Louis CK defends Saudi Arabia gig: ‘Felt like good opportunity’

**Louis CK Defends Saudi Arabia Gig: ‘Felt Like Good Opportunity’**

*By Shreya Mukherjee | Oct 06, 2025*

Emmy-winning comedian Louis CK has come forward to defend his decision to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, an event he co-headlined alongside British comedian Jimmy Carr. The festival has sparked controversy, with critics accusing participating comedians of whitewashing a regime known for serious human rights abuses.

Speaking on *Real Time with Bill Maher*, Louis CK revealed that many of his fellow comedians were “really surprised” by the audience’s response in Riyadh.

### Audience Response

CK highlighted an unexpected positive moment at the festival: a Jewish lesbian comedian, Jessica Kirson, received a standing ovation during her set. Kirson has since expressed “sincere regret” for her participation in the event. CK remarked, “So, there’s stuff going on that’s unexpected in this thing. People have been playing Saudi Arabia for years. Comedians have been going and playing Arab countries.”

### Decision-Making and Restrictions

Louis CK shared that he was informed of only two restrictions imposed on his performance — “Their religion and their government.” He admitted that he did not have jokes addressing these topics, which influenced his decision. “When I heard it’s opening, I thought, that’s awfully interesting. That just feels like a good opportunity. And I just feel like comedy is a great way to get in and start talking,” CK explained.

### Backlash from Fellow Comedians

Several comedians, including Marc Maron, Atsuko Okatsuka, and David Cross, have criticized those who perform at the Riyadh festival, especially when some of these performers have previously spoken out against cancel culture and censorship. David Cross published a scathing statement on his website, calling out Louis CK by name: “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?”

### Responses from Other Performers

Jessica Kirson, who performed at the festival on September 29, requested and received a guarantee to speak about her identity as a lesbian on stage. Despite this, she later expressed regret for participating under the Saudi government’s auspices.

Comedian Bill Burr, who also performed in Riyadh on September 26, defended his decision, describing the experience as “mind-blowing” and valuing the opportunity to explore that part of the world.

Other notable comedians at the festival included Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, and Aziz Ansari.

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The Riyadh Comedy Festival continues to spark debate about the balance between artistic freedom and the ethical implications of performing in countries with controversial human rights records.
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