US EditionAmerican comedians at Saudi festival draw backlash from human rights groups
Comedians face strict censorship excluding jokes about religion and royalty while earning up to $1.5 million, sparking debate over free speech and ethical compromises.
- American comedians, including Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle and Chris Tucker, performed at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, drawing backlash from human rights groups over the country's record on civil liberties.
- Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka turned down the festival over censorship rules, with Bill Burr saying organizers were told 'If you want some good comedians, this isn't going to work.'
- Human Rights Watch accused the festival of trying to 'whitewash' Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses, noting it occurred around the anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's killing.
82 Articles
82 Articles
In Saudi Arabia, Dave Chappelle jokes that ‘I stand with Israel’ would be his code for censorship - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
During his controversial set at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, comedian Dave Chappelle joked that he would use the phrase “I stand with Israel” as a code to alert fans he was facing censorship. The state-sponsored show, which took place on Saturday and featured a host of top international comedians, was criticized by Human Rights Watch and several other comedians who believed the event was aimed at deflecting from the Gulf nation’s …
Dave Chappelle jokes it's 'easier to talk' in Saudi Arabia 'than it is in America'
The comedian performed at Riyadh Comedy Festival, an event that has divided the comedy world.Michael Loccisano/Getty Dave Chappelle speaks onstage during the Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala in 2025Dave Chappelle lamented the state of free speech in America during a stand-up set at Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival.The comedian joked that it was "easier to talk" freely in the Middle Eastern country, known for arbitrarily imprisoning and executing…
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Bill Burr defends controversial Saudi Arabia comedy festival gig
Comedian Bill Burr is showing no remorse for performing at a controversial comedy festival in Saudi Arabia. The Emmy- and Grammy-nominated funnyman is defending his decision to headline the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which kicked off last week in the Middle East. Burr is among dozens of comics — including A-listers Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., Aziz Ansari, Whitney Cummings and Pete Davidson — who are participating in the inaugural event.…
Dave Chappelle faces fierce backlash over criticism of US while performing in Saudi Arabia
Iconic comedian Dave Chappelle was among those who chose to perform at the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, and he further enflamed criticism with his comments about the U.S. The comedy festival includes many comedians who have made left-wing statements in the past but are unlikely to criticize the host country for its decidedly authoritarian policies regarding women's rights and religious freedom. 'They’re going to do somet…
Grim Visions Emerge From The Riyadh Comedy Festival
All the magic is happening at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in the Saudi capital's Boulevard City, a 220-acre retail and entertainment zone that contains a replica of Times Square and "500 electronic games for children." Since we last checked in, a couple of new names have been added to the festival lineup; the Whose Line Is It Anyway?–obsessed 11-year-old in me was distressed to see the addition of Wayne Brady. But how are the comedians who have a…
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