US EditionHere’s What Aziz Ansari Can Do with His Riyadh Comedy Festival Money
Jimmy Kimmel challenged Aziz Ansari on ethical concerns around performing in Saudi Arabia amid criticism for the country's human rights record and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- Amid scrutiny over the Riyadh festival, Jimmy Kimmel pressed Aziz Ansari on Tuesday night on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' about performing and taking money there.
- Earlier this month, the Riyadh Comedy Festival ran from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9, was organized and funded by Saudi authorities, and featured over 50 international comedians, prompting rights concerns.
- Aziz Ansari defended his choice, saying he consulted Ansari's aunt and planned to donate part of his fee to Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch, which declined donations.
- The festival split comedians, exposing divides as A-list performers accepted fees up to $1,600,000 while others declined, fueling controversy over pay and accusations of 'artwashing'.
- The timing drew scrutiny because the event overlapped the seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's murder, while contract provisions restricting content and Saudi laws on 'anti-cybercrime' raised concerns about repression.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Saudi Arabia’s comedy festival is no laughing matter
American comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi have faced criticism back home. | AFP/Getty Images Earlier this month, comedians, including Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson and Bill Burr, flew to Saudi Arabia to perform at the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival. The organizers claimed it was the largest comedy festival in the world, with over 50 international comedians performing stand-up, sketch and improv. It was p…
Here’s what Aziz Ansari can do with his Riyadh Comedy Festival money
By Lisa Respers France, CNN (CNN) — During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show, Aziz Ansari defended his decision to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. He also said he planned on donating part of the fee he earned to “causes that support free press and human rights.” Human Rights Watch has said no thanks. Joey Shea, Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch, told CNN there has so far been no donation from Ansari, but al…
Jimmy Kimmel grills Aziz Ansari for performing at Riyadh comedy festival under ‘brutal regime’
Liberal talk show host Jimmy Kimmel grilled comedian Aziz Ansari on Monday for performing at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, noting he is one of many to be scrutinized for taking money from Saudis.
Jimmy Kimmel grills Aziz Ansari for performing at Riyadh comedy festival under 'brutal regime'
Liberal talk show host Jimmy Kimmel grilled comedian Aziz Ansari on Monday for performing at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, noting he is one of many to be scrutinized for taking money from Saudis.The entertainment world has been rocked in recent weeks by a massive comedy festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring many of the world’s best-known working comedians. The performers have been accused of normalizing or "artwashing" the Saudi Arabi…
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