Bill Burr is facing a storm of criticism for performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, but he’s standing firm. In a recent podcast episode, he described the experience as “mind-blowing” and one of his best. “It was amazing to be part of the first comedy festival in Saudi Arabia,” he said. The audience was lively, and he was impressed by the modernity of the city.
Initially, Burr felt anxious about what he would find. “I thought people would be hostile, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” he noted. To his surprise, the audience was young and engaged. He even joked about the abundance of familiar fast-food chains. “I saw a Starbucks right next to a McDonald’s!” Burr laughed.
His performance wasn’t without challenges. Restrictions on content initially gave some comedians pause, including Atsuko Okatsuka, who decided against performing due to strict guidelines. However, Burr revealed that organizers relaxed the rules after feedback from artists, allowing most of his routine to stay intact. “They were open to changes,” he explained.
But all the goodwill didn’t silence critics. Comedian David Cross voiced his disappointment, saying Burr and others were compromising their integrity for profit in a country with serious human rights issues. His comments reflect a broader concern among artists about the ethics of performing in such environments.
Comedians like Marc Maron and Shane Gillis also spoke out, emphasizing their discomfort with the festival’s connection to the Saudi government, which has a controversial human rights record, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The festival aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative to modernize Saudi Arabia, but many see it as a façade for whitewashing the country’s image.
Through it all, Burr remains unrepentant. “People are cool; it’s the governments that are the problem,” he said, highlighting his belief that meaningful connections can happen despite political contexts. As he continues to break boundaries in comedy, his experience raises questions about the role of entertainers in politically sensitive situations.
For further insights into artists and ethical considerations in their work, you can explore this report.
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Bill Burr,Riyadh Comedy Festival
