During the current pandemic crisis, Red Nose Day USA looked a little bit different than usual.
Hosted by This Is Us stars Mandy Moore and Justin Hartley from their respective backyards, the special featured A-Listers like Julia Roberts to John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Elizabeth Banks, appearing from their homes to ask for donations to fight child poverty.
Legend introduced his song “Bigger Love,” and played a widescreen version of his “in quarantine” video. Clarkson showed up from her self-isolation and introduced a 2019 performance of her “It’s Quiet Uptown” cover. And with his rendition of “As Easy as Rolling Off a Log,” James Taylor reminded us that falling in love is, well, easy to do.
Here are the other memorable moments from Red Nose Day USA:
Bryan Cranston as a Dead Grandfather Who Can’t Figure Out Your Zoom Call
It’s a little morbid, but Cranston and Noah Jupe make the bit work. Watch it here.
There Is “Nobody But You”
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani performed a stripped down, acoustic version of “Nobody But You,” in an intimate duet that provided a glimpse of The Voice stars’ sweet relationship.
“Better Days” Are Coming
One Republic promised “Better Days” with their Red Nose Day appearance, which highlighted the work the foundation does for children who need medical care.
Dueling Banjos
Perhaps the most joyful moment of the night was when Steve Martin, who with the Steep Canyon Rangers, stomped out “I Can Play the Banjo.” Indeed, the actor can play the banjo but perhaps not as well as the Rangers’ banjoist Graham Sharp.
Dancing Makes Everything Better
Armed with a ukulele, Meghan Trainor’s “Better When I’m Dancing” clip juxtaposed images of children having fun with the singer’s cute yet still quarantined presentation.
First Responders Are “Simply the Best”
Adrienne Warren — the star of Tina on Broadway — sang Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” in honor of the workers on the frontlines of the crisis.
Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down”
Smith’s gorgeous vocals filled the room and our screens in a reprisal of “Lay Me Down,” which they performed on stage for 2015’s Red Nose Day in the UK.
A Reminder That “Anything Can Happen”
Ellie Goulding took her 2012 bop “Anything Can Happen” and made it mournful yet hopeful for the times we find ourselves in now.
There Will Still Be Summer
Five Seconds of Summer gave us the “Best Years,” despite being separated by the pandemic.
