Does anyone agree that Comic relief/live aid etc are just vehicles for celebrities to promote themselves?

Question

Bob Geldof for example is a multi millionaire. that isn't from selling Boomtown rats records!
Millions of records were also sold off the back of Live aid.
none of the profits of which were given to charity. call me cynical but the recent revelation that terry wogan actually takes a fee for hosting Children in Need, just confirms it for me.

So why watch the show? Why not cut out (another) middle man, and just give to charitys directly? Why sit through Lenny hendry trying to resuscitate his career?

Answer 1

I think the celebrities do use it to further their own careers most of them are not seen from one year to the next.Almost every body says that the money is still needed,well why not start a campaign to stop the government from taking lots of money from the Lottery to put on the 2012 Olpympics,surely the cost of this ego trip is getting way out of hand and increasing every week.

Answer 2

As someone who has been involved with charities for over 20 years as a volunteer, trustee and employee, I can only say that if a charity is putting on a fundraising event, it is well known that if a 'celebrity' is involved, it will bring far more punters in. Compare the local village fete which might be opened by a minor soap star to events like Comic Relief - the fact is that people are attracted by seeing famous people either in the flesh or doing unusual things. Most charities would give their right arms to have a well known patron as they know that this brings notice to the cause - if a member of the public admires a certain actor for instance, that person might me more likely to support that actor's charity.
Yes, there is a certain kudos to celebrities being seen to support causes -its the same with commercial sponsorship - companies want some promotional mention in return for their support - but if the celebs give their time free (which most do), then they are using their skills to support the charity in the same way as Mrs Smith down the road might give her time free to help at the day centre.
The only problem I have with Comic Relief is that they make it look as if Comic Relief itself is running all those projects, whereas what they actually do is fund other charities to carry out the work. No acknowledgement is given to the charities who are delivering the projects on the TV programme and I find that a bit galling.....but in the voluntary sector we have learnt to take the money, get on with it and not complain!

Answer 3

Yes I do. In fact you read my mind because I was going to post a question this morning asking do the damn celebrities actually give some of THEIR OWN money to comic relief or other charities? ...Note how theyre constantly telling the general public to dip into their pockets for every charity event going, not even considering that some of us do that on a regular basis for our chosen charities already. Seems we are shelling out all the flipping time while the celebrities get all the attention and credit for our good natures. I bet they get paid to appear on these fund raising shows and refuse to go on unless they do. I wish for once, we could see so called celebrities do a genuine bit of work for once - which involves fundraising for free and parting with some of their non deserving money!!

Food for thought: If we are raising substantial amounts of money like this every year, then why are we not seeing any real progress? why do they still only have one well and limited resources..makes you wonder where the money really is going....!

Answer 4

I agree with you, but I think we should focus on the money that has been raised and the difference that it makes. Even though I don't agree with Terry Wogan taking a fee for Children in Need, it won't stop me from giving because the people who'll miss out are the beneficiaries of the cash raised.

I wonder maybe if Sir Terry might have a change of heart for this years appeal?

Answer 5

i agree with you. they are merely nothing more than publicity stunts to attract people's attention. people donate to charity every day if not that often, anyway so why does it have to take events such as comic relief, children in need and live aid to highlight the problems which are already there from the start.
i am also cynical of where all the profits of red nose day etc end up. once every year comic relief is on our screens- and every time it happens we hear or see stories of kids in africa dying. and time and time again, the issue is around money- can't the majority of these celebrities realise that it takes more than money to address the crisis's that people in africa face in their lives? likewise, getting rid of it's despotic dictators

Answer 6

That so should not be said. Truth is that everyone wants to help, but celebs can afford to give lots more money than most of us!
Yeah so they host the show, but would the show be interesting without them? If it was just people we dont know, you may not watch it.
I htink it is a great cause and i think it is wonderful how all of these people (celebs or not) do their bit.

Answer 7

No I think you are wrong to a degree,I believe they have the peoples interest at heart.But its like any thing,you will always get a few who see it as a means to a bit of free publicity.My only problem with it is this,We have kids dying on our streets,The health service in tatters,because of gross in competence.Old people afraid to put the heating on,children growing up in poverty amongst Ignorant people,who in turn, turn these kids into Ignorant clones of themselves.We need to get our own house in order first.

Answer 8

in a way it's true: although they probably don't get paid for it, wannabe/cheap "celebs" always somehow make it onto the shows. they don't care what show it is as long they get their faces on tv. BUT, if there weren't any of these "celebs" around, who would watch it in the first place? ok, maybe all the lifestyle mags would start chasing them for interviews, etc. and that's how they get their money, the cheeky cows

Answer 9

I entirely agree. Also, celebrities devoid of talent. I believe Terry Wogans fee is being called, euphemistically, an honorarium. It is still money though.

Answer 10

I agree wholeheartedly!
Id much rather go to my local charity shop and buy something usefull than donate to those on TV begging for my money.
also dnt agree with comic relief as it sends 60 % to africa and we have more than enough trouble her in th UK to deal with before sending money elsewhere.