David Cross doesn’t hold back on comedians performing at the Saudi Comedy Festival: List of performers

David Cross has launched a scathing attack on fellow comedians, including Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson and Kevin Hart, for performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9 in the Saudi Arabian capital.

Saudi Arabia’s push into entertainment

Saudi Arabia has poured billions into sports and entertainment in recent years, using major events to raise its global profile. Critics say the country is attempting to distract from human rights concerns, including restrictions on free expression and discrimination against women and minorities.

Performers at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia

• Bill Burr
• Bad Friends (Andrew Santino & Bobby Lee)
• Maz Jobrani
• Whitney Cummings
• Chris Distefano
• Dave Chappelle
• Aziz Ansari
• Kevin Hart
• Nimesh Patel
• Jessica Kirson
• Ali Siddiq
• Jimeoin
• Gabriel Iglesias
• Omid Djalili
• Chris Tucker
• Jeff Ross
• Russell Peters
• Zarna Garg
• Mark Normand
• Pete Davidson
• Aries Spears
• Jimmy Carr
• Louis C.K.
• Jack Whitehall
• Mo Amer
• Wayne Brady
• Jo Koy
• Sam Morril
• Tim Dillon
• Tom Segura
• Andrew Schulz
• Ben Hart
• Hannibal Buress
• Sebastian Maniscalco
• Sugar Sammy

Cross “disgusted” by participation of “heroes”

On his personal website, Cross said he was “disgusted” and “deeply disappointed” that Chappelle, Davidson, Hart and others agreed to “help these depraved, awful people put a ‘fun face’ on their crimes against humanity.”

“We can never again take seriously anything these comedians complain about,” Cross wrote. “I mean that’s it; you have a funny bit about how you don’t like Yankee Candles or airport lounges? Okay great, but you’re cool with murder and/or the public caning of women who were raped, and by having the audacity to be raped, were guilty of ‘engaging in adultery’? Got any bits on that?”

Cross singled out Chappelle, Bill Burr, Jim Jefferies and Louis C.K., comedians he once considered heroes.

“Clearly you guys don’t give a shit about what the rest of us think, but how can any of us take any of you seriously ever again?” he wrote. “All of your bitching about ‘cancel culture’ and ‘freedom of speech’ and all that shit? Done. You don’t get to talk about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the contract you had to sign. You’re performing for literally the most oppressive regime on earth. They have SLAVES for fuck’s sake!!!”

Details of the festival contract

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, who turned down an invitation to perform, shared a copy of the festival’s contract online. It states that performers “shall not prepare or perform any material that may be considered to degrade, defame or bring into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, embarrassment, or ridicule” the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, legal system, royal family, culture, or any religion or religious figure.

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