I’ve been holding back from posting a roundup of Jimmy’s gig in Riyadh (October 6th 2025), gathering stories and pictures. Plus, there’s been a lot of other stuff to write about lately.
There must have been a million words written about how WRONG it is for comedians to have gone there and a LOT of stirring up of negative posts on social platforms.
None of the people writing about the festival actually looked at the OTHER side of the coin. Which I think Jimmy explains beautifully in this video (starts around 13 minutes).
Below I’ve picked out some of arguments / points / discussion from a similar perspective – because I’m sure, by now, you will have seen all of the outrage stuff. I’m not trying to persuade you to change your mind about anything – just documenting the “quieter”, less publicised voices that are not getting boosted by clickbait or algorithms.
Jimmy’s show
I’ve not seen much written about the actual show (in MSM) although lots of people that went have been enthusiastic about how much they laughed – and thanking him (and others) for going.
He was co-headlining with Louis CK and their opening support was Andrew Maxwell (see Chortle). They were playing the ANB Arena, capacity 8,000.
Many MSM stories suggested that Jimmy was co-headlining the whole Festival. Nope. He was co-headlining the gig with Louis. One night, one show.
This piece in the Atlantic also mentioned a Saudi comedian had opened for them (but didn’t give the name).
- One Instagram account mentioned that Jimmy had been to a local comedy club the night before. Which is consistent with his love of the consumption of comedy.
- Another account said “he literally said all the offensive jokes you people constantly cry about. We are not snowflakes like the woke”.
- Another described Jimmy and Louis as “fearless, brutally honest and absolutely hilarious”.
The Atlantic writer (who also attended the gig) mentions that Jimmy was doing his usual routine and joking about being a sex offender (something which is punishable by death).
She goes on to say:
“I will give him some credit because he did—I mean, I think it was an unpleasant joke—but he did do a political joke, which was he’d done a long section on euthanasia that said, We put a dog to sleep, but we allow people to go on living in what can only be described as, and then there was a beat, and then he said, Yemen.
Because mentioning the Saudi war with Yemen and the bombing of the Houthi rebels there is an incredibly touchy political subject.”
Irish Politics
Andrew Maxwell (support act) was quoted in the Atlantic as saying:
I grew up in a de facto theocracy—divorce was illegal; abortion was illegal; homosexuality was completely frowned upon. And all that changed during the time that I was growing up, and Ireland is now a much more liberal society. And if this has a chance to do that, I want to be part of it. And already, I can hear the bit in my head that’s going, Do we really think that Saudi Arabia is gonna creep towards Western liberal democracy through the medium of dildo jokes?
Social Transformation
One of the most powerful arguments FOR performing there (as stated by such as Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle and Omid Djalili) is sharing laughter and exchange of culture. Social transformation will not happen in a vacuum.
The pictures / video that I have viewed (on Instagram) showed both men and women in both western and traditional dress – HAVING A GREAT TIME.
One thing frequently mentioned, in posts, was that they were hearing topics being joked about that don’t normally get discussed in public. Dildos, Sex, Gay relationships. Is this not a tiny bit of progress?
Omid Djalili said:
“Allowing international performances in Saudi, especially comedy, subtly broadens what’s thinkable and sayable in a society. Every laugh at a taboo subject shifts norms, albeit slightly. Bear in mind “slightly” is a seismic movement in the Middle East”
As Jimmy says in the video above – he “likes the direction of travel”. And he made new friends and saw some local comedy…
It’s that good old Overton Window.
In this piece in the Atlantic Salama says she’d noticed a change, when she visited about 18 months ago, in what women were allowed to wear. Should we not give more credence to the opinion of someone that has visited the area, over the last 20 years, rather than shouty people online that probably have never been?
State Funded Festival
In reply to the criticism of this being a State funded festival Jimmy makes it clear that he had EARNED his money, by selling 8,000 tickets.
Saudi Blueprint
Saudi Arabia has basically been following the blueprint of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar (see this piece in the Atlantic or the version posted on YouTube) in trying to move beyond only being known for human-right violations.
Vision 2030 is about diversifying – but also about getting citizens to seek out entertainment, exercise more etc. Read more here (if you want to – not promoting it).
Before 2018 women were not allowed to drive and now, they can (and Omid joked about it). Baby steps?
America’s Human Rights Record
This Instagram post is well worth a read – here.
We’re back again to the point being made of there being a level of “hypocrisy” involved. If we are going to look back and judge every country by its past (recent or otherwise) then perhaps the US and / or UK should be boycotted?
This point is made in the Atlantic – where the writer says that she had heard this repeatedly and:
“I think is quite widespread now among younger, disaffected people who listen to that kind of podcast-comedian sphere, a real deep dissatisfaction with American foreign policy”
Another (smaller) account carried on this theme with:
“Funny how liberal comedians can separate individuals from their government when they’re talking about comedians and the US Government, but somehow can’t separate Saudi citizens from theirs.”
And several others pointed out that many of the comics that were ranting have never been anywhere near the region and so couldn’t possibly know what has changed.
Sports, Music & F1
Many accounts pointed out that this level of negative press was not unleashed on the Grand Prix or Tennis 6 Kings or Boxing, Snooker, Music etc.
Bag of Money
It was widely reported that anyone doing a solo show was being paid between £278k and £1.2m. In this Guardian piece Omid describes that as an erroneous report (it’s worth a read for the rest of his perspective, as a Brit of Iranian descent).
Again – see in the video, above, Jimmy stating that he “earned it” (by selling 8,000 tickets).
Speech Restrictions / FOS
A lot has been made about comedians being made to sign a contract to say that they won’t disrespect Islam, the Royal Family or the Government. Omid’s Guardian piece (here) points out that this is exactly the same in Dubai (where many comedians have already performed, for several years now).
I would imagine something similar might also apply to the UK’s own Royal Variety Shows??.
Don’t take comedians seriously!
When did we decide that the job of a comedian is to be a philosopher, telling us what to think and giving moral guidance? (see in the Atlantic).
The UK sells arms to Saudi, it’s an important American ally and we ALL buy petrol and / or petrochemical products etc. And everyone is typing on a device that contains that could have been mined by slaves (and not all of them adults). Why are comedians getting both barrels for going where their audience is?
Event Images
There are a couple of pics of Jimmy in this first carousel. Someone on Instagram explained that the “pressing hands into sand” thing was not a local custom – there is a wall, on the Boulevard, with celebrity hand prints on it – and that’s what the moulds would be used for.
More images in this one – plus a video from Andrew Maxwell.
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