John Oliver Returns To Host Comic Relief Live

John Oliver is back to help out Comic Relief Live.

The Last Week Tonight star will host this year’s event, which takes place at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on Monday, October 19.

Oliver will be joined by performances from Mary Beth Barone, Zarna Garg, Josh Johnson, and Roy Wood Jr.

It comes after Oliver hosted the event last year alongside Mike Birbiglia, Michael Che, Ilana Glazer and Lupita Nyong’o.

It marks the comedy charity’s 40^th anniversary, which saw Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams star in the first special that aired on HBO.

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.

Ticket sales from Comic Relief Live directly support the organization’s ability to help children in poverty. Comic Relief will present its 2026 Visionary Award to ServiceNow, which helps fund 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.”