IT appears “American Idol” will be a bit less charitable this year.
The show’s annual “Idol Gives Back” episode has been canceled, according to an internal Fox memo obtained by the popular “Idol”-centric Web site, mjsbigblog.com.
The document also stated that 36 contestants will appear in the Hollywood round as opposed to the usual 24, plans call for a “couple of… 2 hour shows” and that the network’s promotional thrust will focus on “fewer bad singers and more [feature] more ‘asperational’ singers.
In the past, the “Idol Gives Back” charity was a stand alone episode that features major recording stars and raised money for poor families around the world.
Fox officials did not return repeated phone calls for comment.