Photo Flash: Ricky Gervais and Elmo 'Play' Carnegie Hall

Last night Ricky Gervais performed to a sold out crowd at Carnegie Hall as part of The New York Comedy Festival. This was the comic's first time performing at Carnegie Hall and his only U.S. performance this year. After his set Gervais returned to the stage for a surprise encore. He teased the crowd with the question "what is black and white and red all over?" at which time he announced a surprise guest, long time friend, Sesame Street's Elmo with whom he hasn't performed with since their infamous Youtube video earlier this year.

The duo, dressed in tuxedos, paid homage to New York City by singing "New York, New York" to an exuberant crowd as iconic images of the city flashed behind them.

The 2009 NYCF is presented in association with Comedy Central. The festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway and United Entertainment Group. Media sponsors include Time Warner Cable Media Sales- NYC, Time Out New York, the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, Myspace.com, and People's Choice Awards. Jameson is the official Irish whiskey, Travelocity is the official travel sponsor, and The Shoreham Hotel is the official hotel of the 2009 New York Comedy Festival.

For more information on each event and to purchase tickets, please visit www.nycomedyfestival.com.

Photo Credit: Michelle Watt

Ricky Gervais and Elmo

Ricky Gervais and Elmo

Ricky Gervais and Elmo

Ricky Gervais and Elmo