Idol Gives Back 2008

"Idol's" feel good/feel bad show of the season made its 2nd annual appearance. It was bigger (2½ hours) and better (the stars were out in force) than last year, while still being poignant and heartrending. And, of course, it was even stupid in parts while trying to be funny. Ultimately, without any real "Idol" action to look forward to, i.e. the eliminations which take place tonight, IdolGivesBackpalooza II turned into your standard begathon.

The show was a mixture of Sunday night's pre-recorded show hosted by Ryan Seacrest (Ellen DeGeneres bowed out at the last minute) and some new material, but it was made to look as if it was all happening live. During the show, all of Season 7's Top 12 were shown taking donor calls in typical telethon style. This year, "Idol Gives Back" is shooting to top last year's $76 million in donations with $100 million. Sadly, even that much money will make only a small dent in all the suffering and poverty in the world.

The show opened with those crazy kids from So You Think You Can Dance (another great Nigel Lythgoe-produced show) performing to Rhianna's "Please Don't Stop the Music" sung by "Idol's" Top 8. The combination worked really well. Now we can't wait for the new season of SYTYCD to begin. Perhaps the two shows should tour together next year instead of separately.

Click here to watch video of "So You Think You Can Dance" dancers and "Idol's" Top 8

Of course, the evening was filled with video appeals, beginning with Jimmy Johnson, George Lopez and Kylie Minogue. And surprise! Ben Stiller is no funnier this year than he was last year, his set of 2007 videos being the lamest part of last year's show.

Watch video of Ben Stiller, who's still NOT funny in 2008:


Calfornia's first lady and celebrity in her own right Maria Shriver made an appeal for volunteerism.

Snoop Dogg and Charlie Wilson performed "Don't Say Goodbye" with the Snoop Youth Football League swaying in the background.

Watch video of Snoop Dogg and Charlie Wilson singing "Don't Say Goodbye":


Next, video donation appeals from (accused rapist) Kobe Bryant and Triple H.

Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul introduce a video about poor kids in California being helped by Save the Children.

Click here to watch video of Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul at the Goshen school

Carrie Underwood, Teri Hatcher and James Denton did a short video skit in which Denton helps Underwood fix her sink. Hatcher catches them and tells Underwood "If you're going to steal my man, I'm going to steal your song," after which she takes the stage to (ugh!) sing "Before He Cheats." Don't quit your day job, Teri.

Watch video Carrie Underwood, James Denton and Teri Hatcher, then Hatcher singing "Before He Cheats":


Afterwards, Underwood came onstage to tell Hatcher she did a nice job (liar, liar, pants on fire. You guys will say anything for charity).

SYTYCD's judge and choreographer Mary Murphy did a video appeal in which she threatens to do her trademark scream until someone donates, while executive producer and fellow SYTYCD judge Nigel Lythgoe sat with his ears plugged.

The Jonas Brothers do a Give Now video appeal, followed by Billy Crystal introducing a young girl who he said wants to sing on American Idol (Miley Cyrus). After an exchange between the two she performs "Good and Broken."

Watch video of the Jonas Brothers appeal, Billy Crystal and Miley Cyrus, and Cyrus singing "Good and Broken":


Ryan Seacrest, back in the "Idols" studio with the Top 12 onstage taking calls.

Bono gives a report from Africa on the Global Fund. He talks about HIV/AIDS in Africa. Cick here to watch video of Bono in Africa.

Julianne Moore does video donation appeal.

Fergie comes out to perform "Finally" with John Legend accompanying her on piano.

Watch video of Fergie and John Legend singing "Finally":


Then Fergie introduces her idols, the group Heart. Heart performs "Barracuda," with Fergie joining them to sing the second verse.

Watch video of Heart and Fergie singing "Barracuda":


John Cena does his video donation appeal, as does Adam Sandler.

Back in the studio with Ryan and the Top 12. Ryan says you can download the songs from iTunes to donate too.

