The Secret Policeman's Ball

Comedian Micky Flanagan turns up in The Secret Policeman's Ball (Channel 4, 10pm).

Recorded on Sunday in New York, this latest Amnesty International fundraiser boasts a huge line-up including Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr and stacks of Americans I should probably have heard of.

Coldplay are on it as well, although they tend to only make me laugh if Chris Martin accidentally slams the piano lid on his fingers.

The hilarious Secret Policeman's Ball is back to mark Amnesty ­International's 50th anniversary.

Recorded last Sunday at Radio City Music Hall in New York, it's the first time the gala event has been held outside the UK since John Cleese and his friends brought together musicians and ­comedians for the first show in 1976.

It might also be the first time that Coldplay and professional hecklers Statler and Waldorf, from The Muppets, have appeared on the same bill.

The all star-cast also features comics from both sides of the Atlantic, including David Walliams, Ben Stiller, Eddie Izzard, Russell Brand, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Carr, Noel Fielding and Jack Whitehall, with music from Mumford & Sons.

The story of The Secret Policeman's other Balls

Amnesty's famous comedy benefit event has crossed the Atlantic, but will it match up to the uniquely British originals?

The Secret Policeman's Ball: behind the scenes - video

Amnesty International goes behind the scenes at The Secret Policeman's Ball at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Russell Brand talks about his tattoo, while other performers, including Paul Rudd, Eddie Izzard and Noel Fielding, talk about what human rights mean to them.

The Amnesty International benefit show returns after a four-year hiatus with a transatlanic special, taking place for the first time in New York at the Radio City Music Hall. Recorded on Sunday, the show celebrates the charity's 50th anniversary with a stellar comedy line-up including Russell Brand, Ben Stiller, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Silverman, Jack Whitehall, Jon Stewart and The Muppets. There's music, too, from Mumford & Sons and Coldplay, whose frontman, Chris Martin, announces onstage: "We take pleasure in being the least funny act here."

Amnesty brings its comedy fundraiser to the US for the first time to celebrate the organisation's 50th birthday. The line-up is an Atlantic-straddling bobby dazzler at New York's Radio City Music Hall: the US contingent includes Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman and Kristen Wiig, and the UK sends Peter Serafinowicz, Noel Fielding and Russell Brand. Music comes from Coldplay and Mumford & Sons. The ball always comes off best when it's a combination of standup and sketch comedy, so fingers crossed for some surprise team-ups.

Video: Jack Whitehall on US Secret Policeman's Ball gig

Comedian Jack Whitehall has just returned to the UK after performing at The Secret Policeman's Ball gala in New York; the first time it has been held outside the UK.

He performed alongside Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard, David Walliams, Jon Stewart and Ben Stiller for the Amnesty International benefit.

While speaking to the BBC's Charlie Stayt and Susanna Reid about the US gig he decided to investigate the BBC Breakfast programme's set.

The Secret Policeman's 50th anniversary Ball

Here's how the comedy and music show that is The Secret Policeman's Ball went from being a small benefit show to an international brand...

Secret Policeman's Ball: Stand-up and be counted

Russell Brand stole the show as American and British comics vied for laughs in New York.

Secret Policeman's Ball crosses Atlantic

Russell Brand, Coldplay and a host of other acts have taken part in a Secret Policeman's Ball gala in New York - the first to take place outside the UK.