Ramez Galal’s Show Draws Attention like Never Before

By: Mostafa Elmaghraby
@mostafamaghraby

Ramez Galal’s Ramadan prank show Ramez Magnoun Rasmy (Ramez is Certified Insane) follows much in the same theme of his previous shows – terrifying unsuspecting celebrity guests on candid camera. However, this year he has taken his antics to the next level.

In this year’s version, Galal puts his guests in an electric movable chair, which he nicknamed the Chair of Death. A fake TV show host pretends to interview them when Gala suddenly appears to them from behind a lifelike self-portrait.

In this, his show is unlike any other year where he used to disguise himself by either getting made up as an octogenarian or donning a bear suit, for example. His unsuspecting celebrity guests are then asked a series of questions.

Almost immediately, he is displeased with their answers and begins to electric shock them, before dying their hair in various dyes.

The more they answer questions, the more they are literally tortured, spun around at terrific speeds, hung upside down. Then the guests are put in a tank of filling water and if they don’t sing Galal’s praises made to face off with snakes or crabs in the tank. Galal takes the advantage of controlling his guests and having them say and do whatever he wants in order to set them free.

Within a few hours of the airing of the first prank on the first day of Ramadan, Galal’s show was accused of promoting sadism, torture and violence. But some believe what they see on screen is scripted and that the guests are getting paid.

“This is a commercial show; I believe it is all acting, from both sides, so it is all meant to be that way. People will talk about it, viewership will increase, so I believe it is all marketing for the program,” Dina Saad, Associate Director for Professional Development at Kamal Adham TV Journalism, said.

Saad also pointed out that this is all a deal between Galal and the guests, that’s why no one from them sued him till now.

“Ramez Galal has gone so far with his pranks, but at the end of the day none of the guests sued him for all he has done, and this is because the huge cash they receive,” Saad said.

She believes that while Ramez gets severely criticized in the press and social media, people still watch his show.

“Because Ramez and his team play on human curiosity, that pushes the viewer to watch and want to know what will happen to each guest, then they start criticizing,” Saad added.

Nevertheless, the timing of his show, preying on trauma and terror while people are practicing social distancing, has raised some questions.

Cairo’s Abbasiya Mental Health Hospital called for the immediate suspension of Galal’s show early on in Ramadan saying the pranks are harmful to Egyptians because he depicts violence, humiliation, torture, physical and mental degradation – and appears to enjoy it.

Galal takes the whole issue as a form of profit and fame. The whole crew doesn’t think about the impact of this show on viewers and teenagers, the statement added, saying that at a time of COVID-19 fears and quarantine, the show just adds to the anxiety some people may be feeling.

“He is using unethical and unacceptable ways of making fun of the guests; he tells jokes using improper language. This show is meant to be watched by millions including children,” says Ahmed Badawy, Senior Director at AUC Controller’s Office.

But is Galal mad, or is there method to his madness?

“This has been going for so long, and I believe he is on top of the list for almost five years; in terms of profit and viewership. This shows success, this shows creativity and guts. That’s why,” Mervat Abou Oaf, Professor of Practice of Journalism and Mass Communication, told The Caravan.

Abou Oaf also pointed out that these kinds of programs are common worldwide. However, the guest are always put in jeopardy; guest might have serious health conditions which might lead to panic attack or heart attack, and this is the risk of such shows.

“To be honest, Ramez has some madness. He exceeds limits. However, he and his crew wouldn’t risk their reputation or business. That’s why all the guests have to sign [disclaimers] after each episode,” she added.

But Abou Oaf, who is an entertainment and media expert, takes issue with the language uses on his show. He verbally humiliates, defames and mocks his celebrity guests and reveals often personal details about their lives.

“He can’t be allowed to say something of a sort, specially if he is talking about their personal lives, or their children, one can sue for invasion of privacy, one can sue for such bullying. This is not acceptable.”

Image is of official promotional poster for Ramez Magnoun Rasmy