We know that Red Nose Day is a live televised show featuring some of our favorite celebs donning bulbous red costuming to look silly, but what do we really know about the show?
The televised event is really the culmination of a whole day’s worth of celebrities raising awareness and funds for children living in poverty all over the world. The three-hour special airs on NBC and is a telethon of sorts — viewers are encouraged to donate via telephone and the internet — and the program will also give more information about the issues #RedNoseDay is trying to raise money for, according to rednoseday.com.
In addition to being an awesome cause, Red Nose Day is also going to be one heck of a great show. Here’s what the program and campaign are all about.
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1. Red Nose Day originated in Britain
USA! The guys have a favour to ask about #RedNose Day. Please take the time to watch this.https://t.co/pepqHECHTK
— One Direction (@onedirection) May 21, 2015
The campaign has British roots and started way back in 1988 to raise money for poverty-stricken children in the U.K. and Africa.
2. This is the #RedNoseDay debut in the U.S.
Elisabeth Moss on the #RedNose Red Carpet! pic.twitter.com/tb2196mKiC
— Comic Relief US (@ComicReliefUS) May 21, 2015
Red Nose Day has been successfully raising funds for nearly two decades overseas, but May 21, 2015 marks the first time it hits the U.S.
3. It has ties to Comic Relief, U.K.
It ain't hard to get me to be a clown… Support kids charities, tune in 5/21 @ 8pm ET #NBC#RedNose@RedNoseDayUSpic.twitter.com/brJhlg2AEs
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) May 21, 2015
Comic Relief and #RedNoseDay were “created out of the firm belief that the power of mass media and high-profile celebrities can raise awareness of issues of poverty to change and save millions of lives,” according the the Red Nose Day website. Not to be confused with the United States’ version of Comic Relief — it’s not affiliated with the Comic Relief charity that Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg used to take part in in the ’80s. “However, both organizations have used the power of comedy to put the public at the heart of their social mission,” rednoseday.com says.
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4. Nick Cannon is dancing up a storm for it
https://instagram.com/p/26yJxCEQUx/
Cannon pledged to dance 24 hours straight to help raise money and awareness. The event is live streaming on nbc.com.
https://instagram.com/p/29OUCukQTx/
5. Bill and Melinda Gates stepped up
Happy Red Nose Day! Post your red nose photo using #RedNose25 and we'll donate $25 to charity. http://t.co/ksSvGDzPbypic.twitter.com/QbbWCVzhN0
— Melinda French Gates (@melindagates) May 21, 2015
The couple announced they would donate $25 for every person who posted a selfie wearing a red nose to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #RedNose25, up to $1 million. By mid-afternoon on Thursday, over 13,300 social media users had utilized the tag.
6. There’s an app for that!
We believe in the power of laughter to help end poverty across the globe. https://t.co/TcTqZkhTLz#RedNoseDaypic.twitter.com/n0UvSLIGgm
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 21, 2015
The Red Nose Day app lets users put a virtual red nose on their face, just in case they didn’t have one readily at their disposal.
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7. It benefits 12 charities
On the #RedNose Red Carpet with @joshgroban ! pic.twitter.com/8PSZza4mvP
— Comic Relief US (@ComicReliefUS) May 21, 2015
Funds raised will go towards helping Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Charity: Water, Gavi: The Vaccine Alliance, Lift, the National Council of La Raza, the National Urban League, Oxfam America, Save the Children, Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, The Global Fund and United Way.
8. The show will feature pre-recorded spoofs
9. As well as actors appearing live
How do y'all like my nose? 😎 Remember to tune in to #NBC at 8 PM ET for #RedNose Day! @RedNoseDayUS ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LmNWSBD14s
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) May 21, 2015
Tons of celebs, like Anna Kendrick and Will Ferrell, are confirmed to hit the stage.
10. And musical performances
View this post on Instagram
Ed Sheeran will take the stage with a very special guest.
11. And reality show personalities
https://twitter.com/KUWTKWorld/status/601304987340316673
12. The hosts are pretty awesome
https://twitter.com/davidduchovny/status/601467584018427905
The event, which goes down at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, will be MCed by Seth Meyers, David Duchovny and Jane Krakowski.
13. Red Nose Day U.K.’s funds raised are no small potatoes
Be honest, is there something on my face? Happy #RedNose Day! pic.twitter.com/y2EWPxocBe
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 21, 2015
The charity has raised more than the equivalent of US$122 million to date, according to their website.
Catch the show on Thursday, May 21 at 8/7c.
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