"Saturday Night Live in Arabic" is performed in the shadow of the Great Pyramids of Giza at Studio Misr, Egypt's oldest production house.
"Saturday Night Live in Arabic" is performed in the shadow of the Great Pyramids of Giza at Studio Misr, Egypt's oldest production house.
Eman Helal for CNN
Cast members and writers work on the upcoming show at their office in the Cairo neighborhood of Dokki.
Cast members and writers work on the upcoming show at their office in the Cairo neighborhood of Dokki.
Eman Helal for CNN
The show will appear on OSN, which is a private, paid satellite service in the Middle East known for its lack of censorship.
The show will appear on OSN, which is a private, paid satellite service in the Middle East known for its lack of censorship.
Eman Helal for CNN
The studio looks similar to the one in New York but is roughly half the size.
The studio looks similar to the one in New York but is roughly half the size.
Eman Helal for CNN
"SNL in Arabic" performs twice a week. The staff doesn't get a day off between episodes.
"SNL in Arabic" performs twice a week. The staff doesn't get a day off between episodes.
Eman Helal for CNN
Hundreds of Egyptians auditioned for the show. There are 12 cast members: four women and eight men.
Hundreds of Egyptians auditioned for the show. There are 12 cast members: four women and eight men.
Eman Helal for CNN
Despite not being live, the show performs one take in front of a live studio audience.
Despite not being live, the show performs one take in front of a live studio audience.
Eman Helal for CNN
The cast members range in age from 19 to mid-30s. Most of the members weren't familiar with the original "SNL" before auditioning.
The cast members range in age from 19 to mid-30s. Most of the members weren't familiar with the original "SNL" before auditioning.
Eman Helal for CNN
Cast member Khalid Mansour rests at the Dokki office.
Cast member Khalid Mansour rests at the Dokki office.
Eman Helal for CNN
The show sticks to what is called the "SNL bible," a set of guidelines on how to do the show and make it successful.
The show sticks to what is called the "SNL bible," a set of guidelines on how to do the show and make it successful.
Eman Helal for CNN
"SNL in Arabic" features sketches, digital shorts, the news with "Weekend Update," and live musical performances.
"SNL in Arabic" features sketches, digital shorts, the news with "Weekend Update," and live musical performances.
Eman Helal for CNN
Yara Fahmy held a desk job before trying out for "SNL." She says her favorite performer from the American show is Kristen Wiig.
Yara Fahmy held a desk job before trying out for "SNL." She says her favorite performer from the American show is Kristen Wiig.
Eman Helal for CNN
"SNL in Arabic" has a house band, which, unlike the New York show, features a violinist.
"SNL in Arabic" has a house band, which, unlike the New York show, features a violinist.
Eman Helal for CNN
"Every episode costs more to make than an Egyptian movie," says Shadi Alfon, anchor of the show's "Weekend Update."
"Every episode costs more to make than an Egyptian movie," says Shadi Alfon, anchor of the show's "Weekend Update."
Eman Helal for CNN
"SNL in Arabic" has to be mindful of the region's cultural and political environment. But both the cast and network say they hope to push the envelope without crossing any red lines.
"SNL in Arabic" has to be mindful of the region's cultural and political environment. But both the cast and network say they hope to push the envelope without crossing any red lines.
Eman Helal for CNN