BY JAKE COYLE
AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK
At the first U.S. Secret Policeman's Ball, American and British comics took turns on the Radio City Music Hall stage to showcase the foul-mouthed joy of free speech.
The benefit concert Sunday night brought a U.K. tradition across the Atlantic for the first time in its 36-year history. It was started by Amnesty International and Monty Python's John Cleese, who gathered comics for a gala to fundraise for the human rights organization. Musicians like Pete Townsend and Sting would later join.
The last Secret Policeman's Ball was in London four years ago, but the tradition was renewed stateside Sunday with the same guiding ethos of celebrating free expression by ridiculing despots - whether they be international dictators, fictional characters like the Ball's namesake or maybe just more daily life demons like - as Paul Rudd cited - high-priced sushi.
"It's not a hostile takeover," insisted Russell Brand, speaking on behalf of his British countrymen. In a 2 1/2 hour show, which was streamed live by EpixHD.com, that featured dozens of performers, the only restriction on speech was the "Wrap It Up" sign, which hurried the loquacious Brand from the stage.
Read further: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/05/3070689/brit-and-american-comedy-dance.html
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