FComedy.com Launches as Digital Hub for FUSION’s Original Comedy and Satire Content; Slates “UCB-IRL” Series with Upright Citizens Brigade and “Internet History”   

F-COMEDY (@FComedy), FUSION’s new digital entertainment destination focused on original short form digital native content, has signed a production deal with Bassem Youssef, known as the “Jon Stewart of Egypt” to host “The Democracy Handbook.” The satirical digital series and corresponding television special will follow Youssef as he comes to America to learn the lessons of democracy, so he can import them back to the Middle East – but learns our democracy isn’t quite as great as he thought. “The Democracy Handbook,” which will be produced by former “Daily Show” producer and “Adam Ruins Everything” executive producer Kathy Egan, will premiere across all of FUSION’s platforms in spring 2016 as a part of the network’s broader 2016 election coverage.   

“Our brand of comedy is dedicated to challenging the status quo and trying to provoke shifts in the way people look at the world around them,” said Bryan Carmel, Head of Comedy for FUSION. “Bassem is one of the world’s most astute and therefore dangerous satirists – he knows how to get people fired up about important issues. We can’t wait to see what he learns about American democracy during this unique election year.”  

“I am extremely honored to partner with FUSION, one of the biggest digital platforms in the world, on this interesting and inspiring project,” said Bassem Youssef. “Discussing, exposing and satirizing the political scene here in the States is something I am very excited about and hopefully I will be able to get FUSION in trouble along the way!  Between issues like guns, white supremacist militias and Donald Trump, I am certain we won’t be lacking in any material.”  
A former cardiac surgeon who became a widely known satirist and columnist, Youssef went from doctor to international star and one of TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world after he started a satirical show in Egypt during the Arab Spring, the first show of its kind in the Middle East.  

In addition, FUSION’s FComedy.com will host content from “The Chris Gethard Show” and “No, You Shut Up!,” which air on FUSION’s cable network. F-COMEDY aims to produce smart comedy for smart people and serve as a destination for individuals who are passionate about issues and want to use comedy to express their point of view.   

Also premiering on F-COMEDY is “UCB-IRL” (In Real Life), a six-part series from the Upright Citizens Brigade’s production studio UCB Comedy. Each installment of UCB-IRL will involve social experiments that explore the complexity of modern life – from technology to racial tokenism, and alcohol consumption to vasectomies.  

Consistent with its focus on producing original programming, F-COMEDY has commissioned a five episode series entitled “Internet History.” In the vein of “Drunk History,” episodes focus on what would happen if God had a Facebook feed and could check in on important events throughout human history.  
The concept originated at a creator workshop F-COMEDY hosted at YouTube Space LA in September, with Youssef overseeing the ideation and giving guidance on the format. The YouTube creators involved include Michelle Glavan, and Danny Jolles, Zach Webber, and Nick Williams of Sasquatch Sketch Comedy.   

“UCB-IRL” and “Internet History” build on the early success of F-COMEDY’s original “Takes On” series. “Takes On” features a rolling cast of the smartest, socially conscious comedians in the country vlogging their outside-the-box solutions to the issues Americans care about most – from police brutality and media bias, to the California drought. Since launching in November, “Takes On” has featured personalities including Hannibal Burress, Sara Schaefer, Phoebe Robinson, Langston Kerman, among others.   

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