Inside Riyadh's Comedy Festival: Laughter Amid Controversy

Fri Oct 10 2025 17:30:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival has sparked mixed reactions, featuring performances by major comedians, including Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr, who navigated the complexities of comedy in a socially conservative environment.

The first Riyadh Comedy Festival, showcasing prominent comedians, has been met with both enthusiasm and criticism. Performers like Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr delivered content that some consider provocative in the conservative Saudi landscape, stirring debate about freedom of expression in the kingdom. Attendees expressed excitement over the festival's tone, while critics argue it whitewashes serious human rights issues. Comedians face scrutiny over their roles in this complex cultural moment.

There were sex jokes, and trans jokes. It's really unusual to see this kind of comedy here in Saudi Arabia.

This was the observation of one ex-pat attending the first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival, which featured performances by American comedians like Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr. The festival has stirred considerable enthusiasm among attendees while raising eyebrows internationally.

Many performers opted to skip comments on Saudi Arabia's controversial human rights record, focusing instead on jokes that some locals and ex-pats found surprising, given the country's ultra-conservative norms.

Outside Saudi Arabia, reactions have been contentious. Many notable comedians faced backlash for participating, while others turned down invitations. Despite this, some argue the festival represents a cultural shift in the country, which is trying to reshape its image amidst ongoing scrutiny.

The festival featured a predominantly male lineup, with audiences reacting enthusiastically to segments on gay and trans issues—topics that are often considered taboo. Audiences of varied backgrounds, including local women, attended shows, laughing at the content, which sometimes tackled sensitive subjects.

However, the laughter did not come without complications. Human Rights Watch and other organizations voiced concerns that the event served as a facade to obscure serious issues regarding free speech and human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.

Critics have noted that no performers addressed government criticisms or local issues directly on stage, calling into question the authenticity of comedy as a vehicle for societal reflection. Some comedians, like Tim Dillon, openly admitted they were attracted by the lucrative payments, which sparked further debate about ethical considerations in performing in such contexts.

As the festival continues, it stands as a striking example of the complexities of cultural exchange and entertainment within a rapidly changing Saudi Arabia, as local youth express excitement over an evolving entertainment landscape.