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The stand-up comic has justified his choice to take the stage at the humor event in Saudi Arabia after other comics criticised big names taking part as glossing over a government responsible for rights violations.

Mixed Reactions from Comedians

During an appearance on Real Time With Bill Maher, the comedian, who is co-headlining the event with UK comic his counterpart, said other comedians had been “quite taken aback” by the response from audiences in Riyadh.

Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Whitney Cummings, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Burress, Jim Jefferies, Jo Koy, Tom Segura and Jeff Ross are among the roster at the Saudi event, which concludes on 9 October.

“A performer who’s openly gay and of Jewish faith, who performed there, and she got a standing ovation,” CK remarked, mentioning another comic, who has apologized for appearing at the event.

Unexpected Developments

“Clearly, developments going on that’s unexpected in this thing,” CK continued. “Artists have been performing in the kingdom for a long time. Comedians have been traveling and playing Arab countries. A cinema event took place there recently, it’s kind of opened up. But I previously declined offers to those nations.”

He said he was informed there would be only two restrictions on what he could talk about: “Their religion and their government.”

“My routine doesn’t include material about those topics,” he added. “It used to be, when I received invitations from such locations, there would be extensive restrictions, and I’d just say, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But when I heard it’s opening, I thought, that’s awfully interesting. That just feels like a positive step. And I just feel humor is a great way to get in and start talking.”

Moral Concerns Raised

Several comedians have questioned the ethics of performing comedy at a festival funded by the kingdom's authorities, which is notorious for human rights abuses and restrictions, and its oppression of journalists, women and the LGBTQ community.

The festival’s producers involve a entertainment firm under Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund; and the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, which is led by a royal adviser dogged by claims of human rights violations.

A rights organization argued the festival was an attempt by the Saudi government to cover up its policies “amid significant increase in crackdown including a clampdown on free speech, which many of these comedians champion but people in Saudi Arabia are not allowed”.

Scathing Criticism

Performers including well-known names have been highly critical of performers who have spoken out about public backlash and censorship in the past for participating in Riyadh, with Cross publishing a strongly worded critique that singled out CK by name.

“Evidently, participants don’t give a shit about others' opinions, but how can we respect you ever again?” Cross wrote. “Your complaints about ‘public shaming’ and ‘freedom of speech’ and similar issues? Done. You don’t get to talk about it anymore. Everyone is aware of the contract you had to sign.”

CK addressed the backlash on the program.

“I was conflicted about it too,” he said. “I struggled about participating after learning what everybody was saying. Potential benefits in it, possible drawbacks. But in my view, I believe it leans towards going. That’s my decision, and I know where it’s coming from, because I can see right inside myself.”

He continued: “I love standup comedy, and I love comedians. So, the fact that that’s opening up and beginning to grow, I want to witness it, I wish to participate. I feel that’s a positive thing.”

Apologies and Justifications

The lesbian comic, who performed at the Riyadh festival on September 29, explained to media that she had requested a assurance that she could discuss being a lesbian on during her set, stating she “believed that this could help the community in Saudi Arabia feel seen and valued … as far as I know, I am the pioneer to talk about it on stage”.

But she added: “At the same time, I sincerely apologize for taking part supported by the Saudi government.” She said sorry to supporters who were disappointed by “a poor decision that had consequences I didn’t fully consider” and announced she would donate her payment to a rights group.

Another headliner, who performed in Riyadh on 26 September, defended his decision to participate, describing it as “a mind-blowing experience”.

“It was great to explore the region and to participate in the inaugural humor event in Saudi Arabia,” he commented on his podcast. “The royals loved the show. The response was positive. The people that were doing the festival were thrilled. Fellow performers that I’ve been talking to are saying, ‘Man, you can sense [the audience] were eager. They desire real standup comedy.’ … I think it’s going to lead to a lot of positive things.”