Some of the world’s best-known comedians – including American performers Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Louis C.K., and Bill Burr – have been dubbed “sellouts” for taking part in a Saudi state-sponsored comedy festival in the wake of another journalist’s killing, and a reported rise in executions for non-lethal and drug-related crimes, along with long prison sentences imposed for social media posts.
The Riyadh Comedy Festival, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s government, is a new, lucrative gig for big-name comedians as the country expands its entertainment sector as part of “Saudi Vision 2030.” The initiative, brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also includes the highly-controversial LIV Golf tournament and investments in the tech, gaming, and venture capital sectors.
How does a few elites creating a censored comedy festival for attendees, who can only attend the event because of the financial position they’re only in because of the Royal family, create a more progressive Saudi society?
The one that is disappointing to me out of the article is Bill Burr. I’ve listened to a lot of his stand up and his podcast off and on for years, frequently agreeing with the thrust of whatever point he was trying to make. I had hoped he was a better person than to put that reputation he seemed to care about on the line for a fat pay day.
I heard something recently that was along the lines of “who you really are, what you really value, and what you really stand for is defined by the things you are willing to give up to uphold those values and beliefs”.
I guess unfortunately Bill is like Chappelle has mostly been reveled to be in the last few years. Willing to agree to throw his supposed values in the trash if the payday is good enough. Just another mouthpiece for hire that I used to think was actually a pretty cool and principled dude back in the day.
Hell, I remember when Chappelle walked out on his show, while I missed that show I respected him for being willing to go that far for something he felt strongly about.
Unless Bill Burr takes a rather big shit on the royal family while he is out there, it’s a bit of a downer.
I doubt he will since there is a list of things you can’t talk about, including the royal family. And discarding that in a place like that is talking your own life in your hands.
Tons of artists sell out, because it’s crazy oil money. Pretty sure Beyonce was out there performing
America is literally committing genocide. Americans need to get off their high horse already.
I remember a scene in the (good) show Louie when Louis CK criticized trump in a trump casino (he’s often the morally superior guy in his show)
Won’t happen there
Saudi has a population of around 35 million and 15 of those are foreigners. The people have the right to have some entertainment and all the jobs and other economic benefits that events like this bring to the people.
Not to mention more exposure to western media might help the people becoming more progressive no? I don’t understand why people just want the people in Saudi to just be miserable just because they don’t agree with their government. I don’t see people wishing misery on Americans just because of the actions of their corrupt government.
I didn’t know the Saudis had a troll farm that works the Fediverse too
Not everybody that doesn’t have the same opinion as you is a troll you can try and having a civil discussion without blindly dismissing every conversation that doesn’t fit your agenda
I agree with most of what you said with a caveat. If the Saudi leadership stands to profit, I don’t want to support it.
They are a sponsor of global terrorism, including events like 9/11 and will kill journalists or other people who speak out against them.
They have an incredibly poor history of human rights violations. They’ve committed mass executions multiple times, most recently in 2022. They do public executions via decapitation, stoning, and crucifixion. Homosexuality is illegal and a capital offense.
It’s a popular location for human trafficking. Kafala is used to keep migrant workers in slavery. Kafala is a way for employers to “sponsor” migrant workers. The employee cannot enter the country, quit their job, find new employment, or leave the country without permission from their employer. Those employees typically become slaves.
That said western influence does have an effect. Women gained the right to drive in 2018 and are starting to be allowed back into the workforce. If we shut ourselves off completely, we risk pushing Saudi’s Arabia backwards.
I agree with all of that and I’m aware of how bad the government is but I think if it’s gonna benefits the people overall and they deserve it after being in an extremely conservative culture for so long. The government doesn’t nor should it get more money but again I just think if it’s gonna benefit the people then it’s not a bad thing over all.
I don’t agree with censorship as well but like you said they’re so far behind in human rights and this is just a step forward towards a more progressive community
So you really think that they’re going to allow those comedians to perform without having a once-over of their material? Also, isn’t the Saudi government already known for censoring Western media?
Oh I fully believe they will and I wouldn’t watch them personally. I’m just saying it’s a step forward towards opening up the community more towards the west rather than have them live in a bubble like north Korea or probably Saudi itself not so long ago.
After all the people that like those comedians would eventually watch their stuff online if they haven’t already.
Burr was surprising. Not in a “Oh my god he would never!” sort of way, but in a “huh. That shoe finally dropped. Was wondering when that was gonna happen” way.
No one expects better from Chappelle or C.K anymore. They’re already disgraced so they may as well sell out.
Segura was disappointing. Iglesias wasn’t surprising. Davidson was surprising given his background, but my expectations for him are already so low that it wasn’t a letdown.
Plot twist, Burr goes there and has a Philly era rant and incites a civil war.
You were surprised by Tom “fuck you poors” Segura? Dude hasn’t even been funny in years
I mean the peasants back at home are running out of spending money. You wont get a paycheck not selling out.
Who cares if you only perform for oligarchs and slave owners. Got to get paid for making them feel like classic American.
PETE DAVIDSON?? The guy whose origin story is literally that his dad died during the 9/11 terror attacks orchestrated by the Saudis? THAT Pete Davidson??
