Comedians Reject Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival Over Censorship Demands

In the lead-up to Saudi Arabia's star-studded debut comedy festival this weekend, several comedians have revealed they turned down offers to perform due to the event's strict censorship rules. Atsuko Okatsuka, who was offered a gig at the Riyadh Comedy Festival over the summer, said the contract would have required her to "adhere to censorship rules" about the types of jokes she could make.

Okatsuka shared screenshots of the contract, which stated the artist "shall not prepare or perform any material that may be considered to degrade, defame, or bring into public disrepute" the Saudi royal family, government, or religion. Other comedians, including Leslie Liao and Shane Gillis, have also confirmed they rejected offers to perform at the festival, with Gillis saying he took a "principled stand" despite being offered a "significant bag."

The Riyadh Comedy Festival, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, has faced criticism for its ties to the country's human rights abuses. Researchers have warned the event is part of a broader strategy to "whitewash" the Saudi government's record, distracting from issues like the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Despite the backlash, the festival's lineup has continued to grow, now including high-profile names like Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, and Dave Chappelle.