Saudi Arabia comedy festival no laughing matter

[BitterYoungMatador2]

I haven’t seen anything posted here about this yet but, knowing that the many of you are stand up fans, there has been a bunch of controversy this week about a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia and, more notably, the people who were paid to perform. The one who seems to be facing the most backlash is Bill Burr, who defended the decision on his podcast this week. Another one who performed was Pete Davidson, whose father was killed in the September 11 attacks.

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/bill-burr-defends-riyadh-comedy-festival-backlash-1236536805/

 

[Tom Paine’s Bones]

Your guy Shane Gillis turned them down.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

as a free speech absolutist the saudis absolutely gave me a fückton of money for my speech so I freely went

 

[DanOregon]

I don't begrudge anyone making a buck. But it surprised me to see Chapelle do it, mainly because there were "conditions" on what they could talk about. That he agreed to those terms seems really "off-brand."
Goodness knows we've seen artists and athletes across the board suddenly "lose their voice" when money is on the table - whether we are talking about Saudis, China or working with Harvey Weinstein - but comedians especially seem to need that "fearlessness" to say anything to remain "credible."

 

[DanOregon]

I mean, when I heard about the Saudi event, I figured it would be Sinbad, Carrot Top, Tim Allen, Jeff Dunham and Bill Engvall.

 

[Webster]

As Dean Martin said in “Back to School” — In Mr. Melon’s defense, it was a really big check.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

 

[Inky_Wretch]

So the Saudis throwing billions into sports is called "sportswashing." Is this "comedywashing" or "LOLwashing?"

 

[DanOregon]

I think the only way a comedian could go over there and do a show is to say, "this is my rate. But there are no conditions. I'm not going over to offend, but I'm going to do my act. And if you've seen my act, you get what you get."

I don't think anyone would expect a Tiger Woods or Tom Brady to make a big moral stand on anything, but for a comedian who makes their living on "social commentary" to not address the elephant in the room seems tone deaf.

 

[John]

Those that take the blood-soaked bag - from the golfers to Messi to Burr and everyone else - go on my permanent FU list. I won't watch or support anything they do. Will that matter to them? Not one bit. But I couldn't live with myself if I kept supporting them.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

Your guy Shane Gillis turned them down.

Wasn't stunned by that. Shane is making plenty right now between his shows and the Netflix deal.

 

[FileNotFound]

Wasn't stunned by that. Shane is making plenty right now between his shows and the Netflix deal.

"I can afford to take a principled stand."

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

"I can afford to take a principled stand."

Thing is, so can Burr, and professional Italian Sebastian Manascalco. And lord knows Kevin Hart isn't missing any meals.

 

[Songbird]

"I'm happy to be here in Saudi Arabia and can't wait to chop it up with you."

 

[Meat Slapping Sound]

“It was great to experience Berlin and to be a part of the first comedy festival over there in Nazi Germany. The Fuhrer loved the show. The SS was happy. Goebbels was thrilled.”

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

maybe jamal khashoggi refused to say retard

 

[Songbird]

professional Italian Sebastian Manascalco

lol

I have watched a lot of his FB reels the last 6 months. Super agile and athletic.

And it's clear by his mannerisms that Brian Regan is one of his big influences.

 

[DanOregon]

I remember how much crud Sinatra got for posing for pictures with mob bosses, but I think they were his actual friends. I can respect that.

 

[TrooperBari]

I think the only way a comedian could go over there and do a show is to say, "this is my rate. But there are no conditions. I'm not going over to offend, but I'm going to do my act. And if you've seen my act, you get what you get."

Atsuko Okatsuka, who turned down an invite, posted the festival's "content restrictions" on her Threads account. If that is what the hip, looser Saudi Arabia is demanding, I don't see any modern comic getting that kind of deference.


And unsurprisingly, David Cross had thoughts on the matter. It's definitely forcefully and accurately put, so much so I almost didn't raise an eyebrow when he mentioned Dave Chappelle and Louis CK in the same paragraph as his "heroes".
https://officialdavidcross.com/blogs/press/my-thoughts-on-the-riyadh-comedy-festival

I don’t understand how being rich can make someone such a *****. Poor people desperate to improve their (or their families lives), sure. Still not acceptable but I can understand the desperation to put food on the table. But this? I mean, it’s not like this is some commercial for a wireless service or a betting app. This is truly the definition of “blood money”. You might as well do commercials for Lockheed Martin or Zyklon B.

Holy ****, I remember the backlash I got for appearing in Alvin and the Chipmunks! You would’ve thought that I had taken money from a bunch of people responsible for funding Al Qaeda!

EDIT: He did not say "wart". Love the new, infantilized, advertiser-friendly SJ.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

lol

I have watched a lot of his FB reels the last 6 months. Super agile and athletic.

And it's clear by his mannerisms that Brian Regan is one of his big influences.

Or Dane Cook.