Dave Chappelle drew comparisons between U.S. cancel tradition and Saudi censorship throughout his look on the Riyadh Comedy Festival.

Dave Chappelle used his time on stage on the Riyadh Comedy Festival to attract a stark comparability between speech in Saudi Arabia and the United States, telling the group, “It’s easier to talk here than it is in America.”

The Emmy-winning comedian made the comment throughout his set within the Saudi capital, the place he additionally addressed cancel tradition by referencing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

“Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you’ll get cancelled,” Chappelle mentioned, in line with The New York Times. “I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m gonna find out.”

Chappelle’s appearance at the festival has stirred backlash, with critics pointing to Saudi Arabia’s extensively reported human rights violations and historical past of censorship.

The nation has been accused of silencing dissent and proscribing inventive freedom, prompting some to query why Western comedians would carry out there.

Comedian Marc Maron didn’t maintain again throughout a latest set, mocking the occasion’s location with biting sarcasm.

“I mean, how do you even promote that? ‘From the folks that brought you 9/11. Two weeks of laughter in the desert, don’t miss it!’” he mentioned. “But don’t let that stop the yucks, it’s gonna be a good time!”

The controversy deepened after comic Atsuko Okatsuka publicly declined an invite to carry out, citing strict contractual language that she mentioned would have compelled her to “adhere to censorship rules” about her materials.

Despite the criticism, the pageant has drawn a roster of high-profile expertise.

In addition to Chappelle, different headliners embody Bill Burr, Pete Davidson, Jack Whitehall and Jimeoin, all of whom are scheduled to carry out throughout the multi-day occasion.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to spice up tourism and leisure as a part of its Vision 2030 plan, a government-led effort to diversify the dominion’s economic system.

The pageant continues via early November in Riyadh.

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