Ramy Youssef on Making Fox News Melt Down After He Taught Elmo Some Arabic Words on ‘Sesame Street’: ‘You Feel This Ramp-Up of Islamophobia’

May 8, 2026 1:25pm PT Ramy Youssef on Making Fox News Melt Down After He Taught Elmo Some Arabic Words on ‘Sesame Street’: ‘You Feel This Ramp-Up of Islamophobia’

Awards Circuit Podcast: Comedian Ramy Youssef talks about his new HBO special 'In Love' and takes the 10 Questions quiz.

By Michael Schneider

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Michael Schneider

Variety Editor at Large

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Fox News, the next time you want to criticize Ramy Youssef, how about actually giving the comedian a call?

“I’ve been on the network a few times without my consent,” he tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I’d love to be asked for comment, because I would! Any of the ways they’ve covered me, they never actually even call you. I wouldn’t be one of those guys that wouldn’t provide a comment. Oh, I’d provide a comment! They say, ‘we reached out to his representatives, and he did not have any comment to provide.’ No, no, I have a comment to provide!”

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