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“I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed.” The stark line landed on Sept. 29, 2025 and ignited an immediate culture war among comedians, fans and rights groups. A published statement on the comedian’s own site accused peers of enabling a regime-linked festival, and outlets including Variety reported the salvo within hours. My read: this isn’t just moralizing – it’s a reputational break that could reshape touring choices and festival contracts. Whose side are you on when comedy meets geopolitics?
Why this brief line suddenly matters to comedy fans and industry watchers
- A veteran comedian posted a blistering statement on Sept. 29, 2025; impact: major backlash.
- The Riyadh festival lineup lists 11 U.S. comics; reaction: public outrage.
- The festival runs through mid-October 2025; consequence: ongoing headlines and cancellations.
Why this short quote has split comics and fans in 2025 and what comes next
The quote hit fast and loud. It came as a plain, angry sentence published on a comedian’s site and then amplified by outlets. Short sentences cut through.
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Fans reacted within hours. Peers were polarised the same day.
How much damage can one line do? It can derail tours. It can shift how agents negotiate festival clauses.
Comedian David Cross released a fiery statement on his website condemning the comedians who agreed to perform at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival:
"I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing. That people I admire, with unarguable talent, would… pic.twitter.com/NlhRMQp2Nw
— Variety (@Variety) September 29, 2025
How the remark spread online in 48 hours and turned into sustained outrage
Within 48 hours the remark had been reposted by major outlets and dozens of influencers. The speed forced public reckonings.
Some comics called the statement necessary moral pressure. Others warned it punished free expression. Short sentence for scanning.
DAVID CROSS: “I am disgusted and deeply disappointed… These are some of my HEROES… how can any of us take any of you seriously ever again?”
Here’s who went to the Riyadh Comedy Festival: https://t.co/dG1A7fqmmo pic.twitter.com/TT3my9igjI
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) September 30, 2025
Which figures and dates reveal how big the backlash already is in 2025
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Named U.S. comics | 11 persons | Large, high-profile lineup fuels scrutiny |
| Festival timeline | Mid‑October 2025 | Protests and commentary will persist through event |
Why reactions split between fellow comics, rights groups and fans this week
Some peers frame the boycott call as ethical pressure. Others call it performative virtue signaling. Rights groups point to past abuses tied to Saudi cultural initiatives. Short sentence for scanning.
Fans ask whether art can be separated from paychecks. Who pays, and why, matters.
Who spoke these words and why it matters in 2025
The line came from David Cross, comedian, in a Sept. 29, 2025 statement posted on his website. “I am disgusted, and deeply disappointed in this whole gross thing,” he wrote, singling out fellow performers who accepted the Saudi festival gigs. The speaker’s standing-longtime comedian and critic-makes the rebuke resonate across industry circles. Short sentence for scanning.
What lasts beyond this line and will comedy’s moral argument change in 2025?
Expect immediate fallout: more public reckonings, agent conversations and possible contract clauses about geopolitical harms. This could change festival booking norms.
If agencies start demanding ethics clauses, who loses first: promoters or headline comics? Short sentence for scanning.
What will you accept from your favorite comics this year?
Sources
- https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/david-cross-slams-bill-burr-riyadh-comedy-festival-1236534601/
- https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/bill-burr-defends-riyadh-comedy-festival-backlash-1236536805/
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/02/media/riyadh-comedy-festival-american-comedians-saudi-human-rights
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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.