This week, comedian Aziz Ansari faced tough questions from talk show host Jimmy Kimmel regarding his decision to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Kimmel, known for his candid approach, described the Saudi government as a "pretty brutal regime" and questioned why Ansari would accept their financial backing. The festival, which commenced on September 26 and wraps up Thursday, has attracted over 50 renowned stand-up comedians, including heavyweights like Ansari, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, and Dave Chappelle.
Comedians participating in the Riyadh Comedy Festival have faced significant backlash due to the Saudi government's history of human rights violations. In an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired on Tuesday night, Kimmel confronted Ansari about why he chose to take the stage in Riyadh, highlighting the outrage many comedians feel towards the Saudi leadership. "People, a lot of comedians especially, are very upset," Kimmel emphasized. "The people who paid the comedians to come to this are not good people. They’ve done a lot of horrible, horrible things."
In response to Kimmel's probing questions, Ansari explained that he had carefully considered his decision, even consulting with his aunt, who previously lived in Saudi Arabia. "There are people over there that don’t agree with the stuff that the government’s doing," he argued. "To ascribe the worst behavior of the government onto those people, that’s not fair." Ansari drew a parallel to the United States, noting that many Americans also disapprove of their government’s actions.
Kimmel acknowledged that while the U.S. government has its own issues, he pushed back against Ansari’s comparison. He cited the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which occurred at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, as a significant point of concern. "They murdered a journalist," Kimmel remarked, emphasizing the gravity of the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the criticism, Ansari maintained that he viewed the comedy festival as an opportunity to promote openness and dialogue. He shared insights from his wife, who noted that repressive regimes often try to suppress cultural influences like music and fashion because they spark curiosity about outside ideas. "To me, a comedy festival felt like something that’s pushing things to be more open," Ansari explained. He expressed hope that his performance could contribute positively to the cultural landscape in Saudi Arabia.
Following his interview with Ansari, Kimmel addressed his motivations for the questioning during a discussion with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw at the Screentime event. "I wouldn’t have gone (to Riyadh), but I wanted to hear his reasons," Kimmel stated. He acknowledged that the situation is complex, remarking, "Nothing’s black and white." Kimmel also drew parallels to current political dynamics in the U.S., suggesting that many Americans may not want to be held accountable for their government's actions when traveling abroad.
Kimmel's skepticism about the Riyadh Comedy Festival is echoed by many in the comedy community. Comedian Marc Maron publicly criticized the festival in a stand-up clip shared on Instagram, jokingly asking, "From the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert?" Additionally, comedian Shane Gillis condemned the event on his podcast, claiming that festival organizers increased their offer after he declined to perform. Human Rights Watch also released a statement on September 23, condemning the Saudi government for using the comedy festival to distract from its ongoing repression of free speech and human rights violations.
As the Riyadh Comedy Festival continues, the conversation around comedians performing in Saudi Arabia remains a contentious topic, raising important questions about cultural exchange, ethics, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
