UK Comedians in the Spotlight: Riyadh Comedy Festival Sparks Backlash

A wave of criticism has erupted as top UK comedians, including Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall, performed at the state-sponsored Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Their involvement has intensified debate over entertainment's role in regimes with controversial human rights records, especially as Saudi Arabia seeks to rebrand its image internationally.

Key Takeaways

• UK comedians Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall, and Omid Djalili faced criticism for performing at the first Riyadh Comedy Festival.

• The festival coincided with the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, which heightened scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's rights record.

• Leading comics and human rights groups have called out acts for lending legitimacy to the Saudi regime.

UK Comedy Figures Under Fire

Over 50 international comedians were invited to Riyadh, with high appearance fees rumoured to reach seven figures. Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall, among the biggest British names on the bill, notably avoided mentioning their Saudi shows on social media, fueling accusations of hypocrisy and a lack of transparency.

Omid Djalili, another well-known UK act, took a different approach by publicly acknowledging his appearance, although even he faced criticism for participating. US headliners such as Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Bill Burr also found themselves at the centre of debate, as some admitted the lucrative payments influenced their decision to perform.

Backlash From Peers and Human Rights Groups

The participation of these comedians has drawn sharp criticism from fellow comics. David Cross, a high-profile US comedian, publicly condemned performers for appearing to endorse a regime notorious for repressing dissent, executing activists, and imposing long prison sentences for speech deemed offensive. Cross and others argued that taking Saudi money undermines comedians' credibility when speaking on free speech or social justice in the future.

Marc Maron and other comedians mocked the festival, arguing it whitewashes the regime's actions, including its alleged involvement in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and human rights abuses.

On the human rights front, groups like Human Rights Watch labelled the festival as part of a "broader public relations campaign" aiming to distract from ongoing repression, particularly restrictions on freedom of speech and the recent execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser.

Comedy, Censorship, and Reputation

Saudi Arabia's push to become a hub of international entertainment under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 is seen as a strategy to improve its global image and diversify its economy. However, critics argue that comedians performing in Riyadh are tightly restricted in what they can say—especially regarding the royal family, the war in Yemen, or imprisoned activists.

Some industry observers suggest that despite the controversy, the involvement in the festival may not result in long-term damage to the careers of the acts involved. Yet, the reluctance of many to publicise their Saudi performances hints at underlying reputational risks.

The Bigger Picture

Saudi Arabia's investment in global sports and entertainment, including performances by world-famous comedians, is part of a larger campaign to reshape perceptions. But as the Riyadh Comedy Festival draws headlines, the controversy underscores how questions of ethics remain unresolved. Performers must now reckon with the implications of their decisions—not just for their own reputations, but for the power comedy has, or lacks, to speak truth to power.

Sources:

• Why Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall are facing anger over Saudi comedy shows, Yahoo News UK.

• David Cross slams comedians ‘I admire’ performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival, The Independent.

• Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival: nothing to laugh at, Index on Censorship.

• David Cross slams Riyadh Comedy Festival - Film News | Film-News.co.uk, Film-News.co.uk.