Overview

• The inaugural event, run by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority under the Vision 2030 banner, featured major U.S. names including Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., Pete Davidson and Aziz Ansari.
• On Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ansari said he weighed the decision, cited his Muslim background and young Saudi audiences, and said he would donate part of his fee to groups such as Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch.
• Leaked offer materials shared by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka showed proposed content restrictions barring jokes about the Saudi government, legal system and religion, and several comics declined or were disinvited.
• Variety reported that appearance fees ranged from the mid–six figures to about $1.6 million for a single show, a scale that fueled industry debate over ethics and free expression.
• Responses split the comedy world, with Burr and Louis C.K. defending engagement as progress, while critics including David Cross condemned participation and Jessica Kirson apologized after performing.