Football brothers Eli and Peyton Manning introduce a video in which they visit kids still affected by Hurricane Katrina in their hometown, New Orleans, La.

Watch video with Eli and Peyton Manning:


Watch video appeal by David and Victoria Beckham:

More of Ryan with the Top 12 taking calls, then off again to Bono and Annie Lennox in Africa talking to kids about their family who have died. Click here to watch video of Bono and Annie Lennox in Africa.

On the show, Annie Lennox performs "Many Rivers to Cross."

Watch video of Annie Lennox sing "Many Rivers to Cross":


Keifer Sutherland does a brief video appeal, followed by Celine Dion in South Africa with orphans who have been getting support from last year's Idol Gives Back.

Watch video of Celine Dion in Africa (extremely poor quality):


Jimmy Kimmel introduces Simon Cowell, he says, because no one else would do it. Kimmel jokes about Cowell's attitude, wardrobe, nipples and haircut. Simon takes it all in stride. Kimmel then introduces Simon's video, about Americans without health care. He travels to New York to visit doctors and nurses who treat them in mobile-health clinics.

Click here to watch video of Jimmy Kimmel introducing Simon Cowell.

Back on the show, Simon talks about his trip, and tells Jimmy how much he loves Jay Leno's show. Cowell then introduces Carrie Underwood, who performs "Praying for Time."

Watch video of Simon Cowell introducing Carrie Underwood singing "Praying for Time":


Whoopi Goldberg and Ellen DeGeneres do Give Now videos.

Gloria Estefan performs "Get On Your Feet" with Sheila E on drums and the SYTYCD dancers.

Watch video of Gloria Estefan and Sheila E performing "Get on Your Feet":


Sarah Silverman talks about malaria and introduces a video about Forrest Whitaker's trip to Africa.


British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says Britain will donate to the malaria cause. Ryan says they are up to $20 million donated (including corporate sponsors).

Keith Urban does a donation video, then Reese Witherspoon spotlights the Children's Defense Fund. Witherspoon traveled to New Orleans to visit families and highlight Freedom Schools.

Watch video of Reese Witherspoon donation appeal:


Ryan introduces the Top 8 singing "Seasons of Love."

Watch video of Top 8 singing "Seasons of Love":


Dane Cook talks about Alicia Keys and her trip to Africa. Dane announces that if you go to the web site and donate you can download Alicia's entire trip.

Watch video of Alicia Keys singing "Prelude to a Kiss" in Africa:


Watch video donation appeal of Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale and Miley Cyrus returns to sing "See You Again."



Last year, Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus went to Kentucky, where nearly half the kids live below the poverty line.

Watch video donation appeal of Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus:


Ryan introduces the "Russian Idol" (Robin Williams), or "Bob," as he tells Ryan to call him. He auditions for the judges. Randy calls him pitchy, Paula likes his shirt and Simon thinks he is brilliant. "Bob" says he loves Simon in a Brokeback way then hugs and gropes Cowell.

Watch video of Ryan Seacrest and the "Russian Idol" (Robin Williams):


Rob Schneider and Tyra Banks do video donation appeals.

David Spade talks about New Orleans and how Brad Pitt is working to get people back into their homes after Hurricane Katrina. Pitt then comes out but has microphone difficulties. A crew person comes out to fix it and says she just wanted a reason to touch Brad. Brad introduces a clip of Daughtry in Uganda singing "What About Now."

Watch video of Brad Pitt introducing Daughtry singing "What About Now":


Mariah Carey sings "Fly Like a Bird" with Randy Jackson accompanying her on bass.

Watch video Mariah Carey singing "Fly Like a Bird":


Dressed all in white like angels, "Idol's" Top 8 Idols close the show with "Shout to the Lord."

Watch video of the Top 8 singing "Shout to the Lord":


Donations to "Idol Gives Back" can be given at the American Idol Website.

