Major US Comedians Criticize Riyadh Comedy Festival Participation Amid Human Rights Concerns

The upcoming Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, scheduled from September 26 to October 9, has drawn significant controversy within the American comedy community. While the event features prominent comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Louis CK, and Aziz Ansari, some performers like Marc Maron and Shane Gillis have criticized their colleagues for participating, citing human rights concerns and Saudi Arabia's alleged involvement in the 9/11 attacks and the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Human Rights Watch has condemned the festival as an attempt by the Saudi government to deflect attention from its repression of free speech and urged comedians to use the platform to call for the release of detained activists. Marc Maron denounced the event on his podcast, harshly criticizing the ethical implications of performing for Saudi authorities. Shane Gillis also took a principled stand by declining lucrative offers to participate. Despite the backlash, many top comedians have accepted substantial payments, with some reportedly receiving up to $1.6 million, sparking debate about the balance between artistic opportunity and complicity in political controversies.