AS if "American Idol" hasn't given us all enough -- Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, the ponyhawk -- now it will devote two episodes to giving back. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, the show that launched a thousand wannabes will add "star-studded fundraising extravaganza" to its list of descriptors.
Using BBC TV's Red Nose Day charity as a model, Fox and the creators of "Idol" hope to raise millions to benefit the poor in the U.S. and Africa. On Tuesday, the top six finalists will compete, each singing, heaven help us, a "life anthem." Then for each vote cast, a variety of corporate sponsors will donate money to groups including Save the Children, UNICEF and the Global Fund. The following evening, Gwen Stefani, Borat Sagdiyev (that's Sacha Baron Cohen to you and me), "Idol" golden gal Clarkson, Hugh Grant, Daniel "Harry Potter" Radcliffe and more will perform in a two-hour celebrity-laced blowout telethon during which viewers can make contributions.
