Millions are donating and I wonder why – really. Each and every one of us has the opportunity to do it on our own everyday of our lives. Why do we need Hollywood to make it a happening? Why arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t we at the Aids Shelters, the homeless missions, the battered womenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s shelters, on site in New Orleans, Habitat for Humanity? Why do we need the glitter of Hollywood to draw us in? Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all right in front of us yet we need glitz and glamour to make it happen?

I believe Americans are a generous people, carolina, but I also think we’re lazy and a bit self-centered at times. We get so wrapped up in our own lives, that even though we know all these things need to be addressed, they often take a backseat to our own issues. When something like Idol Gives Back puts it right in our face AND makes it as easy as can be to help, we do. Even in times when money is tight for so many, as it is now, we do. So although I really do believe that “Idol” isn’t doing a whole lot of giving back here, they are making it easy for the rest of us to do so if we choose. For that, they’re to be commended, imo. But, yeah….I don’t think they would ever convince me that their motives were purely altruistic. I don’t care. People will benefit no matter what the motives are for the Idol hierarchy. That’s a definite :thumbup_tb:

I could sooooooooo see David Cook singing *Overcome* or *You Believed in Me* or maybe *No Turning Back*.

I haven’t looked at any of the songs yet, but those titles are already making me laugh. LOL.

I’m probably going to end up picking the one that’ll most likely make the audience bawl and the tweens faint when Archie sings it at the finale. As much as I love and freaking adore Cookie, I’d hate for him to win this thing and then be obliged to record, like, bubblegum-pop or something for his album. *shiver*

I could sooooooooo see David Cook singing *Overcome* or *You Believed in Me* or maybe *No Turning Back*.

Re: how can I say it didn’t come from their hearts?

American Idol is a juggernaut. Everything is calculated and determined in their best interest. They’re in business to make money, period and, God knows, they’ve made a ton. They embrace the idols who sell and they distance themselves from those who don’t. Granted there are borderline idols – Rueben for example. They let him go but they still have a hand in his future. Supposedly they gave Taylor a pass — just in case. That’s speaks volumes.

Millions are donating and I wonder why – really. Each and every one of us has the opportunity to do it on our own everyday of our lives. Why do we need Hollywood to make it a happening? Why aren’t we at the Aids Shelters, the homeless missions, the battered women’s shelters, on site in New Orleans, Habitat for Humanity? Why do we need the glitter of Hollywood to draw us in? It’s all right in front of us yet we need glitz and glamour to make it happen?

That saddens me. I’ve worked with all the above and include, Meals on Wheels and Casa. I’ve held the hand of an Aids patient on her deathbed and comforted and cared for her 8 year old son. I’ve had gay guys with Aids call and ask if I could take their puppy or lend them a dress (heh!) Did I need Nigel Lithgoe or Simon Fuller or Simon Hisself to tell me what to do. No.

I believe that the only altruistic giving comes from one place — yourself. Not Hollywood.

Peace out !

I hear you on altruism and random acts of kindness. But how can you say it didn’t come from their hearts, in some way how could it not have? Millions would not be donating on this night at this time without them. Good on them. Maybe not random, but certainly kind. If only the pure hearted gave from a totally giving spirit, not much would get done. Remember about those people who heard but did nothing? We are culpable if we do nothing. It doesn’t have to be via this venue, but certainly we can’t vet down to the very sourse every time we give. Somewhere this started out as, how can we help. I have to believe that.

You’re right, too many don’t donate unless guilted. Sadly, in the past (and, for all I know, it carries forward) too much was going to the fundraiser and not much to the less fortunate. United Way is one example.

I just googled “simon cowel buys house for Leona” and stopped at 10 google pages that carried that headline.

Even the “Leona” official fan club site has it up.

Something fishy maybe. Maybe not!

That said, I don’t think that it takes AI or any cash-cow corporation to define charity nor do I believe that AI’s charity is altruistic. Example: Bono. He impresses me, an open heart and pure intentions. If Bono started a reality show and 7 years later decided it was time to grow the corporation, he goes green, whatever, and suddenly charitable with others money, I’d dump him as well. But that’s not what Bono has done and I’m sure the opportunity has been available.

