Caustic ‘American Idol’ judge gets real about charity event
By Jay Bobbin / ZAP2IT
Longtime ratings juggernaut “American Idol” made headlines of a different kind last year by generating more than $76 million for charities.
Underprivileged children in the United States and Africa were helped by “Idol Gives Back,” which united the show’s regulars and remaining contestants - along with celebrities and viewers - to furnish time, attention and money.
The second annual edition airs Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on WFXT (Ch. 25). Fox has allocated an extra half-hour beyond its normal prime-time lineup.
The massive guest list seems to demand it. At this writing, the roster includes Bono, Fergie, Mariah Carey, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Annie Lennox, Maroon 5, Heart, Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men, NFL siblings Eli and Peyton Manning and “Idol” alumni Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry.
Simon Cowell admits he never foresaw involvement in an “Idol Gives Back” before 2007. But then the famously caustic judge traveled and witnessed firsthand the desperate circumstances of the show’s future beneficiaries.
“Yes, we want to raise money. But most importantly, we want to raise awareness,” Cowell said.
As a music executive and a television producer and personality, Cowell agreed that visiting underdeveloped regions is far from his norm. Still, he deemed it essential for “Idol Gives Back.”
“If you’re going to talk about it, you’ve actually got to witness it. Otherwise, you genuinely don’t know what you’re talking about. That was part of the deal, that we would actually go out and see what the problems were.
“The second issue was that at least 50 percent of the money raised had to go to American charities. (‘Idol’) is an American show supported by American viewers, and everyone was happy to go along with that.”
Cowell says that in preparation for “Idol Gives Back,” he, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest “all have been traveling to different parts of America. We’re working with different charities we’re interested in, but it’s really the same thing again. Without bashing people over the head and making them feel uncomfortable, it’s simply a matter of, ‘Did you know these problems existed?’ and ‘Do you want to do something about it?’
“We were always very clear that we didn’t want to preach on this show,” Cowell said. “ ‘American Idol’ is an entertainment show, so you’ve got to strike the right balance, but you react in different ways. When I do the filming (of the on-location ‘Idol Gives Back’ segments), that’s a whole different experience from judging singers.”
Cowell isn’t surprised so many big-name guests have signed up.
“Artists aren’t stupid,” he said. “When they can reach millions of people, they’re available. I’m being sarcastic there, but it doesn’t do them any harm. It’s not much to ask them to turn up and sing a song, is it?”
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