So you can be informed on whom you wish to spend your entertainment dollars.
The inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival, held from September 26 to October 9, 2025, in Saudi Arabia, featured over 50 global comedians, including several prominent American performers.
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The event, part of the country's Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy and enhance its cultural profile, has sparked significant controversy due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
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Critics argue that the festival serves as a tool for the Saudi government to improve its international image while diverting attention from issues such as the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the repression of free speech.
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I am only listing the Americans here, not all 50 global comedians.
American Comedians Who Performed: 1. Kevin Hart – Headlined the festival, drawing significant attention due to his international fame.
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2. Dave Chappelle – Known for his provocative humor, Chappelle used his platform to comment on free speech issues, stating it was "easier to talk" in Saudi Arabia than in America
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3. Bill Burr – Defended his participation, describing the event as a platform for cultural exchange rather than an endorsement of Saudi policies
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4. Pete Davidson – Admitted to being drawn by the substantial financial compensation, despite personal reservations tied to the 9/11 attacks
5. Louis C.K. – Participated amid criticism from peers and human rights organizations
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6. Aziz Ansari – Appeared as part of the diverse lineup of international comedians
Wikipedia
7. Gabriel Iglesias – Performed on September 30, marking his largest show in Saudi Arabia to date
8. Jo Koy – Participated as part of the international lineup
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9. Whitney Cummings – Included in the diverse lineup of international comedians
Wikipedia
10. Sebastian Maniscalco – Performed as part of the international lineup
11. Chris Distefano – Appeared as part of the diverse lineup of international comedians
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12. Omid Djalili – Participated in the festival
13. Zarna Garg – Included in the diverse lineup of international comedians
14. Ben Hart – Appeared as part of the diverse lineup of international comedians
15. Jessica Kirson – Participated in the festival
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16. Mark Normand – Included in the diverse lineup of international comedians
17. Sam Morril – Participated in the festival
18. Tom Segura – Appeared as part of the diverse lineup of international comedians
19. Jimmy Carr – Participated in the festival
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20. Bobby Lee – Included in the diverse lineup of international comedians
21. Chris Tucker – Headlined the festival, drawing significant attention due to his international fame
Visit Saudi
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22. Russell Peters – Performed as a headliner in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival
23. Joey Shea – Participated in the festival
24. Ronnie Khalil – Participated in the festival
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Comedians Who Declined Participation: 1. Shane Gillis – Declined the invitation due to ethical concerns
2. Mike Birbiglia – Chose not to participate, citing personal principles
3. Nimesh Patel – Announced on social media that he would be dropping out on ethical grounds
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4. Marc Maron – Publicly criticized American comedians participating in the Riyadh Comedy Festival, denouncing the Saudi government's alleged involvement in the 9/11 attacks and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
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5. David Cross – Openly condemned their participation, accusing them of prioritizing money over ethics
6. Atsuko Okatsuka – Declined the invitation, citing ethical concerns and revealing censorship clauses in the performance contracts
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The Riyadh Comedy Festival has ignited debates within the comedy community and beyond, raising questions about the intersection of entertainment, politics, and human rights. While some performers defend their participation as a platform for cultural exchange,
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others argue that it serves as a vehicle for the Saudi government to improve its international image amid ongoing human rights concerns. Also, the comedians were censored. They were told which subjects were off limits.
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Roger Froikin @rlefraim wrote, "This parsha is usually read in the month of Adar, before the holiday of Purim, but current events have convinced me that it needs to be published widely now.
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I admit I have a special connection as this was what I read on my Bar Mitzvah 1000’s of years ago.
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Parshat Zachor Haftorah
I Samuel 15:2-34.
This week's special haftorah discusses G-d's command to destroy the people of Amaleq. This to avenge Amaleq's unprovoked attack on the Israelites that is described in the Zachor Torah reading.
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Roger Froikin @rlefraim wrote, "Apple has agreed to delete an app that traces where ICE personnel are operating.
Some Democrats are calling it "fascism."
I look at it a lot differently.
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If one were to create an app showing how to commit murder, and someone followed it and killed, I have no doubt the creator of the app would be held partially responsible at least. It is a criminal act to facilitate a crime.
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And creating an app that creates an existential danger to men and women enforcing the law, whether ICE or the police, that seems to me should be a crime if it is not today."
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Roger Froikin @rlefraim wrote, "I have been watching the pro-terrorist demonstrations in Europe and Turkey.
A few observations:
In Berlin, Paris, Rome, and Florence, the protests featured Palestinian, Communist, Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS flags.
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In Turkey, the videos featured crowds chanting "Death to all Jews." Turkish President Erdoğan threatened Israel. If there is any place that could turn nuclear, it is between Turkey and Israel.
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In Italy, PM Meloni has ordered arrests of protesters and an end to demonstrations. Good reason—beyond politics—in cities like Florence, which could be risking their main source of income: tourism.
Roger Froikin @rlefraim wrote, "SHABBAT SHALOM.
שבת שלום
Haazinu
Deuteronomy 32:1–52 1)
The End, or Not
The bulk of this parsha is a song, sung by Moses to the people marking the final day of his life.
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The core of his lesson is to tell the people to remember, to never forget the history that has made them, that has prepared them for the future, but, again, only if they continue to remember.
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For 2,000 years, the 'Shema' has been the principal statement recited by Jews several times a day. I won’t call it a prayer in the Western sense, because it is more a reminder—
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a short instruction of what needs to be thought and what needs to be done for the best results in life. It tells us two primary things. First, what we should believe. Second, our obligation to teach our children, the next generations.
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The first is more than believing in something. It is about caring for and considering something outside of ourselves. It is a tactic to counter narcissism and self-centeredness, which are destructive to any culture.
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Roger Froikin @rlefraim wrote, "The latest flotilla is nearing the coast of Israel, accompanied by Turkish and Spanish warships.
What to do?
The answer is easier than one might think.
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A. If the warships enter Israeli waters, they should be boarded and seized, their crews treated with respect and flown home.
B. The flotilla participants — let them land in Gaza, seize all their boats, and arrest the participants.
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They should be held in prison for trial on the charge of “facilitating terrorism” under international law. They can be held in jail before trial and, if convicted, sentenced to years in prison.
How much do you want to bet that if this happens, this will be the last flotilla?
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