You mean to tell me that a guy who sells Axe body spray might not care where his money comes from, regardless of how it makes him look?
Maybe he’s going in undercover as a comedian to get revenge?
It’s gonna be really hard for him to pretend to be a comedian
His
comedyskit is revenge. Sorry couldn’t write that, it would have been hate crime.undercover as a comedian
Which one?
I mean, I’m not a fan or anything, but the dude was on SNL for several years, and has starred in multiple films. So I think he’s probably more known for those things.
Burr was the most shocking. Torched his brand and legacy with this move, hope the paycheck was worth it.
worst part of it is none of these guys were struggling. All of them could easily turn it down and they would be just fine.
Credit to those like Shane Gillis, Nimesh Patel and Stavvy for turning it down.
Glad Stavros has a backbone. I love all the cum boys.
Nimesh Patel is still listed on the site as appearing 😓
Sites not updated, he’s been posting that he cancelled.
150k isn’t chump change for him either, he’s not as well off as Stavvy or Gillis.
Well you don’t get much better sourced than the guy himself.
Damn seeing Bill Burr’s name on that list makes me sad. The others all make total sense. But Bill Burr damn.
Pete Davidson didn’t make sense either. Dad dies in the towers on 9/11 and he thinks this is cool?
I had a feeling he exploits the 9/11 thing for sympathy.
Chapelle talking about how bad Hollywood is and not worth it…smh
Dave Chappelle has shown signs of being an asshole for a very long time
I really haven’t watched TV since he went AWOL then came back and talked about Hollywood. Sometimes I’m around someone who’s watching, but it’s not something I pay attention to.
Oh he went full anti-trans.
Then he brought Elon Musk on stage at a show, got booed, then mocked the crowd for “being poor”
I had no idea!
I use him as an example where people think talking about injustices makes a person a particularly good person. I doubt he was ever all that good natured of an adult. He made his money and once he aged out of the social scene he rapidly started contributing to conservative social talking points in his comedy. And looking back I don’t think it’s that far from the Chapelle show.
There’s what he likes and there’s everyone/everything else he looks down on. He was never really an ideologue of anything. Just making fun of people in ways that got him the attention he enjoyed. Just a suck up for whatever social group he thought he could fit in with. Nowadays he’s fully embraced in sucking up to billionaires. Thats the social scene he aspires for now. More money means right to Chapelle. Also his dislike of trans people seems to be on his mind often. It’s all a joke though like so many other artists that hide behind just making a joke. I highlighted social conservatism for Chapelle. He’s an economic conservative too. Actions speak louder than words. Hannibal Burress was another comedian that ended up playing damage control and pretend his personal ideology isn’t money while public persona leftist
What I’ve learned the past 25 years this millennium, don’t trust stand up comic. Comics that write jokes for others but the Hollywood types are more often than not garbage
Never forget, until the check clears that is.
Pete’s having a baby. Shit’s expensive
The man is worth $4M. He could live comfortably with kids. He’s just greedy lmao
Chappelle thinks because he acted on his principles one time in his life twenty years ago it grants him a pass to be a POS for the rest of his life.
i’m going to have to give Gillis another chance and try watching his standup.
Gillis had easily the best SNL skit this century, his stand-ups are decent, and lately he’s been coming out against the Rogan sphere of influence, to which I say kudos.
Which skit?
With all due respect to Coupla Beers, Flamin Hot Preparation H is the funniest SNL skit in recent memory, imho
Jesus Christ that one really took off, thank you for sharing.
LOOOL . “Museum” I needed that.
I’m curious; what made you not like Gillis in the first place? I don’t really know the state of American comedians, but thought Gillis was pretty funny from the IG clips I saw. Then got immediately turned off when I saw that he hangs (hung?) out with Rogan. Then, I see this article and feel more respect for him. I’m really torn here!
I think Shane likes to get his name out there and get some recognition. He does well with the manosphere, but they’re slowly turning on him, from what I’ve seen, because he’s literally making fun of them all the time. He totes a fine line between offensive and sincerity. I met him once after a show, he genuinely seems like a cool dude. He’s made some mistakes that he regrets, but also owns them all. I think because everything he does is soaked in irony, it’s hard to find the real Shane. E.g. my family are huge MAGAs, but they liked Shane at first. Now they think he’s sold out and woke lmao. Overall, I think he’s funny and worth watching. Really love that the Saudis doubled his offer and still said no.
I’ve been watching a lot of Shane Gillis content for a little under a year and I can officially say I’m even more confused on his political leanings and now know way too much about lady boys and their historical context thanks to him.
Have you watched Tires though? Because it’s a lot of fun.
Jesus christ that show is low effort and dogshit. Im a Shane Gillis fan. Seems like they’re afraid to put any of their funny ideas into the show, and prefer to keep them for standup/etc.
If America didn’t make Saudi rich with all those oil purchases over the years we wouldnt be in this pickle.
Kudos to those that decided not to go but I think we all know that the American ethos is “everyone has a price”.
Looks like Hannibal Burress is disappointing us too.
https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/seasons/riyadh-comedy-festival
The dude is a landlord who supported the candidate who wanted to give people $1000 so he could increase rent by $1000.
He’s not an ally.
