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 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day 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 5 points 1 day 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 1 day 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.

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 36 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 12 points 1 day ago

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

[–] waddle_dee@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

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

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?

[–] Imhotep@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day 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

[–] sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz 105 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 18 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 11 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 73 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.

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 55 points 1 day ago (3 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 7 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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[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 21 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Chapelle talking about how bad Hollywood is and not worth it...smh

[–] commander@lemmy.world 32 points 1 day ago (4 children)

Dave Chappelle has shown signs of being an asshole for a very long time

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[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 114 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (7 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.”

[–] alekwithak@lemmy.world 48 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Love Maron even more now, and all respect to Gillis and Zach Woods, but I did expect more from Burr and Ansari, and Mark Normand was disappointing too. Bill Cosby and Woody Allen made me laugh though. Who's showing up for those two?

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[–] heyWhatsay@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 day ago

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

[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 40 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (5 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 1 day 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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[–] dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net 26 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] eugenevdebs@lemmy.dbzer0.com 19 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 2 days ago (1 children)

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

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[–] 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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[–] Nastybutler@lemmy.world 52 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I've lost all respect for the comedians performing in this festival, but gained a lot of respect for the ones who turned down the money out of principle.

[–] ech@lemmy.ca 38 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Bill Burr is the biggest disappointment for me. Thought he was at least a little better than that.

Jim Jeffries is a surprise, and Jack Whitehall, but no big loss for me there.

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[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 4 points 1 day 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.

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 39 points 2 days ago (3 children)

This shocked me about a lot of esports events. Sooo much saudi sponsorship and people going to LAN events there. Really disgusting.

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[–] shawn1122@sh.itjust.works 14 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

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".

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