Atsuko Okatsuka on Comedy and Censorship in Saudi Arabia

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka has publicly declined an offer to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. She revealed strict censorship rules attached to the booking. The festival is currently underway and features major headliners like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart. Okatsuka’s decision highlights ethical concerns for artists performing in the kingdom.

The festival, which runs until October 9th, has drawn criticism from other comedians. They point to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record as a point of conflict. Performers who accepted the gig agreed to avoid jokes about the Saudi government, royalty, or religion.

Content Restrictions Detail What Comedians Cannot Say

Okatsuka shared a screenshot of the alleged contract terms on Threads. The “Content Restrictions” clause was explicitly detailed. It forbade material that could discredit the Kingdom, its leadership, or its people.

The rules also banned jokes about the Saudi royal family and the legal system. Furthermore, comedians were prohibited from making jokes about any religion or religious figures. According to Okatsuka, the offer came directly from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

She connected the funding source to human rights abuses. Okatsuka stated the Crown Prince has been linked to the execution of journalists and activists. This context made the offer ethically impossible for her to accept.

Fellow Comedian Marc Maron Voices Strong Criticism

Marc Maron is another vocal critic of the festival. The podcast host recently slammed participants during one of his own live shows. He referenced Saudi Arabia’s alleged involvement in the September 11th attacks.

Maron also mentioned the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He specifically targeted the Crown Prince, whom U.S. intelligence believes ordered the killing. Maron questioned how comedians could promote a show funded by the same authority.

His comments underscore a growing debate within the comedy world. The situation pits lucrative offers against performers’ moral and artistic principles. For some, the financial incentive outweighs the restrictive conditions.

The controversy surrounding the Riyadh Comedy Festival raises critical questions about artistic freedom and ethical gigs. Comedians are increasingly facing scrutiny for their performance choices abroad. This event highlights the complex balance between global entertainment and local censorship laws.

Dropping this nugget your way-

Q1: Which comedians are performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival?

The lineup includes Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Bill Burr. Other featured acts are Russell Peters, Gabriel Iglesias, and Pete Davidson. The festival is taking place over several days in Riyadh.

Q2: What were the specific censorship rules for the festival?

Comedians agreed not to joke about Saudi Arabia’s leadership or royal family. The rules also banned material that ridiculed the government or any religion. This was outlined in a contractual “Content Restrictions” clause.

Q3: Why did Atsuko Okatsuka refuse to perform?

Okatsuka cited ethical concerns about the source of the payment. She linked the funding to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. She also stated she was unwilling to adhere to the event’s censorship requirements.

Q4: What did Marc Maron say about the festival?

Marc Maron strongly criticized the participating comedians. He referenced Saudi Arabia’s connection to 9/11 and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Maron questioned the morality of performing for the Saudi leadership.

Q5: When does the Riyadh Comedy Festival end?

The festival began on October 4th. It is scheduled to conclude on October 9th. The event features multiple comedy shows each day.

Trusted Sources

Information in this article was compiled from reporting by The Hollywood Reporter, Associated Press, and Reuters.