History UsefulNotes / ComicRelief

The skits in the Comic Relief telethons often either special versions of BBC comedy shows, or specially made for the telethon. These usually include spoofs, pieces involving a comedian with a celebrity, or a CrossOver between two different programmes (which have a good chance of being [[IntercontinuityCrossOver from two completely different shows]]). The most notable of these is the ''Series/DoctorWho'' spoof ''The Curse of Fatal Death'', the centrepiece of Red Nose Day '99, which was written by Creator/StevenMoffat, the writer of ''Series/{{Coupling}}'', some of the most critical and fan acclaimed episodes of the new Who, and later showrunner.

* A RealLife CrisisCrossover between Comic Relief & Series/{{Children In Need}} in response to the coronavirus pandemic occurred in 2020 to bring together the UK and offer hope and entertainment in the crisis as well as acknowledge all the difficulties people are facing.

* ''Series/TopGear [[Series/TopOfThePops of the Pops]]'' (2007), a crossover between the car show and the music showcase, featuring the ''Top Gear'' presenters introducing various musical acts instead of cars, talking about music-related topics during the news, charging Music/McFly with writing a new song for the special using the words "sofa", "Hyundai", and "administration", and concluding with a performance of "Red Light Spells Danger" by the ''Top Gear'' Band.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s8uxq7sfBo Prime Cracker]]" (1997), a {{crossover}} between ''Series/PrimeSuspect'' and ''Series/{{Cracker}}''

* ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'' (1988), a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SXf9-Z3jwk brief episode]], but notable for being by ''Blackadder'' writer and Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis (who had had thought up the charity with Lenny Henry in 1985).

* A RealLife CrisisCrossover between Comic Relief & Series/{{ChildrenInNeed}} in response to the coronavirus pandemic occurred in 2020 to bring together the UK and offer hope and entertainment in the crisis as well as acknowledge all the difficulties people are facing.

* A RealLife CrisisCrossover between Comic Relief & UsefulNotes/{{ChildrenInNeed}} in response to the coronavirus pandemic occurred in 2020 to bring together the UK and offer hope and entertainment in the crisis as well as acknowledge all the difficulties people are facing.

* The 2017 telethon hit the screens on March 24th. Among other things of note, WebVideo/JonathanPie moved from the fake version of Series/ChildrenInNeed featured in his live show, to provide the same kind of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueV8BLU4gsY parody]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsan94Ov7c behind-the-scenes]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcJqKRp95p8 material]] for a very real version of Comic Relief.

The skits in the Comic Relief telethons often either special versions of BBC comedy shows, or specially made for the telethon. These usually include spoofs, pieces involving a comedian with a celebrity, or a CrossOver between two different programmes (which have a good chance of being [[IntercontinuityCrossOver from two completely different shows]]). The most notable of these is the ''Series/DoctorWho'' spoof ''The Curse of Fatal Death'', the centrepiece of Red Nose Day '99, which was written by Creator/StevenMoffat, the writer of ''Series/{{Coupling}}'', some of the most critical and fan acclaimed episodes of the new Who, and current showrunner.

* The 2017 telethon hit the screens on March 24th. Among other things of note, WebVideo/JonathanPie moved from the fake version of UsefulNotes/ChildrenInNeed featured in his live show, to provide the same kind of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueV8BLU4gsY parody]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsan94Ov7c behind-the-scenes]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcJqKRp95p8 material]] for a very real version of Comic Relief.

* 2007 saw a crossover between Lauren Cooper of ''Series/TheCatherineTateShow'' and... then Prime Minister UsefulNotes/TonyBlair, in which he became increasingly exasperated after listening to two straight minutes of her constant chattering, finally responding [[FunnyMoments with her own catchphrase]].

** During the actual show, Series/MrBean made a triumphant return, [[TheFunInFuneral wreaking havoc at a funeral.]] There was also a ''Series/LittleBritain'' sketch where David Walliams looked after his new patient, UsefulNotes/StephenHawking ({{as himself}}). In a separate segment, Walliams broke the world record for most kisses received in 30 seconds (by 5), with help from Creator/OrlandoBloom and Barbara Windsor.

* ''TopGear [[Series/TopOfThePops of the Pops]]'' (2007), a crossover between the car show and the music showcase, featuring the ''Top Gear'' presenters introducing various musical acts instead of cars, talking about music-related topics during the news, charging Music/McFly with writing a new song for the special using the words "sofa", "Hyundai", and "administration", and concluding with a performance of "Red Light Spells Danger" by the ''Top Gear'' Band.

* 2013 had Music/JessieJ shaving her head and skits where [[Series/TheXFactor Simon Cowell]] gets [[{{Narcissist}} married]] [[SelfDeprecation to himself]] and [[Series/DoctorWho the Doctor]], alongside the cast of ''Series/CallTheMidwife'', tries to stop the birth of the most terrifying being the universe has ever seen... Jedward.

