Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, is hosting the Riyadh Comedy Festival. It is a two-week event boasting a star-studded lineup of international comedy.
The festival has drawn significant criticism from human rights organizations, with performers like Bill Burr, Aziz Ansari, Whitney Cummings, and Dave Chappelle among those scheduled to take the stage. Human Rights Watch has specifically called on these comedians to reconsider their participation, arguing they risk becoming complicit in legitimizing a regime with a troubling human rights record.
Actor and comedian Zach Woods recently delivered a critique of fellow performers scheduled to appear at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival. Known for his roles in “The Office” and “Silicon Valley,” Woods unleashed his commentary through what appears to be a comedic video addressing the controversial event.
Woods’ approach was sharp and satirical, targeting what he sees as the entertainment industry’s willingness to overlook moral concerns for financial gain. “It’s the Riyadh Comedy Festival. And all of your favorite comedians are performing at the pleasure of Turki Al-Sheikh,” Woods stated, referring to the head of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment authority.
His critique became increasingly pointed as he addressed critics of the festival with mock dismissal: “Now there’s a lot of drips, killjoys, and dweebazoids who are saying, oh, they shouldn’t do comedy over there because it’s whitewashing a regime that just in June killed a journalist and killed Jamal Khashoggi and played a big role in 9-11. Shut up.”
“Name one comedian who hasn’t whored themselves out to a dictator,” he said, before launching into examples involving well-known performers and historical figures.
Woods specifically called out Human Rights Watch’s efforts to discourage participation, saying sarcastically, “Human Rights Watch has been begging the comedians not to participate in the whitewashing of the horrors that are ongoing in Saudi Arabia. Ugh, what a cock block Human Rights Watch is for comedy.”
Woods concluded his commentary with a call to avoid scrutiny: “Let’s have some fun. Let’s have some yucks. And let’s not look too closely at anything.”
Along with Woods, Marc Maron didn’t hold back when he addressed the upcoming Riyadh Comedy Festival during his recent stand-up routine.
“I mean, how do you even promote that? You know, like, from the folks that brought you 9-11, two weeks of laughter in the desert. Don’t miss it!” Maron quipped to his audience.
His critique grew more pointed as he connected the entertainment venture to Saudi Arabia’s controversial leadership. “I mean, the same guy that’s going to pay them is the same guy that paid that guy to bone-saw Jamal Khashoggi and put him in a f**king suitcase. But don’t let that stop the yucks. It’s going to be a good time,” Maron said.
Maron concluded his commentary with a moment of self-reflection. “Full disclosure, I was not asked to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, so it’s kind of easy for me to take the high road on this one. Easy to maintain your integrity when no one’s offering to buy it out, you know.”
ComedianShane Gillis notably turned down what he described as a “significant” financial offer. “I’m not doing it. Then they doubled the bag,” Gillis revealed on Secret Podcast. “It was a significant bag. But I’d already said no. I took a principled stand.”
Some performers have been remarkably candid about their financial motivations. Mark Normand acknowledged his straightforward approach on We Might Be Drunk: “I’m going in and out. Just to get that paycheck.”
Chris Distefano admitted he initially had reservations but changed his mind due to personal financial pressures, explaining how his fiancée influenced his decision regarding their upcoming wedding and house purchase.
The Riyadh Comedy Festival represents part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the kingdom’s economy and softening its international reputation.
