It’s not a major Hollywood awards show, it just looks that way on paper.
Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker, Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, America Ferrera, Danica Patrick, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston, Masi Oka and Lance Armstrong are just a few of the A-list celebrities slated to appear on the upcoming three-network telethon to raise money for cancer research.
As I mentioned in a previous blog the hour-long “Stand Up To Cancer” will air live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS and NBC on September 5 and feature performances by big name musicians and emotional appeals from actors, athletes and journalists, including news anchors Charles Gibson, Brian Williams and Katie Couric.
In addition, former Sen. John Edwards’ wife, Elizabeth, and Robin Roberts of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” (both women are breast cancer survivors) will also be appearing on the show, according to program producers.
The women, along with other cancer patients, will share their personal battles with the insidious disease and invite viewers to make donations by calling a phone bank staffed by celebrities, including George Clooney and Salma Hayek.
The last time multiple networks united for a single cause was back in 2005 when the six biggest broadcasters, along with cable channels, aired a TV fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Prior to that ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox joined forces to air a telethon for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Noticeably absent from the telethon is Fox. Network executives there confirmed that they were invited to participate, but declined saying that they preferred to focus on “the global outreach of ‘Idol Gives Back,'” its charity effort tied to its hit singing contest “American Idol.” While it doesn’t plan to broadcast the telethon, Fox bigwigs said they would promote the telethon via public service announcements during some of the baseball playoff games it planned to air during the same time slot.