Comic Relief, Inc.

Red Nose Day
Genre Telethon
Based on Comic Relief
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Camera setup Multiple
Running time Various
Release
Original network NBC
Original release May 21, 2015 –
present
Chronology
Related shows Comic Relief (UK)
External links
Website

Comic Relief USA, previously known as America Gives Back Inc., is an operating 501(c)(3) American charity with the vision of a just world free from poverty. Comic Relief, Inc. specialized in using the power of entertainment to drive positive change[1].

It is an independent sister organization to the UK charity Comic Relief and is not connected to the former American charity Comic Relief USA.[2] Comic Relief, Inc. is notable for the 2015 US launch of Red Nose Day, a telethon hosted by NBC based closely on the UK event of the same name.[3]

History of Comic Relief and Red Nose Day

In 1985, as a response to famine in Ethiopia and other poverty stricken areas of the world, British comedy scriptwriter, Richard Curtis and British comedian, Lenny Henry co-founded and co-created the British charity, Comic Relief.[4] On February 8, 1988, Lenny Henry went to Ethiopia and celebrated the very first Red Nose Day Telethon. Over 150 celebrities and comedians participated. The event raised £15 million and attracted 30 million viewers on BBC television. The highlight of Comic Relief is Red Nose Day which raises funds for children in need, poverty alleviation and worldwide charities.[4]

Red Nose Day USA

Starting initially in 2015, Red Nose Day in America is celebrated on the last Thursday of every May. Red Nose Day USA, run by Comic Relief Inc., has the stated objective of ending child poverty.

Multi-year funding grants have been given to organizations that help end child poverty such as Feeding America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Save the Children and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.[5] In its first four years, the Red Nose Day USA has raised more than $145 million.[5]

Red Nose Day 2017

Red Nose Day's 2017 campaign raised more than $35 million. Between 2015 and 2017, Comic Relief Inc raised more than $100 million through Red Nose Day.

In 2017, Facebook used its new fundraising platform to help users raise money for Red Nose Day. Anyone who created a Red Nose Day event could add a donate button to any post. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matched up to $1 million of donations raised on Facebook.[6] The NBC Telethon for Red Nose Day[7] included special episodes for American Ninja Warrior, Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day;[8] Running Wild with Bear Grylls with Julia Roberts;[9] featuring celebrities and corporate sponsors for their activities, as well as standard telethon show hosted by Chris Hardwick.[10]

Red Nose Day 2018

In 2018, Red Nose Day was held on May 24. The biggest campaign yet, Comic Relief Inc raised more than $42 million to end child poverty through red Nose Day 2018. On NBC's night of programming celebrating Red Nose Day, Celebrity American Ninja Warrior, a Red Nose Day-themed Hollywood Game Night, and the Red Nose Day Special hosted by Chris Hardwick aired. Special guests included Ben Stiller, Olivia Munn, Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch, and more appeared on stage. Pre-taped segments included Kelly Clarkson, Julia Roberts, Tony Hale, Lauren Graham, and more.

Red Nose Day 2019

Red Nose Day 2019 will be held in May 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us - Comic Relief". Comic Relief USA. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  2. ↑ RedNoseDay.org, About Red Nose Day. Retrieved 13 May 2015
  3. ↑ Roberts, Aniston (7 May 2015). "Roberts, Aniston, Mann added to 'Red Nose Day' special". The Detroit News. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Our History". Comic Relief. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Do You Know What Red Nose Day Is?". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  6. ↑ "Giving: Red Nose Day teams up with Facebook to boost donations". Biz Women. The Business Journals. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  7. ↑ "Ending Child Poverty". rednosedayusa.org. 25 May 2017. 1-800-500-4373.
  8. ↑ "Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day". American Ninja Warrior. 25 May 2017. NBC.
  9. ↑ "Red Nose Day with Julia Roberts". Running Wild with Bear Grylls. 25 May 2017. NBC.
  10. ↑ "2017". Red Nose Day. 25 May 2017. NBC.
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