THE COMEDIES

Khafet Yad (MBC)

Boumi Fouad is one of Arab cinema’s most underrated actors, who is adept at comedy and drama. The Egyptian returns with a slightly more serious turn in Khafet Yad. Playing a lonely policeman, we follow Fouad’s character as he struggles with his career and home life. The series will not be devoid of good humour, however, with a supporting cast including funny men Mohamed Salam and Mohamed Tharwat. For details, go to mbc.net.

Al Wasiyat (Abu Dhabi TV)

A sweet comedy in more ways than one. Egyptian actor Akram Hosny plays Ibrahim, the son of a successful chocolatier who placed his son’s face on the wrapper of the most popular sweet in the country. That said, Ibrahim despises his dad and has been counting the days until he passes away and he finally inherits the business. When that day arrives, Ibrahim finds out his father left him with a bunch of tasks to complete in order to take charge of the family empire. For details, go to abudhabitv.ae.

Bel Hagm El Aa’eely (Dubai TV)

This “Family-Size” Egyptian comedy has megastars Mervat Amin and Yehia El Fakharany finally reuniting 30 years after their last collaboration. El Fakharany plays retired ambassador Nader, who decides to follow his passion for food by opening a restaurant and hotel, where he is the main chef in a tourist village. When his wife and four children come to visit, chaos ensues. It’s a social family drama that promises plenty of slapstick laughs. For details visit dmi.ae.

Azmi and Ashgan (Dubai TV)

Ramadan is proving incomplete without a slapstick comedy by the Ghanem family. Samir Ghanem stars in Azmi and Ashgan, together with his daughter Amy this time around, rather than his usual sidekick Donia. In the show, two criminals find themselves in funny situations as they try to avoid getting arrested by the police. For details, go to dmi.ae.

Tayea’ (SBC)

Popular Egyptian action star Amr Yousef plays a medical college graduate named Tayea from Upper Egypt, who has his own opinions on the region’s infamous “revenge” cases. However, he gets involved in several problems, including the smuggling of antiquities, which puts him in a tight spot, especially when his best friend is a police officer. For details, go to sbc.sa.