With an endearing black comedy set in the provinces, which adopts the visual style of a ’60s Western, prolific writer-director Teemu Nikki salutes his country’s (and his family’s) tradition of sahti-making. “100 Liters of Gold” follows two dysfunctional middle-aged sisters, third-generation makers of the strong farmhouse ale. In their village of Sysmä, sahti is a […]
The current Riyadh Comedy Festival taking place in Saudi Arabia has received major backlash, including harsh criticism from comedians who are not participating in the two-week event. Now, comedian Jessica Kirson has apologized for performing at the festival, while the embattled Louis C.K. has defended his appearance.
The festival features a who’s who of prominent comedians who earned major paychecks for their appearances, including Dave Chappelle, Sebastian Maniscalco, Kevin Hart, Chris Tucker, Bill Burr, Pete Davidson, Whitney Cummings, and more.
In recent days, fellow comedians like Marc Maron, Shane Gillis, and David Cross (who wrote a lengthy takedown of his peers) have blasted the festival and the stand-up comics on the lineup, citing Saudi Arabia’s involvement in 9/11, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the country’s history of oppressing women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Related Video
Jessica Kirson, who is openly lesbian, issued an apology after performing at the festival on September 29th. Her statement to The Hollywood Reporter reads, in part, “I hoped that this could help LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia feel seen and valued. I am grateful that I was able to do precisely that — to my knowledge, I am the first openly gay comic to talk about it on stage in Saudi Arabia. I received messages from attendees sharing how much it meant to them to participate in a gay-affirming event. At the same time, I deeply regret participating under the auspices of the Saudi government.”
She added, “Most importantly, I am deeply sorry to all the fans and followers I have hurt or disappointed.”
Louis C.K., meanwhile, appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher, on Friday night, prior to his scheduled performance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, and defended his decision to perform at the event, even referencing Kirson’s performance.
“When I’m talking to the other comedians who have been there, they’ve been really surprised by what’s going on,” said C.K. “There’s a woman who’s a lesbian and Jewish, who did a show there, and she got a standing ovation. So, there’s stuff going on that’s unexpected in this thing. People have been playing Saudi Arabia for years. Comedians have been going and playing Arab countries. There was a film festival there recently, it’s kind of opened up. But I’ve always said no to Arab countries.”
He continued, “And when this came up, they said there’s only two restrictions — their religion and their government, I don’t have jokes about those two things. It used to be when I got offers from places like that, there would be a long list, and I’d just say, ‘No, I don’t need that.’ But when I heard it’s opening, I thought, that’s awfully interesting. That just feels like a good opportunity. And I just feel like comedy is a great way to get in and start talking.”
The interview with Maher marked Louis C.K.’s first TV interview since admitting to sexual misconduct allegations back in 2017.
It has been six years since Dream Girl hit the screens, and Nushrratt Bharuccha has firmly established herself as Bollywood’s queen of comedy. From witty one-liners to impeccable comic timing, she has shown that making audiences laugh isn’t just about delivering a joke; it’s about embodying the character with nuance, charm, and mass appeal.
In Pyaar Ka Punchnama, she played the quintessential girl-next-door, effortlessly balancing flirtatious charm with emotional depth. Her character of Neha, became widely popular among young audiences, and her performance added an entertainment factor to the film.
In the sequel Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, Nushrratt returned stronger, showcasing her comedic instincts and ability to hold her own alongside an ensemble cast, which contributed significantly to the film’s massive success among the youth.
With this film, Nushrratt proved she could deliver massy comedy with flair. Her portrayal of Sweety was mischievous, charming, and relatable, cementing her reputation as an actress who can make audiences laugh while keeping them invested in the story. Every scene she appeared in or her banter with Kartik Aaryan became instantly memorable, showing her uncanny ability to balance humour with a touch of drama.
In Dream Girl, she elevated herself to a new level of comic stardom. Nushrratt delivered impeccable timing, expressions, and situational comedy as Mahi, making her the heart of the film. Her chemistry with Ayushmann Khurrana turned Dream Girl into one of the year’s most loved entertainers, and audiences couldn’t get enough of her sparkling energy.
Continuing her streak, she recently charmed audiences in a silent comedy that demanded pure physicality and expression. Without dialogues, Nushrratt’s performance was a masterclass in visual comedy, proving that her comedic talent transcends words. The actress got critical acclaim for her performance.
Across these five films, Nushrratt Bharuccha has consistently demonstrated versatility, charm, and a natural flair for humour. From rom-coms to mass comedies and silent hilarity, she has carved a niche for herself where comedy meets mass appeal.
For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.
Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.
Saturday Night Live is getting ready for its 51st season, and the sketch comedy show has added Canadian comic Veronika Slowikowska to its lineup.
The Barrie, Ont., native will be one of five new cast members joining the iconic sketch comedy show this fall.
Slowikowska, 29, announced the news on Instagram, writing, “dream come true. See you Saturdays.”
The actor has gained attention for her viral sketch comedy videos on TikTok and Instagram, and for her recurring role on FX comedy What We Do in the Shadows.
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
She has also appeared in Shane Gillis’ comedy series Tires, the 2023 Canadian dramedy I Like Movies and Christmas rom-com Exmas.
Slowikowska is not only the sole Canadian performing on the iconic Studio 8H stage, but also the only woman among the new cast, which includes Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall and Kam Patterson.
The new cast announcement follows a major shakeup with several SNL stars revealing their departures from the hit series just last week.
Devon Walker addressed his exit after three seasons in an Instagram post, writing, “Me and baby broke up.”
Walker’s post was followed by the announcement that Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow and Heidi Gardner will also not be returning to the show.
‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 51 premieres on Sat., Oct. 4 at 11:30 p.m. ET on Global.
— With files from The Canadian Press
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
