The Global Story How a festival in Saudi Arabia rocked the American comedy world
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Oct 3, 2025 
Frank Gardner, a BBC security correspondent and Middle East expert, shares insights on Saudi Arabia's evolving social landscape and the provocative Riyadh Comedy Festival. Comedian Gianmarco Soresi candidly critiques fellow comics for their participation, labeling it a form of 'comedy-washing' amid serious human rights concerns. They discuss the festival’s impact on global perceptions of Saudi Arabia, the complex motivations behind hosting such events, and the potential consequences for artists navigating censorship in a strict regime.
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Comics Torn Between Money And Principles
- Several big-name comedians either accepted large fees or publicly debated doing the festival, generating industry controversy.
- The episode includes Shane Gillis declining and others admitting the offers were financially tempting.
MBS Rebrands Saudi Through Social Change
- Mohammed bin Salman intentionally relaxed social restrictions to reshape Saudi public life and attract global attention.
- Frank Gardner says MBS combines social liberalization with tight political control, creating a paradoxical opening.
Saudi Comic Fahad Al-Buthiri's Rise And Arrest
- Frank Gardner recounts Fahad al-Buthiri, a popular Saudi comic who made viral sketches and later faced arrest.
- Gardner links the arrest to the comic marrying a women's rights activist and then disappearing from the scene.