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Louis CK has defended his choice to perform at the humor event in Saudi Arabia after other comics questioned big names taking part as glossing over a regime responsible for human rights abuses.

Varied Responses from Comedians

During an appearance on Real Time With Bill Maher, the comedian, who is sharing top billing the festival with British comedian his counterpart, said fellow performers had been “quite taken aback” by the response from audiences in the Saudi capital.

Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Whitney Cummings, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Burress, Jim Jefferies, Jo Koy, Tom Segura and Jeff Ross are part of the roster at the Riyadh comedy festival, which concludes on October 9th.

“There’s a woman who’s openly gay and of Jewish faith, who did a show there, and she received enthusiastic applause,” he said, referring to Jessica Kirson, who has expressed “sincere regret” for performing at the festival.

Surprising Outcomes

“Clearly, developments unfolding that’s unexpected in the situation,” the comedian added. “People have been performing in Saudi Arabia for a long time. Comedians have been traveling and entertaining in Arab countries. A cinema event took place there lately, signaling openness. But I previously declined offers to those nations.”

CK explained he was informed there would be only two restrictions on his material: “Their religion and the authorities.”

“My routine doesn’t include material about those two things,” he noted. “It used to be, when I received invitations from such locations, there would be extensive restrictions, and I’d respond, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But when I heard it’s opening, I felt, that’s awfully interesting. That just feels like a positive step. And I just feel humor is an effective means to engage and initiate dialogue.”

Ethical Questions Raised

Several comedians have questioned the morality of doing stand-up at a gathering funded by the Saudi Arabian government, which is notorious for rights issues and restrictions, and its suppression of reporters, females and LGBTQ rights.

The festival’s producers involve a entertainment firm under Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund; and the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, which is chaired by a advisor dogged by allegations of human rights violations.

A rights organization stated the event was an attempt by the authorities to cover up its policies “amid significant increase in crackdown including a crackdown on free speech, which several performers defend but locals are not allowed”.

Harsh Feedback

Performers such as well-known names have been highly critical of those who have complained about cancel culture and restrictions in the past for agreeing to take part in the festival, with Cross publishing a strongly worded critique that singled out the headliner by name.

“Evidently, participants don’t give a shit about what the rest of us think, but how can we take any of you seriously from now on?” he wrote. “All of your bitching about ‘cancel culture’ and ‘free expression’ and all that shit? Done. You don’t get to talk about it anymore. Everyone is aware of the agreement you had to agree to.”

The comedian acknowledged the backlash on the program.

“I had mixed feelings about it as well,” he admitted. “I deliberated about going after learning what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, maybe some bad. But for me, I believe it leans towards taking part. That’s my decision, and I understand my motives, because I can see right inside myself.”

He continued: “I love standup comedy, and I love comedians. So, the fact that opportunities are expanding and starting to bud, I want to witness it, I wanna be part of it. I feel that’s a positive thing.”

Apologies and Justifications

The lesbian comic, who performed at the event on 29 September, explained to a publication that she had requested a guarantee that she could discuss being a lesbian on stage, stating she “believed that this could help the community in the country gain visibility and respected … to my knowledge, I am the pioneer to talk about it on in Saudi Arabia”.

But she added: “However, I deeply regret taking part supported by the Saudi government.” She said sorry to fans who were let down by “a misstep that had consequences I didn’t fully consider” and announced she would give her fee to a rights group.

Burr, who performed in the capital on 26 September, defended his decision to take part, describing it as “an incredible opportunity”.

“It was great to explore that part of the world and to be a part of the inaugural humor event in Saudi Arabia,” he commented on his podcast. “The royals enjoyed the performance. Everyone was happy. The people running the event were thrilled. The comedians I've spoken with are saying, ‘Man, you can feel [the audience] wanted it. They want to see authentic humor.’ … I believe it’s paving the way for many benefits.”