Stars Come Out for TV Benefit Event for Tsunami Victims - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-15-2005, 12:26 AM

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D87K66D00.html

Stars Hustle to Stage Tsunami TV Benefit

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) - Nelly followed Kenny Chesney in rehearsal Friday on a hastily decorated soundstage and George Clooney juggled phone bank logistics for a TV benefit for tsunami victims.

The two-hour program is scheduled to air live at 8 p.m. EST Saturday on NBC and on its parent NBC Universal cable stations, including MSNBC, Telemundo and Bravo.

Clooney, who responded to NBC's call for help in organizing the event, will be working a celebrity phone bank at NBC Universal along with fellow actors including Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Renee Zellweger, Robert DeNiro, Andy Garcia and Goldie Hawn.

"No one is doing it to get famous and to get attention," Clooney said. "They're doing it because they know they can bring attention" to the need.

Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones, Elton John and Stevie Wonder are among the performers in London, New York and Los Angeles. Rapper Nelly and country singer Chesney illustrate the variety of singers who volunteered.

Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood and others will call for donations for victims of the Dec. 26 earthquake-triggered tsunami, which killed more than 150,000 people in Asia and Africa.

Viewers will be invited to call 1-800-HELPNOW. Other channels carrying the telethon are USA, Pax, Trio, Sci-Fi and CNBC.

"We thought it was the right thing to do," said NBC Universal Television Group chief Jeff Zucker, who mustered the company's resources. "I think we're gratified at how many people stepped up and volunteered. Everyone has been so selfless in this."

All donations will go to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Pledges will not be tallied Saturday night but a total will be announced later, NBC Universal said.

NBC Universal executive Jeff Gaspin worked on the similarly ambitious benefit for Sept. 11 victims that was carried on all major networks. Viewers donated nearly $130 million to that cause in 2001.

"It gave me the confidence that this town could come together for something like this," Gaspin said Friday. Besides the high-profile celebrities, about 600 people were racing to put the production together; it was announced less than two weeks ago.

"If you get a couple of big-hitters first, then that sort of starts the ball rolling," Clooney said, citing participants President Clinton and President George H.W. Bush.

"Then you call up Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman and they go, 'I'm in,'" Clooney said.

Sunday's Golden Globes were a help: A number of stars planned to be in the Los Angeles area already for the event.

It's crucial to call on the public's generosity now, even as other news stories begin to eclipse the tragedy, Gaspin and Clooney said. The financial need will grow as survivors fight disease and lack of resources and infrastructure, they said.

"It's incumbent on all of us as human beings to participate," Clooney said. "Because if we don't, then we're going to be looking at a much greater tragedy than we are right now."

Other stars scheduled for the benefit include Meg Ryan, Lucy Liu, Josh Groban, Jay Leno, Natalie Portman, Nicolette Sheridan and Naomi Watts.

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.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-15-2005, 12:27 AM

Awww

MandieR1980 · 01-15-2005, 07:56 PM

I'm excited to see Sarah McLachlan on there she's awesome

Janet McFarland · 01-15-2005, 08:17 PM

I love it how celebrities are helping everyone. I think it's awesome.

Brent88 · 01-15-2005, 10:28 PM

I've had it on since it began... surprisingly, I've actually watched quite a bit of it.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-15-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet McFarland

I love it how celebrities are helping everyone. I think it's awesome.

I know, I think so too.

theanswerman · 01-15-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandieR1980

I'm excited to see Sarah McLachlan on there she's awesome

.

MandieR1980 · 01-15-2005, 11:27 PM

you forgot to put your reply in LOL

dandelion wine · 01-16-2005, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet McFarland

I love it how celebrities are helping everyone. I think it's awesome.

Me, too.

-*Forever*- · 01-16-2005, 01:41 AM

NICOLETTE!!! That's awesome.

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 01-16-2005, 01:51 AM

I completely forgot about it and then I turned it on when Lenny Kravitz was performing so I didn't see very much! That was a really nice thing they did, though.

