Talk:Comic Relief

David Lammy is of Guyanese descent - i.e. he isn't African nor of direct African descent

I'm not sure it can proved that Lammy's various ranting interventions since 2017 have directly led to the major falls in donations ever since (his name is often cited though), but it is true that he isn't of direct African descent (he is British and his parents were immigrants from the former British colony of Guyana in South America). So essentially a British West Indian of Guyanese descent ranted and raved about the portrayal of Africa (and caused donations to fall etc) - is was not a Briton of African descent doing it. Actual Britons of African descent probably have all sorts of views about Comic Relief - but it should be pointed out in the article that David Lammy isn't one of them - and indeed his rantings can be considered "second hand". He has no more in common with Africa than any of the millions of other modern descendants of slavery across the world - he certainly isn't of direct modern African descent - so that context should be made clear. I would say that wider "cultish" North London politicians from the Labour Party - Jeremy Corbyn, Dianne Abbott etc- and their often severely aggravating effect on huge swathes of the British people generally be cited (coined "The London Effect"). In fact any (criticising) views of Africans (British or otherwise) should be given in the article too, as they are at least as valid as Lammy's, if not more so. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.99.210.174 (talk) 16:09, 22 March 2023 (UTC)

J.K. Rowling?

Is it desirable to add a section about the 2 harry potter books jk rowling has written for the organization, Quiddich Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and where to find them? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.111.81.183 (talk) 05:30, August 28, 2007 (UTC)

Chronology of noses

Can anybody remember all the different noses? There was one with a trunk last time, there was a furry one, and a smelly one. What else, and for what years? Mintguy 22:43 Feb 25, 2003 (UTC)

Let's see: Bagpuss and others have come up with the following 'best guess':

pipoo

• 1988 - Normal
• 1989 - Smiley face etched onto nose
• 1991 - Arms
• 1993 - Tomato
• 1995 - Colour change
• 1997 - Furry
• 1999 - Squeaky
• 2001 - Tongue
• 2003 - Hair Dos

I have now found references on the web for 1993-2003. Verfication can be found by searching Google for "Red Nose Day 199x"/"Red Nose Day 200x" and looking through pictures! Note there are only 7(!) hits for the 1995 search and you need to look at Alan Cumming's TV biography page to find a picture. These searches are no good for 1988,1989,1991. What we have are strictly speaking guesses, but I am pretty confident about all three. There is an excellent chance that is the only place on the web where this information is collated so I am going to add it to the article Pcb21 16:47 Apr 1, 2003 (UTC)

Heh, two years later... red nose day.com itself put together a history (maybe inspired by this page ... who knows!... and the list is finally undeniably accurate! Pcb21| Pete 23:30, 11 Mar 2005 (UTC)

---

Is it my imagination, but isn't Children in Need an annual event, so it's not true to say Comic Relief alternates with it? -- Arwel 20:10 Apr 1, 2003 (UTC)

No. According to the BBC on some ago on a programme when talking about charity fundraising on the station they alternate. STÓD/ÉÍRE 21:13 Apr 1, 2003 (UTC)

But they don't children i need happens every year. -fonzy

Children in Need is every year in the autumn. Comic Relief is every other year in the spring. They don't alternate as such. --rbrwr

Just been checking. When originally launched, the plan was to alternate. This however has now been changed because they think two appeals in one year can work. So CIN was moved to later in the year to allow CR run in the previous March slot every two years. STÓD/ÉÍRE 21:34 Apr 1, 2003 (UTC)

What are the sources of the alleged criticisms of CR?

Re the newly expanded Red Nose Day. I think a lot of it is speculation of combined Wikipedia contributors... has anyone notable come out and actually said anything negative about RND or we are trying to add some criticism for its own sake? Pete/Pcb21 (talk) 13:18, 21 Feb 2004 (UTC)

I found these:

• • http://www.spiked-online.com/Printable/000000005558.htm
  • http://www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000054B6.htm

And an associate who works in a Christian NGO told me they don't give funding to faith-based projects. You can remove that until I've found a source or go and look at CR's terms and conditions yourself :-) I've got some other stuff to do today... BTW, I think the version I modified was just criticism for criticism's sake, but I tried to give a bit of balance and context. I do think some people find it boring.

Mr. Jones 16:53, 21 Feb 2004 (UTC)

• • • They were just criticized for their involvement with DHL, who support the military government of Burma through financial partnerships. I've added a link to the article. -DropDeadGorgias (talk) 19:10, Oct 5, 2004 (UTC)
      • That's a very good one..

There has been some criticism of Comic Relief, in particular red nose day.

• Some have suggested that the money the BBC puts towards the event would be better off given straight to charity. However, supporters argue, the money raised is far greater than the cost of the event, and without the telecast it is unlikely anywhere near the same amount would be given to charity.

• Comic Relief does not give to faith-based organisations. Some would regard this as an endorsement, of course.

• Conversely Comic Relief has been accused of bowing to pressure from Catholic organisations over funding for contraceptive programmes.

• Comic Relief's documentary sections have been accused of, amongst other things, colonialist sentimentality when comedians visiting a project in Uganda assisted by Comic Relief criticised the First world's lack of intervention in the genocide there.

• It has also been said that the show is boring. This is highly subjective, of course, but the event started out as a showcase of Alternative comedy, or alternative comedians, at least. It was seen as a reaction to the Middle of the road entertainment of the BBC Children in Need Appeal. Over time, as the regulars aged, the sharpness and perceived controversy of the comedy declined. Perhaps more problematically, the once original format of the show (comedy with serious bits cut in; see above) changed very little. Also, as the nature of British comedy took on a harsher, less worthy aspect from the mid nineties to the turn of the millennium, the presence of younger comedians (The League of Gentlemen, for instance) seemed somewhat incongruous.

• Another accusation is that the show is composed of simple reworkings of old ideas.

• Yet another is that some of the "celebrities" who appear are minor comedians and would not be on such a prime-time slot if it weren't for charity. This is only true insofar as many of the comedians on the show are far less well known than when they (and Red Nose Day) were in their heyday. It's also worth contrasting the evening's programming with the large number of British TV shows based solely on very minor "celebrities".

• [These are here temporarily, whilst I try to cite them] Pcb21| Pete 19:32, 21 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Table Of Donations

I Think A Table Of Total Donations Each Year Would Be Helpful To Chart Its Sucess, I Always Wonder If They Set A New Record Every Year Or Not, I Mostly Worry It Bob Geldof and Bono Will Go Off The Rails If They Dont

More ratings/reception information

I came across these articles to be incorporated into the article somehow.

Comic Relief 2005: http://www.digitalspy.com/broadcasting/news/a19858/comic-relief-hits-133-million-high.html

Comic Relief 2009: http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/news/a149658/comic-relief-peaks-with-128-million.html

http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/news/a149660/lets-dance-for-comic-relief-ends-on-79m.html

Comic Relief 2011: http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/news/a309900/comic-relief-telethon-peaks-with-124m.html