MBC-Misr's satire TV show Good Afternoon, hosted by "Abo Hafiza"
The Head of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) Essam El-Amir demanded on Sunday an official apology from the Saudi-owned MBC-Misr channel following sarcastic comments made by its popular comedy TV host Abu-Hafiza, which mocked Egypt's state TV.
On Thursday, Abu Hafiza's MBC-Misr's satire TV show "May You Have A Good Evening" ran a 10-minute segment, including a sarcastic song, mocking the current state of shows and correspondents on Egypt's national television, which is known as Maspero.
The fictional character “Abu Hafiza”, who has been played for several years by Egyptian TV host Akram Hosni made satirical comments on 'the low quality of Maspero shows' compared to those presented by private channels.
Hosni ran clips aired on Egyptian State TV, including news, sports and talent shows, to mock Maspero.
Although the segment was praised by some Egyptians on social media outlets, it angered some state TV workers who considered offensive to the 55-year old Egyptian landmark, especially coming from a foreign-owned station.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, El-Amir slammed the sarcastic show and its presenter Akram Hosni, as well the MBC Network.
El-Amir said the show was unprofessional, explaining that Hosni aired scenes of TV shows produced more than 20 years ago. El-Amir warned that if MBC does not apologise, he would ask that the Egyptian authorities to take the channel off Egyptian satellite services.
In a TV interview on Saturday on the Egyptian-owned Al-Qahera Wal Nas TV channel, Akram Hosni defended his sarcastic comments, saying he aimed to push Egyptian national TV officials to restore [Maspero's] old status."
"What I actually did was only a criticism of [the content] of what Egyptian State TV presents - it does not suit 2015."
Hosni charged that the officials at Maspero do not realise that Egyptian viewers can compare the quality of shows on state TV and privately-owned channels.
"I dare anyone to say that what I presented in the show was untrue," Hosni said.
Through his fictional character, Hosni sarcastically criticises different aspects of life in Egypt, from education to social traditions and politics.
Hosni has played the "Abu Hafiza" character for a few years on different Egyptian-owned TV channels before moving to MBC Misr in 2014 following the departure of renowned political-satirist Bassem Youssef.
In a statement issued on Sunday, MBC Misr said it stood by show and its Host Hosni host while stressing that it respects Egyptian National TV and its long history.
Akram Hosni's is a successful satire and the segment aired on Maspero should not be regarded as more than comedy, MBC said.
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