Comedy Festival in Riyadh Sparks Human Rights Controversy
The inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival, billed as the "world's largest comedy festival," has become the center of a heated debate about artistic freedom, human rights, and the ethics of performing in Saudi Arabia. The event, running from September 26 through October 9, features an impressive lineup of American comedy stars including Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Jimmy Carr, Pete Davidson, and Nimesh Patel.
Colleagues Express Disgust and Disappointment
The festival has drawn sharp criticism from fellow comedians and human rights organizations. Comedian David Cross wrote in an open letter: 'I'm disgusted and deeply disappointed. That people I admire, with tremendous talent, are endorsing that regime for what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?' His sentiments were echoed by many in the comedy community who see the performances as legitimizing a government with a troubling human rights record.
American-Dutch comedian Greg Shapiro acknowledged the complexity of the decision, telling NOS: 'It's easy to say from a distance: no, I would never do that. Artistically, it's an opportunity to perform together with big names that I hold in high regard.' He joked that if his idol Marc Maron was in the lineup, he would have performed for free.
Restrictions and Big Money Deals
Before the festival began, comedian Atsuko Okatsuka shared screenshots of the contract she rejected, revealing that performers were explicitly forbidden from making jokes about the Saudi government, royal family, or religion. The financial incentives were substantial - comedian Tim Dillon was reportedly offered $375,000 to perform, while bigger names allegedly received up to $1.6 million per show.
Dillon himself was removed from the lineup after making jokes about suspected slavery in Saudi Arabia during his podcast in late August. The incident highlighted the tight control Saudi authorities maintain over content.
Human Rights Concerns and 'Whitewashing' Accusations
Human Rights Watch has accused Saudi Arabia of using the festival to whitewash human rights abuses. The organization noted the timing coincides with the seventh anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, which US intelligence linked to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Marc Maron questioned how colleagues could promote such an event during a recent performance: 'The guy who pays them is the same guy who had journalist Jamal Khashoggi sawed into pieces and stuffed into a suitcase. But don't let that spoil the fun!'
Performers Defend Their Choices
Despite the criticism, performers at the festival have defended their participation. Dave Chappelle made headlines when he claimed during his set: 'If you make a joke about Charlie Kirk there now, you get canceled. It's easier to speak here than in America.' His comments referenced what he sees as growing censorship in the United States.
Bill Burr called his experience one of his top three experiences and pushed back against stereotypes about the region. 'You think they're all going to shout 'Death to America.' That's what I've always been told about that part of the world. They just wanted to laugh,' he said after his performance.
Pete Davidson was blunt about his motivation: 'I get the offer and then I see the amount and I think: 'I'm going.'' The comedian, whose father died during the 9/11 attacks, faced particular scrutiny given Saudi Arabia's alleged connections to the terrorists.
LGBTQ Representation and Regret
Openly lesbian comedian Jessica Kirson performed at the festival, hoping to give visibility to the LGBTQ community in Saudi Arabia, where same-sex relationships are illegal. While she received praise for her courage, she later expressed regret to The Hollywood Reporter and announced she would donate her fee to human rights organizations.
Broader Context of Saudi Cultural Strategy
The comedy festival is part of Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy beyond oil dependence and improve its international image. Similar criticism has accompanied other high-profile events in the kingdom, including major sporting events and the upcoming 2034 FIFA World Cup.
As comedian Tim Dillon noted before his removal, the financial incentives are hard to ignore in an industry where many performers struggle financially between tours. However, the debate continues about whether cultural engagement helps open closed societies or merely provides cover for authoritarian regimes.