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The stand-up comic has justified his choice to perform at the Riyadh comedy festival following other comics questioned major stars participating as whitewashing a government guilty of human rights abuses.

Mixed Reactions from Performers

Speaking on a talk show, the comedian, who is sharing top billing the festival with British comedian his counterpart, stated other comedians had been “really surprised” by the response from audiences in the Saudi capital.

A star-studded lineup including top comics are among the roster at the Riyadh comedy festival, which concludes on October 9th.

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

Surprising Outcomes

“Clearly, developments going on that’s surprising in the situation,” the comedian added. “People have been performing in the kingdom for a long time. Comedians have been traveling and playing the region. There was a film festival there recently, it’s kind of opened up. But I previously declined offers to those nations.”

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

“My routine doesn’t include material about those two things,” he noted. “It used to be, when I got offers from places like that, there would be extensive restrictions, and I’d respond, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But learning about it’s opening, I felt, it's intriguing. It seems like a positive step. And I believe comedy is a great way to engage and start talking.”

Ethical Questions Raised

Many performers have raised doubts about the ethics of performing comedy at a gathering funded 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 include a entertainment firm owned by the state investment fund; and the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, which is chaired by a royal adviser dogged by claims of human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch argued the event was an attempt by the authorities to whitewash its policies “during significant increase in repression including a crackdown on expression, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are completely denied”.

Harsh Feedback

Comedians such as well-known names have been highly critical of performers who have complained about public backlash and censorship in the past for agreeing to take part in the festival, with Cross posting a blistering statement that singled out CK by name.

“Clearly you guys don’t give a shit about others' opinions, but how can we respect you ever again?” Cross stated. “All of your bitching about ‘cancel culture’ and ‘free expression’ and all that shit? Done. You don’t get to talk about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the contract you had to sign.”

CK acknowledged the backlash on the program.

“I had mixed feelings about it too,” he said. “I deliberated about going once I heard the feedback. Potential benefits in it, possible drawbacks. But in my view, I think it cuts toward going. That’s my decision, and I know where it’s coming from, because I've reflected deeply.”

He continued: “I love standup comedy, and I love comedians. So, the reality that that’s opening up and beginning to grow, I wanna see it, I wanna be part of it. I feel that’s a positive thing.”

Regrets and Defenses

The lesbian comic, who appeared at the event on 29 September, told a publication that she had asked for a guarantee that she could discuss her sexuality on stage, saying she “believed that this could help LGBTQ+ people in the country gain visibility and valued … to my knowledge, I am the first openly gay comic to talk about it on in Saudi Arabia”.

But she clarified: “However, I deeply regret taking part under the auspices of the Saudi government.” She said sorry to fans who were let down by “a misstep that had repercussions I overlooked” and announced she would give her payment to a rights group.

Another headliner, who performed in the capital on 26 September, supported his choice to take part, describing it as “a mind-blowing experience”.

“It was great to experience that part of the world and to participate in the first comedy festival in Saudi Arabia,” he commented on a broadcast. “Officials loved the show. Everyone was happy. The people that were doing the event were delighted. Fellow performers I've spoken with are remarking, ‘Man, you can sense [the audience] were eager. They desire authentic humor.’ … I believe it’s going to lead to many benefits.”