By CARY DUNSTEpoch Times Staff

Last Friday marked a heightened eve-ning of television viewing for celebrity watchers and music fans. At least 25 networks simultaneously carried the “Hope for Haiti Now” telecast, and then later that night Conan O’Brien celebrated his last night as host of the storied late night institution, “The To-night Show.”

TeleThonThe biggest stars of film and music converged on three sound stages in Los Angeles, New York, and London to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Spearheaded by actor George Clooney, Haitian born musi-cian Wyclef Jean, and the MTV net-work, the two-hours of prime time commercial free programming was constantly intriguing.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta reported live from Haiti, and celebrities such as Jon Stewart, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, and Morgan Freeman summarized accounts of the human devastation incurred by the disaster.

Between vignettes of footage from

Haiti, and celebrities thanking call-ers for their contributions were com-pelling musical performances. Emo-tional solo performances were given by singers such as Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, and Shakira.

Perhaps even more noteworthy

were the collaborations. Dave Mat-thews and Neil Young performed a duo of the Hank Williams song “Along and Forsaken.” Madonna performed her song “Like a Prayer” backed by a full choir. Strumming a genre-bending acoustic version of the R&B classic “Lean on Me” was the trio of Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, and Kid Rock.

One of the evenings highlights was another melding of genres with rapper Jay-Z, singer Bono and guitar-ist The Edge from U2, and pop-soul singer Rihanna. While the rapping was somewhat uninspired, the har-monizing of Bono and Rihanna was a high-point in a night of more somber yet stirring musical renditions.

Finishing of the performance was event organizer Wyclef Jean. He per-formed a charged version of “Rivers of Babylon” in both English and Creole, as he danced around with a Haitian flag draped around his neck.

The event raised over $58 million through the phones, Internet, and text message pledges. This total doesn’t account for the “Hope for Haiti Now” album, which offers all the night’s performances through Apple’s iTunes. The album was a number one seller in 18 countries and set pre-order records for the music download site.

Conan SignS offTaking to the desk one last time was “Tonight Show” host Conan O’Brien, the tall red-haired comedian was both emotional and celebratory. He nearly teared up when thanking his fans.

“The massive outpouring of sup-port and passion from so many people has been overwhelming,” he said.

The evening’s guests included a hilariously serious exit-interview conducted by Steve Carrell of “The Office.” Next came Tom Hanks, who joked with O’Brien before heading over the “Hope for Haiti Now.” Neil Young also played a touching ver-sion of “Long May You Run” before he participated in the Haiti benefit with Dave Matthews.

The evening ended in a semi-se-rious jam lead by Will Ferrell. The usual house band lead by drummer Max Weinberg backed a wig-donning Ferrell on Lynrd Skynrd’s “Free Bird.” Joining the band was Beck, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, and O’Brien himself who strapped on a Gibson Les Paul guitar to strum rhythm.

After a week of tension, O’Brien ended his short tenure at the “To-night Show” with class, humor, and gratitude.

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A Historic Night of Television‘Hope for Haiti Now’ Telethon and Conan O’Brien Finale

HARMONY: Bono and Rihanna perform from London during the “Hope For Haiti Now” telecast.MJ KiM/MTV Hope for HaiTi Now Via GeTTy iMaGes

EXIT INTERVIEW: Steve Carell (L), conducts a hilarious mock exit interview with “Tonight Show” host Conan O’Brien on his last night. paul DriNKwaTer/NBC

By DEE CARLISI

Monday, January 25 Three new shows for Monday—one an import and two returning from hiatus.

The Inbetweeners BBCA 9:00–10:00 p.m. This popular British comedy comes stateside with two back-to-back episodes. Will is the new kid at school and tries to fit in with the “inbetween” clique of not quite cool, but not quite nerdy boys.

Damages FX 10:00–11:00 p.m. As the third season opens, Patty is investigating a Ponzi scheme. Lily Tomlin and Keith Carradine guest star. Also, new to the cast as regulars are Campbell Scott and Martin Short.

TueSday, January 26 “Human Target,” a new FOX series, based on the DC Comic is three episodes in and doing well.

Human Target FOX 9:00–10:00 p.m. Christopher Chance is a body-guard for hire, protecting his clients from danger. Tonight, he crashes an embassy party to track down a friend’s killer.

Millionaire Matchmaker Bravo 10:00–11:00 p.m. Patti struggles to match a former child star that has a huge ego despite no longer being on television.

WedneSday, January 27 President Obama’s State of the Union Address airs on all major networks at 9:00 p.m.

Tavis Smiley Presents PBS 8:00–9:00 p.m. Tavis Smiley gains unprecedented access in this interview with Hil-lary Clinton where they discuss her first year as Secretary of State.

Psych USA 10:00–11:00 p.m. In the season opener, Shawn in-vestigates a soldier’s suicide and suspects it is a case of murder. John Cena from WWE guest stars.

ThurSday, January 28 Two different options from the regular Thursday night line-ups.

Live For The Moment CBS 8:00–9:00 p.m. Jeff Probst takes a break from “Survi-vor” to host this tearjerker in which

he follows a man diagnosed with ALS trying to make the most out of life.

VH1 Storytellers VHI1 8:00–9:00 p.m. John Mayer filmed tonight’s installment in December at Brooklyn’s Steiner Studios. The artist features songs from his new album “Battle Studies.”

friday, January 29 You may want to check out ABC’s “Shark Tank” at 9:00 p.m. after “Super-Manny.”

Super-Nanny ABC 8:00–9:00 p.m. Super-Nanny travels to Colorado to work with the Griswold family and its four unruly kids that range in age from 16 to 2 years old.

Kitchen Nightmares FOX 9:00–10:00 p.m. In the season premiere, Gordon Ramsay heads to Philadelphia to help the family behind the “Hot Potato Café” from ruining the restaurant.

Weekend, January 30-31 The “Grammy Awards” are the must-see of the weekend.

SaTurday, January 30 Truth in Motion: The US Ski Team’s Road to Vancouver NBC 8:00–9:00 p.m. Learn what it takes to make it on the US Ski Team as it prepares for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Miss America 2010 TLC 8:00–10:00 p.m. Mario Lopez hosts the an-nual competition live from Las Vegas. Rush Limbaugh, Vivica A. Fox, and Shawn Johnson.

Lying to Be Perfect Lifetime 9:00–11:00 p.m. Poppy Montgomery stars as a frumpy magazine editor who leads a secret life at night as a saucy advice colum-nist. Based on the book, ”The Cin-derella Pact” by Sarah Strohmeyer.

Sunday, January 31 The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards CBS 8:00–11:00 p.m. It’s music’s biggest night! Among other performers, all five “Album Of The Year” nominees will take the stage. The ceremony also includes a tribute to Michael Jackson.

Dee Carlisi writes on pop culture and lives and works in New York.

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