The original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, along with Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Forest Whitaker, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Radcliffe, Teri Hatcher and Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson), are scheduled to appear on “Idol Gives Back,” a two-night special airing Tuesday, April 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, April 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on Fox. “Idol Gives Back” will raise awareness and funds for organizations that provide relief programs to help children and young people in extreme poverty in America and Africa.
These celebrities join previously announced talent including Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Bubl, Annie Lennox, Il Divo and Borat Sagdiyev.
Corporate sponsors of “Idol Gives Back” are led by News Corporation, Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T. Ford will contribute generously by producing a very special music video. You’ll get a sneak peek at the video on Wednesday night. Then the entire video will be available for download after the show. One hundred percent of the money generated will be contributed to “Idol Gives Back.”
On Tuesday, April 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the Top 6 finalists will sing songs that can be considered “life anthems.” After the performance show, viewers will vote for their favorite contestants via toll-free numbers and text messages, as usual. On this special night, for every vote cast, sponsors will donate money to the charity.
The special two-hour results show on Wednesday, April 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) will be a star-studded evening featuring live performances from the “American Idol” stage as well as the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Viewers will be able to make their own donations via toll-free pledge lines and the Internet.
“American Idol” is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.
