technology because the $100 has gone global. 15 countries use the u.s. dollar as currency but it's circulated in virtually every country in the world. do you think people like changing their currency, patrick mchenry has proposed to changing the face of the $50 bill to the ulysses s. grant to ronald reagan. it's time to give reagan a place with roosevelt and kennedy. they are commemorated on the half dollar. the harris bowl asks, who's the best president in history. reagan came in second to lincoln. they asked what americans thought about swapping the gipper for grant. 79% were against it. even republicans were against it, only 18% liked the idea. the new benjamin franklin comes out in february. the new reagan bill may take a little longer. thanks for watching "state of the union," back next sunday and every sunday.

. >> larry: "american idol's," ryan seacrest, simon cowell, all of them together for " idol gives back." plus, inside "idol" for the latest on the competition, the controversy, and the quarrelling between ryan and simon. is it for real? next on "larry king live."

>> larry: we welcome back ryan seacre seacrest, host, and all the judges. we're happy to have them all with us tonight. we're down to seven contestants on the show. here's a look at who's still standing. ♪ i can't help falling in love with you ♪ ♪ all night long ♪ yes i did ♪ a little more spark a little less bark ♪ ♪ a little less and one more time i said come on now baby satisfy me ♪ ♪ lest i let a good thing die ♪ when hon you know i never lied to you ♪ ♪ this child needs a helping

hand or he'll grow to be an angry young man ♪ ♪ and i'm going to tell everybody that i tell ♪ >> this will be a test in hosting a program. our guests are ryan seacrest, simon cowl, the judge, ellen degeneres, randy jackson, and kara deguardi. they're all here in season nine of "american idol." in the program, simon leaves the scene, he will be on the floor. we will pick him up. >> he told you -- the stage manager to make sure that i'm taller than him. >> larry: and simon will be in "dancing with the stars" this

season. and in the main, the charities that receives money from "idol gives back." but how does season nine going? >> well, actually. plenty of drama. get to the good part, the final few contestants. who's the front-runner, simon? >> yes, it's going fine. >> why is that funny already? >> so close to each other. >> larry: there's a reason. >> that was bad. >> you have to understand, we're always joking on our show. so seconds we went on the air, he went to my seat and pulls it so it drops to the floor. >> larry: we know we have a problem when ellen degeneres represents normalcy. how is this show going. >> i still represent normalcy, by the way. i maintain. how is it going? this is my best season so far. >> larry: are you enjoying it?

>> i am. it's -- i said this before. it's hard. it's really hard. it's easy to sit at home and have opinions. but when those kids are waiting for you to tell them how they sounded and sometimes i hear myself go, i liked it, and simon go, no, you didn't. it's so hard. you want to boost them up and give them another shot. >> larry: ain't heart for him, though. >> mm-hmm. >> larry: is it hard for you to say, i don't like what you're doing? >> no, like ellen said, people are thinking the same thing at home. and i try to do that, you know, which is to say what i would be saying if i were watching the show -- which i will be next year, at home. and that's the easiest way of doing it. >> larry: how's it going, randy? >> it's going good. i like the way he says i will be watching at home next year. i'm going to have a phone on the desk. i'm going to say, i simon, what did you think about --

>> like a bat phone. >> larry: what are you doing next year? another show? >> doing another show. yeah. >> larry: with you on it? >> yeah. >> of course. >> larry: what's the name of that factor? >> larry: the x-factor. >> with a lower case x. >> larry: on against "idol." >> no, no. >> larry: are you enjoying all of this? >> i'm enjoying all of this. watching all of it. >> how did you become part of this? >> i don't know. writing songs for big artists, that's how i got on this whole thing. i'm having a good time. i'm happy that it's not my first year because that was pretty rough. >> larry: you didn't like last year? >> i did, i was nervous. the rolling of the eyes. >> larry: why are ratings down a little? is that a natural attrition. >> you're asking me that question. why are they down a little bit? >> larry: everything is down a little bit. >> i think we're in our ninth season. i think all of television as you said is down a little bit.

