Overview

• In a Jimmy Kimmel Live interview, Ansari said he weighed the decision carefully, cited his Muslim background and a relative’s advice, and cast performing as engagement rather than isolation.
• He said he plans to donate part of his fee to Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch.
• Kimmel pressed Ansari by invoking the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as critics questioned comics for accepting Saudi-funded gigs.
• Human Rights Watch described Saudi investments in marquee entertainment as an effort to whitewash ongoing rights violations and distract from a rising number of executions.
• The state-backed festival featured Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Louis C.K., Kevin Hart and Pete Davidson, as other comedians highlighted alleged content restrictions and reported mid–six-figure to $1.6 million paydays.