A-list comedians are under fire after performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival, the first festival of its kind for Saudi Arabia. Boasted on the country’s tourism website as “The World’s Largest Comedy Festival” the setlist included Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart and Bill Burr amongst the comics scheduled to perform.
The outrage emerged online after the setlist for the festival was released, citing the controversial track record of human rights violations in the Middle Eastern country. These violations include major suppression of free speech and allegations of slavery.
Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations are well known internationally. The authoritarian monarchy limits free speech, systematically oppresses women through Sharia law and uses forced labor from poor migrant workers. Allegations of slavery, sexual abuse and human trafficking are common from these laborers. Lawsuits from victims of 9/11 allege the government helped perpetrate the terrorist attacks that day, as 15 out of the 19 hijackers across the four flights were Saudi Arabian citizens. Human Rights Watch said the festival was “to deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other human rights violations.”
These allegations spurred the criticism against the comedians, with fans citing their disappointment and anger with the comedians who performed. On X, many users expressed they would no longer support the comedians who were a part of the festival. Many compared the hypocrisy of comedians complaining about cancel culture and free speech, yet accepting a Saudi deal.
Comedian Shane Gillis said on his podcast that the festival organizers offered him money to perform and when he denied the offer, “they doubled the bag.” Gillis went on to say that, though he holds some regrets for not taking the money, he “took a principled stand.”
David Cross stated his disgust and anger towards his peers on his website. In a short rant, Cross lambasted the festival and the comics who performed. Cross wrote, “I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing. That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would condone this totalitarian fiefdom for what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?”
Tim Dillon stated his anger at being let go from the Riyadh Comedy Festival. After making a joke about Saudi Arabia owning slaves, Dillon was told by his agent that the festival had subsequently fired him. In his podcast “The Tim Dillon Show” Dillon responded to his firing saying, “On my own show, in my own country, where I have the freedom to speak and say the things I want, I’m going to be funny, and I’m going to be who I am.”
Some comedians who performed in the festival defended their decision. After Theo Von questioned whether Pete Davidson was influenced by Saudi Arabia’s money to limit his speech, Davidson responded, “I get the routing and I see the number, and I go: I’ll go.” Davidson’s father was a first responder who died on 9/11.
During his act, Dave Chappell criticized the American government for punishing those who speak about Charlie Kirk’s death. Chappell went on to say, “It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”
Louis CK, who co-headlined the festival with British comedian Jimmy Carr, spoke out against the backlash he received and defended his actions, calling the decision to perform “a good opportunity.”
Despite Saudi Arabia investing more in entertainment, the country’s continuous human rights violations and alleged past actions against America have not been forgotten by the general public. Though the event offers various diverse comedians from across the world, the question remains whether the Riyadh Comedy Festival will be successful in bringing internationality into the country.