there's more fragmentation, more choices than ever. but at this phase of the show, traditionally, we take a little bit of a dip. and it usually heads back up afterwards. >> larry: why are you you yawning? >> sounds so lame -- >> we're on international television. and your shirt is open so far that it's actually embarrassing to the studio. >> is this inappropriate? >> larry: he believes he's harry belafonte. >> he is. >> larry: the fragmentation part. >> we've taken a little dip. >> larry: there's a little dip. any reason -- you're the expert on television. >> no, i'm not. it goes down, it goes up. i think, you know, how many years have we done this for? nine years we're doing fine. >> larry: no complaints. >> no complaints. >> 20 million plus people watch it. >> larry: lots to talk about it. there's wonderful things this group does, the main reason they're here tonight. we'll talk about it when we come back.

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>> malaria, no more. >> the future of africa is right here. >> no malaria! >> larry: we're back with ryan, simon, ellen, randy, and kara talking about "idol gives back," wednesday night, five charities and many people around the world are going to benefit. children's health fund, feeding america, malaria no more, save the children, and the united nations foundation. if you want more information, go to cnn.com/larryking. how did this idea start, ryan? >> this is fuller's idea in creating "american idol." the third time doing this show. it's raised over $140 million for different charities for the u.s. and around the world which i believe is more than any other television event. >> larry: how does it work,

randy. >> basically, i mean, we all go out to different areas and, you know, the charities that we support with the show, and i think that over the last few, we didn't do one because we felt it wasn't really right with the economy being where it was. so this year, we brought it back. and this year -- i think we're probably -- >> larry: you go and visit the people you help? >> oh i went down to mississippi. you saw kara down there in africa. simon went to arizona. >> we went to monrovia to the food bank, to feeding america. >> i went to seattle and bill gates twhand they're doing globally. we, of course, two years ago went to kenya together. >> larry: break them down, children's health fund, what is that? >> which one is that? is that the one you went to -- >> not the one i went. >> singer/song writer paul simon. he founded it. it helps with pediatric care. >> larry: one of the groups. >> malaria no more. >> larry: i thought we wiped out

malaria. >> we eradicated here, but not other parts of the country -- or other parts of the world. it can be eradicated. i think bill and melinda are 100% behind the eradication of it. and to have the resource to do it. >> larry: what's feeding america? >> feeding america is something i just learned about recently and i went down this morning. david arquette is involved. i think he's the chairman. it's called second harvest. they renamed it feeding america. in the last few years, it's amazing that you kind of -- you assume that the people that are hungry in our country are people who are homeless. and that is not the case. with the recession, there are a lot of people -- a family, this guy is an eighth-grade math teacher and his wife stays home and takes care of three kids all under the age of 5. and amazing family and he's a teacher and can't afford to feed his family. so he has a roof over his head, but can't feed them. so he gets food from there. >> larry: is save the children the save the children we all know about.

>> education and literacy. >> larry: a small amount of money and they -- >> yeah, i went down to mississippi. one in five kids in america are poor. so creates a statistic. and also, literacy is a big thing in this program that i did when morgan freeman in mississippi in the surgeon general. these kids -- it's crazy, larry. we discovered on our own on "american idol" that literacy is a problem in america. you would have thought that one of the richest countries in the world, literacy, we have all of the diseases, but literacy, learning how to read. we went down and visited that with "save the children". >> we started talking about doing this, simon, we all agreed that it was important to have the funds benefit all of the problems -- we have a lot of them right back here in our own back yard as well as abroad and around the country. >> larry: was yours the united nations? >> malaria. mine is different because i went back to see what the funds had been doing. there was one orphanage that we

built rooms for people to live in. >> larry: and what was in arizona, simon? >> a mobile health clinic. they travel -- they bring mobile hospital down that they didn't have the hospital there, they'd have to travel like three or four hours until i met the doctors, kids. >> larry: how do you raise the money? >> basically, through the people who watch the show. they donate. >> larry: the donations are done right through the program itself? >> we start some different this year where we could have people who were watching the show a couple of weeks out from the special that's wednesday night donate themselves individually, that, of course, throughout the telecast on wednesday night, a two-hour broadcast. throughout the performances, we have people to call or text for donations. >> larry: there are performances wednesday night, right? but this emphasis on the charities? >> oh, yeah. that's where a lot of the money is rsed. i mean, i hosted two years ago, i think -- >> that's right. >> and there was a lot of money raised. >> larry: fantastic.

