'You Don’t 9/11 Your Friends': Famed Comedians Face Backlash For Performing At Saudi Festival

Some of the biggest names in comedy are facing blowback from their peers as well as human rights advocates after agreeing to perform at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival started Friday and will run through Oct. 9. The event boasts over 50 stand-up comedians, including major names such as Pete Davidson, Aziz Ansari, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy, Dave Chappelle, Louie CK and more.

Among those speaking out about the festival is Marc Maron of the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast, who, in a video clip posted on his Instagram account, noted he was not asked to perform, “so it’s kind of easy for me to take the high road on this one.”

David Cross, of “Arrested Development” fame, in a post on his website, wrote that he was “disgusted, and deeply disappointed,” noting that he, too, was not asked to perform.

“That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would condone this totalitarian fiefdom for … what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?” Cross wrote. “… You’re performing for literally, the most oppressive regime on earth.”

Human Rights Watch, in a news release, said the festival was intended to “deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations,” noting the dates of the event include the seventh anniversary of the state’s killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“The seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder is no laughing matter, and comedians receiving hefty sums from Saudi authorities shouldn’t be silent on prohibited topics in Saudi like human rights or free speech,” Joey Shea, Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in the news release.

“Everyone performing in Riyadh should use this high-profile opportunity to call for the release of detained Saudi activists.”

Maron was even more pointed in calling out comedians such as Chappelle who complain about American 'cancel culture' while performing for a regime that U.S. intelligence determined to be behind the brutal murder of a reporter.

“I mean, how do you even promote that? ‘From the folks that brought you 9/11. Two weeks of laughter in the desert, don’t miss it!’” he said. “I mean, the same guy that’s gonna pay them is the same guy that paid that guy to bone-saw Jamal Khashoggi and put him in a...suitcase. But don’t let that stop the yucks, it’s gonna be a good time!”

Comedian Tim Dillon, who was previously scheduled to appear, joked about slavery in Saudi Arabia on his podcast and was fired.

"On my own show, in my own country, where I have the freedom to speak and say the things I want, I'm going to be funny and I'm going to be who I am,” he said in a later episode of "The Tim Dillon Show" podcast.

At least one performer, Nimesh Patel, had a change of heart and opted to cancel his appearance, he said in a since-unavailable TikTok video, according to NBC News.

Comedian and "Tires" star Shane Gillis also criticized his fellow comedians, saying on his “Secret Podcast” that he turned down significant money to appear at the festival.

“I took a principled stand. You don’t 9/11 your friends,” he said, according to Variety.