All iTunes proceeds from show performances will go to the charity as well.

Peace.

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© 2008

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Let's not split hairs, Sanjaya Malakar's departure was long overdue (OK, we'll stop with the puns -- but they're so easy in his case). Only his clever attempts to morph into a different personality each week, accompanied by some help from VotefortheWorst.com and a horde of 10-year-old girls, kept his Idol dream alive. He never deserved to stay on that stage as long as he did. In fact, unless the judges were forced by the producers to include him in the 24 semi-finalists (which we think is largely possible) they made a huge mistake advancing him in the beginning.

So Sanjaya should be celebrating the fact that he far outstayed his talent. Much better singers -- Chris Sligh, Gina Glocksen, Stephanie Edwards, Sabrina Sloan -- left before they should have because of the phenomenon known as Sanjaya. His name is already more well-known than the eventual contest winner's will be. In fact, he could become a word in the next edition of Merriam-Webster:

San-jay-a
Function: noun, transitive verb
1. A person, object or thing with limited capabilities that far exceeds its expected usefulness.

We were surprised by Sanjaya's tearfest during his journey film, reverting back to his early Idol days when his eyes would well with tears during his awful critiques. Recently, he had seemed so inured to the bad remarks, standing with that smirk on his face, we were convinced that he had begun to believe he was either really good or invulnerable to the judge's criticism and invincible. Even standing with LaKisha last night, one of them about to be axed, he seemed confident that it wasn't him. Guess it was a rude and unexpected awakening.

It must have been a hard, even ironic, moment for LaKisha. Once considered one of, if not the, frontrunner of the competition, she had taken Sanjaya under her wing after the derision began. And although it is believed that some of the other contestants had come to resent Sanjaya's staying power, LaKisha continued to be his support system and inside mentor. Now, not only was the former frontrunner's continuance on the series in peril, standing beside her was the contestant she had been propping up for weeks. One could only wonder what was going through her mind and whose name she was hoping was on the card in Seacrest's hand. Sanjaya's tears were exceeded only by her weeping, face buried into Melinda Doolittle's supportive shoulder.

At the very least we have to give the San Man his props for changing the lyrics of "Something to Talk About" as he sang his way off the show: "Let's give them something to talk about, other than hair hair, hair." You really can't kill snarky, can you?

So let's not mourn Sanjaya's departure from Idol. This season is so imbued with his spirit that he will live on. Now we can really start paying attention to the singing while he's making a ton of $$$.

Other highights of the results show: Simon Cowell explained that the rolling of his eyes look the camera caught just as Chris Richardson finished his Virginia Tech shoutout had nothing to do with that statement. His was, at the time, involved in a conversation with Paula Abdul about the to-and-fro he and Richardson had just had about Richardson singing through his nose.

Cowell said, and we believe, that he might not be the nicest person in the world, but he would never disrespect the families or the victims like that and felt it was necessary to set the record straight. In fact, during an interview on Ryan Seacreast's radio show yesterday, he said he was horrified when he saw a playback of the show.

As promised by executive producer Nigel Lythgoe in an interview yesterday, film was presented that proved Cowell's point. Separate camera shots simultaneously shown onscreen, complete with audio, validated that while Richardson was paying his respects to the people of his home state, Simon was talking to Paula about how he didn't understand Richardson's statement that "nasally is a form of singing." A cameraman's unfortunate timing panning to Simon's face just as Richardson completed his sympathy statement, making it look as if Simon's eyeroll was directed at that instead of the nasally discussion that the home audience did not witness.

Much ado about nothing? Not really. Cowell was crucified online yesterday for his insensitivity, even though he made a statement during Blake's critique (recorded here and many other places) offering the judges' best wishes and support to the families involved in the tragedy. Hopefully that ends the misunderstanding. What we should all get out of this after watching the separate discussion is how much the judges don't pay attention to what's happening onstage during the show. It's been documented in many blogs and articles that the three talk through most of the performances, claiming that they've seen the dress rehearsals, so they know what to expect. Whatever.