you watch for that wednesday night as america -- one of the great things people who are successful should do. and idol does it in spades. idol gives back. who's performing on the big show wednesday? find out after the break. [ male announcer ] your favorite foods fighting you? fight back fast with tums. calcium rich tums goes to work in seconds. nothing works faster. ♪ tum ta tum tum tums

♪ well, look who's here. it's ellen. hey, mayor white. how you doing? great. come on in. would you like to see our new police department? yeah, all right. this way. and here it is. completely networked. so, anything happening, suz? she's all good. oh, my gosh. is that my car? [ whirring ] [ female announcer ] the new community. see it. live it. share it. on the human network. cisco. it was tough news to hear. everything changed. mom. ♪ i didn't know what to do. that's when i asked my doctor about exelon patch. he said it releases medicine continuously for 24 hours.

he said it could help with her cognition, which includes things like memory, reasoning, communicating and understanding. [ female announcer ] the most common side effects of exelon patch are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. the likelihood and severity of these side effects may increase as the dose increases. patients may experience loss of appetite or weight. patients who weigh less than 110 pounds may experience more side effects. people at risk for stomach ulcers or who take certain other medicine should talk to their doctor because serious stomach problems, such as bleeding, may worsen. [ woman ] mom's diagnosis was hard to hear, but there's something i can do. [ female announcer ] visit exelonpatch.com for free caregiving resources. >> larry: we'll be discussing other aspects of one of the most successful shows of american television history, "american idol." a couple more things and we'll go to it later on the "idol

helps back." what are some of the guest artists on wednesday. >> a two-hour live event. live show. two locations, our set and also the pasadena civic center. so i'll be hosting from our set and our stage. and queen latifah will be at the other location. sir elton john performing, the black eyed peas performing, carrie underwood, mary j. blige. andy lennox scheduled to perform. she might be stuck in europe. >> she's supposed to be on my show tomorrow. she can't get out of europe. yeah. >> the volcano. >> larry: the volcano. >> an all-star list of acts. >> larry: are there contestants? >> elimination night on "american idol." while we're going through all of this and talking about serious things and trying to raise money for these wonderful situations, we've got to eliminate a contestant at the end of it which is tough. >> larry: it's hard. let's get to some specifics. first, ellen, what surprised you

the most about being on this show? >> how warm everyone is. i didn't expect the warmth. >> larry: what do you -- are they con genial, really? >> having a great time. it really is fun. i'm sad to see him go, i really am. what surprises me the most is how hard it is. first of all, hollywood week, i started off much more strict and kind of no, no, no. then you start to get to know them and it's harder. but i do feel like you want to pull more out of them, you want to get more personality. you want to see the "it" factor, the star quality. they're singing, there's nothing wrong with it. just finding a new way each time to say, i didn't like it or did like it. >> simon, how was ellen doing? i'll be a critic again. >> she's right next to you. >> she's doing very well. >> larry: what makes a good judge? >> just saying don't overthink it.

not being afraid to be in the minority. very easy to go along with everybody else. and there was something that happened last week that you were completely on your own and i thought it would be easier to take the opposite view. and you were being subjective. some people like it, potatoes, "po-tah-toes. >> banana, banana. >> let's call the whole thing off. >> larry: this is ellen's first season as a judge. let's take a look at her in action. >> the first time i took a shot of at the quill la, indidn't know if i'd like it or not. i took another, then another and another. and i really enjoyed it. it was a very horny song. but a lot of horns in it. a lot of horns in it. a lot of -- it was a lot of horns in it. and you were smiling more and -- i just felt so much more -- even when that guy got separated from his parade, it didn't even --

