By DAVID BAUDER
AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES --
With Norah Jones singing "we're all in
this thing together," movie and music stars contributed
their talents for a hastily arranged benefit for tsunami
victims televised live on Saturday.
The two-hour program aired on NBC Universal-owned stations,
with all donations going to the American Red Cross International
Response Fund.
"We have a choice," actor Clint Eastwood said. "We
can either look away or we can help."
The benefit wasn't without a glitch: Singer John Mayer uttered
an expletive that got on the air, even though NBC was using
a five-second delay to protect against such things.
Women had their choice of heartthrobs answering phones and
taking pledges in the NBC Universal studios in Los Angeles:
Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, Nicolas
Cage, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Tom Selleck and James
Caan.
The concert was reminiscent of a similar benefit that ran
on more than 30 television networks less than two weeks after
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. That benefit raised
nearly $130 million for that cause.
In an echo of that concert three years ago, Madonna sang
John Lennon's "Imagine," dressed in a black dress.
Singer Neil Young performed the same song at the 2001 benefit.
Actors told stories about the tsunami, and NBC showed pictures
of the effects of the devastating waves and the agony of
children left behind.
Morgan Freeman told of a 60-year-old man in Sri Lanka who
survived for two weeks before being found by rescuers.
"Miracles do happen," he said. "You can be
that miracle also."
While he was singing "Bold as Love," Mayer swore
while backing away from the microphone during a guitar solo.
The audio briefly cut out about a second or two after he
had said it.
NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks acknowledged the incident
and said NBC's standards people had been too slow on the
button to remove it. She said it would be bleeped out when
NBC showed the telethon by tape delay on the West Coast.
NBC is only two weeks removed from a New Year's Eve telecast
where Motley Crue's Vince Neil swore while wishing bandmate
Tommy Lee a happy New Year - instigating a Federal Communications
Commission investigation.
Appearing also was Fox News Channel commentator Bill O'Reilly,
who had questioned on his show whether participating stars
would follow through to see if the money made it to its intended
beneficiaries. Clooney immediately challenged O'Reilly to
do his part and participate.
When people are in trouble, "they turn to friends who
become their lifeline," O'Reilly said. "Who are
their friends? You are."
Gloria Estefan sang "There's Always Tomorrow," former
Beach Boy Brian Wilson sang "Love and Mercy" and
Lenny Kravitz sang "Let Love Rule." In pre-taped
performances from London, Elton John sang "Don't Let
the Sun Go Down on Me" and Pink Floyd founder Roger
Waters sang "Wish You Were Here," accompanied by
Eric Clapton.
Viewers were continually urged to call 1-800-HELPNOW or
log on to the Red Cross' Web site. Besides NBC, the program
was carried on CNBC, MSNBC, USA, Bravo, Telemundo, Pax TV,
Trio and the Sci-Fi Channel.
NBC said it had no immediate estimate on how much money
was raised.
Sony's Connect music store will offer downloads of live
performances from the concert, with proceeds going to the
American Red Cross. SBC Communications is underwriting the
commercial-free program.
(herald Tribune) - photo NBC Universal |