Overview

• The state-backed festival, organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, concluded Thursday after hosting more than 50 international comedians from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9.
• Human Rights Watch said it will not accept money from participating comics and called on them to publicly urge the release of detained Saudi activists.
• Aziz Ansari defended performing during a Jimmy Kimmel Live! interview, citing his background and conversations with family, and he said he intends to give a portion of his pay to press and rights groups.
• Backlash intensified over reported appearance fees and leaked offer language describing content restrictions on criticism of the Saudi government, legal system or religion, with some comedians declining invitations.
• Responses from performers diverged, with Bill Burr praising the experience and Jessica Kirson apologizing, as peers such as Marc Maron and David Cross escalated criticism of the event.