Yesterday was Red Nose Day 2009, which is the big pay-off for the Comic Relief charity drive. This year's theme was 'Do Something Funny for Money', and for weeks people around the UK have been doing just that-- paying to be silly, or to watch someone else be silly. The money goes to charities in the UK and Africa every year. Last night was the big broadcast-- almost nine hours, if you watched the whole thing-- filled with musical guests, star hosts, comedy sketches, and vignettes about the good Comic Relief has been doing and will continue to do. The grand total at the end of the night was over 50,000,000 pounds. And that's not counting the fundraising totals and donations still to come in over the next few days.
Seriously, how amazing is that? Credit crunch or no, people give generously. And not just to Comic Relief-- there is Children in Need in the fall (another fun charity night in), and people support other causes throughout the year. Now, I'm not saying that all Americans are greedy moneygrubbers, but we don't seem to be as consistent and organised with our giving. It takes some kind of disaster for us to really pull together and dig deep on a wide scale. Individuals may be doing that on their own, but it takes a 9/11 or a Hurricane Katrina for the public at large to donate like the Brits seem to do consistently. As if the generous spirit of the public isn't enough to love, the fact that so many celebs are willing and eager to make fools of themselves for a good cause is awesome. I LOVE that. We just don't know how to do that in the States. Most of our celebs just take themselves waaaay too seriously (although there are, of course, exceptions). The longer I'm here, and the more I get to know who's who in the entertainment world, the more I appreciate nights like last night.
Liz and Paige came over, and we ordered Pizza Hut Garlic Cheesy Bites pizza and ate junk food. It was great! We laughed a good bit, and Liz and I found the one thing that could ruin our friendship (if either of us ever happens to meet him, that is... it could come to blows, we discovered):
(image courtesy of http://www.bbc.co.uk/rednoseday/ image gallery) Yup. David Tennant was one of the hosts. In an all white suit, with a red tie and red shoes. And crazy hair, of course. It was great. =D
Over the next couple of days, I'll be posting some of my favourite bits from the broadcast last night, to give you a taste of the event (and a little shot of British humour). I'll just post one here, to start out with. And actually, this one is from two years ago, but it's still one of my favourites. Ever. And as I've already mentioned David Tennant, it's fitting. So, sit back and enjoy David Tennant and Catherine Tate...
(On a related yet random note, I CANNOT WAIT for Easter... new Who!)
5 comments:
well, i didn't get half of that, but i can understand why you found it funny. glad you were able to enjoy pizza, tv, and good friends. i only wish i had been able to join you.
the accent? the references? the comedy? do you just need to watch more Doctor Who? ;)
What a terrific idea, and everyone benefits!
probably all of the above, Amie. It was so fast, so by the time I "translated" what was said, I'd missed the next part. And of course, I don't get Doctor Who at all. But I think that's because I've never seen an episode, even when I stayed with you.
Oh, and I like the new look of the blog!
i agree, mrs4444! it's great.
barb, i can't belive you stayed here for WEEKS and i never forced you to... i mean, you never saw an episode of doctor who. you totally missed out. i think that means you have to come back. when you can't translate the accent in your head fast enough anymore, you've been gone too long. =D
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