‘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.

  • flop_leash_973@lemmy.world
    9·
    17 hours ago

    The one that is disappointing to me out of the article is Bill Burr. I’ve listened to a lot of his stand up and his podcast off and on for years, frequently agreeing with the thrust of whatever point he was trying to make. I had hoped he was a better person than to put that reputation he seemed to care about on the line for a fat pay day.

    I heard something recently that was along the lines of “who you really are, what you really value, and what you really stand for is defined by the things you are willing to give up to uphold those values and beliefs”.

    I guess unfortunately Bill is like Chappelle has mostly been reveled to be in the last few years. Willing to agree to throw his supposed values in the trash if the payday is good enough. Just another mouthpiece for hire that I used to think was actually a pretty cool and principled dude back in the day.

    Hell, I remember when Chappelle walked out on his show, while I missed that show I respected him for being willing to go that far for something he felt strongly about.

    • Chaotic Entropy@feddit.ukEnglish
      4·
      16 hours ago

      Unless Bill Burr takes a rather big shit on the royal family while he is out there, it’s a bit of a downer.

      • flop_leash_973@lemmy.world
        2·
        16 hours ago

        I doubt he will since there is a list of things you can’t talk about, including the royal family. And discarding that in a place like that is talking your own life in your hands.

  • Ocean@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    14 hours ago

    How does a few elites creating a censored comedy festival for attendees, who can only attend the event because of the financial position they’re only in because of the Royal family, create a more progressive Saudi society?

  • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.worldEnglish
    372·
    1 day ago

    Burr was surprising. Not in a “Oh my god he would never!” sort of way, but in a “huh. That shoe finally dropped. Was wondering when that was gonna happen” way.

    No one expects better from Chappelle or C.K anymore. They’re already disgraced so they may as well sell out.

    Segura was disappointing. Iglesias wasn’t surprising. Davidson was surprising given his background, but my expectations for him are already so low that it wasn’t a letdown.

  • Imhotep@lemmy.world
    81·
    21 hours ago

    I remember a scene in the (good) show Louie when Louis CK criticized trump in a trump casino (he’s often the morally superior guy in his show)

    Won’t happen there

  • heyWhatsay@slrpnk.netEnglish
    2·
    17 hours ago

    Tons of artists sell out, because it’s crazy oil money. Pretty sure Beyonce was out there performing

  • sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz
    1052·
    2 days ago

    PETE DAVIDSON?? The guy whose origin story is literally that his dad died during the 9/11 terror attacks orchestrated by the Saudis? THAT Pete Davidson??

  • swearengen@sopuli.xyz
    72·
    2 days ago

    Burr was the most shocking. Torched his brand and legacy with this move, hope the paycheck was worth it.

    worst part of it is none of these guys were struggling. All of them could easily turn it down and they would be just fine.

    Credit to those like Shane Gillis, Nimesh Patel and Stavvy for turning it down.

  • njm1314@lemmy.world
    92·
    1 day ago

    Damn seeing Bill Burr’s name on that list makes me sad. The others all make total sense. But Bill Burr damn.

    • Nastybutler@lemmy.worldOP
      562·
      2 days ago

      Pete Davidson didn’t make sense either. Dad dies in the towers on 9/11 and he thinks this is cool?

          • Maeve@kbin.earth
            31·
            1 day ago

            I really haven’t watched TV since he went AWOL then came back and talked about Hollywood. Sometimes I’m around someone who’s watching, but it’s not something I pay attention to.

            • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
              16·
              24 hours ago

              Oh he went full anti-trans.

              Then he brought Elon Musk on stage at a show, got booed, then mocked the crowd for “being poor”

            • commander@lemmy.world
              10·
              1 day ago

              I use him as an example where people think talking about injustices makes a person a particularly good person. I doubt he was ever all that good natured of an adult. He made his money and once he aged out of the social scene he rapidly started contributing to conservative social talking points in his comedy. And looking back I don’t think it’s that far from the Chapelle show.

