Once more 'Comic Relief' is set to invade our Television screens asking the public to part with their hard-earned cash to help causes in Africa and the UK. Founded by Lenny Henry in 1985, 'Comic Relief' has been a regular feature on our tv sets ever since.
'Comic Relief' sell all manner of products to the public to supposedly raise money for good causes whether that be red noses or kits on how to raise money for the charity. However, I think there is something patronising about celebs coming on television and asking people to give money to causes where the money may not go where it is supposed to be going, especially if those members of the public are struggling with bills or are on benefits.
It would be interesting to find out how much these very wealthy celebs give to 'Comic Relief' and surely with the money they earn, people like Lenny Henry or Jonathon Ross could keep the coffers of 'Comic Relief' going for a very long time.
A while ago the BBC investigative programme 'Panorama' criticised 'Comic Relief' for investing its money in tobacco and alcohol companies when 'Comic Relief' was giving money to organisations that fought against alcohol addiction for example, it showed the charities ignorance or their hypocracy. Of course in the light of this, 'Comic Relief' later said it would be careful who it invested its millions with.
I have nothing against charity and people who wish to give to 'Comic Relief' or 'Children in Need' both aired by the BBC, that's fine, if that's what they want to do.
But it's the method of how people are seemingly forced through feeling guilty to contribute to the cause, where you get images of starving kids in Africa with Lenny Henry or some other celeb prancing about trying to look holier than thou. Who pays for these celebs to fly out there, 'Comic Relief' funds or the BBC licence payer's fee?
When Bob Geldof first came out with 'Band Aid' in 1984 it seemed a good cause and it did seem to help those in Ethiopia and then it seemed everyone was jumping on the bandwagon, whether it was well intentioned or not, like 'Comic Relief' and 'Sport Relief'. Since then we have had so many incarnations of 'Comic Relief', 'Sport Relief' and 'Band Aid' ad nauseum.
There are many charities that do not get the publicity that 'Comic Relief' gets with its virtual takeover of BBC television and to me this is a shame.