Tim Dillon is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, writer, and actor known for his unapologetic, satirical, and often dark humour. He gained prominence through his podcast, The Tim Dillon Show, which usually covers cultural issues and current events. Recently, his controversial jokes on Saudi Arabia’s labour system cost him an appearance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival and also the hefty fee that was promised to him by the event organisers. Read on to know about the controversial remarks he made that triggered such a reaction.
What is the Riyadh Comedy Festival?
The Riyadh Comedy Festival is one of the world’s biggest international comedy events, taking place in Saudi Arabia from September 26 to October 9, 2025. It features a lineup of more than 50 of the world’s most famous comedians, including Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy, Tom Segura, Hannibal Buress, Jimmy Carr, Russell Peters, and Pete Davidson. Landing a spot on this prestigious stage is a great feat for artists, for the global exposure and lucrative compensation. Tim Dillon both landed and lost the opportunity due to some of his debatable remarks.