              There’s what he likes and there’s everyone/everything else he looks down on. He was never really an ideologue of anything. Just making fun of people in ways that got him the attention he enjoyed. Just a suck up for whatever social group he thought he could fit in with. Nowadays he’s fully embraced in sucking up to billionaires. Thats the social scene he aspires for now. More money means right to Chapelle. Also his dislike of trans people seems to be on his mind often. It’s all a joke though like so many other artists that hide behind just making a joke. I highlighted social conservatism for Chapelle. He’s an economic conservative too. Actions speak louder than words. Hannibal Burress was another comedian that ended up playing damage control and pretend his personal ideology isn’t money while public persona leftist

              What I’ve learned the past 25 years this millennium, don’t trust stand up comic. Comics that write jokes for others but the Hollywood types are more often than not garbage

  • Krauerking@lemy.lol
    4·
    22 hours ago

    I mean the peasants back at home are running out of spending money. You wont get a paycheck not selling out.

    Who cares if you only perform for oligarchs and slave owners. Got to get paid for making them feel like classic American.

  • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    1141·
    2 days ago

    If anyone expected Marc Maron to be anything except against this entirely they’ve definitely never actually heard Marc Maron once.

    From the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert don’t miss it.

    Maron has such a way with words.

  • NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml
    411·
    1 day ago

    Chappelle thinks because he acted on his principles one time in his life twenty years ago it grants him a pass to be a POS for the rest of his life.

    i’m going to have to give Gillis another chance and try watching his standup.

    • Dozzi92@lemmy.world
      3·
      20 hours ago

      Gillis had easily the best SNL skit this century, his stand-ups are decent, and lately he’s been coming out against the Rogan sphere of influence, to which I say kudos.

    • k0e3@lemmy.ca
      3·
      22 hours ago

      I’m curious; what made you not like Gillis in the first place? I don’t really know the state of American comedians, but thought Gillis was pretty funny from the IG clips I saw. Then got immediately turned off when I saw that he hangs (hung?) out with Rogan. Then, I see this article and feel more respect for him. I’m really torn here!

      • NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml
        2·
        12 hours ago

        The SNL he hosted I thought to be cringe. I also got an impression he had some sort of attachment to Heidi Gardner like an awkward teenager. Aside from that, his Netflix sitcom is hot garbage in my opinion.

      • waddle_dee@lemmy.world
        3·
        17 hours ago

        I think Shane likes to get his name out there and get some recognition. He does well with the manosphere, but they’re slowly turning on him, from what I’ve seen, because he’s literally making fun of them all the time. He totes a fine line between offensive and sincerity. I met him once after a show, he genuinely seems like a cool dude. He’s made some mistakes that he regrets, but also owns them all. I think because everything he does is soaked in irony, it’s hard to find the real Shane. E.g. my family are huge MAGAs, but they liked Shane at first. Now they think he’s sold out and woke lmao. Overall, I think he’s funny and worth watching. Really love that the Saudis doubled his offer and still said no.

        • k0e3@lemmy.ca
          2·
          12 hours ago

          That’s awesome that he refused the money. thank you for the info. “Manosphere” was exactly the word I was looking for to describe that group, I had forgotten about it. I’m glad he isn’t like neck deep in that crowd because that shit is poison imo.

          I liked his comedy and if he isn’t spewing bullshit elsewhere, then I think I can keep enjoying him. Thank again!

  • Cataphract@lemmy.ml
    21·
    1 day ago

    I’ve been watching a lot of Shane Gillis content for a little under a year and I can officially say I’m even more confused on his political leanings and now know way too much about lady boys and their historical context thanks to him.

      • mikesizachrist@lemmy.world
        4·
        22 hours ago

        Jesus christ that show is low effort and dogshit. Im a Shane Gillis fan. Seems like they’re afraid to put any of their funny ideas into the show, and prefer to keep them for standup/etc.