Monthly Archives: September 2025

David Cross on The Riyadh Comedy Festival


I’ve been asked for my opinion on the Riyadh Comedy Festival and rather than answer the same question 23 times, I’ll just put this out here. Oh, and I should preface this with the fact that I was not offered the gig but it should go without saying that there’s not enough money for me to help these depraved, awful people put a “fun face” on their crimes against humanity.

Here goes:

What do you think I think? 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 (unless it’s complaining that we don’t support enough torture and mass executions of journalists and LGBQT peace activists here in the states, or that we don’t terrorize enough Americans by flying planes into our buildings). I mean that’s it; you have a funny bit about how you don’t like Yankee Candles or airport lounges? Okay great, but you’re cool with murder and/or the public caning of women who were raped, and by having the audacity to be raped, were guilty of “engaging in adultery”? Got any bits on that? 

These are some of my HEROES! Now look, some of you folks don’t stand for anything so you don’t have any credibility to lose, but my god, Dave and Louie and Bill, and Jim? Clearly you guys don’t give a shit about what the rest of us think, but how can any of us take any of you seriously ever again? All of your bitching about “cancel culture” and “freedom of speech” and all that shit? Done. You don’t get to talk about it ever again. By now we’ve all seen the contract you had to sign. 

You’re performing for literally, the most oppressive regime on earth. They have SLAVES for fuck’s sake!!!

I don’t understand how being rich can make someone such a whore. Poor people desperate to improve their (or their families lives), sure. Still not acceptable but I can understand the desperation to put food on the table. But this? I mean, it’s not like this is some commercial for a wireless service or a betting app. This is truly the definition of “blood money”. You might as well do commercials for Lockheed Martin or Zyklon B. 

Holy shit, I remember the backlash I got for appearing in Alvin and the Chipmunks! You would’ve thought that I had taken money from a bunch of people responsible for funding Al Qaeda!

Unless you open your sets with, “This is dedicated to all of the widows and widowers and kids orphaned by this bloodthirsty oppressive regime especially from the zany shenanigans on 9/11. Never Forget Motherfuckers! Alright, so it’s great to be here. I’m gonna be killing it tonight! But in the good way! Straight up. No MbS.” then your hypocrisy will never not be noted. 

-David

P.S. for anyone who wants to actually spend their money on something worthwhile, the Human Rights Foundation does amazing work. Learn more and donate at https://hrf.org

Well Played, Nabobs


The U.S. federal government is expected to partially shut down at midnight on Oct. 1, following a failed budget compromise between President Trump and Congress. This would mark the 22nd shutdown since 1976.

What’s Driving It

The impasse centers on health care spending. Democrats want to preserve Obamacare subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts enacted under Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” Without a deal, funding expires at the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30.

Shutdown Consequences

  • Furloughs: Hundreds of thousands of federal workers considered nonessential would be furloughed—this time possibly laid off, per OMB guidance.
  • Unpaid but working: Essential employees—including the military, border security, TSA, IRS, and law enforcement—must work without pay, but typically receive back pay later.
  • Mail, prisons, and taxes: USPS, federal prisons, and the IRS remain operational.

Historical Shutdowns

  • Longest: 34 days under Trump (Dec 2018–Jan 2019).
  • Most days total: Jimmy Carter, 56 days across five shutdowns (1977–1979).
  • Average duration: ~8 days per shutdown.

The last major shutdown in 2019 left 50,000 Coast Guard employees without pay for 35 days. A repeat now seems imminent.