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The stand-up comic has justified his decision to perform at the Riyadh comedy festival following fellow comedians criticised big names participating as glossing over a regime guilty of rights violations.

Mixed Reactions from Comedians

Speaking on Real Time With Bill Maher, CK, who is sharing top billing the event with UK comic Jimmy Carr, said other comedians had been “really surprised” by the response from audiences in the Saudi capital.

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 roster at the Saudi event, which finishes on 9 October.

“There’s a woman who’s openly gay and of Jewish faith, who did a show there, and she got a standing ovation,” he remarked, referring to Jessica Kirson, who has expressed “sincere regret” for appearing at the festival.

Surprising Outcomes

“Clearly, developments going on that’s surprising in the situation,” CK continued. “People have been playing Saudi Arabia for years. Stand-up artists have been traveling and entertaining in the region. A cinema event took place there recently, it’s kind of opened up. But I’ve always said no to those nations.”

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

“I don’t have jokes about those two things,” he noted. “Previously, when I received invitations from such locations, there would be extensive restrictions, and I’d just say, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But when I heard it’s opening, I felt, that’s awfully interesting. It seems like a positive step. And I just feel humor is a great way to get in and initiate dialogue.”

Ethical Questions Raised

Many performers have raised doubts about the ethics of doing stand-up at a festival directly paid for by the Saudi Arabian government, which is notorious for rights issues and censorship, and its oppression of reporters, females and the LGBTQ community.

Event organizers involve a entertainment firm under Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund; and the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, which is chaired by a advisor facing allegations of human rights violations.

A rights organization stated the event was an effort by the authorities to cover up its actions “during significant increase in crackdown including a crackdown on expression, which several performers defend but locals are not allowed”.

Scathing Criticism

Comedians such as well-known names have been highly critical of performers who have complained about public backlash and censorship in the previous for agreeing to take part in the festival, with Cross publishing a blistering statement that called out CK by name.

“Clearly you guys don’t give a shit about what the rest of us think, but how can we take any of you seriously from now on?” Cross stated. “All of your bitching about ‘public shaming’ and ‘freedom of speech’ and similar issues? Done. No more discussing about it anymore. By now we’ve all seen the contract you had to agree to.”

CK addressed the backlash on Maher’s show.

“I had mixed feelings about it as well,” he said. “I struggled about participating once I heard what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, maybe some bad. But in my view, I think it leans towards going. My choice, and I know where it’s coming from, because I can see right inside myself.”

He added: “I'm passionate about comedy, and I love comedians. So, the reality that that’s opening up and beginning to grow, I wanna see it, I wish to participate. I feel it's beneficial.”

Regrets and Defenses

Kirson, who performed at the event on September 29, explained to media that she had asked for a guarantee that she could discuss her sexuality on stage, stating she “hoped that this could help the community in Saudi Arabia gain visibility and valued … to my knowledge, I am the pioneer to address it on stage”.

But she added: “However, I sincerely apologize for participating supported by the Saudi government.” She apologised to supporters who were disappointed by “a misstep that had repercussions I didn’t fully consider” and announced she would give her fee to a human rights organisation.

Another headliner, who performed in the capital on September 26, supported his choice to take part, calling it “a mind-blowing experience”.

“It was fantastic to experience that part of the world and to be a part of the first comedy festival in Saudi Arabia,” Burr commented on his podcast. “Officials enjoyed the performance. The response was positive. Organizers that were doing the event were delighted. The comedians I've spoken with are saying, ‘Man, you can feel [crowd] wanted it. They want to see real standup comedy.’ … I believe it’s paving the way for a lot of positive things.”