Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Riyadh Comedy Festival is drawing controversy with several U.S. comedians blasting the star-studded event and Human Rights Watch asking participating artists to “request a meeting about Saudi Arabia’s human rights crisis,” the org. said in a statement.
“The seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder is no laughing matter, and comedians receiving hefty sums from Saudi authorities shouldn’t be silent on prohibited topics in Saudi like human rights or free speech,” said Joey Shea, Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Everyone performing in Riyadh should use this high-profile opportunity to call for the release of detained Saudi activists.”
Meanwhile, Marc Maron on his WTF podcast recently blasted fellow U.S. comedians for participating in the Sept. 26-Oct. 9 event in Riyadh and spoke about Saudi officials’ alleged roles in 9/11 and the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“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 said in a video. “I mean, 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!”
Human Rights Watch noted that U.S. stand-up comedian and podcaster Tim Dillon on his August 30 podcast said: “I am doing this because they are paying me a large sum of money.” Dillon on the podcast said the Saudi festival was paying him $375,000 for the one show on Oct. 8 and that other performers were offered as much as $1.6 million. “They bought comedy,” Dillon added. “Do I have issues with the policies towards freedom of speech? Of course I do, but I believe in my own financial well-being,” he added.
Interestingly, as Human Rights Watch reported,on Sept. 20, Dillon announced that his performance had been canceled after Saudi authorities were allegedly “unhappy” about his comedic remarks on the treatment of migrant workers and other human rights issues. “I addressed it in a funny way and they fired me,” he said.
Another U.S. comedian, Shane Gillis, said on his Secret Podcast that he turned down a “significant bag” for an appearance at the festival, even after they doubled their offer. “I took a principled stand. You don’t 9/11 your friends,” he said.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that Jimmy Carr, who is co-headlining the festival on Oct. 6, does not list his appearance in Saudi Arabia on his website or on his social media.
Other U.S. comedy stars reportedly set to appear at the Riyadh Comedy Festival include Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Russell Peters, Gabriel Iglesias, Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K.
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