The Latest Breaking News from Chris Distefano

Human Rights Watch refuses to accept donations from Aziz Ansari and other Riyadh comedy festival performers

Defending his decision to perform at the festival, Ansari said he had discussed donating a ‘part of the fee’ to human rights organisations

The Independent UK · Oct 10, 2025

Comedians at controversial Riyadh festival ‘completely avoiding’ jokes about Saudi government

Comics were urged to use their platform to raise awareness of Saudi Arabia’s human rights issues, but reportedly signed contracts forbidding them from doing so in exchange for lucrative fees

The Independent UK · Oct 4, 2025

‘Don’t 9/11 your friends’: Marc Maron, Shane Gillis slam Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart and other stars over Saudi comedy festival

‘One reporter was killed by the government but not a f***ing hill I’m going to die on,’ comedian Tim Jefferies told podcaster Theo Von

The Independent UK · Sep 26, 2025