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Like many of you, "American Idol" has been my favorite show since the first season when Kelly Clarkson was declared the very first Idol.
Every Tuesday I turn on Fox to watch the contestants sing and Simon Cowell uncere-moniously beat them down afterwards. Recently, however, the show has added an extra spin that really impresses me.
At the beginning of the season, Ryan Seacrest walked onto the stage, as usual, to introduce the contestants and judges. He began by restating the show's success, saying that in the previous season's finale, 63.4 million votes were cast.
This is more than any president in America's history has ever received.
Knowing the power and influence the show clearly has, producers decided to use their ratings to benefit needy children in both America and Africa with their Idol Gives Back campaign.
The week of April 24 will be Inspiration Week on "American Idol." Idol sponsors AT&T and Coca Cola will donate a set amount of money for every vote cast. The money will then be evenly distributed via the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund to charities such as UNICEF, Save the Children and the Global Fund to help children who live in the most appalling conditions better their way of life.
During that week, there will also be a two-part special aired detailing their experiences in Africa, New Orleans, and other impoverished areas.
I think this is amazing. As we all know, celebrities are forever making headlines, and usually, these headlines pertain to what they did at the club last Saturday or who they just cheated on.
It's refreshing to see these high profile individuals using their money and influence to help those in need.
Since the announcement has been made, a lot of people have said that the Idol Gives Back charity is just a publicity stunt to boost ratings. While I think that for network executives, this is always going to be a plus, it isn't exactly like they need the extra media attention.
Even without doing anything to help people, the show's ratings are high enough that they don't have to worry about being canceled. The show is already ridiculously popular.
It's actually sort of genius, because they're going to be airing these sequences during the week's episodes. This will expose the situation to the multitude of fans who sat down to watch their favorite reality talent show. The hope is that it will also open up their hearts and pockets to these children.
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