- Channel 4's Comedy Gala
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Channel 4's Comedy Gala is a British stand-up comedy benefit show organised Channel 4 in aid of the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. The gig is filmed live at the O2 Arena in London, and then broadcast later by Channel 4. An inaugural gala was held in 2010, while a second gala was held in 2011.
Contents
History
The Comedy Gala was first commissioned by Channel 4 Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Syeda Irtizaali.[1] Tickets first went on sale on 12 February 2010 for the live show at the O2 Arena, scheduled for 30 March 2010.[1] With over 25 performers taking part, Channel 4 promoted the first gala as "the biggest live stand up show in UK history", and "the comedy event of the year".[1] Hinting that there may be more Channel 4 Comedy Gala's in the future, as Jack Dee closed the first show with the line "we'll see you next year, thank you and goodnight".
Hailing the first gig as a big hit both in terms of fund raising and for viewers, Irtizaali commissioned a second gala again at the O2, with tickets going on sale on 11 March 2011, and the gig scheduled for 24 May 2011.[2][3][4]
All profits from ticket and DVD sales of the Comedy Galas go to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.[1][5] All performers waive their fees for the shows.[1][2] The first gala raised nearly £1 million, enabling a new anaesthetic room to be built, while the second gala is to raise funds for a new £5m operating theatre.[3]
Galas
2010 gala
Main article: Channel 4's Comedy Gala (2010)The first gala took place at The O2 on 30 March 2010, and was broadcast on Channel 4 on 5 April 2010. It featured seventeen comedians performing stand-up, as well as a number of others performing live and pre-recorded sketches. Hosted by Alan Carr and Jonathan Ross, it featured extended stand-up sets by Michael McIntyre and Lee Evans.
2011 gala
Main article: Channel 4's Comedy Gala (2011)The second gala took place at The O2 on 24 May 2011, and broadcast on Channel 4 at 9pm on 10th June 2011. Several acts from the first gala were confirmed to appear in the second.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Comedy Royalty unite for Channel 4's Comedy Gala". www.channel4sales.com/news. Channel 4. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 April 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5ohgfWR6P. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
- ^ a b "C4 Comedy Gala to return". Chortle. 11 March 2011. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5x73HI618. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Michael McIntyre and John Bishop among comedians joining together to fund £5m op theatre at Great Ormond Street". The Daily Mirror. 10 March 2011. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5x6xiONXL. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ "Comedy Gala Returns for 2011!". Channel 4. 11 March 2011. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5x6v5Cy03. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ "Off the Kerb Productions". www.offthekerb.co.uk/ Home Page. Off the Kerb. undated. Archived from the original on 3 April 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5ohgxa3tf. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
External links
Categories:- Channel 4 comedy
- Health-related fundraisers
- Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Stand-up comedy concert films
- Stand-up comedy on DVD
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