The real surprise last night was Blake Lewis' appearance in the Bottom 3. DialIdol predicted it, but we just assumed it was another one of their way-off predictions this season. Scary that it was true and that Lewis could depart before Chris Richardson. We were greatly relieved when Blake was the first one released to safety, envisioning another Haley-Phil-Gina disaster, where everyone was sure that Gina was the safe one and she wound up eliminated. Similarly, in our rational mind we knew it had to be either Sanjaya or LaKisha, but that ache in the pit of our stomach, kept whispering "it could be Blake, it could be Blake." Shut up stomach!

We're actually hoping that Phil Stacey will be the next choice for VotefortheWorst.com. It might help him outlive Richardson. (Remember, the VFTW choices aren't always stinkers. Taylor Hicks was their final choice last season. And we didn't care what help we got as long as he beat Katharine McPhee.) Although DialIdol ranked Stacey an amazing No. 1 this week, we're nervous about his true longevitity. Not that we want him to win; but we'd love to see him outlast Richardson and Jones. The only three who deserve to be in the finals are Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis (we still can't narrow it down to two in our head).

Also on the show:

• Another Ryan Seacrest man-on-the-street clip, asking "regular people" their opinions of the show. At least this week they were able to remember the contestants' names.



• The group performance of "I'm Alright." Generally, these are abysmal, but we have to admit the group sounded good this week, the harmony excellent.



• The idiotic AI challenge, where the producers make mucho bucks on text-messaging.



• A clip of the finalists telling us what music they are currently listening too. Funniest? Chris Richardson who likes Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz, but said his favorite CD was Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits.



• Fergie (taped), sings "Big Girls Don't Cry." The ballad is a nice change up from her usual "I'm so sexy doncha wish you were me" songs.



• The Ford commercial, featuring "I Ran."



• In case we've (fat chance) forgotten, we sit through another promo of next week's IdolGivesBackPalooza, featuring, among others, Gwen Stefani, P!nk, Earth Wind and Fire, Il Divo, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. There will be a "duet with two of the biggest stars in history." Any guesses?



• Before the elimination, it's the old 7 finalists are left ploy: Ryan divides them into two groups of three, declares Melinda safe, then tells her to join the group she thinks is safe as well. She refuses and sits on the floor. Ryan tells her to slide over to Phil, Jordin Sparks and Chris.



• A shameless promo for "Shrek the Third" follows. The finalists go to Dreamsworks to screen the film, where they meet studio head Jeffrey Katezenberg and Antonio Banderas who voices Puss 'n Boots (they are also in the audience last night, along with Banderas' wife, actress Melanie Griffith, and their daughter).






• Martina McBride sings "Anyway." She is later joined by her daughter onstage. The kid was a natural and stole the show.

e-mail Idol Addict
© 2007

Underwood Tops CMT Music Awards

Carrie Underwood emerged as the evening's big winner at last night's 2007 CMT Music Awards, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy at The Curb EventCenter at Belmont University in Nashville. Underwood's video for "Before He Cheats" won trophies for Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year and Director of the Year. Carrie Underwood also performed a dynamic rendition of "Before He Cheats" on the live broadcast.

"It was at the CMT Awards last year that I gave my very first acceptance speech ever," the American Idol Season 4 winner said in claiming the video of the year prize. "Let me tell you, it's great to be up here again. Thank you, fans. I've had such an amazing, blessed two years. I started out on a fan-based show, and you guys have continued to support me throughout everything. ... Everybody around me has been so amazing. We're so blessed. I hope we continue to be blessed because this is awesome."

Tonight's Idol mentor, Martina McBride ("Anyway"), also performed and Season 5 Idol finalist Kellie Pickler was a presenter.

