Plot Synopsis

Since 2006, this comedy-variety benefit for the Autism Coalition has aired (almost) biennially on Comedy Central and later HBO. This benefit for autism education features an evening filled with live performances, sketches and short films from a roster of celebrities. The October 2006 NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS: AN OVERBOOKED BENEFIT FOR AUTISM EDUCATION raised more than $2.5 million. Since 2006, NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS has collected over $18 million, raising much-needed funds to support autism schools, programs and services. Hosted by Jon Stewart, the 2012 event was held on Saturday, October 13 at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, and was broadcast one week later on Sunday, October 21 at 8pm ET/PT with live wrap arounds from the THE DAILY SHOW studios. At the taped portion of the event, which had a theme "America Comes Together," celebrity pairs that were rivals or polar opposites came together, agreeing that Autism is a cause worth supporting. Celebs included: Hannibal Buress, Bill Burr, Stephen Colbert, Paula Deen, Jenni 'JWoww' Farley, Tina Fey, Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola, Carly Rae Jepsen, Chris Matthews, Tom Morello, Tracy Morgan, Katy Perry, Amy Poehler, Seth Rogen, and Steve Schirripa. Plus, Fred Armisen, Matthew Broderick, Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, Jimmy Kimmel, Jack McBrayer, Julianne Moore, Bob Saget, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Sudeikis, and Meredith Vieira manned the phones during live wraparounds. Before airing on Comedy Central, NBC presented NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS as a one-hour special on Saturday, May 31, 2003 at 8pm ET. On Sunday, March 8, 2015 from 8-10pm ET/PT, Comedy Central premiered NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS: AMERICA COMES TOGETHER FOR AUTISM PROGRAMS (#StarsForAutism), again hosted by Jon Stewart, with an evening of live performances, sketches, and short films. The event was taped on February 28, 2015 at the Beacon Theatre, but the telecast featured live wrap-arounds featuring a celebrity phone bank, allowing viewers to call in during the airing to donate while speaking with comedians and celebrities. In addition to Stewart, the performers include Bill Burr, Louis C.K., John Oliver, Paul Rudd, Amy Schumer, Steve Buscemi, Steve Carell, Gilbert Gottfried, Maya Rudolph, and Sarah Silverman. Plus, the phone banks are manned by Larry David, Martin Short, Larry Wilmore, Fred Armisen, Andy Cohen, Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Susan Sarandon, and more celebs. Finally, the event also features an online auction at cc.com/stars where the public can bid on celebrity-amplified experiences and swag including walk-on roles on some of TV's hottest shows, autographed collectibles, and props from the NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS event itself.
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On Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 8pm ET/5pm PT, HBO premiered NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS: AMERICA UNITES FOR AUTISM PROGRAMS, hosted by Jon Stewart from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The celebrity lineup includes J.J. Abrams, Stephen Colbert, Rob Corddry, Abbi Jacobson, Ellie Kemper, Jordan Klepper, Howie Mandel, Hasan Minhaj, John Mulaney, Olivia Munn, Chris Rock, John Oliver, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Edie Falco, Will Forte, Christopher Jackson, Kumail Nanjiani, Andy Samberg and Sarah Silverman. Plus, The Roots has been confirmed as house band for the show. HBO is partnering with Facebook and YouTube to stream the show live from HBO's pages, which enables viewers to watch for free and donate directly through social media. The special also streams live on HBO GO and HBO NOW, and is available to subscribers of affiliates participating in the upcoming Free Preview Weekend, which begins Friday, November 17 and runs through Monday, November 20.