AMERICAN IDOL - IDOL TO AID KIDS LIVING IN POVERTY

American Idol is to become a kind of telethon on April 24 and 25, when sponsors of the show donate money to charity for every vote cast by audience members for the six finalists. Funds will go to children living in extreme poverty in the U.S. and Africa. The Wednesday results show will also feature Gwen Stefani, Pink, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Annie Lennox, Il Divo, and Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen (in character). Viewers will also be invited to phone a toll-free number to register their votes for the contestants. The announcement of the special was made during Thursday night's broadcast, which garnered a 16.4 rating and a 25 share -- once again, more than the numbers for the other three major networks combined.

09/03/2007