After a seven-year abscence, Comic Relief, the live stand-up comedy benefit that ran on HBO from 1986 to 1998, will return to the premium cable network Nov. 18. It also will be simulcast on TBS, a fellow subsidiary of Time Warner. Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams will return as hosts of the three-hour event, which will raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"Disasters like Katrina devastate the environment and cause suffering for all forms of life, both human and animal," says Bob Zmuda, Comic Relief's founder and president. "Comic Relief is determined to address these tragedies by benefiting everyone from the elderly to children and pets."
The three-hour show will include live segments from New Orleans and showcase the work of Crescent City filmmaker Kenny Morrison. Other performers are still being lined up.
In its 20 year history, Comic Relief has created as many as 80 benefit shows, including eight concerts televised on HBO, that have raised more than $50 million for programs aiding the homeless.
For more information on the event, check out the LA Daily News article Robin, Whoopi, Billy, Bob 'psyched' for return of comic relief.