CMT will rebroadcast the awards ceremony today at 2:00 and 9:00 p.m.; Thursday April 19 at 8:00 p.m.; Friday April 20 at 10:00 p.m.; Saturday April 21 at 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday April 22 at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m. (all times ET/PT. Check local listings for channel).

A MINOR PREDICTION

The New York Post reports that Idol's musical director Rickey Minor thinks Sanjaya Malakar could win the whole competition. "You know what? I think that he could win the show. He's gotten this far because he really is what he is -- he's got this huge smile, he's a handsome guy and is really likable. People are pulling for him -- and people really care about him. "

"I can tell you he can sing," said Minor, now in his third season as "Idol" musical director. "I think there are people who are naysayers, but I've run into a lot of credible people who really enjoy his voice. "He has a connection to the lyrics and people are pleasantly surprised. This isn't a singing competition alone. It's for a star to emerge," said Minor. "Sanjaya has a huge likability factor. I think it's possible for him to win based on the way he's moving through the competition."

Of the seven remaining contestants, Minor said, "In the beginning they were all having a hard time because they started reading the blogs and the junk people were saying about them. I told them, 'Don't read [the blogs]. Believe in what you're doing and work hard on your craft.' "

MORE ON SANJAYA

Carson Daly told People magazine that he's addicted to American Idol -- and its surprising breakout star. "I'm just enjoying it now because of this whole idea that Sanjaya might win." Daly added he is impressed by Malakar's style more than his singing skill. "I think there's a lot of people like me that may not watch it every single week -- or have a deep passion for American Idol -- but now we're hooked, because of this idea that this guy's got a new haircut every day." Daly also revealed his strategy for seeing the 17-year-old win it all. Asked if he had voted for Sanjaya, he replied: "No, I haven't, but I plan on it -- repeatedly."

People also polled other celebs on how they feel about Sanjaya:

Mary J. Blige: I don't think he's horrible, but everybody's making it where he's just horrible. I've heard worse.

Diana DeGarmo: I believe more power to him. If he can do it, go for it.

Joel Madden: I'm hoping he wins, because Howard Stern's been trying to get him votes, and I love Howard.

Kevin Nealon: I'm not a 'Fanjaya,' but I like that he's still in there. It's fun seeing how long Sanjaya will stay.

Haylie Duff: I've only seen his hairdos. I've never heard him sing.

Kevin Bacon: Young kids like him because he's so fresh-faced and open. That's the appeal, I think. American Idol is for people to have fun, to be entertained. You can't take it too seriously.

Adam Goldberg: Just because it's a train wreck, I'd like to see Sanjaya win to see if there's some crazy revolution that takes place. I think it's the same reason I watch that show and other shows like it for that matter. I think I – and America in general – just like to hate things. I wish I was above that, but I'm not. So I enjoy things that piss me off.

Rex Lee (Entourage): He's incredibly entertaining! I love that his hair is different every week. It's ingenious.

... And even Maxim mag has jumped on the Sanjaya wagon, naming him "Today's Girl" saying

"Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: You've no one but the Devil's lawyer to blame for this androgynous American Idol stowaway, who, despite being detested by the judges, somehow remains in the hunt for the show's coveted prize as this year's top 40 footnote. We stopped watching after the auditions (the only digestible part of the show), but it's our understanding that we have Sanjina to thank for the "ponyhawk," a hair-novation destined to tickle your underarm as you noogie hordes of copycat hipsters."

NO MINOR THING

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports that only one person onstage actually knows whose Idoldom is about to end each Wednesday, and that person is not Angel of Death Ryan Seacrest, nor the judges. Music director Rickey Minor begins every Wednesday night show with a little voice in his headset telling him the identity of the condemned, so that quietly but efficiently he may prepare for that most hallowed of "Idol" traditions -- the goodbye song. Minor's role in preparing this ritual and keeping the secret to himself for that one crucial hour is a telling example of how the unassuming bass player seamlessly guides each week's show.

