But the impressive list of guest stars for “American Idol’s” “Idol Gives Back” was a testament to the showâs power within the entertainment industry today.
It was also the most schizophrenic gathering of A-, B- to Z-list stars weâve ever seen in one show. And weâre just talking about Robin Williams (rim shot… weâll be here all week folks).
From a pure entertainment point of view, the most jarring performances were from the uncomfortably sexy Miley Cyrus. Maybe if we didnât know she was 15, Miley would have been like any other pop princess simultaneously pushing sex and music.
Weâre no prudes here, but does she have to gyrate like a Vegas stripper… at age 15?
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*Jennifer Connolly was seen and not heard.
*Snoop Dogg gave a blinged out performance.
*Kobe âI cheated on my wife so bought her some iceâ Bryant took his shot for charity. Were you starring at the round bandage on his face? We were too.
*WWE stars Triple H and John Cena showed their beefy — but softer sides.
*New Yorker Julianne Moore looked beautiful as usual.
*Fergie and John Legend looked and sounded well.
*âIdolâ favorite, Heart, gave a strange performance with Fergie who did one-handed, cartwheel flips. It was such a weird combination, it almost worked — in a freak show, stare-at-the-accident-as-you-drive-by kind of way.
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*Simon Cowell showed his non-Mr. Nasty side by visiting an impoverished family in New York.
*Whoopi Goldberg shared her âView.”
*Ellen DeGeneres, who cancelled her co-hosting duties, still recorded a message.
*The one and only Gloria Estefan, with Sheila E, looked ageless and sounded flawless while âSYTYCDâ contestants cha, cha, chaâd their way around the stage. It was like we flew in the “Back to the Future” car and landed in 1990. Loved it.
*Oscar winner Forrest Whitaker and his very young and very beautiful wife took us to Africa to show us the ravages of malaria. Malaria? Itâs the 21st century and millions are still dying… of malaria? This isnât right.
*How big is “Idol?” British PM Gordon Brown spoke to us Yankees from 10 Downing Street and offered $200 million to the cause. Just for that good will, PM Brown, K.Li has decided his European holiday will be in London this summer. Heâll give you a call when he arrives.
*Mr. Nicole Kidman aka Keith Urban made appearance.
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*Tyra Banks looking âfierceâ and little David Spade looked, well, little odd.
*Brad Pitt walked the talk about the âRenaissanceâ of New Orleans. He reached one young man who calmly said he wanted to be the first baseball player lawyer in space. Now thatâs thinking BIG?
– By MELISSA JANE KRONFELD and DAVID K. LI