TVSquad

(S07E29) Well, this is what you've all been waiting for, right? What's that? Finale? Yeah, I guess that'll be cool, too. But if you've listened to Ryan all season then you know TONIGHT is really what it's all about! If you're looking to find out who got eliminated by vote last night you're going to have to wait until tomorrow. But if you're looking for two-and-a-half hours of entertainment chock full of celebrities and song and charity, then you're looking for "Idol Gives Back."

Last year's inaugural edition was very good, and Kristin's report of the Idol Gives Back taping from this past Sunday was also very positive. We don't have any pesky (non) eliminations to deal with like last year, so just kick back, donate and enjoy. And, if you want, join us online and chat about it in real-time with other giving Idol fans.

You can join the chat starting just before 7:30/6:30pm CDT by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

Last night I went to a taping of the second installment of Idol Gives Back at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. This year the charities that benefited were Malaria No More, Children's Defense Fund, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Children's Health Fund, and Save the Children.

Keep in mind, there will be spoilers. It's not like I found out the secret to Lost, but I figured I would still give fair warning. The show will air on Wednesday April 9th at 7:30 pm ET / PT. For what happened at the taping and in the press room, read on after the jump. And check back for Jason's review Wednesday night.

There are a lot of things that suck about Hollywood awards shows (the self-important attitude of the whole thing and the cheesy dialogue come to mind). But the most prominent annoyance is the 'Thank You' speech. I don't know about you, but I don't care about Reese Witherspoon's lawyer and I can't help counting when... um... Jonathan... um... Demme... wins for... um... Silence of the Lambs.

This year, producers for tonight's Academy Awards are trying to avoid the 45-second long lists of thank yous from winners by offering them the 'Thank You' cam. It's a camera that winners can turn to when they exit the stage and finish their list of 'thank yous'. The video will be immediately broadcast on Oscar.com. The host of the 'thank you' cam says, "It takes the pressure off. Don't worry about the list, say what you want to say from the heart and the rest will live on the internet."

First of all, who the hell is going to watch this? Second of all, it sounds doomed to fail. Most of the people who win feel obligated to thank a million behind-the-scenes folks with deep wallets in order to get more work/money.

So... sit back with the mute button at the ready. Or find something else to do tonight.

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon technically didn't make a music video together, but they're nominated for an award all the same. The stars of Walk the Line released an album of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash songs along with the movie last fall. One of the songs, Jackson, was also made into a music video and got a nomination for best collaborative video from the Country Music Television Awards. The music video is just clips from Walk the Line.

The CMT Awards air live on April 10.

The new year brings a new law to California that punishes overzealous paparazzi (is there any other kind?). Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed the law, after numerous reports this year that people like Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johanssen, Paris Hilton, and Lindsey Lohan were being run off the road by photographers. The governator himself was even run off the road by photographers. The new law prohibits photographers and videographers from assaulting anyone in an attempt to get a photo. That includes the subject of the photo and the general public, which is usually forcefully pushed aside when a celebrity is walking down the street. If convicted, paparazzi will have to pay triple damages and give up any money made off the photos. The law also allows publishers who buy and print the photos to also be liable. The Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney started off the new year by putting out a call to all celebrities to contact his office when they are assaulted by paparazzi.

First things first. I caused a minor kerfuffle when, in my last column, I wrote "If there exist a metaphysical bridge between 'gay' and 'southern' it is Clay Aiken." This was erroneously construed as a slam against The Clay and caused a few folks to venture a guess as to what the hell I meant by that. The statement was not an insult. It was the result of months of exhaustive research that took me on a journey not only to the outer reaches of the cosmos, but into the depths of my very soul.