'Red Nose Day' special returns to NBC Thursday, May 26

Top comedy and musical performances from A-List celebrities and artists around the world will once again raise money to help lift children out of poverty

Walgreens plans return as exclusive retailer of red noses in the U.S.

In the continued spirit of raising money to help lift children out of poverty, NBC is once again set to celebrate "Red Nose Day" with a two-hour television event.

The second annual "Red Nose Day" special will air Thursday, May 26 (9-11 p.m. ET). Stand-up performances, sketch comedy, parodies and music performances from A-list artists will be part of the telecast.

"The opportunity to raise money for the most immediate needs of those in poverty through a show that entertains, inspires and educates is truly a privilege. We were thrilled with the way Walgreens, Mars, the entertainment industry, media and America at large embraced 'Red Nose Day,' and we could not be more excited to bring it back," said Paul Telegdy, president, alternative and late night programing, NBC Entertainment.

With a focus on driving change through powerful entertainment, M&M'S is returning as a presenting media sponsor while Walgreens plans to serve as the exclusive retailer of the emblematic noses in the U.S.

Money raised during "Red Nose Day" will be used to fund programs that address the immediate needs of children and young people living in poverty in the U.S. and throughout the world. Money will be split between domestic and international poverty issues.

Last year's inaugural "Red Nose Day" special raised more than $23 million, which was split among 12 domestic and international charities. The charities for the 2016 "Red Nose Day" special will be announced at a later date.

"Red Nose Day" has been an enormously popular event in the U.K. for 30 years and is an inspiring cultural phenomenon that unites people from all walks of life in the interest of saving and changing lives across the globe.

With superstar presenters and comedians, original sketch comedy, hilarious film parodies, one-off sitcom reunions and amazing musical performances, it's no wonder this program has been one of the BBC's highest-rated Friday night shows for many years. Best of all, it's raised more than $1 billion in donations so far for organizations addressing poverty, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Created by writer-director Richard Curtis in 1985 ("Love Actually," "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "About Time"), the idea of "Red Nose Day" was built upon the foundation that mass media and celebrities can help raise money and awareness of poverty to save and change millions of lives.