Confession: I didn’t like Ashghal Shaqqa at all last year. I found it classist, sexist, and just not funny. But since everyone else seemed to love it, I decided to shut up about it. Fast forward to this year—they made a sequel, Ashghal Shaqqa Gedan, so maybe I was being too harsh? Maybe it was actually a good show if it warranted a second season?

I decided to give it another shot and, well… turns out it’s even worse.

I Wanted to Like It, I Really Did

I’m a huge Hesham Maged fan—been one since Waraket Shafra. I also think Shereen is criminally underrated, and I genuinely enjoy Asmaa Galal and Mostafa Ghareeb’s work. So, trust me, I had no reason to go into this wanting to hate it.

In fact, this season added someone I believe is the most underrated actress in the region: Islam Mubarak.

For those who don’t know, Islam starred in You’ll Die at 20, which happens to be one of my favorite films. Her performance in that movie was so natural, so raw, that it remains one of my favorite female performances in Arab cinema. So imagine my excitement when I saw she was part of Ashghal Shaqqa Gedan.

And now, imagine my disappointment when her entire character was reduced to a lazy fatphobic joke.

I’m just so disappointed that the first mainstream introduction to the public was only set on some lazy ass jokes, but to be fair, she slayed the acting part, no denying that.

When Will We Stop Making Fun of Women’s Bodies?

Islam is introduced as a new “maid” (because, apparently, that’s the only thing this show revolves around), and from the moment she appears, the jokes start rolling in.

She’s shamed for being tall and slightly on the bigger side. Subtle (and not-so-subtle) racist comments about her blackness slip in. The entire episode revolves around her eating “too much.” At one point, the characters crash a wedding just so she can eat for free—because, of course, big people do nothing but eat, right?

Ironically, Islam Mubarak and Mostafa Ghareeb are basically the same size, yet no one says a word about his weight. Because, of course, men can be big and tall—but not women.

I was watching TV in 2025, and we’re still doing this?

Not Just Offensive—It’s Boring

Even if I set aside the lazy fat-shaming, the episode was just plain dull. The jokes were painfully predictable, and the acting—shockingly—felt weaker than last season.

And where’s the character development? The main couple now has kids, yet we barely get introduced to them. So far, they’ve had no role whatsoever. No new depth, no fresh storylines—just recycled jokes and outdated humor.

The Verdict? A Huge Letdown

If this episode proved anything, it’s that the Egyptian entertainment industry still can’t let go of outdated, lazy humor. Something does decently well? Milk it until people hate it. Running out of ideas? Just make fun of women. Even that well has dried up? Size-shame them!

I’d give the first episode a 1 out of 5—and that’s only because I can’t rate it zero.