The Riyadh Comedy Festival has sparked outrage among comedy fans, with many of the featured comedians facing criticism for performing in a Saudi government-backed event despite being vocal advocates of free speech. The festival’s lineup includes big names like Dave Chappelle, Andrew Schultz, and Jeffrey Ross, who have faced backlash for their transphobic jokes and pro-censorship views. Despite this, they reportedly accepted a six-figure payday to perform in the festival, which has been accused of whitewashing Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses. The event has sparked questions about the comedians’ commitment to free speech and whether they are willing to sacrifice it for financial gain.
Source: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/oct/19/its-not-all-that-funny/?opinion