The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand masters - from Python and Beyond the Fringe - and performers then relatively unknown, like Rowan Atkinson. Narrated by Dawn French, the programme includes interviews with many of the comedians and musicians who took part: John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Sting, Lenny Henry and many more. The shows and their stars had a huge effect on modern British comedy. There are few comics today whose careers have not been heavily influenced by the anarchic and surreal humour of these events.

A live stand-up comedy and music gig to celebrate Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary.

A series of benefit shows staged initially in the United Kingdom to raise funds for the human rights organisation Amnesty International. The shows started in 1976 featuring popular British comedians but later included leading musicians and actors. The Secret Policeman's Ball shows are credited by many prominent entertainers with having galvanised them to become involved with Amnesty and other social and political causes in succeeding years.

A series of benefit concerts to raise money for Amnesty International. Performances include comedy skits and musical numbers by a varied cast of mostly British performers. Featuring several Monty Python members, Rowan Atkinson, and Peter Cook.

Returning to mark Amnesty International's 50th anniversary, The Secret Policeman's Ball 2012 is bigger than ever as some of the world's best comedians and musicians team up for an evening of original, cutting-edge entertainment. 　　This year's Secret Policeman's Ball takes place in March at New York City's Radio City Music Hall, featuring an all-star cast of music and comedy talent. Among the line-up of British and American talent are Coldplay, Russell Brand, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Mumford & Sons and Reggie Watts. 　　UK and US stars featuring in the celebration of free speech and Amnesty International's 50th anniversary include Noel Fielding - who will be reunited on stage with Russell Brand - Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Carr, Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets, Micky Flanagan, Jack Whitehall, Jason Sudeikis, David Walliams, Seth Meyers and Kristen Wiig. 　　Established in 1976, The Secret Policeman's Ball uses anarchic humour to throw a spotlight on human rights abuses and celebrates the right to free speech through comedy and music.

After the criticisms of the 1987 show’s disproportionate focus on music - and the financial disaster of its music-only Festival Of Youth weekend concert in 1988, Amnesty returned to the original formula that had been so successful in the 1976-1981 era with a primary focus on comedy. Pat Duffy was dropped from organising any further benefit events for Amnesty and for the 1989 show, Amnesty hired producer Judith Holder.

When the British Amnesty shows finally resumed in 1987 after a six-year hiatus, the show format was retooled in an effort to take advantage of the growing number of rock musicians supporting Amnesty. Instead of the live show being primarily a comedy show with a few musical cameos, the event made a point of giving equal emphasis to the comedy and the music.

A by-the-book police officer is assigned to secretly investigate a team leader who believes that the rules shouldn't stop an investigation. As the officer investigates further, his own attitudes begin to mirror the team leader's.

After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.

Over 2000 Union soldiers, passengers and crew were crammed aboard the steamboat Sultana, licensed to carry 376. Graft, greed, overcrowding, a poorly maintained boat, and the Mississippi River was swollen with spring snowmelt conspired together to create a disaster. On April 27, 1865, the boat’s boilers exploded, causing the worst maritime disaster in US history.