Ellen DeGeneres will co-host 'Idol Gives Back'

[Brian Damage]

Ellen DeGeneres will again co-host "Idol Gives Back" with Ryan Seacrest, set to air April 9 on Fox.

The event features musical performances and appearances by Hollywood's A-list, including Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Annie Lennox and Snoop Dogg. The event focuses on raising money and awareness for U.S. and international charities.

"Everyone knows it's better to give than to receive," DeGeneres said in a statement. "Idol Gives Back," she said, offers "the joy of giving and an amazing lineup of artists."

"Last year, we were able to give away over $76 million," she said. "You give, you get. Get it?"

Like last year, DeGeneres will host from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, where several of the musical performances will take place. Seacrest, meanwhile, will hold down the "Idol" stage.

The 2-1/2-hour program will kick off at 7:30 p.m.

Fox said yesterday that Maroon 5, Heart, Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men and the Clark Brothers will be in the program's lineup. Last year, "Idol Gives Back" earned the Governor's Award Emmy and praise from President Bush.

The event benefits such charities as the Children's Defense Fund; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Make It Right; Malaria No More; Save the Children, and the Children's Health Fund.

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