Look To The Stars News: Jennifer Saunders

Celebrity Red Noses Raise Record Amount For Charity

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Comic Relief delivered another spectacular evening of top TV treats in the UK on Friday, as Red Nose Day 2011 entertained the nation while raising an incredible sum of money to help poor and vulnerable people in the UK and Africa. The TV event raised £74,360,207 (US$118 million) – the highest total reached on the night in Red Nose Day’s 23 year history.

“This is more than we ever believed we would raise,” said organizer Richard Curtis. “The generosity of the British public is staggering.”

The TV extravaganza featured appearances by Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, David Tennant and Susan Boyle.

Jennifer Saunders Ready To Run Charity Race

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Recovering from breast cancer, actress Jennifer Saunders is already pumped and ready to participate in Chariots of Fire’s charity race in Cambridge.

The September 19 race, organized by law firm Hewitsons, will raise money for Wallace Cancer Care, which is a center at Addenbrooke Hospital that provides cancer support services and Home Start Cambridge & District, an organization that helps families deal with illnesses or medical hardships.

Chariots of Fire’s first race began in 1992 and raised 17,000 euros, after Race Director Bill Matthews was inspired by the film “Chariots of Fire.” The event takes place at Queen’s Green through the city streets and Trinity College.

Guests Announced For UK A Not So Silent Night Concert

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Boy George, Dawn French, Guy Garvey, Jennifer Saunders and The Thompsons (Teddy, Kami, Linda) are just a few of the special guests and friends announced for the hotly anticipated Wainwright/McGarrigle Family Christmas concert, ‘A Not So Silent Night’ at the Royal Albert Hall, December 9th. It is the first time the show will take place in the UK.

This special seasonal Royal Albert Hall show will be headlined by Rufus and Martha Wainwright, and will also include performances by Ed Harcourt, International soprano and ‘Prima Donna’ star Janis Kelly, Jenni Muldaur plus human beatbox Shlomo.

In the US, Christmas has practically become synonymous with the bi-annual Wainwright/McGarrigle Carnegie Hall shows. The New York Times has called the show an “enactment of a family gathering: motley, full of overlapping agendas, a little sentimental, a little fractious but harmonious in the end.”

Red Nose Day TV Special Breaks Records

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +0000

BBC’s Red Nose Day television extravaganza, Funny For Money, raised over £57 million (US$80 million) on Friday night, breaking the previous record of £40 million set in 2007.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money aired on March 13 on BBC One and Two and featured comedy items performed by Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Ronnie Corbett, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss.

A special version of Top Of The Pops featuring performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis – as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, Islands In The Stream – also aired as part of the extravaganza. The Islands In The Stream single has just topped the UK charts, which will bring in more cash for the cause.

Red Nose Day TV Special To Tickle BBC Funny Bones

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Today, March 13, is Red Nose Day in Britain – the major fundraising event of the year for Comic Relief. And to celebrate, celebrities young and old will appear in a TV extravaganza being screened tonight on BBC One and Two.

Presented by David Tennant, Davina McCall, Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and others, Funny For Money will feature the last ever French & Saunders film parody – a version of Mamma Mia! performed by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders – plus comedy items performed by Robbie Williams, David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ricky Gervais, Harry Enfield, Peter Crouch, David Beckham, Sadie Frost, and Kate Moss. There will also be an appearance from Annie Lennox.

As part of the show, Comic Relief will also present a special version of Top Of The Pops that will feature performances by U2, James Morrison and Oasis, as well as Tom Jones and Rob Brydon singing the official Comic Relief single, Islands In The Stream.

Return of the Secret Policeman's Ball

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:56:11 +0000

In 1979, John Cleese headlined the first of a series of performances entitled ‘The Secret Policeman’s Ball’. The show was to raise awareness of Amnesty International UK, which it certainly achieved. Amnesty International UK stated that after the first 3 shows, public awareness of AIUK increased by 700%.

The first show starred other members of Monty Python, Billy Connolly, and it also gave Rowan Atkinson his big break. The Secret Policeman’s Ball was then made into a feature-length film.

In 1987, musical acts were added to the line-up, starring such artists as Kate Bush, Bob Geldof and Duran Duran.