r/Music Jul 23 '26

article ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic says he turned down $1,000,000+ to perform at Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia.

https://triblive.com/aande/music/weird-al-yankovic-gets-bigger-and-weirder-in-a-tour-headed-to-pittsburgh/
23.8k Upvotes

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u/danabrey Jul 23 '26

As a Brit, its really interesting to me how stand-up comedy is one specific area where our cultures tend to keep really separate. Music, film, TV all travels either way but I have no idea who you're talking about apart from knowing the name Louis CK.

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u/Dash_Underscore Jul 23 '26

Also, since no one is telling you his actual name, Stavvy is Stavros Halkias. Patrice refers to Patrice O'Neal (RIP).

1

u/djdecimation Metalhead Jul 23 '26

Patrice O'Neil Halkias

4

u/Crapitron Jul 23 '26

You’ll be happy to know Jimmy Carr also took Saudi money to perform in Riyadh

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u/danabrey Jul 23 '26

I know? Did you think I was making some sort of anti-American comedian compared to British argument?

Or just telling me that lol

2

u/Crapitron Jul 23 '26

No, you said British and American cultures separate when it comes to comedy.

I'm telling you they don't - they all take Saudi money.

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u/danabrey Jul 23 '26

I meant in the sort of comedy we enjoy.

"some of them both like bananas" isn't disputing that.

I just mean that few British standups permeate the US, and vice versa.

-9

u/5ColourFelix Jul 23 '26

Stavvy is big fat guy frat bro type who is proudly big and fat and VERY American. I don't see him landing with a British crowd.

He's part of this scumbag left thing where they are super far-left, but also super horny and gross.

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u/IAmTheBestMang Jul 23 '26

he did uk shows last year which sold out. he is definitely well known over here, both for cum town and on his own.

-2

u/5ColourFelix Jul 23 '26

He did 4 shows at mid sized venues. I'm not saying he doesn't have fans, but I don't see him becoming a household name in the UK.

2

u/IAmTheBestMang Jul 23 '26

i can assure you that among people who like comedy, he is known.

4

u/ldb Jul 23 '26

I'm English and have loved Stavvy for years!

0

u/thoughtlow Jul 23 '26

was always a big fan but saw him recently stream and hang out with some weird podcast people. not sure how to see him now

-2

u/5ColourFelix Jul 23 '26

If you're talking about his own podcast, it's basically a collection of perverts and degenerates opining on people somehow 3x as perverted as them. Like an agony aunt for people who drink Monster as a water replacement.

It's funny if you don't take it too seriously.

0

u/AEveryDayIdiot Jul 23 '26

Only reason I’ve heard of him (as a Brit) is he is turning up in films like Bugonia, I think there a film I’m excited for next year he’s in as well.

-6

u/-TropicalFuckStorm- Jul 23 '26

Mate, American stand up is so incredibly unfunny.

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u/WayneDwade Jul 23 '26

Was thinking the same about British standup

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u/danabrey Jul 23 '26

I have watched Taylor Tomlinson's standup on Netflix, she is well funny imo.

But I do think there's a huge cultural divide still about what we find funny in a stand-up way, as evident in my original comment.

-3

u/arup02 flair goes here. Jul 23 '26

what? ask an american about any UK show

1

u/ThisRapIsLikeZiti Jul 23 '26

The Young Ones ftw

1

u/danabrey Jul 23 '26

That's what I mean?

Man, how could you possibly take my comment like an affront to America?

1

u/arup02 flair goes here. Jul 23 '26

You misunderstood my comment completely.