Ellen DeGeneres to co-host growing roster on Idol Gives Back

TV Squad - Santa Monica, CA, USA - In a press release today, FOX announced that Ellen DeGeneres would again be taking on co-hosting duties with Ryan Seacrest for the 2nd "Idol Gives Back" special, airing Wednesday April 9 7:30 - 10:30 pm ET. Just like last year, Ellen will host from the Kodak Theatre while Ryan covers from the American Idol stage.

The talent roster continues to expand as well. The complete list (so far) now includes Maroon 5, Heart, Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men and The Clark Brothers along with already announced Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend and Snoop Dogg. Most of these will be the pre-recorded "Give, give, give" but I'm looking forward to seeing Boyz II Men back in action.

I think Ellen is a great choice to co-host such an event. Sure, Idol does shameless promotion more than anyone else, but regardless of what you think, "Idol Gives Back" is a good thing. Last year the show raised $76 million dollars for education and charity both overseas and here in the states. Think about it. How often does the top-rated television series take advantage of their ratings power to raise money and awareness for social issues.