Bill Burr has reacted strongly to critics who condemned his participation in the Riyadh Comedy Festival. During his appearance on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast, Burr expressed indifference to the backlash, stating, “I don’t give a damn what all these insincere people are saying.”
He remarked, “The prevailing attitude seems to be, ‘How could you go there and entertain those oppressed individuals, you horrible person? I can’t believe you went to that country. I don’t even know where it is on a map, and this online outrage has got me riled up.’” Burr further commented, “It’s one thing to wear clothes made in sweatshops; it’s a different matter to visit the factory and make them laugh. I was shocked by how much outrage I felt after this became a trending topic.”
Burr was among several prominent comedians who participated in the comedy festival, which occurred from September 26 to October 9. Other stars such as Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Whitney Cummings, and Andrew Schulz were also featured at the event.
During the podcast, Burr mentioned he had “no clue” that the festival would spark such a widespread controversy. Performers from the Riyadh Comedy Festival faced significant criticism online, notably from fellow comedians like Marc Maron, David Cross, and Zach Woods. Cross specifically criticized Burr in a public statement, expressing his disgust and disappointment with the event.
Burr reiterated his stance on the podcast, saying defiantly, “I really don’t care what all these phony people are saying. If this impacts my career, I’ve gone through LAX enough times in my life. I’m fine sitting at home for a while. Honestly, I’d say LAX feels a bit more depressing than Saudi Arabia.”
Addressing the backlash, Burr insisted, “I’ve been dealing with this nonsense all week,” while reaffirming his belief that performing in Riyadh was an overall positive experience.
“It was necessary. Afterward, it felt right,” he shared. “I connected with them, and they were incredibly funny. I had a great time. Thank you for having me on the podcast amidst all this chaos. You truly are a good friend.”
Burr had previously discussed the backlash on his own podcast, describing the performance in Saudi Arabia as “mind-blowing” and noting, “The royals loved the show. Everyone was thrilled. Those involved in the festival were ecstatic. I would rank this festival as one of my top three experiences ever.”
