American Idol

Ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to a very special night of "American Idol."

Here are the president and first lady.

Hello, everybody.

"American Idol" has always been about changing lives,

on the stage and around the world.

That's why Michelle and I want

to take a moment to thank everyone watching tonight for

your continued generosity as part of "Idol Gives Back."

Over the years, this program has raised

more than $140 million dollars to help children and families here in America

and around the world live healthier and happier lives.

From fighting malaria in Africa to helping folks

in our own communities to put food on the table.

Every dollar you give makes a difference for those they need.

We want to thank "American Idol" for the exemple they are setting and encourage everyone

watching to make a contribution.

And to this year's finalists, as Randy says y'all my dogs.

And Simon, be nice.

Thanks, everybody.

Welcome.

Hello, everybody.

My name is Ryan Seacrest.

We are live.

Welcome to "Idol Gives Back."

Over the next two hours, some of the biggest names

in show business will gather together to

raise desperately needed money

for children here in America and throughout the world.

We know times are tough,

but tonight we can make a difference.

Together we can save lives.

The judges have brought back their stories from around the globe.

Let's hear it for the one and only Randy Jackson.

Ellen Degeneres, ladies and gentlemen.

Kara Dioguardi.

And the dapper looking Simon Cowell.

Tonight would not be possible

without the generous donations of our corporate sponsors.

A big thanks to Exxon Mobil, News Corp., Coca-Cola, Ford,

At&t, Apple, Fremantle Media, and 19 Entertainment.

Now, we are live from two locations tonight.

I will be in the driver's seat here at the "American Idol" studios.

And over at the Pasadena civic auditorium

is my cohost for the night, Queen Latifah.

Are you with us?

Hey, what's up, Ryan?

I'm so proud to be a part of this.

And so are these guys. Say hello to everybody of two thousands back up.

Thank you to Exxon Mobil for sponsoring us here.

We're going to have a great time tonight raising that money.

That's right.

We have double of here.

And we have an amazing lineup.

We have the Black Eyed Peas.

We have Carrie Underwood.

We got Joss Stone, Annie Lennox and Sir Elton John.

All right. We're just ready to go.

We're just waiting for your cue.

Very good.

We're ready over here, too.

Plenty coming to you live right from the Hollywood.

Our mentor, Alicia Keys, is performing.

Mary J. Blige is here with her all-star band.

Plus, we have your results.

Someone will go home, boo.

That's ok to boo.

Before this is all over.

Here we go.

The top 12 now, ladies and gentlemen, back together again.

Take it away.

# tonight the rain is falling #

# for our memories #

# of people and places #

# and while the past is calling #

# in my fantasy I remember their places #

# the hopes we had were much too high #

# we are out of reach #

# but we have to try #

# begin they will never be over #

# because we're keeping the dream alive #

# I hear myself recalling #

# things you said to me #

# the night's all started #

# and still the rain is falling #

# makes me feel the way #

# the hopes we had were much too high #

# we are out of reach #

# but we have to try #

# the game will never be over #

# because we're keeping the dream alive #

# I need you #

# I love you #

# the game will never be over #

# because we're keeping the dream alive #

# alive #

# the hopes we had were much too high #

# way out of reach but we have to try #

# no need to hide #

# no need to run #

# cause all the answers come one by one #

# the game will never be over #

# because we're keeping the dream alive #

# alive #

Your top 12 once again back together, America.

Good to see you all.

"Idol Gives Back" is keeping the dream alive

for those in need of help and hope.

With a special report for save the children.

This is Jennifer Garner

Deep in the heart of America,

set inside the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky is a place called Breathitt County

It's not far away from where I grew up in Charleston, west Virginia.

There are mountains and trees that are thinking about

budding for spring and it feels a lot like home.

But Breathitt County it's much different from the home I knew.

Here almost 45% of children are growing up in poverty.

Many kids don't have access to the kinds of

learning tools that most of us take for granted.

In low-income communities,

there is an average of only one book for every 300 kids.

4-year-olds who grow up in poverty are 18 months behind a

4-year-old even in a lower middle class area.

That's a huge difference!

If you're 18 months behind when you're 4 years old.

It's not fair. Just not fair.

We are going to visit a family

of six who live in a two-room trailer.

They have no heating.

They have plastic over the holes.

It's gonna be something to see.

Hello.

Hi there.

Hi.

I am Jennifer.

This is Theresa.

She's home with Brenda, her youngest of four.

While the rest of her children are at school.

This trailer it's really cold in the wintertime.

Have the use of kerosene to heat.

When we don't have money to buy kerosene,

we heat with our oven to keep warm here, but we make it.

You must feel sometimes like

it's hard to find somewhere to turn.

Luckily, save the children is making sure that kids in need

get that extra boost so that

they start kindergarten ready to learn.

All of Theresa's children are enrolled in

save the children programs either at home or at school.

Renee from save the children

visits regularly to deliver books, puzzles and other games

for Theresa to use with 2-year-old Brenda.

Can I read with you today, too?

She swallowed the crab to live in the shell.

I don't know why she swallowed the shell.

She didn't tell.

It's so upsetting to see that little girl and she's cold.

That little girl lit up when that book was in front of her.

She's a special little girl just like any other little girl.

She just needs a fair shake.

You've got it going on, Brenda.

The bottom line is that save the children programs work.

Since getting involved two years ago at her school,

Theresa's oldest child Hailey is now

reading above her grade level and the percentage of children

reading at or above grade level has more than doubled.

But these programs cost money.

Thousands more kids still need our help.

Parents love their kids.

If you'r living in Breathitt County

or if you're living in Los Angeles County.

And these are really pretty sweet kids.

They deserve anything we can do to help them.

So cute.

Our thanks to Jennifer.

One of our guest judges has also been to Kentucky to see

the great difference your money can make.

Victoria Beckham, who is joined by two very special friends.

Say hello to Victoria and her friends, ladies and gentlemen.

She recently spent three days in eastern Kentucky

with her son Brooklyn checking out the save

the children program tell everybody at home what is you saw.

In the area that Brooklyn and I visited, more than 6000 new books were

handed out which helped over a thousand children.

Thanks on "Idol Gives Back."

It's not just about literacy.

Some of the children in these programs

don't get enough food at home and

rely on save the children for healthy food and nutrition.

One in five children in the U.S. lives in poverty and these

programs give them a fair chance.

And I'm joined here tonight by Brianna

and Roy who take part in a similar program in Goshen, California.

Good to see you guys.

So Roy, tell me how has saved the children helped you?

When I was in fourthgrade,

I was more of a class clown and my reading was just really low.

And now that I'm in sixth grade,

my... my score has improved.

I'm reading at seventh and