Louis CK has justified his choice to perform at a comedy festival in Saudi Arabia during a discussion with Bill Maher, where Maher criticized Dave Chappelle for suggesting that America had less freedom of speech.

In his first interview after his #MeToo exile, the comedian defended his actions by asserting that the country is becoming more open, and that the participation of comics can be ‘a positive thing’.

‘I’ve been talking to them, the comedians who’ve been there, and they’ve been really surprised by what’s going on,’ CK said. 

He cited a lesbian Jewish comedian who had performed at the festival to a standing ovation as ‘stuff going on that’s unexpected in this thing’.

CK then cited a recent film festival held in the kingdom as a sign that the nation is progressing.

‘When I heard it’s opening, I thought that was awfully interesting. It just feels like a good opportunity.’

He says he believes that standup has the power to enact change in Saudi society. 

‘I love stand-up comedy, and I love comedians. So, the fact that that’s starting to open up and starting to bud, I wanna see it, I wanna be part of it. I think that’s a positive thing.’

Maher said he had mixed feelings about the festival and called it ‘a great idea’ but slammed fellow comic Dave Chappelle who said it was ‘easier to talk’ about controversial issues in Saudi Arabia than America.  

‘Yeah, I don’t know if that’s true,’ cracked CK.

‘Oh, it’s not true,’ exclaimed Maher, who suggested Chappelle tell jokes about Islam and see if there were consequences. ‘Do your hunk on Muhammad, Dave.’ 

It was one of many comments regarding free speech Chappelle made during his standup show in Riyadh, where he reportedly told a crowd of 6,000: ‘Right now in America, they say that if you talk about Charlie Kirk, that you’ll get canceled.’

‘I don’t know if that’s true, but I’m gonna find out.’ 

CK also addressed criticism from fellow comics, like podcast titan Marc Maron and former Arrested Development star David Cross.

He noted that both were once friends and in the case of Cross, even roommates and called their discussion ‘worthy’ and said he was ‘grateful’ to them for slamming it.

‘I’m glad these guys brought this stuff up, I’m glad people are challenging this thing because you shouldn’t just pretend it’s something it’s not, so don’t fool yourself’. 

‘I’m grateful for what he said because you should say that side, too. Everything that’s being said, that’s a worthy discussion. I have mixed feelings, too’. 

Maher quickly replied: ‘You’re doing the right thing’. 

It comes after Chappelle was called ‘soulless’ and a hypocrite for performing in front of the Saudi royals and joking about Kirk.

‘Dave Chappelle who went to Africa to avoid his show becoming a soulless grab for a millionaire and Dave Chappelle now are not the same guys,’ wrote critic one.

Chappelle, who converted to Islam when he was 17, was apparently unmoved by any potential outrage. 

‘It’s easier to talk here than it is in America,’ he said. 

Chappelle even said he feared reprisal over material critical of Israel’s response in Gaza to the October 7 terror attack.

‘They’re going to do something to me so that I can’t say what I want to say,’ Chappelle said. 

The audience appeared to take notice at the comedian’s material.

‘I found it so interesting to hear political jokes targeting Trump and Charlie Kirk,’ one person in attendance said of the comic’s set. 

The comic, who has often spoken of being canceled over his stances on transgender rights, also criticized the suspension of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, The New York Times reported. 

Critics called him ‘soulless’ and a hypocrite dared him to take on the likes of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman for the brutal 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Fellow performer Bill Burr confirmed on his podcast earlier this week that comics had negotiated with the government to make it so that they could say anything they wanted, except for ‘the royals and religion.’ 

The festival – which has booked major acts like Chappelle, Louis CK, Kevin Hart and Bill Burr – has drawn the ire of many for taking the repressive Saudi kingdom’s money while complaining of ‘cancel culture’ at home.

Some comedians have pulled out of the festival or been removed by the organizers due to criticism of the Saudi government.   

Comedian Tim Dillon bragged he is being paid $375,000 for his appearance, and claimed some of his rivals were pocketing up to $1.6million. 

‘I am doing this,’ he said, ‘because they’re paying me a large sum of money – enough money to look the other way.

‘A lot of people are doing it. They [the Saudis] bought comedy. So what? Listen, what’s your problem? ‘Well, they have slaves and they kill everyone…’ Hey, get over it. Do I have issues with some of the policies towards women, towards the gays? Well, of course I do… But I believe in my own financial well-being and I always have.’

Dillon, who is gay, was later dropped for making jokes about migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. 

Australian comedian Jim Jeffries was also removed from the festival after making critical comments on Theo Von’s podcast. 

Bill Burr, who performed at the festival, defended his appearance and praised the atmosphere.  

‘It was great to experience that part of the world and to be a part of the first comedy festival over there in Saudi Arabia,’ Burr said on his podcast. 

‘The royals loved the show. Everyone was happy. The people that were doing the festival were thrilled. The comedians that I’ve been talking to are saying, ‘Dude, you can feel [the audience] wanted it. They want to see real stand-up comedy.’ It was a mind-blowing experience. Definitely top three experiences I’ve had. I think it’s going to lead to a lot of positive things.’ 

Burr said that the rules had been negotiated by the comics down to two taboos: ‘Don’t make fun of royals [and] religion.’ 

Comedian and former Arrested Development star David Cross has lambasted the comics who chose to perform at the festival in an open letter. 

‘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? We can never again take seriously anything these comedians complain about.’ 

The festival is taking place from September 26 to October 9, 2025, at Boulevard City in Riyadh. 

Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, has been eager to rehabilitate his global image after the killing of Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence officials accused him of ordering. 

He’s also seeking an economic revival for the kingdom to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, and the occasion was an opportunity to demonstrate that the floodgates for investment were open again.