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Louis CK has defended his decision to perform at the humor event in Saudi Arabia following fellow comedians criticised major stars participating as glossing over a regime guilty of rights violations.

Varied Responses from Performers

Speaking on a talk show, CK, who is co-headlining the event with UK comic Jimmy Carr, said other comedians had been “quite taken aback” by the response from crowds 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 lineup at the Riyadh comedy festival, which finishes on October 9th.

“A performer who’s openly gay and of Jewish faith, who did a show there, and she got a standing ovation,” CK said, referring to Jessica Kirson, who has apologized for performing at the event.

Unexpected Developments

“Clearly, developments unfolding that’s surprising in this thing,” CK continued. “People have been playing the kingdom for years. Comedians have been going and playing Arab countries. A cinema event took place there recently, signaling openness. But I previously declined offers to those nations.”

CK explained he was told there would be just a couple of limits on his material: “Their religion and their government.”

“My routine doesn’t include material about those two things,” he added. “Previously, when I got offers from such locations, there would be a long list, and I’d respond, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But learning about the opening, I felt, it's intriguing. That just feels like a positive step. And I believe comedy is a great way to get in and initiate dialogue.”

Moral Concerns Raised

Many performers have questioned the ethics of performing comedy at a gathering directly paid for by the kingdom's authorities, which is notorious for human rights abuses and censorship, and its oppression of journalists, females and LGBTQ rights.

The festival’s producers involve a live events company owned by the state investment fund; and the national entertainment body, which is chaired by a advisor dogged by claims of human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch argued the event was an effort by the Saudi government to whitewash its actions “amid a rise in crackdown including a clampdown on free speech, which many of these comedians champion but locals are not allowed”.

Harsh Feedback

Comedians including well-known names have been highly critical of performers who have complained about cancel culture and restrictions in the past for agreeing to take part in the festival, with one comic posting a strongly worded critique that called out the headliner by name.

“Clearly you guys don’t give a shit about others' opinions, but how can we take any of you seriously ever again?” he wrote. “Your complaints about ‘public shaming’ and ‘freedom of speech’ and all that shit? Over. You don’t get to talk about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the contract you had to agree to.”

CK acknowledged the criticism on the program.

“I had mixed feelings about it as well,” he admitted. “I struggled about participating once I heard what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, possible drawbacks. But in my view, I think it leans towards taking part. My choice, and I understand my motives, because I can see right inside myself.”

He added: “I'm passionate about comedy, and I support fellow artists. 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 appeared at the Riyadh festival on 29 September, explained to a publication that she had asked for a guarantee that she could talk about her sexuality on stage, stating she “believed that this could help the community in Saudi Arabia gain visibility and valued … 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 deeply regret taking part supported by the authorities.” She apologised to fans who were disappointed by “a misstep that had consequences I overlooked” and announced she would donate her fee to a rights group.

Burr, who performed in Riyadh on September 26, defended his choice to take part, calling it “an incredible opportunity”.

“It was great to explore the region and to participate in the first comedy festival in Saudi Arabia,” Burr commented on his podcast. “Officials enjoyed the performance. Everyone was happy. The people that were doing the festival were thrilled. The comedians I've spoken with are saying, ‘Man, you can sense [crowd] wanted it. They desire real standup comedy.’ … I think it’s going to lead to a lot of positive things.”