Annie Lennox and past Idols

Ryan says they've raised almost $30 million already--wow. Ryan then is talking to a producer who says they're having problems, he wastes some time, goes to Simon to give them a chance to fix the issue.

Which seems to have something to do with going to Ellen; they fix it, and she introduces Annie Lennox, singing Bridge Over Troubled Waters. I wonder if they tried to get Simon and Garfunkel.

It's a great song and she sings it well; not really sure what else there is to say; they intersperse some clips toward the end of Lennox with more African kids. I wonder if any of the kids will ever see a copy of tonight's show.

If I owned a travel company, I'd buy an ad tonight with package deals to Africa.

Then it's kids saying thank you; which segues into the AI announcer thanking their corporate sponsors.

If you want to read more about the issue of poverty in Africa, the United States, and other specific parts of the world, Professor Jeffrey Sachs has some suggested material (his articles are all in PDF form).

For no particular reason, here's my list of contestants from past years who weren't strong enough to make the top 6 their, year, but who I think would make the top 6 this year:

-Jennifer Hudson, Season 3 (duh)
-Jon Peter Lewis, 3 (he's at least as good as Chris)
-Anwar Robinson, 4 (great voice)
-Nadia Turner, 4 (one of the all-time great performers)
-Mandisa Hundley, 5 (the original LaKisha)
-Lisa Tucker, 5 (a bit like Jordin, although not as good)
-Ace Young, 5 (yes, he was cheesy--but better at it than Chris and Phil)