US EditionWhy the Riyadh Comedy Festival Isn’t Funny
Comedians faced strict censorship and criticism for performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, with some apologizing and others defending high pay amid Saudi Arabia's human rights concerns.
- On Sept. 26, the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival opened in Riyadh, running through Oct. 9 with an all-star lineup featuring Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K., among others.
- Organizers produced the festival through Sela and the General Entertainment Authority, with performers paid directly by the Saudi government, some reportedly receiving fees up to $1.6m and agreeing to not mock the kingdom.
- Onstage moments included jokes about gender and sexuality, with attending audiences hearing profane material and a lesbian Jewish comedian receiving a standing ovation while Dave Chappelle spoke to around 6,000 attendees.
- After the shows, apologies and defenses circulated across social media and interviews; Jessica Kirson apologized for performing on Sept. 29 and donated her fee, while Louis C.K. defended his choice as peers like Marc Maron and David Cross criticized the festival.
- Human Rights Watch called the festival `whitewashing` and urged participants to speak up amid Saudi executions, Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, and laws criminalizing homosexuality.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Why the Riyadh Comedy Festival isn’t funny
American comedian Tim Dillon knew the rules when he accepted an invitation to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which runs from Sept. 26 until Oct. 9 in Saudi Arabia, for a reported handsome fee of $375,000. He and the other star comedians who agreed to perform, including Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, Bill…
Saudi comedy festival draws outrage over sex jokes
FacebookLikeShareTweetEmail A comedy festival in Riyadh featuring sexual jokes and taboo humour has ignited fierce criticism, exposing tensions between Saudi Arabia’s conservative Islamic values and its state-backed push for western-style entertainment. The first Riyadh Comedy Festival, which kicked off last weekend and is marketed as the world’s largest, saw international stars including Dave Chappelle, Bill […]
Louis C.K. defends Riyadh Comedy Festival appearance, while Jessica Kirson apologises for playing
Louis C.K. has defended playing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, while fellow comedian Jessica Kirson has apologised for her appearance. The controversial event is being held in the Saudi Arabian capital and also included on the line-up are Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Aziz Ansari, Jimmy Carr, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, Jim Jefferies and Chris Tucker. The festival has been criticised by groups such as Human Rights Watch as being an example of the Sa…
Louis C.K. Says Performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival Is a ‘Positive Thing’ and ‘A Great Way to Get in and Start Talking’
Louis C.K. is defending his decision to join Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival. During a recent appearance on “Real Time With Bill Maher,” C.K. said the other comedians at the event were “really surprised” by the overwhelming response from the Riyadh audience. He added that being part of a budding comedy scene in a place where acts are usually heavily censored is a “positive thing.” “There’s a woman who’s a lesbian and Jewish, who did a …
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