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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Tjortenzi @tjortenzi.bsky.social · 1d

NYT critic @jasonzinoman.bsky.social on the contradictions of the Riyadh Comedy Festival: “It’s hard to see [Dave] Chappelle signing a contract to perform at a university only if he agreed to state his pronouns at the start of the set.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/a...

Why Arguments About Free Speech Don’t Apply to the Riyadh Comedy Festival

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Gremliny Nussboo @emilynussbaum.bsky.social · 2d

Terrific, complex piece by @jasonzinoman.bsky.social about the Riyadh Comedy Festival: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/a...

Why Arguments About Free Speech Don’t Apply to the Riyadh Comedy Festival

www.nytimes.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 2d

Update to this piece which came out this AM: Human Rights Watch said it will not take a donation from Aziz Ansari, emphasized it did not call for a boycott, but did urge comics to call for release of imprisoned activists.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/a...

Why Arguments About Free Speech Don’t Apply to the Riyadh Comedy Festival

www.nytimes.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 4d

I explore why clowns are everywhere. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/a...

What Clowns! (That’s a Compliment)

www.nytimes.com

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Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 5d

You can now search the Anthropic database for your books 📚 and then file a claim directly if your work was stolen: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup

Submit a Claim

secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 7d

www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general...

Lesbian Stand-Up Comedian Jessica Kirson Expresses “Sincere Regret” for Riyadh Comedy Festival Performance

Though she requested a guarantee that she could be “openly out as a lesbian on stage and perform gay material,” Kirson is apologizing to fans and confirms she will donate her fee to a human rights org...

www.hollywoodreporter.com

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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 8d

And here is my latest.

open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...

Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post, and the Cost of Speaking Out

As Saudi Arabia hosts comedians and courts gamers, the silenced voice of Jamal Khashoggi still echoes.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

MidCenturyCinema @midcenturycinema.bsky.social · 10d

10/1/62: Johnny's 1st tonight show
Sure, you can say he was post-rat pack, middle of the road, medium cool - I know I did
But he was a rock, and a master of his craft
Nice take via @jasonzinoman.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/a...

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 15d

Second night too

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 15d

Jimmy Kimmel is breaking records on YouTube, Spotify is waging war against "spammy" music, and "60 Minutes" is coming back this Sunday. Details in today's Reliable Sources: cnn.it/3KIqtly

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 15d

Shane Gillis turned down the Saudi comedy festival. www.pajiba.com/news/shane-g...

When Shane Gillis Takes the High Road Over Bill Burr ...

www.pajiba.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 16d

Yep. And the way the writer discusses Star Wars is how I feel about Alien (and the TV show)

Christian Schneider @anti-knowledge.com · 16d

My column today at @nationalreview.bsky.social: There's too much of (waves arms wildly)...EVERYTHING. (Gift link):

There’s Too Much of Everything | National Review

The deluge of entertainment and information in our era is diluting our enjoyment.

link.nationalreview.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 16d

Wow, this is a fiercely eloquent @manohladargis.bsky.social review that will get you to the theater. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/m...

‘One Battle After Another’ Review: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Rallying Cry

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Ryan Schwartz @ryanschwartz.tv · 16d

"Critics who have been incessantly saying that late night no longer matters are going to need to catch up. The government doesn’t go after entertainers because they are irrelevant."

Great piece by @jasonzinoman.bsky.social:

Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 17d

I thought Ross Douthat's recent explanation of how late night became more political was off. So I dug into the history. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/a...

How Did Late-Night Get So Political? It Didn’t Start With Trump

www.nytimes.com

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Mick Garris @mickgarris.bsky.social · 16d

In Austin TX celebrating the 20th anniversary of MASTERS OF HORROR at the 20th anniversary of Fantastic Fest! With Joe Dante, Don Coscarelli, Ernest Dickerson and Fangoria editor Phil Nobile, Jr.!

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 16d

Yup

Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Bryan Curtis @bryancurtis.bsky.social · 17d

I'm sure this has been mentioned but, back in 2003, ABC's first choice for the late-night job was Jon Stewart.

But ABC felt Stewart was too "topical"/political, especially for the network of Roseanne and Home Improvement. So they went with Kimmel. And here we are. www.nytimes.com/2002/11/03/m...

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 16d

Thank you! And for the reminder. It's wild that the guy at the center of the biggest political controversy of the year in comedy was picked because...he wasn't political. Alt time lines where Stewart gets the job are fascinating to consider.

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 17d

Woah. This hot take makes me at least want to see it.

Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 17d

Means a lot from you, Ben. Thx

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 17d

He was a good talking head on that cnn doc on the history

Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 17d

Interesting on Virtel. I could also see it coming from Kimmel who does revere the form of late night. And yes about Johnny. As i say in this piece, his rep for being apolitical has become overstated. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/a...

Johnny Carson and the Fantasy of America

www.nytimes.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 17d

I thought Ross Douthat's recent explanation of how late night became more political was off. So I dug into the history. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/a...

How Did Late-Night Get So Political? It Didn’t Start With Trump

www.nytimes.com