John Oliver Hosts Comic Relief’s 40th Anniversary Night at Carnegie Hall

Roy Wood Jr., Josh Johnson and Zarna Garg take the stage as the charity marks four decades since its HBO debut. Comic Relief returned to New York on Monday night, 40 years after the homeless and child poverty charity event debuted with John Oliver as host. Comic Relief returned to New York on Monday night, 40 years after the homeless and child poverty charity event debuted with an iconic program hosted by three comedy legends. This year, John Oliver hosted at Carnegie Hall, with several familiar faces from The Daily Show on stage and a diverse lineup of stand-ups rounding out the night’s talent. Oliver hosted with his charming, self-deprecating schtick, joined by comic actress and podcaster Mary Beth Barone, Indian American comic and New York Times bestselling author Zarna Garg, Josh Johnson and Roy Wood Jr.

Johnson and Wood are Daily Show alums, as is Oliver himself, who cut his teeth there before his beloved Last Week Tonight debuted on HBO. HBO was, in fact, the original home of Comic Relief when Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal hosted the premiere event in 1986. The trio, already established stars, had such charisma on stage that Comic Relief became a runaway success for the charity and HBO, distributing $50 million toward health care services for unhoused people across the