The event was launched by funnyman John Cleese in the 1970s, bringing together a star-studded mix of comedians and musicians to raise money for charity and highlight the importance of freedom of speech.
After a four-year absence, the traditionally British-held ball took place in America for the first time on Sunday night (04Mar12) with a show at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
British and American comedians took it in turns to grace the stage, while Stiller and Walliams teamed up for a joint performance to discuss language discrepancies between the U.K. and U.S., with both agreeing the word “Bush” was “embarrassing” for both nations, but “Piers Morgan” translates as “annoying” on both sides of the Atlantic.
The evening also included musical performances from Mumford & Sons and Coldplay, whose frontman Chris Martin told the crowd as he took to the stage, “We take pleasure in being the least funny act here.”
The event raised money for Amnesty International.
