Look To The Stars News: John Cleese

Jon Lovitz Leads Silly Walks For Charity

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

October 2009 marked the beginning of the 40th Anniversary year for the classic comedy team Monty Python, and comedian Jon Lovitz is spearheading a charity event to celebrate.

Fans of spam, dead parrots, lumberjacks and the Spanish Inquisition (“Nobody ever expects the Spanish Inquisition!”) will flock to the first ever Silly Walks For Hunger event on November 19, which will give fans and fun-seekers an opportunity to show off their own “silly walks” while participating in a world-class live production—and all for a good cause: hunger relief.

“I have been a Monty Python fan for years,” said Jon Lovitz, who in May opened his own comedy club in the heart of Universal CityWalk, and who will act as the Minister of SillyWalks for the day. “We’ll be doing good by behaving silly… what a great way to honor their work. It’s perfect!”

SillyWalks for Hunger aims to “raise enough awareness, food and money for 1,000,000 meals to be provided to families, children and elderly in L.A. and across the nation this holiday season.” Supporters can text the word “FEED” to 90999 to make a $5 donation – they will be donating the equivalent of approximately 20 meals towards meeting the goal.

The Monty Python team originally featured John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Graham Chapman.

Beneficiaries of SillyWalks for Hunger will be Feeding America, the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, and Global FoodBanking Network.

Registration for the event – which starts at the Universal CityWalk on Thursday – starts at 5:30pm. Bring a bag of non-perishable food to enter. For more info, click here.

John Cleese Talks For Lemurs

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Veteran comedian John Cleese has made a new video to benefit charity.

“Many [people] know about my fondness for lemurs,” he said in an email. "I’ll take this opportunity to direct you towards my video, “Honoured,” which talks about the species of lemur named for me and the good work that the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust does to protect this endangered animal.

“The video is available for download from headcast.co.uk for a mere pittance, with proceeds going to benefit Conservation Matters. Thank you for your support.”

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an organization born out of the passion and desire of one remarkable individual determined to do his bit to help endangered species worldwide. Gerald Durrell’s devotion to conservation was evident from an early age and he continued his work right up until his death in 1995. The international headquarters of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, officially opened at Les Augres Manor, Jersey, on 26th March 1959.

To download the video – at a cost of US$2.50 – click here.

Comedians Are Most Amused For Prince Charles

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Robin Williams, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson lead the line-up of comedic talent that will perform at “We Are Most Amused” next month. The night of comedy will help celebrate Prince Charles' 60th birthday, as well as benefit the Prince's Trust.

Founded by Prince Charles in 1976 (using his severance pay of £7,400 from the Navy), the Prince’s Trust exists to help the UK’s troubled youth through support, training and personal development. With skill development, self confidence and a completed education – and even money for a start up business – young people with hopeless outlooks are now heading toward self chosen goals and achieving their real potential.

“We try to do things differently, to cut through the bureaucracy and the red tape,” said the Prince. “And I believe that approach has paid off.”

It has for most of the youths that pass through the Trust’s doors. Of the 40,000 youths that the Trust supported last year, 73% moved into employment, education or training.

This achievement, though, comes at a high financial price, so the proceeds from We Are Most Amused will be most welcome. The good news is that the tickets for the November 12 show at the New Wimbledon Theatre sold out in one hour, even though the roster is as yet incomplete. But with icons like Williams, Cleese and Atkinson on the docket, there is little doubt as to the quality that both the stand-up and comedy sketch performances will deliver.

Igor Helps Fight Malaria In Africa

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

John Cusack's new animated film, Igor, is helping to raise awareness of the threat of malaria in Africa.

The film – which features the vocal talents of Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jay Leno, and Christian Slater – tells the story of a lowly lab assistant in the land of Malaria who dreams of becoming a scientist. With the help of two of his experimental creations—Brain, a brain in a jar who’s a little light on brains, and Scamper, a cynical bunny brought back from being road kill, Igor and his friends fight to save the world, and prove that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

The film was picked by www.malaria.com – an education, advocation, and financing body whose mission is to fight the disease – as being the perfect vehicle to raise awareness of the issue. By visiting Malaria.com’s special Igor site, the public can donate directly to the Against Malaria Foundation to buy mosquito nets for people in Africa.

“For a very little donation you can purchase these nets… the biggest prevention of malaria in Africa, where it is a huge problem,” said Buscemi. “Out of one to three million people who die of malaria, 70 per cent are under five years old. I had no idea that it’s a huge problem, so I’m glad if this movie can raise money.”

One mosquito net only costs $5 and can save the lives of whole families in Africa.

Secret Policeman's Ball Returns This Weekend

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Amnesty International has revealed some of the names to take part in its famous comedy event The Secret Policeman’s Ball, which returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 4 October.

The event – which made its name with seven shows between 1976 and 1991 – is a star-studded night of comedy, entertainment and music. It is set to feature some of the most cutting edge and leading comedic and musical talent and will also highlight some of Amnesty International’s campaigning activities for human rights all over the
world.

This year’s Secret Policeman’s Ball will also mark the start of Amnesty International’s celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December.

This year’s show will feature a lineup of some of Britain’s best comedy talent, including Frank Skinner, Alan Carr, Graham Norton, Sean Lock, Katy Brand, Tim Minchin, Kristen Schaal, Sarah Millian, Kayvan Novak, Russell Peters, Fearne Cotton, Meera Syal, Sean Williamson, and many more.

The first Secret Policeman’s Ball took place over four consecutive nights in London in June 1979, and featured John Cleese. In 1979, Pete Townshend became the first major rock musician to donate his services to the human rights organization when he performed three songs for the show, a performance that went on to inspire the human rights work of Bono, Sting, Bob Geldof, and many others.

This year’s show will be “cinecast” in cinemas all around the world, from Canada to Australia. A list of the cinemas who will be showing the Secret Policeman’s Ball live – and ticket information – can be found at the Amnesty International website.

Return of the Secret Policeman's Ball

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

Written by Hannah Coone

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.

Now, after 17 years, the Ball is finally returning, with a whole new line-up. Eddie Izzard, Chevy Chase and Jennifer Saunders are just a sample of the impressive names amongst the acts this year, as well as music performances by Gorillaz and The Magic Numbers.

The show, to be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall on October 14th and broadcast on UK’s Channel 4 shortly after, will involve stand-up comedy, sketches and music and will be given an update with animations and podcasts.

Lisle Turner, of Amnesty International UK, comments on this event, “It’s never been more important to stand-up for humanity and human rights and as it was a generation ago, the ball is our secret weapon to rally the troops.” Turner goes on to say, “We’re doing it now because the world needs a poke in the eye, it needs laughter, and frankly, it needs more balls.”

Look To The Stars News: John Cleese

Jon Lovitz Leads Silly Walks For Charity

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