US EditionAmerican comedians at Saudi festival draw backlash from human rights groups
More than 50 comedians defended performing at the festival despite criticism over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and censorship, with some calling it a chance for cultural exchange.
- 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.
94 Articles
94 Articles
Dave Chappelle criticizes American censorship to a Saudi audience
Our brave moral betters in the world of comedy have come to the conclusion that American free speech pales in comparison to the free speech culture of Saudi Arabia, and they have been helped to that conclusion by stacks of Saudi cash. The Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia was a collection of some of the biggest names in comedy. One of those performers was Dave Chappelle, who had an interesting theory to posit to the Saudi crowd. “Right now …
Stand-up stars like Dave Chappelle and Pete Davidson are performing for millions in Saudi Arabia. Critics call it cultural whitewashing.
In Saudi Arabia, Dave Chappelle jokes that ‘I stand with Israel’ would be his code for censorship
(JTA) — 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 n…
Several of the world's biggest comedians are currently performing in Saudi Arabia, praising the country. At the same time, they are being met with harsh criticism – and a list of topics they are not allowed to joke about is being spread on social media.
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