The comedian justifies choice to perform at Riyadh humor event as 'a good opportunity'

Louis CK has defended his decision to take the stage at the Riyadh comedy festival after fellow comedians criticised big names taking part as whitewashing a regime guilty of rights violations.

Mixed Reactions from Comedians

Speaking on Real Time With Bill Maher, the comedian, who is co-headlining the event with British comedian his counterpart, stated other comedians had been “really surprised” by the response from crowds in the Saudi capital.

A star-studded lineup including top comics are part of the roster at the Saudi event, which concludes on October 9th.

“A performer who’s a lesbian and Jewish, who performed there, and she received enthusiastic applause,” he remarked, referring to another comic, who has apologized for appearing at the event.

Unexpected Developments

“Clearly, developments unfolding that’s unexpected in the situation,” the comedian added. “People have been playing the kingdom for a long time. Comedians have been going and playing the region. A cinema event took place there lately, it’s kind of opened up. But I’ve always said no to Arab countries.”

He said he was informed there would be only two restrictions on his material: “Their religion and their government.”

“I don’t have jokes about those two things,” he noted. “Previously, when I received invitations from such locations, there would be a long list, and I’d respond, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But when I heard it’s opening, I thought, that’s awfully interesting. It seems like a positive step. And I believe comedy is an effective means to get in and initiate dialogue.”

Ethical Questions Raised

Many performers have raised doubts about the ethics of doing stand-up at a festival directly paid for by the Saudi Arabian government, which is known for human rights abuses and censorship, and its suppression of reporters, females and the LGBTQ community.

Event organizers include a entertainment firm owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund; and the national entertainment body, which is led by a advisor dogged by claims of human rights violations.

A rights organization argued the festival was an effort by the Saudi government to cover up its actions “amid significant increase in repression including a clampdown on expression, which several performers champion but people in Saudi Arabia are completely denied”.

Harsh Feedback

Performers such as Marc Maron, Atsuko Okatsuka and David Cross have been scathing of performers who have spoken out about cancel culture and censorship in the previous for participating in the festival, with Cross publishing a strongly worded critique that singled out CK by name.

“Clearly you guys show no concern about what the rest of us think, but how can we respect you ever again?” he stated. “Your complaints about ‘cancel culture’ and ‘freedom of speech’ and similar issues? Over. You don’t get to talk about it anymore. By now we’ve all seen the agreement you had to agree to.”

CK acknowledged the criticism on the program.

“I had mixed feelings about it too,” he admitted. “I deliberated about going after learning what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, possible drawbacks. But for me, I believe it leans towards going. That’s my decision, and I know where it’s coming from, because I've reflected deeply.”

He added: “I'm passionate about comedy, and I support fellow artists. So, the reality that that’s opening up and starting to bud, I wanna see it, I wanna be part of it. I think it's beneficial.”

Regrets and Defenses

Kirson, who performed at the event on September 29, told a publication that she had requested a guarantee that she could discuss her sexuality on during her set, stating she “hoped that it might assist LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia feel seen and respected … as far as I know, I am the first openly gay comic to talk about it on in Saudi Arabia”.

But she added: “At the same time, I sincerely apologize for participating under the auspices of the Saudi government.” She said sorry to fans who were let down by “a misstep that had repercussions I overlooked” and announced she would donate her payment to a rights group.

Burr, who appeared in Riyadh on September 26, supported his decision to take part, describing it as “an incredible opportunity”.

“It was great to explore the region and to participate in the first comedy festival over there,” Burr said on a broadcast. “Officials enjoyed the performance. Everyone was happy. Organizers running the event were delighted. The comedians I've spoken with are saying, ‘Man, you can sense [crowd] wanted it. They want to see real standup comedy.’ … I believe it’s paving the way for many benefits.”