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. On February 8, 1988, Lenny Henry went to Ethiopia and celebrated the 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. In its first four years, the Red Nose Day USA has raised more than $145 million. The NBC Telethon for Red Nose Day included special episodes for
American Ninja Warrior, Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day;
Running Wild with Bear Grylls with Julia Roberts; featuring celebrities and corporate sponsors for their activities, as well as standard
telethon show hosted by Chris Hardwick.
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 was held on May 23. A promo for Rudolph Shines Again premiered during it. For the first time ever, the telethon special was expanded to two hours.
Terry Crews serves as the host for the special, and
Sting,
Dave Audé, Andrew Kierszenbaum,
Kelly Clarkson,
Josh Groban, the Voices of Hope Children’s Choir,
John Legend,
Chrissy Metz and
Blake Shelton performing it, while Special guests included
Michael Che,
Colin Jost,
Kate McKinnon,
Lilly Singh and more appeared on stage and in pre-taped segments. Following the telethon, a Red Nose Day-themed
Hollywood Game Night episode is broadcast.
Red Nose Day 2020 For the 2020 Red Nose Day Special on
NBC on May 21, 2020,
Blake Shelton,
Meghan Trainor,
Ellie Goulding, and
Gwen Stefani performed. Prior to the broadcast,
Celebrity Escape Room, a special produced by
Ben Stiller and
Jack Black and starring them,
Courteney Cox,
Lisa Kudrow, and
Adam Scott, aired on NBC. The
COVID-19 pandemic caused the special to be pre-recorded for the first time; among the changes this year was the digital Red Nose, which was unlocked by donating online.
Red Nose Day 2021 The 2021 Red Nose Day Special premiered on
NBC on May 27, 2021. As part of the night of fundraising, a Red Nose Day-themed episode of
The Wall was aired. Other
NBCUniversal properties had special features related to the event. A live online event, Red Nose Day LIVE was streamed prior to the main televised event.
Red Nose Day 2022 Red Nose Day was marked on May 26, 2022 with NBC's rebroadcast of
Celebrity Escape Room. ==References==