The Riyadh Comedy Festival, billed as the world's largest, kicked off last week in Saudi Arabia's capital, drawing a star-studded lineup that includes Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, and Louis C.K. But the event has ignited a firestorm of criticism from fellow comedians and human rights advocates, who accuse the performers of hypocrisy in championing free speech at home while pocketing fees from a regime notorious for suppressing dissent.
David Cross, known for his sharp wit on shows like Arrested Development, didn't hold back in a blistering statement on his website. He called the participants his former "heroes" but now declared them irredeemable, expressing disgust at their decision to entertain in a country where free expression can land you in prison—or worse. Indeed, Saudi Arabia's record on human rights is grim: executions for drug offenses have surged, and critics face long sentences for social media posts. Cross's words hit hard, labeling the gigs as a betrayal of the very principles these comics often rail against in the West.
Chappelle, no stranger to controversy with his Netflix specials touching on transgender issues, took the stage and made waves by claiming he has more free speech in Riyadh than in America. He even jabbed at conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, suggesting the U.S. climate is more stifling. Burr, meanwhile, joked on his podcast about the royals loving his set and admitted the pay was good enough to "look the other way." However, such defenses have only fueled the backlash, with Human Rights Watch urging the comedians to cancel and highlighting the festival as a PR stunt for the kingdom's General Entertainment Authority.
Other voices, like those from performers who boycotted, point out the irony: comics who decry cancel culture back home are now self-censoring under Saudi guidelines on jokes about religion or politics. The festival runs through October 9, featuring over 50 acts, but the ethical questions linger. Moreover, with Saudi's sovereign wealth fund backing the show, it's clear big money is at play.
Yet as the laughs echo in Riyadh, one wonders if this marks a new low for stand-up's free-speech warriors—or just another gig in a complicated world.