By TERRY MORROW
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Now votes you cast on "American Idol" mean something more.
On the two-night special "Idol Gives Back" (8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24-25, Fox), votes cast will translate into aid for the needy.
"Idol's" top six finalists will perform songs about compassion and hope. After the performance show, viewers will vote for their favorite contestants via toll-free numbers and text messages, as usual.
But for every vote cast, sponsors Coca-Cola, AT&T and other corporate partners will donate money to relief efforts to help young people living in extreme poverty in America and Africa.
During the Wednesday event, along with corporate contributions, viewers will be able to make their own donations via toll-free lines and the Internet.
In the U.S., the money will be distributed to Save the Children and other U.S. organizations working to deliver programs to children living in extreme conditions in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
The special will also feature footage from a recent trip to Africa by "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and "Idol" judge Simon Cowell.
The special has also drawn other artists' support. Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, Il Divo and Sacha Baron Cohen (reprising his role as Borat Sagdiyev) will appear.
Other highlights for the week of April 22 to 28 (all times Eastern; check local listings):
SUNDAY
_ "The War At Home" (7 p.m. Fox). Hillary may not graduate because she is failing gym class. Just how dumb is she?
_ "Nick News" (8:30 p.m. Nickelodeon). Linda Ellerbee talks to kids about autism.
_ "Desperate Housewives" (9 p.m. ABC). Susan may not be a blushing bride after all.
_ "The Sopranos" (9 p.m. HBO). Tony and Paulie go South, y'all.
MONDAY
_ "Heroes" (9 p.m. NBC). The thriller returns with the same mission: This cheerleader has to be saved or it won't be good.
_ "A Life Interrupted" (9 p.m. Lifetime). A woman (Lea Thompson) reclaims her life after an attack.
TUESDAY
_ "House" (9 p.m. Fox). This week's dire consequence: a brain freeze.
WEDNESDAY
_ "Lost" (10 p.m. ABC). Sun learns who the daddy is. Finally, an answer to something!
SATURDAY
_ "Cops" (8 p.m. Fox). Suspects eat their weed. Again.
_ "Robin Hood" (BBC America). The castle has weapons of (semi-) mass destruction.
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