The the recent Riyadh Comedy Festival controversy made its way to Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Aziz Ansari, one of the 50 or so comedians that traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform for what was billed as “the world’s largest comedy festival,” stopped by Kimmel’s late night show to promote his new Lionsgate comedy Good Fortune.
The sentiment is shared by Bill Burr, another Riyadh Comedy Festival participant, who fired back at critics by saying events like that “have to happen” in order to make progress.
Ansari’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Journalist Lucas Shaw asked Kimmel during the newsy interview whether or not Ansari knew he would be asking him about Riyadh, and Kimmel confirmed that he did.
This week, the recent controversy surrounding the Riyadh Comedy Festival made its way to Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
One of the roughly fifty comedians who traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform at what was dubbed “the world’s largest comedy festival,” Aziz Ansari, made an appearance on Kimmel’s late-night show to promote his new Lionsgate comedy, Good Fortune. The host also took on the storm head-on.
Kimmel broached the topic and then mentioned the kingdom’s history of oppression and violations of human rights. “This is something that’s become a big part of the news because people, a lot of comedians especially, are very upset, because the people who paid the comedians to come to this are not good people,” she said. It’s a rather cruel system. They have committed numerous heinous crimes. They want to know why you would go over there and accept their money to perform for them. I want to know why you made that decision.
He “thought a lot” about accepting the invitation, according to Ansari, even seeking guidance from his aunt, who was once a resident of Saudi Arabia. There are those who disagree with the actions of the government, and it is unfair to blame them for the worst of the government’s actions. In the same way that some Americans disagree with the actions of the government,” he said.
Kimmel, however, retaliated by stating that “they murdered a journalist,” alluding to the October 2018 murder of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi. The author had frequently criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi government.
Ansari retorted, “I was just there to do a show for the people.”. “They try to keep things out of repressive societies like this one, whether it’s blue jeans or rock and roll music, because it makes people curious about outside values and ideas.”. Additionally, this is a very young nation—roughly half of its citizens are under 25—so things could drastically change. I saw a comedy festival as a way to encourage more open communication and discussion. “.”.
You have to decide whether to “isolate or engage,” Ansari added, leaning toward the latter option. “It felt like something I should be a part of, especially since I’m me, look the way I do, and have a Muslim heritage. Additionally, I hope it moves things in the right direction,” he stated.
Bill Burr, another participant in the Riyadh Comedy Festival, echoed the sentiment, responding to critics by stating that such events “have to happen” in order to advance. “It was essential. When he appeared on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, he remarked, “It felt right afterward.”. They were funny, and I clicked with them. They were hilarious individuals, fuck. I’m not sure what to say to you. I had fun. He stated on his own podcast a few days earlier that the Saudi royals “loved the show” and that everyone was pleased with the final product. The individuals organizing the festival were ecstatic. “Dude, you can feel [the audience] wanted it,” the comedians I’ve been speaking with say. They’re looking for authentic stand-up comedy. The experience was astounding. Among my top three experiences, without a doubt. He stated, “I believe it will result in many good things.”.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! featured Ansari on Wednesday night when Kimmel was on Bloomberg’s Screentime in Los Angeles. In the newsworthy interview, journalist Lucas Shaw asked Kimmel if Ansari was aware that he would be questioning him about Riyadh, and Kimmel acknowledged that he was. When asked why he thought it was crucial to address his involvement, Kimmel replied that he was interested in Ansari’s perspective.
“I wanted to hear his reasons, and I thought he had some compelling reasons,” Kimmel said to Shaw, adding that he wouldn’t have gone. “There is no black and white. Although I would never do it, I do see the possibility that isn’t always a good thing if we isolate ourselves or shut ourselves off from the outside world. While traveling, “many of us” don’t want to be held responsible for President Trump’s remarks, Kimmel added. “I’m lucky to be well-known, and people understand my perspective, but if they didn’t know who I was, things would be different. Just so you know, I probably would say, “I didn’t vote for him,” as soon as I got into each taxi. That does, I believe, help me better understand [their] position. “”.
Below is a video of Ansari on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
