Overview

• Performing before about 6,000 people in Riyadh, Dave Chappelle told the crowd it is “easier to talk here than it is in America,” referencing claims about getting canceled for discussing Charlie Kirk.
• Human Rights Watch condemned the festival as a bid to deflect from Saudi repression of free speech, urging performers to speak up for detained dissidents.
• Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka shared alleged contract terms barring material critical of Saudi Arabia, the royal family, or any religion, renewing scrutiny of censorship at the event.
• Bill Burr defended participating and said he negotiated restrictions down to avoiding jokes about royals or religion, while peers such as David Cross publicly denounced headliners for taking part.
• The state-linked festival runs Sept. 26–Oct. 9 with more than 50 international comedians; reported large payouts to performers have been discussed by comics but have not been confirmed by organizers.