Celebrating 40 years of using comedy for social change, Comic Relief Live returns to Carnegie Hall on October 19. Hosted by John Oliver, with performances by Mary Beth Barone, Zarna Garg, Josh Johnson, and Roy Wood Jr., tickets go on sale September 9 to raise critical funds for children and families facing poverty.

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Comic Relief today announced the return of Comic Relief Live, its flagship benefit evening of comedy, taking place at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Monday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. Ticket packages and individual tickets go on sale today (September 9) at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT and can be purchased at comicrelief.org/live.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning host and comedian John Oliver, Comic Relief Live will feature an evening of performances highlighted by Mary Beth Barone, Zarna Garg, Josh Johnson, and Roy Wood Jr.

Comic Relief puts comedy to work where traditional approaches fail, lowering defenses around difficult issues and bringing people together to be part of the solution. Ticket sales from Comic Relief Live directly support the organization's ability to fund grantee partners working on the ground to help children in poverty and to power events and campaigns that connect people with ways to help in their local communities.

During this year's flagship benefit, Comic Relief will present its 2026 Visionary Award to ServiceNow – an honor established to recognize leaders and organizations who use their platform, innovation, and resources to advance systemic change for children and families facing poverty. Karen Pavlin, Chief Workforce Innovation Officer for ServiceNow, will accept the award on behalf of the organization, which is being celebrated for its commitment to expanding access to opportunity by empowering young people and investing in youth-led projects at the intersection of technology and social impact.

"Now is the moment we need comedy more than ever," said Michele Ganeless, Chief Executive Officer of Comic Relief. "As the need grows across the country, comedy gives us an unmatched ability to break through the noise, build awareness, and move people to action. Ticket sales from Comic Relief Live power all our work, from funding grantee partners helping children on the ground to driving the community events and public campaigns that inspire people to get involved. We are honoring ServiceNow with this year's Visionary Award because they prove what's possible when you put technology and innovation to work for young people, and their commitment to expanding opportunity sets a standard for all of us. "

"Technology reaches its highest potential when it opens doors and solves complex challenges for people and communities," said Pavlin. "At ServiceNow, we are focused on putting AI and innovation to work for non-profits on the frontlines of change, and we are honored to receive the Visionary Award from Comic Relief as we work together to empower young leaders and create lasting opportunity."

The event builds on Comic Relief's growing national momentum, following this month's launch of its "Not Our Problem" PSA campaign, and the rollout of its inaugural Neighborhood Festivals series in Los Angeles. Comic Relief Live elevates that shared energy to Carnegie Hall, raising funds to shift public understanding and deliver direct resources to grantee partners working in local communities across America.

The year 2026 also marks the 40th anniversary of the night Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and the late Robin Williams stepped onto an HBO stage for the first Comic Relief special, showing the world that comedy could capture the national conversation around urgent social issues. Rather than looking back, Comic Relief is using this milestone to build on that enduring legacy, proving once again that entertainment remains one of the most effective ways to lower defenses, shift public understanding, and direct critical resources to organizations helping children and families today.

Patrick Vien, Vice Board Chair of Comic Relief and Group Managing Director, International at A+E Global Media, and Dave Bernath, Chief Executive Officer at Wurl, will co-chair the 2026 benefit. Together, they preside over a distinguished committee of entertainment, business, and philanthropic leaders, all committed to furthering Comic Relief's mission and dynamic spirit.

Ticket sales and donations raised from Comic Relief Live directly fund Comic Relief's work to shift narratives, advance public education, and resource grantee partners on the front lines delivering housing, meals, and education programs for kids and families. Ticket packages and individual tickets go on sale tomorrow (September 9) at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT and can be purchased at comicrelief.org/live, by visiting carnegiehall.org, calling Carnegie Hall at (212) 247-7800, or at the Carnegie Hall Box Office on 57th Street and Seventh Avenue.

About Comic Relief

Comedy moves culture. Comic Relief uses this power to build awareness, raise money, and drive action in communities to support kids facing poverty. To date, we've helped more than 50 million children and families live healthier, safer, and more empowered lives. Comic Relief, Inc. is a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. Learn more at ComicRelief.org and follow us across platforms @ComicReliefUS.

Media Contact

Steve Albani, Comic Relief, 1 (917) 439-3212, steve@abcreativepr.com, ComicRelief.org

Aileen Budow, 1 (917) 842-9653, aileen@abcreativepr.com

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SOURCE Comic Relief