* The 2017 campaign is currently under way, with the telethon hitting the screens on March 24th. Among other things of note, WebVideo/JonathanPie is now moving from the fake version of UsefulNotes/ChildrenInNeed featured in his live show, to provide the same kind of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UVKhsWPtZ8&feature=youtu.be&a parody behind-the-scenes material]] for a very real version of Comic Relief.

* All profits from the sale of ''Literature/FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem'' and ''Literature/QuidditchThroughTheAges'' were donated to Comic Relief.

* ''TopGear [[TopOfThePops of the Pops]]'' (2007), a crossover between the car show and the music showcase, featuring the ''Top Gear'' presenters introducing various musical acts instead of cars, talking about music-related topics during the news, charging Music/McFly with writing a new song for the special using the words "sofa", "Hyundai", and "administration", and concluding with a performance of "Red Light Spells Danger" by the ''Top Gear'' Band.

* 2007 saw a crossover between Lauren Cooper of ''Series/TheCatherineTateShow'' and... then Prime Minister TonyBlair, in which he became increasingly exasperated after listening to two straight minutes of her constant chattering, finally responding [[FunnyMoments with her own catchphrase]].

For several years there was an American version of Comic Relief, which was [[{{Dissimile}} like the British version]], except that it aired on Creator/{{HBO}} instead of free TV, focused on stand-up comedy rather than sketches, ran irregularly instead of every two years (the last HBO Comic Relief special was for a Hurricane Katrina benefit in 2006), and didn't involve any red clown noses. It was hosted by Creator/BillyCrystal, Creator/WhoopiGoldberg, and Creator/RobinWilliams. On May 21, 2015, Creator/{{NBC}} and the charity America Gives Back revived Comic Relief in America in the form of a Red Nose Day telethon. The first of its kind in America, and the first Comic Relief-related special across the pond since the aforementioned Hurricane Katrina benefit almost 9 years previously, this telethon is significantly closer to the British version except its focus is mainly on helping children and families who are living in poverty.

The skits in the Comic Relief telethons often either special versions of BBC comedy shows, or specially made for the telethon. These usually include spoofs, pieces involving a comedian with a celebrity, or a CrossOver between two different programmes (which have a good chance of being [[IntercontinuityCrossOver from two completely different shows]]). The most notable of these is the ''Series/DoctorWho'' spoof ''The Curse of Fatal Death'', the centrepiece of Red Nose Day '99, which was written by Creator/StevenMoffat, the writer of {{Coupling}}, some of the most critical and fan acclaimed episodes of the new Who, and current showrunner.

* All profits from the sale of ''Literature/FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem'' and ''Literature/QuidditchThroughTheAges'' were donated to Comic Relief.

There's an American version of Comic Relief, which is [[{{Dissimile}} like the British version]], except on Creator/{{HBO}} instead of free TV, focused on stand-up comedy rather than sketches, running irregularly instead of every two years (the last HBO Comic Relief special was for a Hurricane Katrina benefit in 2006), and not involving any red clown noses. It was hosted by Creator/BillyCrystal, Creator/WhoopiGoldberg, and Creator/RobinWilliams. On May 21, 2015, Creator/{{NBC}} and Comic Relief USA teamed up to produce a Red Nose Day telethon. The first of its kind in America, and the first Comic Relief-related special across the pond since the aforementioned Hurricane Katrina benefit almost 9 years previously, this telethon is significantly closer to the British version except its focus is mainly on helping children and families who are living in poverty.

There's an American version of Comic Relief, which is [[{{Dissimile}} like the British version]], except on Creator/{{HBO}} instead of free TV, focused on stand-up comedy rather than sketches, running irregularly instead of every two years (the last HBO Comic Relief special was for a Hurricane Katrina benefit in 2006), and not involving any red clown noses. It was hosted by Creator/BillyCrystal, Creator/WhoopiGoldberg, and Creator/RobinWilliams. On May 20, 2015, Creator/{{NBC}} and Comic Relief USA teamed up to produce a Red Nose Day telethon. The first of its kind in America, and the first Comic Relief-related special across the pond since the aforementioned Hurricane Katrina benefit almost 9 years previously, this telethon is significantly closer to the British version except its focus is mainly on helping children and families who are living in poverty.

** In the weeks leading up to the 2015 NBC version, ''Series/{{Today}}'''s Matt Lauer engaged in a cross-country bike ride to raise funds. This led to a [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]] when his former co-anchor Katie Couric [[http://www.today.com/video/katie-couric-in-nurses-outfit-brings-matt-first-aid-448701507538 showed up in nurse garb to assist him on his quest.]]
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