On a more giving note

AS if “American Idol” hasn’t given us all enough -- Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, the ponyhawk -- now it will devote two episodes to giving back. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, the show that launched a thousand wannabes will add “star-studded fundraising extravaganza” to its list of descriptors.

Using BBC TV’s Red Nose Day charity as a model, Fox and the creators of “Idol” hope to raise millions to benefit the poor in the U.S. and Africa. On Tuesday, the top six finalists will compete, each singing, heaven help us, a “life anthem.” Then for each vote cast, a variety of corporate sponsors will donate money to groups including Save the Children, UNICEF and the Global Fund. The following evening, Gwen Stefani, Borat Sagdiyev (that’s Sacha Baron Cohen to you and me), “Idol” golden gal Clarkson, Hugh Grant, Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe and more will perform in a two-hour celebrity-laced blowout telethon during which viewers can make contributions.

Frankly, it’s about time. Pundits have long said if we could get people to vote as enthusiastically in political elections (albeit not as often) as they do for “Idol,” this country would be in much better shape. (Or Sanjaya would be president.) But certainly if every time someone called in to vote, they had to slide a buck to a charity, Fox could raise $30 million a show.

In the U.K., Red Nose Day, the brainchild of writer-director-activist Richard Curtis (“Love Actually”), raised almost $80 million this year. Granted, it took place over an entire day with many televised events, but this is “Idol” we’re talking about. “American Idol.” So let’s pick up those phones. Someone has to help Ryan Seacrest give back. (Fox, Tues. and Wed., 8 p.m.)

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-- Mary McNamara