Bill Burr insists and signs. Criticized from all sides for his participation in the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, the American comedian insists he has nothing in common with his detractors. “I don't care what these hypocrites say. If it hurts my career, so be it.”
• Also read: Louis CK defends his participation in the Riyadh Comedy Festival and fans are not impressed
Finding himself in disarray after revealing on his podcast that his experience in Saudi Arabia was one of the “top three” experiences of his life, Bill Burr has no intention of apologizing.
Podcast Guest Conan O'Brien needs a friendBurr recalled the eventful week he had just spent. The comedian was in the spotlight for traveling to Riyadh to play alongside Dave Chappelle, Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson and Aziz Ansari, among others.
Artificial disturbance
On stage at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood alongside O'Brien, Bill Burr took his anger out on his detractors, calling the controversy a “manufactured outrage” fueled by online bots.
“Basically, people are saying, 'How dare you go out and make oppressed people laugh, you piece of trash? I don't even know where this country is on the map, but the bot told me I'm angry, and I'm angry.”
“I don’t care what these hypocrites say,” he added. If it hurts my career, so be it. I've spent enough time in Los Angeles [l’aéroport de Los Angeles] in my life I can stay at home for a while. And frankly, Los Angeles is a more depressing place than Saudi Arabia.”
“There should be events like this”
The comedian went on to say that the United States is not much different from the Middle East. “We're arresting mothers and fathers for making illegal tacos. It's completely insane. And one day they won't have any more brown people to put in vans… but they'll still have vans. So don't think you're safe.”
Bill Burr said he received a lot of criticism from fellow comedians, whom he did not name. “All these sanctimonious bastards who don't really care, really… If you really care about people, it's going to take events like this to move them forward.”
Bill Burr concluded his speech by defending the importance of the Riyadh festival. “Events like this should exist. It was necessary, and afterward I felt good. The people were fun, very fun. I can't say anything more. I had a great time.”
With the Hollywood Reporter
