IDOL GAVE BACK!  $70  MILLION

A few weeks ago, we told  you about American Idols plan to give back to the world. The last
2 nights, the benefit raised over $70 million! And more should trickle in today as well.

Once dismissed as a cheesy summer talent contest, Fox network's American Idol has become the nation's most watched TV show with an average of 30-35 million viewers.

A two-hour show filled with inspirational songs, movie, television and music stars and stories of poverty from Africa and the United States rounded off the two-night special. Even Celine and
Elvis an appearance!

"People say you can't be the generation that ends brutal, stupid poverty, but we can and we
will," Bono, U2's lead singer and leading spokesman for the ONE Campaign to Make Poverty
History, said in a prerecorded segment.

       
Kelly Clarkson                                                              Josh Grobin


"I have been in front of 70,000 people here in LA and its a pretty amazing feeling. I can't think of
any feeling better except perhaps the feeling that you can save somebody's life and there is not
one person watching this program tonight who cannot save a life," he said.

The six Idol contestants closed the Idol Gives Back show with American Prayer - the song written
by Bono and Dave Stewart some years ago about the AIDS emergency in Africa.

The show's contestants received more than 70 million votes - a new record and almost double last week's 38 million - but the so-called "shocking" result promoted by host Ryan Seacrest was that
none of the remaining six contestants were voted off.


(Ellen donated a check for $100,000)

Each vote cast by viewers via text and telephone triggered an undisclosed donation to charities
by the corporate sponsors of Idol - Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T News Corp, which owns the Fox
TV network, donated $5 million after the vote tally hit 50 million. - Viewers
were also invited to phone in donations that will go to Save the Children, UNICEF, Malaria No
More, The Global Fund and Nothing But Nets for youth relief programs in Africa and poverty-hit
areas of the United States, including hurricane ravaged Louisiana.

Throughout the show Seacrest regularly crossed to comedian and talk-show host Ellen
DeGeneres at a concert she hosted at the Disney Hall in Los Angeles for musical performances
by stars such as opera group Il Divo, Annie Lennox and former Idol winner Kelly Clarkson.  - 

I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes an annual fundraiser.