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Riyadh Comedy Festival Draws Intensifying Backlash as A‑List Acts Perform Under Reported Content Limits

Critics cite Saudi Vision 2030 image‑building plus explicit limits on jokes as evidence of reputational whitewashing.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 13: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a “coffee ceremony” with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump at the Saudi Royal Court on May 13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Trump begins a multi-nation tour of the Gulf region focused on expanding economic ties and reinforcing security cooperation with key U.S. allies. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
(L) Kevin Hart attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix's "Me Time" at the Regency Village Theatre on August 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (C) Pete Davidson performs onstage during the Oddball Comedy Festival at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on September 10, 2016 in Wantagh, New York. (R) Dave Chappelle speaks onstage during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City.

Overview

  • The state‑backed two‑week festival, running September 26 to October 9 in Riyadh, features more than 50 international comedians and is billed by Saudi authorities as the world's largest comedy event.
  • Human Rights Watch urges participating acts to publicly press for the release of detained activists and frames the showcase as an effort to deflect attention from a broader crackdown on free speech.
  • Screenshots of invite terms shared by comedians show content restrictions barring material that could defame or bring into disrepute the kingdom, its leaders, legal system, government or religion.
  • Reported fees for headliners range from roughly $350,000 to about $1.6 million, figures attributed to performers' statements rather than official disclosures.
  • Industry criticism escalated as David Cross, Marc Maron and others condemned peers for taking the gigs; Tim Dillon says he was dropped after jokes about Saudi Arabia, while Nimesh Patel canceled and several comics, including Atsuko Okatsuka and Shane Gillis, say they declined offers.