Fox’s “Idol Gives Back” charity telethon raised funds to the tune of twenty-two million dollars via a combination of corporate donations from sponsors News Corp., Exxon Mobil, Allstate, and Ford as well as money pledged by fans over the phone and the show’s website. In addition, show talent Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson donated their salaries for the evening. The largest single donation, however, came from across the pond. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that his country would fund twenty million mosquito nets to Africa at an estimated cost of two hundred million dollars. American Idol producers say that they hope to hit an even one hundred million dollars from this year’s telethon and associated giving opportunities, including an exclusive deal with iTunes to purchase performances by Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, and Carrie Underwood from the show with all proceeds going to charity. While many celebrities, including Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman and the Manning Brothers, were on hand, the presidential candidates did not make a rumored appearance. Last year’s Idol Gives Back telethon raised seventy-six million dollars for various charities, including Children's Defense Fund, the Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children and the Children's Health Fund. [Billboard]