Comedians Face Backlash Over Participation in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival
Los Angeles, CA – A Saudi Arabian comedy festival is drawing criticism from comedians and human rights organizations alike, with Marc Maron leading the charge against fellow U.S. performers participating in the event. the festival,running from September 26 to October 9 in riyadh,has sparked debate over the ethics of accepting substantial payments from a government accused of human rights abuses.
The controversy centers on the Saudi government’s alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks and the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the situation, bringing attention to the financial incentives offered to comedians while together raising concerns about artistic freedom and ethical considerations.
On his WTF podcast, Maron sharply criticized colleagues accepting fees to perform, stating, “I mean, how do you even promote that? ‘From the folks that brought you 9/11. Two weeks of laughter in the desert, don’t miss it!'” He continued, “The same guy that’s gonna pay them is the same guy that paid that guy to bone-saw Jamal Khashoggi and put him in a fucking suitcase. But don’t let that stop the yucks, it’s gonna be a good time!”
tim Dillon, a U.S. stand-up comedian and podcaster, openly admitted his initial motivation for participating was financial.In an August 30 podcast episode, Dillon revealed he was offered $375,000 for a single show on October 8, with other performers reportedly offered up to $1.6 million. “They bought comedy,” Dillon saeid. “Do I have issues with the policies towards freedom of speech? Of course I do, but I believe in my own financial well-being.” Though, Dillon later announced on September 20 that his performance was canceled after Saudi authorities reportedly objected to his comedic remarks regarding the treatment of migrant workers and other human rights issues. “I addressed it in a funny way and they fired me,” he stated.
Shane Gillis, another U.S. comedian, claimed he declined a lucrative offer to perform, stating on his Secret podcast, “I took a principled stand. You don’t 9/11 your friends.”
Human Rights Watch also noted that Jimmy carr, co-headlining the festival on October 6, has not publicly acknowledged his participation on his website or social media.
The Riyadh Comedy Festival’s lineup includes a number of prominent U.S. comedy stars, including Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Russell Peters, Gabriel Iglesias, Dave Chappelle, and Louis C.K. The event underscores a growing tension within the comedy world regarding the balance between artistic expression, financial gain, and ethical responsibility when engaging with governments with questionable human rights records.
