Gary and Dad's Podcast: Stories from an Egyptian Immigrant Gary Lee Mahmoud

Dad won’t bend over for anything…except his granddaughter. Gary and Dad went to see the new movie “The Death of Stalin” written and directed by VEEP creator Armando Iannucci. Verdict? If you’re into VEEP… and gulags and mass executions, then this movie is for you! Also, if you're ever in Egypt and need help, just yell "Muhammad!" And finally, a big thank you to Gary Cooper for being such a popular movie star that Dad named me after him. It was that or Fareed. Seriously. Thank you, Mr. Cooper. 

On this day after Groundhog Day episode, Gary and Dad take a deep historical dive and discuss the Season 2 premier of the Netflix show The Crown. The episode centers around the British military intervention in Egypt after then Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal. Dad offers Egyptian insight into the events of the time as he lived them. And despite knowing nothing about sports, he also correctly predicts the Super Bowl winner!

Muslim-raised, atheist dad talks about celebrating Christmas with young Gary. We also talk about Egyptian Christians and Voltron (because no Christmas would be complete without Voltron).

Dad looks back on his first year as a grandfather. Much to dad's delight, his new granddaughter loves to read, finishes her food, and cleans up after herself. In other words, she does every thing Gary didn't. We also chat about the "Egyptian Jon Stewart," The Vietnam War, the Muslim Brotherhood, and how much dad hates beards (the facial hair, not fake wives for gay dudes).

On Father's Day, Gary and Dad sat down over some baklava to discuss the change in culture of Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries over the course of the 20th century through modern day. What was once a relatively relaxed liberal atmosphere in Dad's home country has become socially oppressive as religiously conservative values have spread out from Saudi Arabia and taken hold in many surrounding countries. We try to explore why.

Dad discovers the enchanted American paradise of Staten Island. He uses a little bit of money and a whole lot of rope to MacGuyver a king size bed to try to be a Casanova with the ladies. And he happily gets his first car, rejecting all dealer suggested upgrades except one. You'll never guess why.