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Louis CK has defended his decision to perform at the humor event in Saudi Arabia following other comics criticised big names participating as glossing over a government guilty of rights violations.

Varied Responses from Performers

Speaking on Real Time With Bill Maher, the comedian, who is sharing top billing the festival with UK comic his counterpart, stated other comedians had been “quite taken aback” by the reaction from audiences 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.

“There’s a woman who’s openly gay and of Jewish faith, who performed there, and she got a standing ovation,” he remarked, mentioning another comic, who has apologized for performing at the event.

Unexpected Developments

“Clearly, developments going on that’s unexpected in the situation,” CK continued. “People have been playing Saudi Arabia for years. Comedians have been going and entertaining in Arab countries. A cinema event took place there recently, signaling openness. But I previously declined offers to Arab countries.”

He said he was informed there would be only two restrictions on what he could talk about: “Their religion and their government.”

“My routine doesn’t include material 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 learning about it’s opening, I felt, that’s awfully interesting. That just feels like a positive step. And I just feel humor is a great way to engage and start talking.”

Ethical Questions Highlighted

Several comedians have raised doubts about the morality of performing comedy at a gathering directly paid for by the kingdom's authorities, which is known for human rights abuses and restrictions, and its oppression of reporters, women and the LGBTQ community.

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

A rights organization argued the event was an attempt by the authorities to cover up its policies “during a rise in crackdown including a clampdown on free speech, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are not allowed”.

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 agreeing to take part in Riyadh, with one comic publishing a strongly worded critique that singled out the headliner by name.

“Clearly you guys 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 similar issues? Over. You don’t get to talk about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the agreement you had to sign.”

CK addressed the backlash on Maher’s show.

“I had mixed feelings about it as well,” he admitted. “I deliberated about going after learning the feedback. There’s some good in it, maybe some bad. But for me, I believe it cuts toward going. That’s my decision, and I know where it’s coming from, because I can see right inside myself.”

He continued: “I love standup comedy, and I support fellow artists. So, the reality that opportunities are expanding and starting to bud, I wanna see it, I wish to participate. I think that’s a positive thing.”

Apologies and Justifications

The lesbian comic, who appeared at the Riyadh festival on 29 September, told a publication that she had requested a guarantee that she could discuss her sexuality on during her set, stating she “hoped that this could help LGBTQ+ people in the country feel seen and valued … as far as I know, I am the first openly gay comic to talk about it on stage”.

But she added: “At the same time, I deeply regret taking part under the auspices of the Saudi government.” She apologised to supporters who were disappointed by “a poor decision that had repercussions I overlooked” and announced she would donate her payment to a rights group.

Burr, who appeared in the capital on 26 September, defended his choice to take part, describing it as “a mind-blowing experience”.

“It was great to explore the region and to be a part of the inaugural humor event in Saudi Arabia,” Burr said on his podcast. “Officials enjoyed the performance. Everyone was happy. Organizers that were doing the festival were thrilled. Fellow performers that I’ve been talking to are saying, ‘Man, you can feel [the audience] were eager. They want to see real standup comedy.’ … I believe it’s going to lead to many benefits.”