David Cross issues ultimatum to comics over Saudi Arabia gig – Celebrity News – Entertainment

David Cross has blasted high-profile comedians, including Burr and Dave Chappelle, for their involvement in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival amid reports of major developments and business deals in the nation.

In an open letter, the comedians criticized those who are on the bill at the gathering, who are reportedly earning substantial fees while following rigid rules about their stage material. Marketed as “the world’s largest comedy festival,” the showcase features more than 50 comedians, including Louis C. K, Jimmy Carr, Kevin Hart, and former Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson.

“I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing,” Cross wrote on his website. His criticism of comics appearing at the festival comes after Saudi Arabia announced in January that it intends to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years.

In his extensive letter, Cross attacked comedians over the agreement they reportedly signed and the nation’s leadership, according to The Hollywood Reporter, reports The Mirror US.

It is understood that the agreement contains provisions stating comics cannot deliver any content that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or religions might find offensive.

Cross said, “That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would condone this totalitarian fiefdom for … what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?

“We can never again take seriously anything these comedians complain about (unless it’s complaining that we don’t support enough torture and mass executions of journalists and LGBTQ peace activists here in the states, or that we don’t terrorize enough Americans by flying planes into our buildings).

“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?

“These are some of my HEROES! Now look, some of you folks don’t stand for anything so you don’t have any credibility to lose, but my god, Dave and Louie and Bill, and Jim? 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?

“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 … This is truly the definition of ‘blood money’ … your hypocrisy will never not be noted.”

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, who turned down the festival’s invitation, posted the event’s contract online. The agreement contains this stipulation: “ARTIST shall not prepare or perform any material that may be considered to degrade, defame or bring into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, embarrassment, or ridicule: A) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including its leadership, public figures, culture or people; B) The Saudi royal family, legal system, or government, and; C) Any religion, religious tradition, religious figure or religious practice.”

Marc Maron, the host of the WTF podcast, stands among other comedians who have slammed the festival’s performers. He questioned, “I mean, how do you even promote that? You know, like, ‘From the folks that brought you 9/11. Two weeks of laughter in the desert, don’t miss it!’ I mean, the same guy that’s gonna pay them is the same guy that paid that guy to bone saw [journalist] Jamal Khashoggi and put him in a fucking suitcase. But don’t let that stop the yucks, it’s gonna be a good time!”

Shane Gillis, a comedian, also slammed the festival on his Secret Podcast after receiving a “significant bag” offer to participate. He declared, “I took a principled stand. You don’t 9/11 your friends.”

Earlier this month, a federal judge in New York permitted a lawsuit by the families of 9/11 victims against Saudi Arabia to move forward. The legal action claims that the kingdom may have been involved in the 2001 terror attacks.

Despite the tragic loss of his firefighter father on 9/11, Davidson is still taking part in the festival. During a chat on Theo Von’s podcast, Davidson admitted that the paycheck was a deciding factor.

Davidson confessed, “I’ve been getting a little bit of flak just because my dad died [on] 9/11,” and “So they’re like, ‘How could you possibly go there?’ … I get the [flight] routing, and then I see the number, and I go, ‘I’ll go.”

Comedian Tim Dillon disclosed that he was booted from the comedy festival before it even started last Friday due to a past joke he made about forced labor in the country.

He quoted his manager saying, “They heard what you said about them having slaves. They didn’t like that.”