American Idol Gives Back

Simon Cowell gives me hope.

Yeah, that's right, Simon Cowell, the host of American frickin' Idol. As those who know me can attest, I am a bit of cynic (in the same way that the Grand Canyon is a bit of a hole in the ground). So it takes a lot to inspire me. Here is one thing that has left me deeply moved: the American Idol Gives Back campaign.

We don't have cable and Fox does not come in on our crummy rabbit ears, so we do not watch American Idol. Thus this campaign was off my radar screen until I hung out with someone from Bread for the World Monday evening and they mentioned it.

In a spot produced for the show, Simon Cowell goes to a food bank. Watch the video. Amazing. One might be tempted to scoff at his contention that he had no idea about poverty in LA and disease in Africa, but I think his experience is quite representative of most people living in the West. We simply have no idea how much pain and suffering goes on this world.

And to see him use his huge bully pulpit to bring awareness to issues of justice? I cannot think of a better thing. This is very Matthew 25, using the resources he has at his disposal to help the least of these (FYI: we have a whole section in Justice in the Burbs that talks about the balance between the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats).

Is justice "the new black" and will this help the ratings of the show? Who cares! People moving toward understanding issues of justice should be encouraged, whatever their initial motives.

So, while I never thought the following line would appear on Willzhead, please watch American Idol tonight. Please give what you can. And please, please, be grateful for every step toward justice that each person takes.

More on the campaign here: American Idol Gives Back

Comments

[Adam]

Well, I usually try to hide this fact, but my girlfriend makes me watch the show every week. They have done a good job of "encouraging" many corporations to donate huge sums of money to fight poverty both at home and abroad. Furthermore, the fact that News Corp. has agreed to donate money for every vote cast is a huge step, given the fact that approximately 40 million people vote every week. Sure, it will increase their ratings, but as they have all said from the beginning, they also realized that the show has made a lot of people a lot of money, and it's time to share the wealth. Good for them.

[Heidi Renee]

heck, bono will be on tonight - that's at least worth turning in for!

i did see the clip where he was at the foodbank and it was really moving - he said to the volunteers "you're truly nice people" - like he had never really run into any before. people serving just to serve was something he had never truly thought about before.

i think we're going to see a transformation in this man - those people were jesus to him.

he was also in tears when he was in africa - had to leave a home because of the conditions - he truly had never understood that people in the world lived like that.

[Katy McKenna]

Simon is a character study, one I love to watch developing. Last year, there was the overweight Christian contestant whose appearance he dissed on camera. She was hurt, but the next week ON THE AIR, she forgave him. He was obviously touched (he hadn't even realized he offended her), hugged her, and they became close after that. Fascinating.

Now his eyes are being opened to these issues of hunger and disease and poverty. The Idol Gives Back campaign will raise a lot of money, help a lot of people, and change some hearts.

I think Simon's may be one of them.

[Wes Roberts]

...we may just have to watch Idol for the first time tonight. Whatever (...well, almost whatever) works to get people to give. :-) When do we get some further conversation? What's on your schedule? You've been missed.
And have a splendid weekend with Mr. T. Davis...one good man!

[Sivin]

I saw the "delayed" show we get in Malaysia last night where they showed it back to back ... the performance as well as the results show. There were some REALLY moving moments. The segment Simon Cowell which you mentioned was one I found memorable too.

[Mike]

Man, to see him standing in the midst of it all in Kibera, the huge slum outside of Nairobi, with a stunned look on his face, was incredible. All he could say was "This isn't right."

I think you're on to something here, Will.

[Adam]

Last night they announced that they raised almost $70 million! That's a great start. Now if we could only make this a regular practice instead of an annual event.

[Jarrod]

just wanted to make sure y'all see this. i'm deeply passionate about justice. i'm also incredibly fearful when "justice" comes by unjust means (well-meaning or not).

here's the article about one of the segments from the show:
http://www.kentucky.com/263/story/54355.html

i hear what those who were offended are saying. or maybe it's "just us".

jesus loves puns.