Louis CK defends choice to appear at Saudi Arabian humor event as 'an excellent chance'

Louis CK has defended his decision to take the stage at the Riyadh comedy festival after fellow comedians criticised big names participating as glossing over a government guilty of rights violations.

Mixed Reactions from Performers

During an appearance on a talk show, the comedian, who is co-headlining the festival with UK comic his counterpart, stated other comedians had been “really surprised” by the response from crowds in Riyadh.

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 Saudi event, which finishes on October 9th.

“There’s a woman who’s a lesbian and Jewish, who performed there, and she received enthusiastic applause,” CK remarked, mentioning another comic, who has apologized for performing at the festival.

Unexpected Developments

“So, there’s stuff going on that’s unexpected in this thing,” the comedian continued. “People have been playing Saudi Arabia for years. Stand-up artists have been traveling and entertaining in Arab countries. A cinema event took place there recently, it’s kind of opened up. But I previously declined offers to Arab countries.”

CK explained he was told there would be only two restrictions on what he could talk about: “Faith and the authorities.”

“I don’t have jokes about those two things,” he noted. “Previously, when I got offers from places like that, there would be a long list, and I’d just say, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But when I heard the opening, I felt, it's intriguing. That just feels like a good opportunity. And I just feel comedy is a great way to get in and initiate dialogue.”

Ethical Questions Raised

Many performers have questioned the ethics of performing comedy at a gathering funded by the kingdom's authorities, which is known for human rights abuses and restrictions, and its suppression of reporters, females and the LGBTQ community.

The festival’s producers include a live events company owned by the state investment fund; and the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, which is led by a advisor facing allegations of human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch stated the event was an effort by the Saudi government to cover up its policies “during a rise in repression including a crackdown on free speech, which several performers defend but people in Saudi Arabia are completely denied”.

Scathing Criticism

Performers such as well-known names have been scathing of those who have complained about public backlash and censorship in the past for participating in the festival, with one comic posting a blistering statement that called out CK by name.

“Evidently, participants don’t give a shit about others' opinions, but how can any of us take any of you seriously ever again?” Cross wrote. “All of your bitching about ‘public shaming’ and ‘free expression’ and all that shit? Done. You don’t get to talk about it anymore. By now we’ve all seen the agreement you had to sign.”

The comedian addressed the backlash on Maher’s show.

“I had mixed feelings about it as well,” he admitted. “I deliberated about participating after learning what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, possible drawbacks. But in my view, I believe it cuts toward taking part. My choice, and I know where it’s coming from, because I've reflected deeply.”

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

Apologies and Justifications

The lesbian comic, who performed at the event on September 29, told a publication that she had asked for a guarantee that she could discuss her sexuality on during her set, saying she “believed that it might assist the community in the country gain visibility and valued … to my knowledge, I am the first openly gay comic to talk about it on stage”.

But she clarified: “However, I deeply regret participating supported by the Saudi government.” She apologised to supporters who were let down by “a poor decision that had repercussions I didn’t fully consider” and announced she would donate her fee to a rights group.

Burr, who performed in the capital on 26 September, defended his choice to take part, describing it as “an incredible opportunity”.

“It was great to explore the region and to participate in the first comedy festival in Saudi Arabia,” he said on a broadcast. “Officials loved the show. The response was positive. Organizers that were doing the event were thrilled. The comedians that I’ve been talking to are remarking, ‘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.”