David Cross has become the latest comedian to criticize his fellow comics for participating in Saudi Arabia‘s Riyadh Comedy Festival.
Cross wrote a rather scathing open letter denouncing performers at the event, who are reportedly being paid top dollar while agreeing to a set of censorious guidelines regarding what they can and cannot joke about on stage.
The festival is being billed as “the world’s largest comedy festival” and includes more than 50 comedians — including Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Jimmy Carr, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Whitney Cummings and Andrew Schulz.
But the Arrested Development and Mr. Show star did not hold back in his assessment of the situation.
“I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing,” wrote Cross on his website. “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),” Cross continued. “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 added. “”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 offer — posted the event’s contract online, which includes this bit: “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.”
Other comedians who have criticized the festival’s performers include WTF podcaster Marc Maron, who said, “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!”
Comic Shane Gillis also criticized the festival on his Secret Podcast after being offered “significant bag” to attend. “I took a principled stand. You don’t 9/11 your friends.”
Earlier this month, a federal judge in New York ruled that a lawsuit by the families of 9/11 victims could move forward against Saudi Arabia. The lawsuit accuses the kingdom of potential involvement in the 2001 terror attacks.
Davidson’s own firefighter father perished during 9/11, yet he is participating in the festival anyway. According to USA Today, during an appearance on Theo Von’s podcast, Davidson explained that he was swayed by the paycheck.
“I’ve been getting a little bit of flak just because my dad died (in) 9/11,” Davidson said. “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.’”