Idol Gives Back Returns for Season 9

By On 10/06/2009 · 33 Comments · In American Idol

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via American Idol.com

After taking a season off, the Idol Gives Back fundraiser special, will return for American Idol Season 9. The special will air on Wednesday, April 21, and, according to the press release, “the week’s voting results will be revealed, sending one of the finalists home.”

American Idol will once again host Idol Gives Back, the Emmy Award-winning television event and musical celebration raising awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities, during the Top 7 Results Show Wednesday, April 21 at 8/7c on FOX. Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and the United Nations Foundation are confirmed beneficiaries.

‘I am very pleased to announce that we will be doing our third Idol Gives Back on April 21, 2010,’  said Simon Fuller, Idol creator and CEO of 19 Entertainment. ‘This is our opportunity to reach out and support the people of America and around the world who need our compassion and generosity to improve or even save their lives. America will undoubtedly prove once again what a remarkable and generous nation it is. For American Idol to be able to facilitate this kind of initiative makes me very proud.’ 

Viewers will once again be able to make donations during and following the show. In addition, the week’s voting results will be revealed, sending one of the finalists home.

During Season 6′s IGB, results were peppered throughout the broadcast, but at the last minute, nobody was sent home.   Season 7,   IGB took place on a Wednesday, with   a separate elimination episode airing on Thursday.

Sending a contestant home during IGB harshes the feel good vibe of the special, but last year, the 2-hour fundraiser had the lowest ratings of all the Season’s episodes. Folding the results back into IGB would likely attract more viewers. The producers will have to figure out a way to make it work.

Idol Gives Back has raised over $140 million for charity to date.

 
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  • Suzanne

    I don’t understand why people would be against this. Yes maybe some of the people involved have less than noble reasons for doing this, but so what? It still raises millions of dollars for good charities.

    Personally, I’m not against it, but it is distasteful because it isn’t really altruistic. If there weren’t commercials during the two-hour show, for instance, that would help.

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  • Tara Ashley

    Personally, I’m not against it, but it is distasteful because it isn’t really altruistic. If there weren’t commercials during the two-hour show, for instance, that would help.

    It’s distasteful? What on earth? Perhaps there are some questionable elements, but to call the entire thing distasteful is absurd to me. Good things come from the show – period.

    It’s a great cause, but it becomes a big infomercial for Ford and whoever participates, as well as for Idol. There has to be a BETTER way’ ¦

    I can’t think of one. Using the most popular television show in America to raise money for charities is kind of brilliant.

  • AnninSD

    I am all for it- anything to raise money/awareness for any charity is always a good thing.

    Any ideas who will be the ‘guests’ this year? both former idols and non-idol stars?

    Carrie, Kelly, David(s), Kris, Adam, Daughtry, Annie Lenox, I bet Miley will be back, the Beckhams, Black Eyed Peas, John Cusack, Matt Dhillon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Seth Rogan, U2, One Republic, Lady Gaga, etc.

  • luvadamlambert

    I like it!!!! wish they had it this yr so we would have one more week of Adam

  • Danielle

    Great that AI is doing this, but how about ‘American Idol Gives Back to America’?

    They definitely do give back to America. I remember them donating to charities helping Appalachia and Hurricane Katrina relief, and there might have been others, too.

    Yes maybe some of the people involved have less than noble reasons for doing this, but so what? It still raises millions of dollars for good charities.

    I totally agree with this. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the charity. (IMO)

    Although incorporating the results show , seems to convey that the intention is still ratings and business and charity is just a by- product.

    When you think about it, though, the more people watching, the more money they’ll raise for charity. (most likely)

  • Cuddles

    I would be more apt to give if they added the Red Cross and United Way to that list and then when I am making my donation, ask me of the 7 or so organizations noted, where do I want my money to be given to…as in, letting me divide up my donation to the charities of my choice… not have them divide it up for me.

    Myself, I would rather keep all the money in the USA. How can we help others, when many people in this country can’t even help themselves? Feeding people is a start–to help keep minds and bodies strong, but we need to provide safe homeless shelters, job training and counselling to those in need until they can get back on their feet. Yes malaria is a bad situation, but we are bleeding jobs on a daily basis in this country. This year I didn’t get a raise, however that didn’t stop my rent, medical insurance premiums, doctor copays, etc., from increasing. We’re in tight spots now. I just don’t want any money I give to go beyond our borders. I’m not being selfish, but realistic…helping those here in the USA will benefit us all and hopefully jobs will be kept and old jobs lost, will be given back to those that had lost them originally. Then once we are back on our feet, we can go back to being the generous country that we have always been and helping those in other countries.

  • TwigLA

    Cuddles,

    Maybe for people like you it would be good to make a donation to your charity of preference in the name of ‘Idol Gives Back’ … or whatever. Then send them a letter telling them how they inspired you to give back to that charity serving people in your community or within America.

    You mention United Way and Red Cross. Both these organizations have had some major scandals associated with them and misappropriation of funds along with other seedy things.

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