( CNN ) -- Talk shows have proliferated in Egypt since the beginning of the January 25 revolution nearly two years ago . One host has become particularly famous , to the point of being described as the `` Jon Stewart of the Arab world . '' Bassem Youssef was even a guest on `` The Daily Show '' itself in June , and recently CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour interviewed him about freedom of speech in Egypt . In the aftermath of the passing of Egypt 's new constitution , it seems Youssef himself may become an example of the ultimate test of that very freedom . Since Youssef -- a 38-year-old heart surgeon -- hit the airwaves in 2011 , he 's received a great deal of criticism for his satirical style , expressed in a quintessentially Egyptian idiom and flair . No one , it seems , escapes his sharp tongue -- if they are in the political arena or have affected public discourse , then they 're fair game . The more significant their influence and impact , the more they can expect to be lampooned on Youssef 's weekly program -- called , simply , `` The Program . '' All the famous members of the political opposition today , such as the Nobel Laureate Mohammed el-Baradei , as well as all the major candidates in this year 's historic presidential election , have been the subject of spoof on `` The Program . '' The show 's latest season began a few weeks ago , and , as expected , the country 's new president , Mohamed Morsy , as well as his `` renaissance '' project to improve Egypt , was critiqued and scoffed at for political failings . News : Morsy praises voters as constitution becomes law . While Jon Stewart may be unpopular in certain sections of America , it 's hard to imagine him being sued or censured for his scathing wit . In Egypt , however , the very day after the new constitution was approved in a poorly attended vote on December 22 , a lawyer filed a complaint with the prosecutor general against Youssef for `` insulting '' President Morsy on his show . The complaint involves one of Youssef 's recent episodes , when Youssef affectionately held a pillow imprinted with the president 's picture amid hearts . If the prosecutor takes it up , it could become a serious case . Other threats have come from religious radicals . Youssef is , in his own words , a `` proud Muslim , '' and has made it clear on his show and in interviews that he takes his religion seriously . Like many Egyptians , he is particularly sensitive to a religious discourse that divides , encourages polarization and incites hatred . His show has mocked the sectarian and heterodox preachers and journalists who promote such sentiments . In response , many of those same figures have viciously attacked Youssef 's program , claiming that it is `` religiously impermissible . '' The public , however , seems uninterested in such politicization of religion , and more mainstream religious figures , such as Habib Ali al-Jifri of the Tabah Foundation , declared that the abuse of religion in the discourse Youssef was criticizing was a real problem . Opinion : Middle East will muddle through 2013 . But Youssef 's program is not really the point . Rather , it is a test case . The reaction to his show touches upon two key issues for post-revolution Egypt : freedom of expression , particularly with figures in authority , and the reaction of Egyptian society toward the abuse of religion for sectarian , political gain . The protests that led to former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak 's downfall were indelibly linked to breaking the curtain of fear that surrounded any criticism of a political figure . Egyptian society is unlikely to favor going back to that kind of public atmosphere . While the overwhelming majority of Egyptians are not given or sympathetic to sectarian or radical ideas , many were unaware -- or ignored -- that there is a potent minority that supports such notions . How Egyptians now respond in terms of both issues will affect not only Youssef 's television program , but how Egypt itself will develop in the months and years to come . Incidentally , with true Egyptian humor , Youssef responded to the news of the legal complaint against him in a way that shows he still intends to carry on : He asked Morsy to autograph the pillow in question . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of H.A . Hellyer .
Hellyer , a heart surgeon , is a satirical sensation on Muslim TV . His show mercilessly mocks politicians and religious radicals , says Bassem Youssef . Bassem Youssef . A legal complaint has been filed against him for insulting America 's president on the show . If the case proceeds , there could be free-speech repercussions , says Hellyer .