THE FIRST TELETHON EVER WITH THE GOAL OF RAISING ZERO DOLLARS!
A Star-Studded Non-Partisan Get Out The Vote 2-Hour Streaming Comedy Event Will Air Live From 6-8 PT/9-11 ET on Monday, November 5, on YouTube, Facebook Live and Comedy Central Online and Powered by ‘When We All Vote’
YouTube, Lyft & ICM Partners Are Presenting Sponsors
Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer, Charlize Theron, Jane Fonda, Adam Devine, Lil Rel, Judd Apatow, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Whitney Cummings, Connie Britton, Ashley Benson, Sara Foster, Chris Redd, Nick Kroll, YouTube Star Olga Kay and Many More are Set To Appear On This Nonpartisan Telethon That Aims to Spur Voter Turnout By, In Lieu Of Money, Taking Pledges to Vote THE VERY NEXT DAY!
LOS ANGELES– THE TELETHON FOR AMERICA, created by comedian/actor & TV Host Ben Gleib, is a non-partisan get-out-the-vote initiative that completely re-invents the telethon for the digital age. Featuring over 50 top actors, comedians, and online influencers. The telethon will stream live on YouTube, Facebook Live and Comedy Central Online on Monday, November 5, from 6-8 PT & 9-11 ET, the night before the Midterm elections taking place on Tuesday November 6. Voters can sign up to participate HERE.
The event was announced by Executive Producers Ben Gleib, Neil Mandt, Hannah Linkenhoker, Rick Sorkin and Barry Katz. YouTube, Lyft and ICM Partners are presenting sponsors and the event is powered by ‘When We All Vote,’ a non-partisan, non-profit campaign launched by Michelle Obama. The telethon will be produced by Gleib’s Neurotic Gangster Productions, BC Live, Mandt Bros Productions, Barry Katz Entertainment, and YouTube, streamed from their Playa Vista creative studio space, which the platform has donated along with their production equipment and facilities.
THE TELETHON FOR AMERICA, the first telethon in history with the stated goal of raising zero money – with the singular goal of taking pledges to increase voter turnout— will feature top celebrity talent, live performances, comedy, music, pre-taped segments, and extensive interaction with our celebrity phone bank who will be calling OUT to fans and potential voters to ensure they will vote the day after the telecast. Talent commitments include Judd Apatow, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jane Fonda, Charlize Theron, Lil Rel, Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer, Ashley Benson, Adam Devine, Ben Gleib, Whitney Cummings, Russell Peters, Jeff Ross, Sara Foster, Sophia Bush, Tom Arnold, Aisha Taylor, Minnie Driver, Erik Griffin, Debra Messing, Jackie Tohn, Connie Britton, Wyatt Cenac, YouTube Star Olga Kay, Natasha Leggero, Tone Bell, Iliza Shlesinger, Rory Scovel, Mary McCormack, house DJ Samantha Ronson, Brad WIlliams, Zoe Lister-Jones, Jade Tailor, Milana Vayntrub, Quddus, and many more. In addition, many YouTube stars and top online influencers, most with millions of followers will be featured, garnering their marketing power to help get the vote out.
For the first time ever, each participating performer will have the ability to stream the entire program live on their social media platforms through Transmit Live. That will allow THE TELETHON FOR AMERICA to be simulcast across dozens of highly influential celebrities’ social media platforms.
“The Telethon For America flips the traditional telethon on its head. Young Americans are more motivated than ever before and the Telethon For America is working to build on that momentum to make sure an even higher percentage of young people get out and vote. We are excited to reach them in a brand new way, thanks to our production partners, our performers, and the social platforms of the influencers that they listen to.” Gleib said.
“This is a great opportunity to reach millions of voters the day before one of the most important elections of our lifetime to remind them that their vote is their voice and their vote is their power,” said Kyle Lierman, CEO of When We All Vote. “Not only will we encourage voters to go vote and take their friends and families with them, but we’ll arm them with all the tools and information they need to cast their ballot.
THE TELETHON FOR AMERICA is geared specifically at youth turnout and will feature extensive social media engagement tools, collecting commitments to vote on November 6th. The 2016 election was decided by just 77,000 votes, with over 100 million registered Americans not voting. Additionally, over 7 million people have turned 18 since then, so this event aims to harness that untapped power.
Never before has the nation gathered together the night before an election for an event aimed at getting Americans pumped up and ready to vote. “TONIGHT WE LAUGH. TOMORROW WE VOTE.”
ABOUT When We All Vote:
When We All Vote— a new national, nonpartisan not-for-profit— brings together citizens, institutions, and organizations to spark a conversation about our rights and responsibilities in shaping our democracy. Namely, the responsibility of registering and voting. When We All Vote’s co-chairs are some of America’s most trusted voices, including Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. Join the conversation by talking to friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of their voice and their vote. Because When We All Vote, we can change the world.
