Search Captions & Ask AI

Comedians Participating in Saudi Comedy Festival? Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway Debate

October 01, 2025 / 01:22

This episode discusses the controversy surrounding the Riad Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, featuring criticism from comedians about their peers participating in the event.

Key discussions include the hypocrisy of comedians who advocate for free speech while accepting money from a state with a poor human rights record. The hosts debate the implications of such participation, citing the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the current political climate in Saudi Arabia.

One host argues that comedians can serve as cultural ambassadors, potentially fostering goodwill, while another insists that accepting payment from a repressive regime undermines their credibility.

The conversation highlights the tension between artistic freedom and ethical responsibility, questioning whether comedians should prioritize their principles over financial gain.

TL;DR

Comedians debate the ethics of participating in Saudi Arabia's Riad Comedy Festival amid free speech concerns.

Video

00:00:00
Top comedians are criticizing their
00:00:02
peers for participating in the Riad
00:00:03
Comedy Festival, a state sponsored Saudi
00:00:06
event. These are all the free free
00:00:08
speechers being uh completely paid off
00:00:11
not to speak. What do you think about
00:00:12
this?
00:00:13
Well, let me be clear. I' I have gone to
00:00:15
Riad and spoken and cash their checks
00:00:17
and I do so openly and wholeheartedly
00:00:20
and with a total absence of guilt.
00:00:22
Yes, but these are comics, Scott. These
00:00:24
are people who who go on and on about
00:00:26
free speech and insult everybody about
00:00:28
it. So, let me be clear. I believe NBS
00:00:30
ordered the murder of Kosogi in our
00:00:32
nation. We're letting, you know, we're
00:00:34
taking away healthcare from people.
00:00:36
We're removing security details from
00:00:38
former officials. We're incarcerating
00:00:41
and pulling people out of work with
00:00:43
people in mass. I literally think we're
00:00:44
in no position to wave our finger at
00:00:46
anybody right now.
00:00:46
I completely disagree with you. I think
00:00:48
we should absolutely wave our finger at
00:00:50
these comics cuz these are the comics
00:00:52
that literally lectured the left on free
00:00:56
speech. I think our comics are an
00:00:58
incredible export and I think the more
00:01:01
comics in different parts of the world
00:01:03
makes us look good and and makes them
00:01:05
less likely to declare war on us and
00:01:06
feel affinity for us. I'm in. Go cash
00:01:09
their check. Have a great time.
00:01:11
Hypocrites. [ __ ] hypocrites. If you
00:01:14
say free speech to me, I'm going to
00:01:15
punch you in the nuts.

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 60
    Most shocking
  • 60
    Most polarizing

Episode Highlights

  • Comedians Criticized for Saudi Festival
    Top comedians face backlash for participating in the state-sponsored Riad Comedy Festival.
    “These are all the free speechers being uh completely paid off”
    @ 00m 06s
    October 01, 2025
  • Debate on Free Speech
    A heated discussion on whether comedians should accept money from controversial regimes.
    “I think our comics are an incredible export.”
    @ 00m 58s
    October 01, 2025

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Comedian Controversy00:02
  • Free Speech Debate00:12
  • Hypocrisy Exposed01:11

Related Episodes