That Comic Relief was the biggest pile of crap

Are you a man?

nah, she's probably just sick of trans people being all over the TV as the BBC try desperately to pretend it's so mainstream and these people have actually changed sex.

It’s utter shite

It’s no longer relevant for celebrities to point out ‘thank god it’s them instead of you’. It is us, it’s the majority of people bar them, the presenters who are very unlikely counting every penny until the end of the month. It used to be those in the most dire of situations in Africa, then a minority of the UK where hidden poverty was highlighted. Now the struggling are the majority, there is truly a bad taste to those who lecture us about the struggle.

I think it’s very easy to see oneself as not part of the “privileged” cohort when yes, the cost of living has skyrocketed and yes, our bills have gone up and yes, even those of us who were previously “comfortable” are struggling to make ends meet. But ultimately, if we’re watching Comic Relief – on a TV, with a TV licence – and posting on MN – on a device, with an internet connection – we ARE privileged and we CAN almost certainly afford a tenner donation. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for a celebrity to ask that of us, particularly one who does donate time and money to charitable causes. I don’t disagree with you that telemarathons like Comic Relief and CiN are no longer sufficient and not what they used to be in the 80s etc — not least because comparatively, they raise a lot less money nowadays — but that’s not the fault of the charitable endeavours themselves. The COL crisis and the ever-expanding wealth gap is not the fault of entertainers, no matter how high-earning they may be. Save your ire for the politicians and those that fund them.

Telethons are nearly always rubbish TV however good the cause/s supported

Comic relief has been going for 40 years, it was set up by celebrities so they could use their privilege and "celebrity" to raise money, so the whole DT lecturing is the point.

I miss the lenny henry ,French and Saunders and all those brilliant comedians. It used to be a brilliant show.
I have not watched it for a few years now.
I still support it and buy the merchandise for my children and donate.

Good grief! And we let these people walk among us!

I’m not saying it’s DT in particular, it’s the concept of the rich and privileged demanding the efforts and money of the general population who are (as you quite rightly point out) struggling more and more due to the actions of our government. It was DT in particular who turned me away from the whole tv charity marathon, as it’s just a parade of sanctimonious ego without true action. I do believe CR started with the best of intentions, as were many mass charity events of the 80s. But times have changed and the wealth gap is now beyond comprehension - comic relief is becoming more of a hypocrisy every year.

What are you on about? Comic relief funds ongoing projects, poverty and disadvantage will never be eradicated.

I’ve never understood this outlook, especially when it comes to someone like David Tennant who clearly does a significant amount of work for charity and always has done. Far more than most of us will ever do, in fact (and yes, that is of course a privilege afforded to him by his wealth and the fact that he can afford to dedicate his time that way, but regardless he does so by choice).

Firstly, we have no idea what celebrities donate to charity privately. Secondly, nobody expects anyone to give up every single last penny they have to charity – why do we require highly paid individuals to do so?

Personally I find it more galling when politicians – who have voted through benefit cuts or tax cuts etc – call for charitable donations when they are part of the system that has resulted in children and vulnerable adults living in poverty.

It was David Tennant many moons ago having a Bob Geldof moment on CR that was a curtains dropping event for me. The man did/does make more in a year than many will see in a lifetime, and his little strop about how people watching needed to help made wonder what planet these overpaid bbc mouthpieces and hyper egos are on.

Comic relief and Children in Need are different charities.

I have never ever felt interested in watching it.
Judging by this post, I haven’t missed much.
Seems like it’s gone stale and needs a re-think?

Gosh I didn’t even know it was happening - before I remember the red noses in all the shops and huge ad push - maybe because I rarely watch live TV anymore. Did they raise a decent amount?

I agree.

I agree, it had a great bunch of comedians in the 90s, it was a bit chaotic but funny. Reminded me a bit of Tiswas. Time to put it to bed.

If sending money helped, it would've worked by now.

There’s something about extremely wealthy celebrities asking me to give up my spare change that irks me.

It peaked in the 90s and hasn't been entertaining for a long time now. Same with CIN.

I can almost guarantee that what you’re really annoyed by – despite hiding it in the middle – is point 5, so you threw in the (unfounded and demonstrably untrue) accusation of the money “lining the Director’s pockets” to further the ongoing campaign of discrediting the BBC because they have the audacity to treat transgender people like human beings.

What an unpleasant thread.

Well you can look to see how the money is spent I don't think it goes where you assume it does
, anyway I agree with the rest it's rubbish they had been flogging that oasis sketch all week like it was TV gold, Load of shite

There’s been quite a theme on MN recently, sadly.

They donate to Stonewall so I'd rather not contribute