Basmat Watan (Arabic: ب س م ا ت و ط ن) is a political satire and slapstick programme that airs via the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, a privately owned television station in Lebanon. The writer of the show, Charbel Khalil, began work on the program in 1995 and in 2007 was leading its timeslot with 26 percent of the audience. The title of the programme is a pun, as in Lebanese Arabic the title can either refer to either "death" or "smiles" of a nation.^[1] Basmat Watan is the longest-running political satire program in Lebanon.^[2]

Origins

In 1995, Basmat Watan started by lampooning Lebanese political figures, including the then Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafic Hariri.^[2]

Politics

Khalil, who is also the producer of the show, says the show does not favor any political party in Lebanon and that "the key is to take on absolutely everyone". One sketch on the show depicted a journalist with a swollen face after an interview with the allegedly quick-tempered Michel Aoun, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement.^[1] In an interview with The New York Times, Khalil responded to suggestions that he targeted the Hezbollah ruling party more, saying "I criticize them more because they are the majority in Parliament", adding "if they lose, I will criticize the other side more."^[2]