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The stand-up comic has justified his decision to take the stage at the Riyadh comedy festival after fellow comedians questioned big names participating as whitewashing a government responsible for rights violations.

Mixed Reactions from Performers

Speaking on Real Time With Bill Maher, the comedian, who is co-headlining the event with British comedian Jimmy Carr, said other comedians had been “really surprised” by the response from audiences in Riyadh.

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

“A performer who’s a lesbian and Jewish, who performed there, and she got a standing ovation,” he remarked, referring to Jessica Kirson, who has expressed “sincere regret” for performing at the event.

Surprising Outcomes

“Clearly, developments unfolding that’s unexpected in the situation,” the comedian added. “Artists have been playing Saudi Arabia for years. Stand-up artists have been going and playing the region. There was a film festival there lately, it’s kind of opened up. But I previously declined offers to those nations.”

He explained he was informed there would be just a couple of limits on his material: “Their religion and their government.”

“I don’t have jokes about those topics,” he added. “It used to be, when I received invitations from places like that, there would be a long list, and I’d just say, ‘I'll pass.’ But when I heard it’s opening, I thought, it's intriguing. That just feels like a good opportunity. And I just feel humor is an effective means to engage and initiate dialogue.”

Ethical Questions Raised

Many performers have questioned the ethics of doing stand-up at a gathering directly paid for by the Saudi Arabian government, which is notorious for human rights abuses and censorship, and its suppression of reporters, women and LGBTQ rights.

The festival’s producers include a entertainment firm under Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund; and the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, which is led by a advisor facing allegations of abuses.

A rights organization stated the festival was an attempt by the authorities to whitewash its policies “amid a rise in repression including a crackdown on free speech, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are not allowed”.

Harsh Feedback

Comedians such as well-known names have been scathing of performers who have spoken out about public backlash and restrictions in the previous for agreeing to take part in Riyadh, with Cross posting a strongly worded critique that called out the headliner by name.

“Clearly you guys show no concern about others' opinions, but how can any of us take any of you seriously ever again?” he wrote. “All of your bitching about ‘public shaming’ and ‘free expression’ and all that shit? Over. You don’t get to talk about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the agreement you had to sign.”

The comedian acknowledged the backlash on the program.

“I had mixed feelings about it too,” he said. “I deliberated about going after learning what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, possible drawbacks. But for me, I believe it cuts toward going. My choice, and I understand my motives, because I can see right inside myself.”

He added: “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.”

Apologies and Justifications

Kirson, who appeared at the Riyadh festival on 29 September, told media that she had requested a guarantee that she could discuss her sexuality on stage, stating she “believed that it might assist the community in the country feel seen and respected … as far as I know, I am the pioneer to talk about it on in Saudi Arabia”.

But she added: “At the same time, I deeply regret taking part under the auspices of the authorities.” She said sorry to supporters who were let down by “a poor decision that had consequences I overlooked” and announced she would give her payment to a human rights organisation.

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

“It was fantastic to explore that part of the world and to participate in the inaugural humor event over there,” Burr commented on his podcast. “The royals enjoyed the performance. Everyone was happy. The people that were doing the festival were thrilled. Fellow performers that I’ve been talking to are remarking, ‘Man, you can sense [crowd] were eager. They desire authentic humor.’ … I think it’s paving the way for many benefits.”