IDOL Gives Back

I am going to start from what this show is about -- it is about making dreams come true. Let's talk about Carrie. This farm girl from Oklahoma, who went to Nashville to try to get a record deal and got rejected, wins American Idol and proves anti-country music Simon right by becoming the biggest selling Idol winner to date (despite being the "uncool" country star). Last year, she goes to Africa for Idol Gives Back, she tours the world, she makes it MAJOR in country but then has the biggest crossover hit of last year. And this year, she sits on that stage in a gorgeous gown, leg crossed, on a stool and belts out George Michael's "Praying for Time" brilliantly and with meaning and as an American Idol winner should. That is Idol magic.

Here is the bottom line. I am educated, I live in NYC, I am aware of charitable causes, I make choices about who to spend money with and who to volunteer with etc. I am not the average AI viewer. But with this show, Idol makes itself relevant to all and menaingful to all and important to all.

This episode -- with its intelligent film clips (the Jennifer Connelly WATER film was amazing), amazing personal diary videos (who was not crying watching Annie Lennox and that family of boys), cool star moments (Fergie rocking out with Heart was great) and simple hilarity (BEN STILLER and JIMMY KIMMEL anyone?) could touch anyones hearts and therefore touch anyone's pockets - and that is IMPORTANT.

Look, 19, the producers of AI are cheesy -- they love that cheesy finale song that we all hate, they love theme nights, they worship Celine Dion and Donna Summer and the Bee Gees and the Spice Girls (who they created). But Idol Gives Back is the smartest thing they have ever done. They say, hey, we have 30 million viewers. So for all the haters, look, Bono knows he can reach 30 million via us so he will appear on our show. We blatantly mention our advertisers -- but on this episode we are going to blatantly mention how much money they are donating to charity. But not everything is so calculated. Some is really genuine. We are not going to just be about Africa -- we will show America their own neighborhoods. And look, Annie Lennox is not relevant in the AI world of pop culture, but Idol gives her a forum and shows her experiences and shares her amazing talent with the audience -- that is cool. Daughtry singing with the kids -- that is cool. Mariah showing why she is an amazing singer -- that is cool. (Not so cool is allowing Teri Hatcher to sing on stage or anywhere, ever or Tyra stealing Christian Siriano's "FIERCE").

Can I just add - when did Jimmy Kimmel get so funny? Thanks to Sarah Silverman for making me realize this guy is hysterical. And did you hear that John Mayer song during the Reece clip? And them singing Seasons of Love (umm Kristy was good again!) And I didn't know that Miley Cyrus has such a TERRIBLE voice!

And who can deny how incredible a Carly / David Cook finale would be? Did you hear that last song!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For all of the Idol haters - maybe you hate the music and the singers and the themes etc. but you cannot hate on this. It is too good. And effective. And smart. And I donated -- did you?

I'm not ashamed of my obsessions - are you?