I see charity everyday, albiet on a much smaller scale and thankfully, no PR. Merely kind, generous, caring people whose hearts embrace anyone who needs help. They’re angels.

American Idol is about making money. They pick and chose their contestants, sometimes fools just to entertain the masses and entice the sponsors. Makes for good t.v. Then they decided to up their image and now, they’re all about Saving the World, one video at a time. I just don’t buy that because they are getting something out of it. No matter how small they’re buying, with our money, a reputation that came from our hearts, not theirs. They didn’t earn it.

My final thought — I read an article in Time Mag a few years back . . . “What Makes People Happy.”

They gathered a passel of scientists who spent lots of federal dollars determining this: it’s not your dream trip to Thailand or climbing the Himmalaya’s or your donation to American Idol. It’s “random acts of kindness”. Not scripted, not planned, and you ask for nothing in return.

I believe that’s true.

PS — Annie Lennox rocks! and she was recently dropped by her label. Go figure.

people get too defensive on here

I just have to use this to give a shout out to the people on this blog. The thing I love about reading here is the fact that everyone has a different favorite or opinion about a performance and it is respected and makes it interesting. There are so many times that I can see something in a different way or catch on to something I never would have noticed before because of all the great personalities that come together here. MJ’s modding and her personality sets the bar. So once again dukesterathlete I have to disagree with you but I do so lovingly. :biggrin_wp:

Search “Top 8,” click “See All,” the albums appear in order of popularity.

PM, thanks for the iTunes update. How do you view pre-order status? I noticed Iz’s version SOTR is now #9 in top songs. Would be pretty awesome if it went the Jeff Buckley route and hit the top spot.

and seeing that she is an admin or whatever

Just to be clear. I am not an admin. I am a whatever. Only MJ gets to moderate.

but obviously her posts donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get the whole moderation treatment because she called out my opinion [SNIP] everything in my post was about MY OPINION which is supposed to be allowed

Let’s check the instant replay:

Taylor hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even hit one-hit-wonder status [] Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to tell all of you Taylor Hicks fans the truth whether you want to believe it or not [] canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t argue with the article tho

To me, it seemed like you were making statements of fact rather than stating opinions. The facts seemed incorrect to me, so I refuted them. And BTW, I do get modded.

someone should change the title of this blog to the taylor hicks fanclub

There are some Taylor fans on the internet which think this blog should be called the “Taylor Hicks Hate Club”. It goes both ways.

Was this article quoted in one of Nigelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s faxes? If so, please share!

Not directly, but this one comes perilously close to admiting it:

From: Nigel Lythgoe
To: AI Security Staff
Subject: Babies in Audience

Gentlemen

You are well aware of our standard Idol policy of not allowing babies in the audience, but it has come to my attention that babies are sneaking through our security net. We suspect that parents are smuggling them in hidden inside large stuffed animals and underneath signs. Just last night, one diligent security officer discovered a baby hidden under a sign featuring a picture of Simon and Paula kissing. We believe that the smuggler hoped that the sign would make the officer blind, but he was saved by the specialized protective eyeware we gracioulsy provide to all of our employees.

I cannot stress how important it is that all babies be kept out of the Idol audience. Not only does the sound of babies make Simon assume the fetal position, but it can also affect the contestants. You all know by now that one of our contesants, one for which we have very high hopes, begins to drool whenever he spots a baby. This results in excessive lip licking which has caused him a great deal of criticism. If this contestant does not win this competition, Clive will be very, very angry. We do not want Clive to be angry with us, do we?

So, no babies. Be ever vigilent. Check every sign. Rip apart every stuffed animal. Do not even permit rather pregnant ladies into the theatre lest we have another unfortunate event like we did during the Final 11 results night. It cost us a lot of money to keep that little snack…er…tidbit out of the tabloids.

Yours Truly
Nigel

PS Please remember not to take any of the “Angel Special” from the craft table. It is very expensive and quantities are limited due to the difficulty in finding people willing to part with the primary ingredient. Eat the caviar and filet instead. Thanks.