American comedian Tim Dillon recently found himself dropped from the lineup of the Riyadh Comedy Festival due to remarks he made about alleged forced labor in Saudi Arabia. The festival, which kicks off in Riyadh, is billed as the “world’s largest” comedy event and features other big names like Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, and Dave Chapelle.
In an episode of The Tim Dillon Show, Dillon shared that he was let go after joking about the kingdom’s serious human rights issues. He recalled a conversation with his manager: “They heard what you said about them having slaves. They didn’t like that.” Dillon mentioned he didn’t intend to insult the audience or disrespect those who were paying him.
His remarks stemmed from a prior podcast episode where he humorously discussed accepting a payment supposedly around $375,000 for the festival performance. However, CBS News couldn’t confirm that amount. Representatives for Dillon and other comedians scheduled to perform have not yet commented on these events.
This incident highlights broader concerns about entertainment in Saudi Arabia. Critics argue that events like this festival are meant to distract from the country’s human rights abuses. Joey Shea from Human Rights Watch voiced that the festival appears to be a strategy to whitewash the nation’s poor human rights record.
Statistics show that many people worldwide are increasingly aware of human rights issues in various countries. Recent surveys find that 63% of Americans believe that celebrities should advocate for human rights, according to a report by the Pew Research Center.
As Saudi Arabia continues to host big events—like the controversial LIV Golf league in 2021—observers argue these initiatives aim to improve the kingdom’s image internationally. It poses a significant ethical dilemma for artists and entertainers: how to navigate a landscape that blends performance with political implications.
The Riyadh Comedy Festival takes place from September 26 to October 9, 2025. While performers hope to entertain, many will be closely watching how the event interacts with ongoing human rights discussions.
For more details, you can check the Human Rights Watch reports here.
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Slavery, Saudi Arabia
