‘One reporter was killed by the government but not a f***ing hill I’m going to die on,’ comedian Tim Jefferies told podcaster Theo Von

Some of the world’s best-known comedians – including American performers Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Louis C.K., and Bill Burr – have been dubbed “sellouts” for taking part in a Saudi state-sponsored comedy festival in the wake of another journalist’s killing, and a reported rise in executions for non-lethal and drug-related crimes, along with long prison sentences imposed for social media posts.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s government, is a new, lucrative gig for big-name comedians as the country expands its entertainment sector as part of “Saudi Vision 2030.” The initiative, brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also includes the highly-controversial LIV Golf tournament and investments in the tech, gaming, and venture capital sectors.

  • Nastybutler@lemmy.worldOP
    553·
    1 day ago

    I’ve lost all respect for the comedians performing in this festival, but gained a lot of respect for the ones who turned down the money out of principle.

    • Ech@lemmy.ca
      391·
      1 day ago

      Bill Burr is the biggest disappointment for me. Thought he was at least a little better than that.

      Jim Jeffries is a surprise, and Jack Whitehall, but no big loss for me there.

      • swearengen@sopuli.xyz
        9·
        20 hours ago

        Jeffries didn’t surprise me at all, guy always came across as adrift at best. He doesn’t have a good sense of right and wrong.

        I remember one time he brought his toddler on stage to a rowdy podcast/comedy club scene. All the other comics had to chew him out before he finally left. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LBf9sftjeNhYl4jUuGA2G The episode used to be on YouTube but this was the only source I could find right now.

        Edit: 19:30-Ish is when Stanhope introduces him, here’s the clip for those who don’t wanna log in to spotify: https://streamable.com/rj0k4p

        • HereIAm@lemmy.world
          1·
          14 hours ago

          See, when you said toddler I didn’t think it would be so bad as long as you put some earmuffs in them to protect their hearing. But that’s a full on walking talking child, a bit more than a toddler 😄

        • tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip
          1·
          16 hours ago

          I think he’s been going over there for awhile. He did a short set about doing comedy in the middle east years ago. Not sure if it was Saudi Arabia but I think so.