Idol Gives Back 2010 was the biggest pre-finale American Idol show of the year. Last night’s Idol Gives Back for 2010 continued the show’s tradition of showing a bleeding heart one episode per season. The annual effort to help the less fortunate has become just as much of a constant as Simon’s insults – though it will be more of one after this year. During a season in which the contestants and the show have been ridiculed, and in which Ryan Seacrest’s behavior is under new scrutiny, all of that was forgotten last night. However, Idol Gives Back 2010 still had to answer who got kicked off American Idol for April 21, so not everyone had a warm fuzzy feeling.
The judges already used their save card a few weeks ago, so there was no getting around voting someone off. In this case, it was finally Tim Urban’s time to go, after weeks of defying the odds. With that, Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze, Casey James, Aaron Kelly, Michael Lynche and Siobhan Magnus make up the American Idol top 6.
When Idol Gives Back 2010 answered who got kicked off American Idol on April 21, many anti-Tim fans truly thought the show had finally given back. Like Kate Gosselin on Dancing With the Stars, Urban stayed on American Idol longer than many wanted – and now both are gone in the span of a week. Of course, now that both shows have finally eliminated the worst contestant, they must fully focus on the best ones for buzz.
Of course, Idol has been slammed for the whole field’s weaknesses, and not just Urban’s. But during Idol Gives Back 2010, the show was not about the competition and the backlash – at least for the first 50 minutes. This year, donations were solicited by a taped message from the Obamas, by Queen Latifah co-hosting, by comedy bits, and by special performances.
In between songs from Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys, Josh Stone and Mary J. Blige, and comedy from Wanda Sykes, George Lopez and Russell Brand, Idol Gives Back 2010 had the usual serious bits. Jennifer Garner, Victoria Beckham, Morgan Freeman, David Cook and the judges all showcased tragic stories from around the world this year. As a result, the amount of money for charity should be big, as it is every season.
This event came just in time for the show, after a week of rumors about whether front runner Crystal Bowersox would quit, and about her relationship with Ryan Seacrest. Speculation on a conflict between them was the last thing the program needed this season. But no matter how troublesome a season is, Idol Gives Back can be counted on to bail them out for one week a year.
Now that Idol Gives Back 2010 is over, the top 6 will begin the final rush to the end next week.
Sources
TV Guide- “American Idol Episode Recap: Idol Gives Back and the Top 6 Revealed”
TIME- “Idol Watch: Idol Giveth, Taketh Away”
