For the second year in a row, “American Idol” transforms, for one night only, from trying to sell Coca-Cola, Apple computers and iTunes and Ford vehicles to raising money for underprivileged children. The results show, in which somebody goes home, gets moved to 8 pm Thursday night. “Idol Gives Back” is a star-studded affair, and kicks off with a group number by the Idolizers, doing “Please Don’t Stop the Music,” while “So You Think You Can Dance” hoofers hurl their bodies around the big stage of the Kodak Theater.
Why did the words “Exxon Mobil” just appear in red on the bottom of the screen? Is “Idol” selling simple word placement now? Not just commercials?
But more to the point, organizations that will benefit this year include Save the Children, Malaria No More, the Global Fund, Children’s Health Fund, Children’s Defense Fund and Make It Right, a campaign started by Brad Pitt for New Orleans recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
Last year, “Idol Gives Back” raised $76 million; this year, they’re shooting for $100 million.
Getting the taped fundraising pleas off to a bilingual start, George Lopez makes a plea in Spanish. Kylie Minogue makes a plea in an Australian accent. Maria Shriver, aka California’s first lady, comes onstage joined by what appears to be a small army. Ben Stiller appears in a spot in which he makes an unfunny joke about singing Whitney Houston songs, says we may be thinking he’s crazy, then adds the zinger: “Isn’t that what ‘American Idol’ is all about, convincing crazy people that they belong on television?”
What is that white thing on Kobe Bryant’s face? A bandage?
Paula and Randy appear in a taped segment in which they visit a school in California where the kids are forced to worry about things like drive-by shootings instead of their schoolwork. It’s touching, low-key and effective.

oregonlive.com