UPDATE: Comedian Bill Burr has fired back at critics following his appearance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, stating it was a “mind-blowing experience.” Burr’s comments come amid backlash from fellow comedians and social media users condemning the event, which took place from September 26 to October 9, 2023, in Saudi Arabia.
During a live recording of Conan O’Brien’s podcast at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, Burr addressed the uproar over the festival, where he performed alongside other big names like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart. “The royals loved the show. Everyone was happy,” he said, highlighting the positive response from audiences in both Riyadh and Bahrain.
The festival has stirred controversy, with critics like Marc Maron and David Cross condemning it due to Saudi Arabia’s history of human rights abuses. Burr countered, asserting that such events are essential for progress in the region. “It’s one thing to wear clothes made by sweatshop labor. It’s quite another to go to the factory and make ’em laugh,” he emphasized.
Earlier today, Burr unleashed his frustration during the podcast, calling detractors “sanctimonious c***s” and criticizing their lack of understanding of the situation. “The general consensus is, ‘How dare you go to that place and make those oppressed people laugh,'” Burr said, adding that much of the outrage seemed to be fueled by bots rather than genuine concern.
In a notable moment, Burr praised fellow comedian Jessica Kirson, who also performed at the festival. “Openly gay, went over there and just did her f***ing act,” he remarked, acknowledging the courage it took to perform in such an environment. Kirson faced backlash after the event, ultimately deciding to donate her fee to a human rights organization.
Burr’s comments resonate with a larger conversation about art, culture, and activism in oppressive regimes. He expressed his disbelief at the anger directed toward him, stating, “I had a good time,” and urged that events like the Riyadh Comedy Festival are necessary for cultural exchange.
As the podcast concluded, Burr warned that the current political climate in the United States is worrying, referencing recent ICE raids and suggesting that similar tactics could eventually target any community.
This live episode, available now for SiriusXM Podcasts+ subscribers, will be widely released on October 15, 2023. The controversy surrounding Burr’s Saudi performance continues to unfold, and many are watching closely to see how it impacts his career and the broader discourse on comedy in sensitive political contexts.