01-15-2005, 12:26 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Stars Come Out for TV Benefit Event for Tsunami Victims http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D87K66D00.html Stars Hustle to Stage Tsunami TV Benefit UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) - Nelly followed Kenny Chesney in rehearsal Friday on a hastily decorated soundstage and George Clooney juggled phone bank logistics for a TV benefit for tsunami victims. The two-hour program is scheduled to air live at 8 p.m. EST Saturday on NBC and on its parent NBC Universal cable stations, including MSNBC, Telemundo and Bravo. Clooney, who responded to NBC's call for help in organizing the event, will be working a celebrity phone bank at NBC Universal along with fellow actors including Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Renee Zellweger, Robert DeNiro, Andy Garcia and Goldie Hawn. "No one is doing it to get famous and to get attention," Clooney said. "They're doing it because they know they can bring attention" to the need. Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones, Elton John and Stevie Wonder are among the performers in London, New York and Los Angeles. Rapper Nelly and country singer Chesney illustrate the variety of singers who volunteered. Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood and others will call for donations for victims of the Dec. 26 earthquake-triggered tsunami, which killed more than 150,000 people in Asia and Africa. Viewers will be invited to call 1-800-HELPNOW. Other channels carrying the telethon are USA, Pax, Trio, Sci-Fi and CNBC. "We thought it was the right thing to do," said NBC Universal Television Group chief Jeff Zucker, who mustered the company's resources. "I think we're gratified at how many people stepped up and volunteered. Everyone has been so selfless in this." All donations will go to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Pledges will not be tallied Saturday night but a total will be announced later, NBC Universal said. NBC Universal executive Jeff Gaspin worked on the similarly ambitious benefit for Sept. 11 victims that was carried on all major networks. Viewers donated nearly $130 million to that cause in 2001. "It gave me the confidence that this town could come together for something like this," Gaspin said Friday. Besides the high-profile celebrities, about 600 people were racing to put the production together; it was announced less than two weeks ago. "If you get a couple of big-hitters first, then that sort of starts the ball rolling," Clooney said, citing participants President Clinton and President George H.W. Bush. "Then you call up Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman and they go, 'I'm in,'" Clooney said. Sunday's Golden Globes were a help: A number of stars planned to be in the Los Angeles area already for the event. It's crucial to call on the public's generosity now, even as other news stories begin to eclipse the tragedy, Gaspin and Clooney said. The financial need will grow as survivors fight disease and lack of resources and infrastructure, they said. "It's incumbent on all of us as human beings to participate," Clooney said. "Because if we don't, then we're going to be looking at a much greater tragedy than we are right now." Other stars scheduled for the benefit include Meg Ryan, Lucy Liu, Josh Groban, Jay Leno, Natalie Portman, Nicolette Sheridan and Naomi Watts. 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.

01-15-2005, 12:27 AM	#2
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Awww
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01-15-2005, 07:56 PM	#3
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	I'm excited to see Sarah McLachlan on there she's awesome
	__________________ Mandie myspace.com/mlr930

01-15-2005, 10:28 PM	#5
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	I've had it on since it began... surprisingly, I've actually watched quite a bit of it.
	__________________ Brent

01-16-2005, 01:41 AM	#10
-Forever- <3333333333333333333 Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 22, 2001 Location: Manlius, NY in reality. Deerfield Beach, FL in my heart. Posts: 28,001	NICOLETTE!!! That's awesome.
	__________________ "Mmm... no... Jeter does not do it for me. He looks like the Rock had sex with a muppet."

01-15-2005, 08:17 PM	#4
Janet McFarland Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Posts: 4,344	I love it how celebrities are helping everyone. I think it's awesome.

01-15-2005, 11:27 PM	#8
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	you forgot to put your reply in LOL

01-16-2005, 01:51 AM	#11
TheHappyBurgerMeister Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 23, 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 2,209	I completely forgot about it and then I turned it on when Lenny Kravitz was performing so I didn't see very much! That was a really nice thing they did, though.
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