The Return of Sanjaya...

9:14 We’re back…Ryan introduces the African Children’s Choir to “recreate the magic of ‘Idol Gives Back.’” They run out onto the stage…This will make David Hasselhoff cry…They’re singing in their own language, of course, and they’re dancing…I wonder if they have any idea how many people are watching this…Two kids play the drums to accompany them…That was short…The audience goes wild…

9:17 A video about visionairies. I’m guessing it’s about Sanjaya. Yes, it is…Only Sanjaya would get a Don LaFontaine taped intro to introduce him…As I told you, it’s “You Really Got Me” with Joe Perry…There’s no Mohawk, but that wind machine is working overtime…Where’s Crying Girl?...And Joe Perry is doing this, why?...There she is! Crying Girl, still crying her eyes out. She got a lousy seat. She’s right in front of Chicken Lady…He strikes his best rock god pose and Joe Perry gives him a hug…

9:20 Ryan introduces Green Day, who performs John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” from the Darfur aid album…The performance is on tape. Could we stop it with that?...They’re going to catch a lot of flack for doing this show, even if it is for a good cause…

9:24 So it’s 9:24 and we’ve only seen two singers and a guitarist perform with the Idols, whereas last year by this time we’d seen 10. What gives? Could they not get anyone to show up this year? Or did they think we’d rather see all these performances on tape…

9:25 Green Day silences so that we can hear John Lennon sing the end. We get a pitiful audio cut to the live audience screaming. Again, nice try, kids...Break…