[Sundae]

According to Wiki, Comic Relief was devised in 1985 by Richard Curtis during Live Aid. That fits with what I know too - various British comedic luminaries (Ben Elton, Stephen Fry et all) were present at the party and about its conception. The first broadcast was from a refugee camp in the Sudan.

The first Red Nose Day UK was in 1988 and I clearly remember it. The noses in those days were hard plastic and really chafed! The ones this year were really not made for 4-5 year olds and we've had a lot of tears as they've fallen off and got lost or split from the attempts to make them fit. Not much you can do - the teeny-tinies have such small noses comared to adults. Perhaps they should sell two sizes? But that would up production costs...

I did once make a suggestion that cross dressing was more an English thing than an American, but was reminded how much the Pythons were adored in the US. Perhaps it's a funny-by-furriners thing.

I admit Comic Relief here can be hit & miss. It's shackled by the terrible need to be funny for everyone. Nothing can be funny to everyone. Usually I prefer Children in Need (UK charities only so no HateMail readers get to spew vitriol) and no specific need to be funny. And they get the West End hits to come in after their final performance, which is a free preview for the rest of us and also a nice teary opportunity after the pub because they're giving up their time - uncredited and unpaid - after a full show..

But Comic Relief is more cool. I think.
As the amount of comics - good ones - already in Let's Dance shows.