American Idol is having a charity show this Wednesday night.  Celebrity appearances include Billy Crystal Robin Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, Reese Witherspoon and Brad Pitt.   Pitt told the crowd after is was taped Sunday, “Tonight isn’t just about raising money.  Sometimes, to help people, we’ve got to travel outside of our comforone to really understand another situation.”

The show includes performerances by Snoop Dogg and Charlie Wilson, John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Gloria Estefan and Sheila E.  Underwood remarked,  “It’s not about self-promoting.  It’s not about singing your latest single. It’s not about trying to be the most-downloaded whatever on iTunes. It’s all about getting people to call in and do something.”

Additionally, there are pre-taped segment appearances by David and Victoria Beckham, Kiefer Sutherland, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey and Whoopi Goldberg  encouraging viewers to make donations. Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama also appeared in pre-taped messages.
      

Beneficiaries this year include the Global Fund, Malaria No More, Children’s Health Fund, Save the Children, Children’s Defense Fund and Make It Right, Pitt’s campaign to help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina.  Last year, “Idol Gives Back” raised $76 million for underprivileged children. Producers anticipate this year’s event will raise $100 million

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