The Rest Is Entertainment The Comedians Crazy For Saudi Cash
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Sep 1, 2025 Comedians are heading to Saudi Arabia for the Riyadh Comedy Festival, raising questions about free speech and ethics. The episode reveals the stark contrast between lucrative performances and the nation's strict laws. It also dives into the surprising financial turnaround of Michael Jackson's estate, transforming debt into billions. Plus, it discusses Travis Kelce's celebrity status and how his relationship with Taylor Swift impacts his public image. The blend of comedy, sports, and cultural issues makes for a thought-provoking discussion.
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Comics Function As PR For Saudi Expansion
- The Riyadh Comedy Festival is an unusually star-studded, highly lucrative Saudi cultural push that courts top Western comedians.
- Richard Osman argues many comics are effectively being paid to do PR for the Saudi state rather than ticket sales.
Comics' Private Justifications And Comic Confessions
- Jim Jefferies and other comedians defended attending by comparing global hypocrisy and claiming free speech credentials.
- Chris DiStefano admitted personal financial pressure and joked his wife told him to take the money.
Riyadh As A Free-Speech Litmus Test
- Many comedians frame the Riyadh shows as a free-speech test and opportunity to 'say the unsayable' to a new audience.
- Osman says this setting is the perfect moment to prove whether they truly champion free speech or simply take lucrative work.
