Comedians Criticize Riyadh Comedy Festival Amid Controversy and A-List Lineup

High-profile comedians like Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, and Pete Davidson are facing criticism for participating in the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, a country scrutinized for human rights abuses. Critics, including comedians Marc Maron and Zach Woods, condemn the festival as a form of 'sportswashing' and 'reputation laundering,' while others like Shane Gillis declined to perform on principled grounds. The event is part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to boost its global image through cultural events amid ongoing human rights concerns.