Comedy Central plans star-studded autism benefit

NEW YORK -- Once again, Comedy Central has gone too far and lined up too many stars.

Stephen Colbert, Larry David, Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais and Sarah Silverman are just a few of the names expected for this year's "Night Of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert For Autism Education," the network said Thursday.

The bicoastal benefit will consist of a comedy concert taped at New York's Beacon Theatre. Steve Carell, Jimmy Fallon, Tracy Morgan, Joel McHale, John Oliver, Chris Rock and Triumph The Insult Comic Dog are among those on the bill, with soul-funk ensemble Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings serving as the house band.

That event will be intercut with live appearances and a celebrity phone bank originating from Los Angeles. Rob Coddry, Bryan Cranston, Jimmy Kimmel, Jim Parsons, Sofia Vergara and Rainn Wilson will be some of the stars on hand taking calls from donors.

Jon Stewart will host the two-hour broadcast, which airs Oct. 21.

The biennial "Too Many Stars" special is aimed at raising money to help ease the shortage of schools and education programs for autistic children and adults. In past years, nearly $7 million was raised, Comedy Central said.