this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2025
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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.

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[–] flop_leash_973@lemmy.world 9 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] ChaoticEntropy@feddit.uk 4 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

Unless Bill Burr takes a rather big shit on the royal family while he is out there, it's a bit of a downer.

[–] flop_leash_973@lemmy.world 2 points 16 hours ago

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.

[–] fantasyocean@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 14 hours ago

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?

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 34 points 1 day ago (2 children)

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.

[–] mikesizachrist@lemmy.world 11 points 22 hours ago

You were surprised by Tom "fuck you poors" Segura? Dude hasn't even been funny in years

[–] waddle_dee@lemmy.world 3 points 17 hours ago

Plot twist, Burr goes there and has a Philly era rant and incites a civil war.

[–] Imhotep@lemmy.world 7 points 21 hours ago

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

[–] heyWhatsay@slrpnk.net 2 points 17 hours ago

Tons of artists sell out, because it's crazy oil money. Pretty sure Beyonce was out there performing

[–] sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz 103 points 1 day ago (3 children)

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??

[–] TachyonTele@piefed.social 24 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Maybe he's going in undercover as a comedian to get revenge?

[–] slaneesh_is_right@lemmy.org 16 points 1 day ago

It's gonna be really hard for him to pretend to be a comedian

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[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

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?

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[–] swearengen@sopuli.xyz 72 points 1 day ago (4 children)

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.

[–] PalmTreeIsBestTree@lemmy.world 5 points 20 hours ago

Glad Stavros has a backbone. I love all the cum boys.

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[–] njm1314@lemmy.world 91 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Damn seeing Bill Burr's name on that list makes me sad. The others all make total sense. But Bill Burr damn.

[–] Nastybutler@lemmy.world 54 points 1 day ago (8 children)

Pete Davidson didn't make sense either. Dad dies in the towers on 9/11 and he thinks this is cool?

[–] OctopusNemeses@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

I had a feeling he exploits the 9/11 thing for sympathy.

[–] swearengen@sopuli.xyz 26 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Never forget, until the check clears that is.

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[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 4 points 22 hours ago

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.

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 113 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (9 children)

If anyone expected Marc Maron to be anything except against this entirely they've definitely never actually heard Marc Maron once.

From the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert don’t miss it.

Maron has such a way with words.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 30 points 1 day ago

“I mean, the same guy that’s going to pay them, is the same guy that paid that guy to bonesaw Jamal Khashoggi and put him in a f***ing suitcase,” Maron also said. “But don’t let that stop the yuks, it’s going to be a good time.”

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[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 40 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

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.

[–] Dozzi92@lemmy.world 3 points 20 hours ago (5 children)

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.

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[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 3 points 22 hours ago (2 children)

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!

[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 2 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

The SNL he hosted I thought to be cringe. I also got an impression he had some sort of attachment to Heidi Gardner like an awkward teenager. Aside from that, his Netflix sitcom is hot garbage in my opinion.

[–] waddle_dee@lemmy.world 3 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 2 points 12 hours ago

That's awesome that he refused the money. thank you for the info. "Manosphere" was exactly the word I was looking for to describe that group, I had forgotten about it. I'm glad he isn't like neck deep in that crowd because that shit is poison imo.

I liked his comedy and if he isn't spewing bullshit elsewhere, then I think I can keep enjoying him. Thank again!

[–] Cataphract@lemmy.ml 21 points 1 day ago (2 children)

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.

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[–] dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net 26 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] eugenevdebs@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 1 day ago

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.

[–] fistac0rpse@fedia.io 41 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Some of the world’s best-known comedians, and also Pete Davidson

[–] SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world 2 points 21 hours ago

And Bobby Lee

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