Is anyone watching the "Idol Gives Back" special?

[PresidentObama]

I admit I'm a big American Idol fan, and tonight I decided to watch the "Idol Gives Back" special to see all the stars and the artists perform and sing. But the stories they've showcased really show America the reality of poverty not only in America, but around the world. They showed a story of a mother in Africa I believe with AIDS with two kids who were HIV positive, and a dozen or so kids total in a little tent sized shelter. She was very sick, and two days after Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell visited her she was dead.

I have a feeling this will touch a lot of people, and encourage them to dig into their pocket books. But it amazes me it would take American Idol for people to realize poverty and AIDS are such a huge problem in Africa and in America. As well as around the world. I hope our 2008 candidates address poverty and specifically AIDS in a much bigger way. This special has been phenomenally put together, and I hope it encourages more Americans to get involved and expect more out of our government. The richest and most powerful government in the world!!

[babylonsister]

1. Yes, and I think it's a really important show (for a change, though I

also watch AI). It might wake up a lot of people.

[PresidentObama]

3. I hope so.

Because things have to change. Poverty hasn't been addressed enough, and AIDS certainly hasn't.

[Justyce]

2. I'm watching it, very sad!

Of our candidates so far, I think Edwards excels in this area.

[PresidentObama]

4. Edwards has made me very proud.

He's not a perfect man. No man is. But he's really touched me with his work on poverty. I had the opportunity to hear him speak, and you can hear the passion in his voice when he speaks about poverty. I trust him with my country, and he's my candidate.

This special has been very well put together. Kudos to American Idol for doing this!!

[flyarm]

5. no i block all fox networks and don't watch murdocks crap! i am watching B.Moyers..eom

[PresidentObama]

6. I rarely watch FOX minus House and American Idol. It's been a good special surprisingly.

I'm glad American Idol decided to do it.

[subterranean]

7. Too bad it overlaps with Bill Moyers tonight

I wish I had Tivo!

[Catchawave]

8. Of course I'm watching :)

After Keith's Guiliani smackdown tonight, AI is my cigarette :evilgrin:

Good show tonight, go Chris! <---the hometown boy :)

[countmyvote4real]

9. It's a very strange show.

It should have been presented as a stand alone and NOT have the results mixed in.

edit: Oops.

[soothsayer]

10. i agree, but who would have watched the

standalone show.

[PresidentObama]

11. Yeah, true. It was smart mixing the results in.

Probably worked to raise more money too since more eye balls were on this show to see the results.

[babylonsister]

12. $30 MILLION already raised, 8:45pmCT. nt

[PresidentObama]

13. That's the power of television. I wish more shows did stuff like this. On FOX or not. n/t

[AtomicKitten]

14. Americans have a short attention span.

If it's not before them on their tee-vee it doesn't exist, an exercise in object permanence. I'll bet Americans would be surprised to hear the Katrina victims still have dire needs not being met.

I watched AI last season; we usually just watch the thinning of the freakshow herd. I have tickets to see Elliott Yamin at Slim's here in SF, and probably only you know who he is.

[countmyvote4real]

15. Elliot was my favorite from last season.

There are more than the two of you that get him.

[AtomicKitten]

16. he finally signed a lucrative record deal

He just released a CD a couple weeks ago.

Slim's is a tiny venue here in SF so I'm really looking forward to seeing him there.

He has such a beautiful voice. :loveya:

[Marnieworld]

18. I loved Elliot

He had such a nice sound and such a sweet personae. Good for you! I'm glad to hear that he is still kickin it!

[sandnsea]

17. Told the stories perfectly

Those two little kids with no parents, I thought I was going to just cry my eyes out. I also liked the cross-section of musicians and hope that this spark calling for change is really coming from the soul of this country, and that it won't be squashed with another ugly episode of consumerism like in the 90s.

[mnhtnbb]

19. I watched until Moyers' special came on. Of course, $300 million /day

being wasted in Iraq.

Think of all the good that money could have done.