Apr 22 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Last Night, “American Idol Gives Back” opened with a “Thank you,” from President and Michelle Obama. The First Lady puts the “Idol Gives Back” donation figure at over $140 million. That’s amazing! The two hour event featured artists from all over the world to raise much needed money for children and charities.Ryan thanked the sponsors Exxon Mobile, Coke, Ford, AT&T, Apple and Others.

This season’s top twelve joined together to perform the opening act. Jennifer Garner gave a special report for “Save The Children.” She’s visiting a poor family of six living in a trailer, the Fugits. They don’t have enough money for kerosene some winters, so they open the oven for heat. They’re being helped by Save the Children. Credit card donations for all of these charities were taken on americanidol.com. Posh Spice asked everyone for donations to help Save The Children as well.

Capt. Sully Sullenberger asked for donations at 1877 IDOL AID. You can also donate $10 by phone. Simply text “IDOL” TO 20222. Queen Latifah is at the Pasadena Civic Arena, co-hosting “Idol Gives Back” from there. The Black Eyed Peas were the first performance of the night in Pasadena. The sang “Rock Your Body.” Not one of my favorites from them, but for a good cause so I’ll be nice. Idol Gives Back is also helping “Malaria No More.” Every thirty seconds a child dies from this disease. Idol went to Kenya to show footage of the devastation caused by this illness. They told the story of a mother and child who died of malaria on November 26, 2009.

And now it is time for the elimination part of the show to begin! George Lopez was the guest host for the results, which was great, because he brought a great deal of laughter to the saddest part of the competition. He had everyone stand, after playing around with the stage lighting. Then he had all of the contestants sit back down, and relax, and stated, “It’s about time that someone judged the judges for a change. Randy every night you say, ‘Pitchy, I think it was pitchy, Kara what do you think?’ Man,form your own thoughts. Randy, since you are the only brother on the show, you are safe. Kara, every night you say, ‘I wanted you to make it your own.’ Also you say, ‘I wrote that song.’ But you came on my show and was great…not pitchy at all, and since my bedroom is postered with your nudy picture, Kara you are safe. Ellen D, wassup girl? Every night you say, ‘I love that, it moved me, Simon stop touching me.’ Ellen you did a great job this season, Ellen D you are safe. And Finally, Simon…every night, you say, ‘Rubbish, it was absolute rubbish, Ryan, stop touching me.’ Simon, wear a larger shirt, people at home can tell how cold it is in the studio. Saline or silicone? Simon, America has voted, and you have to go back to England. BUT since there is a big cloud of volcanic ash which is holding up all of the travel, Simon, you are safe.”

After huge laughs from the audience, and a Ford commercial, Ryan began the real results. Casey and Crystal were first. Neither of them had ever been in the bottom three. Casey is in the bottom and Crystal is safe. Aaron and Lee came next. Lee is safe, Aaron is in the bottom three.

The Jubilation Choir backed up a performance, a duet by Jeff Beck and Joss Stone on “I Put a Spell on You” in Pasadena, after an intro from Queen Latifa herself. The United Nations Secretary General wanted to thank everyone for their generosity. Morgan Freeman spoke out as well…after the audience finally stopped applauding him as he smiled on. He wishes today’s kids had the same opportunities we had…and unless things change, they will not (how right he is!!) Randy and Morgan took a trip to Mississippi, Morgan’s home state, to raise awareness for kids in need, and to help “Save The Children.” Alicia Keys performed “I’m Ready” next, and did a wonderful job, but sounded as if she had a sore throat when she tried to hit the higher notes. She sat down at the piano next, to sing “New York” and…okay, her voice is shot. I don’t know just what is wrong, but she sounds as if she needs a serious break.

The real Octomom, with a few kids in tow, was shown running the phones, as well as 2 Tom Cruises, Woody Allen, and Marilyn Monroe look alikes, and the real Slash. Jonah Hill and Russell Brand. “It’s literally like the Oscars in here,” Jonah promises. He points to Woody Allen and Marilyn Monroe lookalikes and two different Tom Cruise lookalikes, plus the real Slash, Octomom and Tatianna del Toro. Jim Carrey shows up. And runs away quickly after seeing the assembled “talent.”

Then it was back to Pasadena, to watch Carrie Underwood sing “Change.” Carrie is donating 36 cents of every ticket sale from her upcoming tour to “Save The Children” to represent the lyrics in her song. Ellen went to Monrovia, Californiawith David Arquette, to help “Feeding America.” This year more than 37 million people will depend on “Feeding America” to keep their families from going hungry. Most are working Americans, one was a math teacher, and they cannot afford to feed their families. “Ten dollars, that would make a huge difference, and I’d like to see that happen.” Ellen says.

Bill and Melinda Gates came out to encourage everyone to donate, and speak of their “Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.” Today, the United States, Canada, Spain, South Korea and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are making a commitment to fight the threat of global food insecurity. Together they are launching the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, a new fund to help the world’s poorest farmers grow more food and earn more than they do now so they can lift themselves out of hunger and poverty. American people are a generous people,” Melinda says, noting that $10 sometimes can save a child’s life. “When you think about the cost of saving these lives … that’s when people get energized and want to get involved.”The one thing the Gates want people to remember when the show’s over? “We’d love to have them donate to Idol Gives Back,” Bill says. “We’d also like them to join the One Campaign. … We’d love to have everyone join in.” http://www.theonecampaign.org/

Wanda Sykes came out next, to once again bring comedy relief to the proceeding, by pointing out how crazy it is to ask the losers to sing every week. “You would think they would want to hear the winners, but noooooo.” And then she joked about how the loser has to watch a video package of how much of a good time they had before all their hopes and dreams were crushed. And then Ryan gets back to the results. So far Casey and Aaron are the bottom three. Siobhan, Mike, and Tim had to stand in the center of the stage. Siobhan is safe, Mike is safe and Tim is in the bottom three with Casey and Aaron.

A clip was shown of Annie Lennox in Africa with a little girl whom she had spent a lot of time with in Africa. She gave a wonderful performance, and thanked everyone for their donations via satellite and video. She was unfortunately unable to attend because of the volcanic ash, http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/eyjafjallajokull-beautiful-tragedy-ash-shuts-down-airports_100348723.html which left her stranded in London. Mary J Blige, accompanied by Randy Jackson, and several others performed “Stairway To Heaven” and it was awesome!! My favorite of the night by far! She ROCKED!

The iTunes Store, the No. 1 music retailer in the U.S., will donate net proceeds from sales of last night’s Top 7 finalist performances to IDOL GIVES BACK. In addition, select guest performances from tonight’s one-of-a-kind philanthropic event will also be featured on the iTunes Store (itunes.com). Check americanidol.com for regular updates on which performances will be available. Customers can purchase and download this week’s IDOL songs for $1.29 each and full video performances for $1.49 each on the iTunes Store, with net proceeds going to the IDOL GIVES BACK Foundation. Elton John ended the show in Pasadena with a great performance. It now goes back to Ryan with the results. Aaron is safe, Casey is safe, and unfortunately Tim is going home. He is not one of the best, but he has come a very long way, and should be very proud of his time on American Idol.