Overview

• The first Riyadh Comedy Festival is scheduled for September 26 to October 9 in Saudi Arabia’s capital, with a roster that includes Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, Pete Davidson, and Jimmy Carr.
• Human Rights Watch says the event serves to deflect attention from Saudi abuses and calls on performers to highlight cases such as Waleed Abu al-Khair and Manahel al-Otaibi.
• Comedian Tim Dillon says he was removed from the lineup after joking that Saudi Arabia “has slaves” and claims he lost a $375,000 fee, which outlets have not independently verified.
• Public criticism has grown as clips circulate of Marc Maron and Zach Woods rebuking fellow comedians for agreeing to perform.
• Organizers promote the festival as part of the Vision 2030 push to expand entertainment, and its timing coincides with the anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s killing.