Currently, Minor is working on the song for "Idol Gives Back," the show's charity drive, with Quincy Jones. "We're working on the song for 'Idol Gives Back,' which has to be done in two weeks," Minor told the Times last week. "We talked about whether the song should be a ballad, should it be a 'We Are the World' or should it be something that has tempo. I opted for the latter. We'll have enough 'no dry eyes' video clips and the comedians will bring some humor into it. But the uplifting song needs to have the energy."

TEXTING = PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

AT&T is happily making loads of money off all those Idol text messages, according to MySanAntonio.com. The nation's biggest phone company has turned its five-year sponsorship of "American Idol" into one of the industry's biggest marketing successes, analysts said. It's generating millions in text-messaging revenues, steering customers to try new phone features and associating its wireless unit — one of "Idol's" three main sponsors — with a runaway pop culture phenomenon.

AT&T's cellular unit — until recently called Cingular Wireless — last year carried 64.5 million text messages as "Idol" viewers voted for their favorite contestants, and it charged them up to 15 cents for each vote, depending on their wireless plan. "The sponsorship was a strike of genius on AT&T's part," said Roger Entner, wireless analyst for IAG Research. "The messaging revenue they get from the show is almost pure profit. The cost of servicing a text message is a tiny fraction of a cent, and they're charging what? Fifteen cents a message?"

AT&T, Fox TV and "American Idol's" creators won't discuss how much AT&T pays to sponsor the show, but Entner estimates the messaging revenues — which AT&T also won't reveal — more than cover the expense. Plus, the company reaps additional sales from downloadable content such as ringtones, video and contests that tie in with its sponsorship.

"The revenues were actually the secondary objective for AT&T," said Entner. "The first objective was to teach Americans how to text message — which they did."

"I know that once my mother figured out how to vote with a text message, it didn't take long for her to download her first ringtone," AT&T spokeswoman Jennifer Bowcock said.

ON THEIR BOOKSHELVES

Ryan Seacrest told People magazine "This may be boring to you, but I'm reading 'Judgment of Paris' -- it's about the history of wine tasting. I love wine. I'm building a wine cellar in my new house." ... and Fantasia Barrino said, "Let me be honest -- I hate reading! But I have [learned how]. A friend gave me Billie Holiday's 'Lady Sings the Blues,' and I kid you not. I want to read it. She's an idol, and it's a page-turner. Thank God I'm reading!"

... Speaking of Fantasia, according to SOHH, over $6 million in advance tickets have been sold to "The Color Purple" since it was announced that she would be taking over the part of Celie. She opened in the role on April 10, rehearsing while she had step throat according to MTV. She spent most of the week prior to opening in bed, forbidden by her doctor from talking, let alone singing. On her first full day of rehearsal, opening night was only six days away.

"I started to cry," Fantasia said. "And the doctor was like, 'What are you crying about?' I was like, 'Doctor, I have work to do. I have a big position!' But all the [previous] Celies told me they got sick before they went on, so I think it was just nerves."

You can view her opening night photos at Broadway.com.

PAY ATTENTION PLEASE

TV Guide reports that although Simon Cowell appears to be looking anywhere but the stage during some Idol performances, he claims it is not necessarily a bad reflection on the contestant.

"Half the time, I'm just taunting Paula [Abdul]," said Cowell. "I'll tell her. 'Try to say something interesting,' or 'Do you know what you're gonna say?' I'm basically unbalancing her."

But Cowell adds his critiques are usually spot on because, "I always watch the dress [rehearsal], so I know what to expect already."

TOMORROW'S GUEST PERFORMANCE

A segment taped April 4 featuring Fergie performing her new single, "Big Girls Don't Cry," will air during tomorrow night's one-hour result show, according to TV Guide. The 'zine also said that moments before taping, the Black Eyed Peas diva spotted a familiar face in the audience and called out, "Oh, hi!" explaining to onlookers, "We went to high school together."

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© 2007