( CNN ) His satire took Egypt , and the world , by storm . But now , Bassem Youssef -- Egypt 's most famous satirist known as his country 's Jon Stewart -- has the public profile of a politician in retirement , leading study groups at the Harvard Kennedy School . `` Well , you know , sometimes circumstances are not the best for you to continue a political satire show , '' Youssef told CNN 's Christiane Amanpour in an interview that aired Monday . `` Sometimes jokes kind of are annoying . '' His show -- literally called `` The Show , '' or `` Al Bernameg '' -- ran for three seasons during Egypt 's turbulent and utterly confusing post-Arab Spring days . Youssef 's biting satire left nothing unscathed -- whether the president , political and militant Islam , or the military . `` There is room for satire and comedy as long as it 's acceptable by the people controlling the atmosphere . '' His incredible story from cardiac surgeon to satirist to political target is the subject of a documentary currently in production , directed by a senior producer for Stewart , with whom Youssef developed a close relationship . `` It 's talking about political satire , humor , how ( people can ) be all for a certain program or a joke , but when the joke turns on them , they kind of like turn on you , '' he said . `` And so maybe we were an equal opportunity satirist , but they were not ( an ) equal opportunity audience . '' The chances are small that his show would be allowed back on air , if he even wanted to do so -- `` The question is will I be allowed to do , make fun of whatever ( I want ) ? '' ( `` Who said that my country 's authoritarian ? Come on , '' he joked . `` I mean , do n't put words in my mouth . We are -- it 's a very , very good , democratic country ; please , please . '' ) But he is far from idle , seemingly casting around for ways to occupy his immense talent . At Harvard , he is a visiting fellow working on `` political satire and humor , and how they interact with political , social and even religious taboos . '' He is careful not to say he is teaching , as `` Harvard professors are very touchy when resident fellows come here and say they teach . '' He is also writing a script for a movie comedy , and building a platform to identify talent in the Arab world and allow more people to experience the extreme and unexpected success he did . `` Satire did n't begin or end with my program . I mean , it is a part of people 's culture , a part of people 's thoughts . So if one program is off , there are people who will find other ways . '' His program showed the Arab world in a new light for many in the West , and he said he hopes more will follow in his footsteps . It 's a counterbalance , if you will , to the messianic image propagated by ISIS . `` I do n't want to even call them extreme Muslims . I think they are a bunch of lunatics , who instead of playing 'Grand Theft Auto ' on video games , they want to do it in real life . '' It may not often reach a Western audience , but Youssef said that YouTube is filled with Arabs making fun of ISIS -- for example , setting the group 's favorite `` anthems '' to images of belly dancers . `` It happens with all religions ... , '' he said . `` So they are crazy , and they are a threat for me as much they are a threat to you . '' Despite all Youssef 's projects , many simply want him to return to the airwaves . Is he eyeing , Amanpour asked , the seat that will soon be vacated by his mentor , Stewart ? `` The day that I actually have been chosen to replace Jon Stewart will be like -- it will be glorious , '' he said . `` But I do n't think that Americans would like to take their political satire from a Middle Eastern guy with a thick accent . I think this is going to be even more difficult than electing a black president . `` But you know , let 's hope . ''
Bassem Youssef is a visiting fellow at Harvard working on `` political satire and humor '' Egypt 's Jon Stewart had program that ran for three years in post-Arab Spring days . `` There is room for satire and comedy as long as it 's acceptable '' by those in control , he says .