The Seen: A Good Laugh

Comedians, it seems, have a penchant for being warm-hearted. You can draw a straight line from the groundbreaking charity work done by the evergreen Jerry Lewis Telethon since the 60's and Comic Relief over the last two decades to its family of contemporaries today. And yet Comic Relief in the US is no more, so it's up to its progeny to carry on its legacy of charity. For the last seven years, the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation has been doing just that, raising over 33 million dollars for children with help and guidance from two famous former co-workers, Ray Romano and Doris Roberts.

Judging from the crowd that packed the newly-reopened Wilshire Theatre to the far reaches of the balcony, it doesn't look like 2009 will be any different, recession be damned. Closing act Bob Saget, himself a multi-year veteran of Comic Relief, made a commitment. "Nonprofits need this to really raise money, to really make a difference," he said. Comedian Jeffery Ross had a different take. "It's great, the Jerry Lewis Telethon," he said. "Every year, a new kid can get up, stand on their own two legs - and walk over to the TV to turn off the Jerry Lewis Telethon."

All photographs courtesy of Forest Casey