Seacrest, you've been silenced! Super-hostess Ellen DeGeneres will lend her talents to "Idol Gives Back," this week's special "American Idol" charity episode. Granted, it seems like a bit of an odd step for her after the Oscars — what's next? Puppy Bowl IV? — but I'm always glad to see her lend her humor to a good cause.

And "Idol Gives Back" is certainly a good cause, raising awareness and money for Charity Projects Entertainment Fund, which provides support for at-risk children around the world, especially in the United States and Africa. Numerous corporate sponsors have stepped up to donate for the event, and after all the weeks of build-up, I'm excited to see what "Idol Gives Back" will hold. Fox released more details about how the shows will work today, and here are some of the highlights:

• On Tuesday's performance show, the top six will sing what Fox is calling "life anthem songs." I admit I don't really know what songs qualify as life anthems — "Lean on Me"? "That's What Friends are For?" — but I'm glad the performances will tie into the feel-good theme.
• For every vote cast, the corporate sponsors — including News Corp., Ford, Coca Cola and AT&T — will donate money to CPEF.

I have more about "Idol Gives Back," including the performers for the results show, so read more

• Wednesday's two-hour results show, hosted by Ellen, will be the star-studded event we've been hearing about, with appearances by Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Josh Groban with the African Children’s Choir, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts, Quincy Jones, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox and others. There's also the improbable duet Seacrest promised last week.
• During the results show, viewers will be able to make their own donations, and all proceeds from the Ford music video and other downloads from the show will go to CPEF.

After all that, it seems a shame that someone will get kicked off at the end of the night. Maybe they could pull an "Amazing Race"-style stunt and have a special non-elimination round?

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