uses stinging criticism and sarcasm to comment on politicians.
Bashir started as a field reporter, preparing documentaries; he also was a political talk-show host. Then in 2011, he thought about hosting what he called “political comedy” shows.
Bashir, who's living in Jordan, told Al-Monitor, “Around the end of 2011, I decided to turn to political comedy in my show 'Shako Mako' and it received broad acclaim in Iraq.”
Over the last couple of years, satirical programs became widely viewed. Some shows are broadcast by satellite channels, such as "Hajsa Online" presented by Ammar al-Waili, and the "M+ A.A Show" presented by Abdallah al-Sahlany, both on YouTube. Such programs are being rapidly downloaded on mobile phones and tablets, although some have political and sectarian objectives.
