US EditionRiyadh Comedy Festival Proceeds as Top Comics Face Intensifying Backlash
The festival features over 50 international comedians but faces backlash amid censorship rules and human rights concerns, including the removal of Tim Dillon over forced labor jokes.
- The Riyadh Comedy Festival opened on September 26, 2025, and runs until October 9, featuring over 50 international comedians, including Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr.
- David Cross criticized comics for participating in the festival, stating he was 'disgusted and deeply disappointed' and calling it enabling an oppressive regime.
- Human Rights Watch accused Saudi Arabia of using the festival to distract from its human rights abuses, highlighting that contracts included strict censorship clauses.
- Several comedians, such as Marc Maron and Shane Gillis, refused to participate on moral grounds, creating a divide within the comedy community.
121 Articles
121 Articles
Dictatorships are not known for their sense of humor. That’s why I didn’t see it coming that Saudi Arabia would stage a comedy festival. I learned thanks to a video on Zach Woods networks, comedian and actor of series like The Office and Silicon Valley. In his video he charges against the festival, which is held from September 26th to October 9th, and features Dave Chapelle, Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart and Jimmy Carr, among other people who apparent…
The festival, organized by Saudi Arabia, is criticized by comedians and Human Rights Watch.
The "Riyadh Comedy Festival" lured famous humorists into the Saudi capital with huge gags. Organisations such as "Human Rights Watch" criticise that they are helping to conceal human rights violations.
Pete Davidson and Kevin Hart among comedians criticised for controversial comedy festival - The Mirror
Bill Burr and Jimmy Carr are among the many comedians receiving backlash from comedy colleagues and the public after signing on to the Riyadh Comedy festival despite Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses
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