American Idol's Ryan Seacrest Gives Back to Idol Gives Back

In an act of generosity, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has donated his paycheck for hosting American Idol's second annual Idol Gives Back to the cause, according to People.com. The show, which was taped Sunday, April 6, but will air on April 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, will raise money to benefit six charities, according to Americanidol.com: The Children's Defense Fund, Children's Health Fund, The Global Fund, Make it Right, Malaria No More, and Save the Children.

American Idol's Idol Gives Back from 2007 raised over $75 million, according to RealityTVWorld.com, raising funds from votes, viewer donations, and donations from sponsors, including Coca Cola, AT&T, Allstate, and Exxon Mobil. According to the Idol Gives Back entry in Wikipedia.com, notable guests on American Idol's 2007 Idol Gives Back event included Mark Anthony, Kevin Bacon, Jason Biggs, Blue Man Group, Jack Black, Bono, Michael Buble, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Chris Daughtry, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Hugh grant, LeBron James, Chris Kattan, Keira Knightley, Lisa Kudro, Hugh Laurie, Rob Lowe, Joel and Benji Madden (of Good Charlotte), Madonna, Ewan McGregor, Parminder Nagra, Shaquille O'Neal, Gwyneth Paltrow, Dr. Phil, David Schwimmer, Ben Stiller, and a very notable duet between Celine Dion and Elvis Presley, who were brought together on stage using a technique called rotoscoping.

This year's Idol Gives Back promises to be a much more elaborate event than last year's, including guest appearances from Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Elliot Yamin, Fantasia, Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli and Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Snoop Dogg, Maroon 5, and others, says AmericanIdol.com.

Like last year, no contestants will be eliminated during the Idol Gives Back event, however instead of votes rolling over to the following week as it happened last year, the elimination will occur the following night, April 10.

Anyone inspired by Seacrest's generosity can follow suit, making donations via a toll-free telephone number and on the internet. You can click here to find the page on the American Idol website with donation instructions. Donations to American Idol's Idol Gives Back are tax deductible, and everyone who donates will receive a tax receipt.

A preview of American Idol's 2008 Idol Gives Back special, as well as details about guest appearances, guest performances, and the six charities that will benefit from the event, can be found online at www.americanidol.com/idolgivesback.

Sources:
Kevin Winter, Ryan Seacrest Donates His Paycheck to Idol Gives Back, People.com. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
Idol Gives Back 2008, AmericanIdol.com. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
Christopher Rocchio, Fox Announces Earlier 'Idol Gives Back' Start, Reveals Beneficiaries. RealityTVWorld.com, Retrieved 7 April 2008.
Idol Gives Back, Wikipedia.org. Retrieved 7 April 2008.