RIYADH: As the world’s biggest comedy festival keeps cranking up the laugh-o-meter in Riyadh, Arab News went behind the scenes to get an exclusive from some of the biggest names in the industry. Russell Peters, a Canadian comic known for his cultural and social commentary and spot on impressions, was happy to be back for his fourth performance in the Kingdom — the only comedian with a three-night slot. Peters performed on Thursday and will continue his gigs until Oct. 4 before continuing the Middle East leg of his “Relax World Tour” in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE.

Usual supporters of free speech are under fire for signing on to Riyadh comedy festival despite the government’s human rights abuses

American comics used Saudi Arabia’s first global comedy festival to skewer a debate raging at home. Critics said the event was part of Saudi efforts to draw attention away from a…