After hiatus, 'Idol Gives Back' returns in 2010

The annual "American Idol" special "Idol Gives Back" is returning for a third year. The benefit concert will be back April 21, during the top 7 results show.

After two successful editions of "Idol Gives Back," plans for a 2009 special were nixed. Executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said then that she wanted the charity event "to take a break, personally. ... I think that's the right amount of time. I don't think you should go back to the country and ask them to donate every single year. I think it's too much. Every two years to me feels right."

Proceeds from the next edition of "Idol Gives Back" will go to Children's Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation. More than $140 million was raised in the two previous specials.

The ninth season of "American Idol" returns in January.

-- Denise Martin