Dave Chappelle weighs in on freedom of speech debate with Saudi Arabia joke at Riyadh Comedy Festival
Dave Chappelle has weighed in on the debate currently capturing the heart of the global west over freedom of expression, making a joke about Saudi Arabia at Riyadh Comedy Festival.
The controversial comedian referenced the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live, after the late-night talk show was forced to remain off air for six days due to his comments on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The show has been reinstated on the air, and Kimmel refused to apologise for the original comments.
Chappelle added to that discourse, sharing, “Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you’ll get cancelled. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m gonna find out.”
According to The New York Times, Chappelle then joked, “It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”
Ironically, fellow comedian Bill Burr recently confirmed that comics performing at the event had negotiated with the government so that they could joke about anything they wanted apart from “the royals and religion.”
Not only were the comments controversial, but so was the forum. The Riyadh Comedy Festival has been under fire, with many comedians being criticized for participating due to taking money from the authoritarian Saudi Arabian regime.
Among the critics was comedian David Cross, who wrote in a blog post, “I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing. You’re performing for literally the most oppressive regime on earth.”
However, Burr has thrown praise on the event, sharing, “It was a mind-blowing experience. Definitely top three experiences I’ve ever had. It was great to experience that part of the world and to be a part of the first comedy festival over there in Saudi Arabia. I think it’s going to lead to a lot of positive things.”
Other acts that have been booked to appear at the Riyadh Comedy Festival include Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall, Aziz Ansari, Whitney Cummings, Pete Davidson, Jo Koy, Russell Peters, Omid Djalili, and many more household names.
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