George Clooney, MTV team for Haiti quake relief telethon

As the first wave of international aid arrived today in Haiti, MTV announced that actor George Clooney will host of a bi-coastal telethon next week to raise money and support for the relief effort.

The Jan. 22 fundraiser will air on all the MTV Networks channels.

Who else will step up with the Oscar-winning and awfully charming Clooney on stages East and West? The roster of musicians, actors and actresses will be announced in coming days, MTV says, but given the level of celebrity interest already regarding relief efforts, the Ministry expects an A-list lineup.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: George Clooney speaks at the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Awards gala Jan. 12 in New York City. Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images.

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip: 

Haiti quake relief: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt rally behind Wyclef Jean to help; Twitter roster grows

Earthquake in Haiti: celebrities and fans respond on Twitter

George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt at the UNICEF ball

Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter (we're @LATcelebs), or become a fan on Facebook at  facebook.com/ministryofgossip.

Comments

[JGuest]

For crying out loud, people know how to help! Why don't these self-centered ego-maniacs take all of the money that it's going to produce this absurd "Are We Not Compassionate?" self-love-fest and donate it to the victims. Skip the photo-ops and soundbites and do some actual good for a change.

[Bobby D]

I like most of the actors and actresses, but I don't understand why they only seem to get motivated by problems in 3rd world countries?!?! Where were all of them at during hurricane Katrina, or any other hurricane for that matter? I feel for the people of Haiti, but ANY spare change I have is going to the people in need in my back yard first! I really just can't understand.. it's like us ordinary US citizens are not considered by anyone or any other country during disasters on our soil, yet we continue to be compassionate to people that appear to forget our help once the need is gone. Maybe I'm wrong and the press just doesn't report the help we all receive.

[The Facts]

"it's like us ordinary US citizens are not considered by anyone or any other country during disasters on our soil, yet we continue to be compassionate to people that appear to forget our help once the need is gone."
Foreign countries pledged almost one BILLION dollars worth of assistance to the U.S. during and after Hurricane Katrina--$854 million to be exact.

[Pieter]

The world did help help the US in the aftermath of Katrina
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina

Having said that. The US is not known as a very generous country is it comes to foreign aid compared to it's wealth. The data are from 2005 but to my knowledge not much has chnaged over time...

[MX Scorpion]

Note to self: try to understand the hatred and negativity running rampant in our society today... people who step up to help those devastated by natural disaster... especially those in a position of power and fame... should not be belittled... instead embraced... because their power to influence the dollars that are available to help those in need is incalculable... so quit your whining and complaining and put your money where your mouth is...HAITI... be it by way of Hollywood or other wherever the impact is greatest choose wisely... my friends

[Tony]

Bobby D the question is where have you been? their where several concerts , Telethons, etc.for Katrina organized by Bono. Clooney also was a part of the shows. Clooney, Bono, Brad Pitt, Angelina, etc are always helping here in the states and abroad. show some respect Bobby D.

[Dana Boyte]

Goo God, we don't need any "celebrity" telling us what to do; please tell george and mtv to keep their telethon and just pass the money along.. there is some advice. Anyone who reads this and agrees they should let all the national papers know we don't want the celebtant crap

[btrask3]

hey George... your so rich, why don't you match all the contributions? Your so rich you'll still have enough money to continue living your lavish life style but if you would do this one thing, you will demonstrate how compassionate you really are... and show us that your not just looking for another opportunity to shelter some of your earnings with pettifog "CHARITY WORK".

[Lisa]

If the Haitians were white, would Clooney make such a public display of "compassion"? Didn't think so! Real charity is done when the cameras aren't pointed at you, Georgie!

[CDZ from the Ministry]

Hey all -- Christie D'Zurilla here from the Ministry. We no longer publish comments with URLs in them. Please feel free to resubmit without!

Thanks.

//cdz

[ladyofargonne]

I would hope if someone intents to donate they do so immediately. And to a long established charity.

[Winter]

I hope George Clooney hasn't forgotten ADAM LAMBERT! I would love to hear him sing on this Telethon. Adam's work with the Red Cross all ready and he has proven he can do a straight up song without any razz. Come on George we know it is about Haiti but we'd like to be entertained during your fund raiser too. Time For Miracles sounds like an easy song for this event!

[Charlie]

I agree with MX Scorpion.

I don't understand why so many people are hating against this telethon. This is wonderful way to get the audience out in the US. It is great how the stars are getting together to help Haiti. If you don't want to donate, don't watch it and don't say anything negative against it. No one is making you.

There are many people out there that thinks what is happening in Haiti is terrible but they don't really know what to do to help. This is a great awareness piece of what you can do to help!

Kudos to Clooney and Jean. Shame on those that are being negative against what they are doing. What can you do to get people to help donate? How would you feel like it if you were the one needing help?