The fallout from Hurricane Katrina continues a year after the fact, as HBO announced today that it's resuscitating Comic Relief this November to benefit people affected by the hurricane. In response, Katrina's weary victims said, "Haven't we endured enough?"
The U.S. version of Comic Relief was founded in 1986 by Bob Zmuda, who was inspired by a British charitable organization of the same name. But most people remember Comic Relief as the pet project of Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams, who hosted the first eight events for HBO. In the beginning, proceeds benefited the homeless, though in 1992, Comic Relief mounted a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Andrew, raising a whopping $2 million in one night, according to HBO.
Crystal, Goldberg, and Williams will return to host Comic Relief this year, though it's been a while since any of them was known for being funny. (Williams was in the news lately because he entered rehab for alcoholism.) They'll have help from other comics, but the line-up hasn't been announced.
TBS/TNT president and COO Steve Koonin was clearly delighted to be part of the event, as this natural-sounding quote indicates:
"For two decades, Comic Relief has used the art of comedy to help people in need. "As television's 'very funny' network, we at TBS are proud to take part in bringing the best comedy talent in the industry together for what is certain to be an extraordinary television event for a very worthy cause."
Comic Relief will air Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9 p.m. eastern on HBO and TBS.