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I was pleased to read David Cross’s opinion on the comedians that agreed to take part in the upcoming Riyadh Comedy Festival.

I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing. That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would condone this totalitarian fiefdom for…what, a fourth house? A boat? More sneakers?

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All of your bitching about “cancel culture” and “freedom of speech” and all that shit? Done. You don’t get to talk about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the contract you had to sign.

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I don’t understand how being rich can make someone such a whore. Poor people desperate to improve their (or their families lives), sure. Still not acceptable but I can understand the desperation to put food on the table. But this? I mean, it’s not like this is some commercial for a wireless service or a betting app. This is truly the definition of “blood money”.

Previously Atsuko Okatsuka shared the contract she would have had to sign had she agreed to take part in the comedy festival.

Content Restrictions: ARTIST shall not prepare or perform any material that may be considered to degrade, defame, or bring into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, embarrassment, or ridicule:

• A) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including its leadership, public figures, culture, or people;
• B) The Saudi royal family, legal system, or government, and;
• C) Any religion, religious tradition, religious figure, or religious practice.