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The stand-up comic has justified his choice to perform at the Riyadh comedy festival after fellow comedians criticised big names participating as glossing over a government guilty of rights violations.

Mixed Reactions from Comedians

During an appearance on Real Time With Bill Maher, CK, who is sharing top billing the event with UK comic his counterpart, stated other comedians had been “really surprised” by the reaction from audiences in Riyadh.

Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Whitney Cummings, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Burress, Jim Jefferies, Jo Koy, Tom Segura and Jeff Ross are part of the roster at the Riyadh comedy festival, which concludes on 9 October.

“There’s a woman who’s openly gay and of Jewish faith, who did a show there, and she got a standing ovation,” he remarked, mentioning another comic, who has apologized for appearing at the festival.

Unexpected Developments

“So, there’s stuff going on that’s unexpected in this thing,” the comedian continued. “People have been performing in Saudi Arabia for a long time. Stand-up artists have been traveling and playing the region. A cinema event took place there lately, signaling openness. But I previously declined offers to those nations.”

He said he was told there would be only two restrictions on his material: “Their religion and their government.”

“I don’t have jokes about those two things,” he noted. “Previously, when I received invitations from places like that, there would be a long list, and I’d just say, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But when I heard the opening, I felt, it's intriguing. That just feels like a good opportunity. And I just feel comedy is a great way to get in and start talking.”

Moral Concerns Highlighted

Several comedians have raised doubts about the ethics of doing stand-up at a gathering directly paid for by the Saudi Arabian government, which is known for human rights abuses and restrictions, and its oppression of reporters, women and the LGBTQ community.

Event organizers involve a entertainment firm under the state investment fund; and the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, which is chaired by a royal adviser facing allegations of human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch stated the festival was an effort by the authorities to cover up its policies “amid a rise in repression including a clampdown on expression, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are not allowed”.

Scathing Criticism

Performers such as well-known names have been highly critical of those who have complained about cancel culture and censorship in the past for agreeing to take part in Riyadh, with one comic posting a strongly worded critique that singled out the headliner by name.

“Clearly you guys don’t give a shit about what the rest of us think, but how can any of us take any of you seriously ever again?” he wrote. “Your complaints about ‘cancel culture’ and ‘freedom of speech’ and all that shit? Over. No more discussing about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the agreement you had to sign.”

The comedian acknowledged the criticism on the program.

“I had mixed feelings about it as well,” he admitted. “I struggled about going after learning what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, possible drawbacks. But in my view, I think it leans towards going. My choice, and I understand my motives, because I can see right inside myself.”

He added: “I'm passionate about comedy, and I love comedians. So, the reality that opportunities are expanding and starting to bud, I wanna see it, I wanna be part of it. I feel that’s a positive thing.”

Regrets and Defenses

Kirson, who performed at the event on September 29, told media that she had asked for a assurance that she could discuss her sexuality on during her set, saying she “believed that this could help LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia feel seen and valued … as far as I know, I am the pioneer to address it on in Saudi Arabia”.

But she clarified: “At the same time, I deeply regret participating under the auspices of the Saudi government.” She apologised to fans who were let down by “a misstep that had consequences I didn’t fully consider” and announced she would give her fee to a human rights organisation.

Burr, who appeared in the capital on 26 September, defended his decision to participate, calling it “an incredible opportunity”.

“It was fantastic to explore that part of the world and to participate in the first comedy festival in Saudi Arabia,” Burr commented on a broadcast. “The royals loved the show. The response was positive. The people that were doing the event were delighted. Fellow performers that I’ve been talking to are saying, ‘Dude, you can sense [crowd] wanted it. They desire authentic humor.’ … I think it’s going to lead to a lot of positive things.”