"Speaking on Real Time With Bill Maher, CK, who is co-headlining the festival with the British comedian Jimmy Carr on Monday night local time, said other comedians had been really surprised by the response from audiences in Riyadh so far. There's a woman who's a lesbian and Jewish, who did a show there, and she got a standing ovation, CK said, referring to Jessica Kirson, who has expressed sincere regret for performing at the festival."
"So, there's stuff going on that's unexpected in this thing, CK continued. People have been playing Saudi Arabia for years. Comedians have been going and playing Arab countries. There was a film festival there recently, it's kind of opened up. But I've always said no to Arab countries. CK said he was told there would only be two restrictions on what he could talk about on stage: Their religion and their government. I don't have jokes about those two things, he added."
"It used to be when I got offers from places like that, there would be a long list, and I'd just say, No, I don't need that.' But when I heard it's opening, I thought, that's awfully interesting. That just feels like a good opportunity. And I just feel like comedy is a great way to get in and start talking."
Louis CK defended his decision to perform at the Riyadh comedy festival and said audiences in Riyadh have produced surprising responses. He is co-headlining the festival with Jimmy Carr and noted that a lesbian Jewish comedian, Jessica Kirson, received a standing ovation. CK said he had been told only two restrictions for stage material—religion and the government—and that he does not have jokes about those topics. He previously declined offers from Arab countries but viewed the festival's opening as an interesting opportunity. Several comedians criticized performing at a festival directly paid for by the Saudi government. The festival's producers include Sela, a live events company owned by Saudi Arabia.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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