i'm so sorry, sir, we'll help you. he didn't even get rattled by that guy showing up. >> larry: i gather she is also, kara, the timeless comedienne. >> for sure. >> larry: how do you like judging? >> i like it a lot this year. >> larry: as opposed to last year? >> yeah, i wasn't used to being on television and speaking in 30-second sound bites. this year i'm more concentrate on the kids and not worry so much about what i'm doing. >> larry: you're an original. how do they rank this group? >> i think they're doing really, really well. ellen has found her spot. and i like that she's been able to put some of that comedy in there. because she cracks me up. so -- and i think kara is doing great. i thought she did good the first season too even though you felt it was a little -- it's good. i think you have to call it as you see it. simon hit it on the head. you can't be afraid. we get booed all during the

contest so -- >> but -- >> i'd never been booed before. >> dancing and cheering and all that -- >> it's funny, actually. >> you boo yourself first. >> larry: we're going to go to break. this can relate to simon when we come back. a brilliant critique in yesterday's "new york times." the critic, mr. usherwood writing about a show "lend me a tenor" is faced with a dilemma. what do you do when you hate a show, you don't think it's funny, you don't like it at all, and the audience is raving. we'll ask simon what do you do? next. plus support for heart health. ( crowd roars ) that's a great call. one a day men's. allergies? chlor-trimeton. hey, one dose of this, six hour relief. chlor-trimeton relieves itchy, watery eyes and sneezing for 12 full hours with less drowsiness than benadryl. it does all that? chlor-trimeton. less drowsy relief that lasts 12 hours. it's the chevy spring event.

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>> i think the reason you got it right, and i don't want to take all of the credit for this, is that you know absolutely leaning in the direction of which i hinted at very strongly which is it's more country. >> no! >> not even close. >> that is not even close. >> that's what i can hear. i can hear that country -- ♪ let it be >> yeah, kara. >> get some r&b. >> that's -- >> larry: all right, simon. is it a dilemma when you can't stand -- i don't want to say

can't stand -- you don't think someone is very good and the audience is going berserk. >> i don't care anymore. i'm so used to that. i hear something completely different. >> larry: you say to yourself, maybe i'm wrong? >> well, you don't know. >> definitely not. definitely not. >> wrong -- >> wrong is mean. >> he's always right. >> somebody can go up there and whistle and the audience will go mental. just one of those things. >> larry: have there been times when the audience has been kind of warm and you loved them? the opposite? >> but then i'm also right. >> larry: so you're never wrong. >> exactly. no. >> larry: you're a perfect crit critic. >> it's fun to watch when any of them or simon gives a contestant the advice the week before and the next week they listen and he crushes them up he loves to sit up in his chair. >> larry: isn't it hard with your image -- you're america's

afternoon now -- >> yes. >> larry: to knock someone. >> am i america's afternoon? wow. i want to be their entire day. you know, it's hard because they're on my show the next day too. and i don't like hurting people's feelings. i know what it's like to stand on stage and to be judged. and so it's hard, yeah. it's hard. >> larry: one aspect of the season's idol has a lot of fans buzzing is that back and forth between ryan and simon is become regular, really. let's take a look. >> sometimes yes, sometimes no. >> that is a pathetic answer. >> if i would be allowed to continue, ryan. very boring, and there are a lot of people -- >> oh! >> did i see ryan dancing in the background. that, by the way, was musical. that part. >> simon is confused as to what artist you want to be?

>> is that okay with you right now? >> very much indeed. >> i approve. well said. >> this is between you too, now, i'm out. >> we've got this question posted to larry king live facebook page. i have to know, is the attitude between ryan and simon for ratings, or is there real tension there? >> ask ryan he's under orders. >> larry: lay it out. >> i'm under orders to grovel and to bow and to be in awe. >> larry: is he the boss? >> oh, yeah. of course. >> he did this show in england before any of us did it. it's his baby. >> larry: you there for -- bow to him. i don't mean bow, but bow. oh. >> servant, grovel, bow. honestly, there's a great deal of sport in that. i think the two of us have fun. >> larry: do you like simon? >> absolutely. i have actually have learned a lot from him. >> larry: would you call him a friend? >> i would. >> larry: simon, would you say

the same? >> what? >> there we go? >> larry: would you call ryan a friend? >> 99% of the time. >> larry: what annoys you about him? >> something off camera. >> what, exactly. >> no, we get on fine. we get along fine. it's -- it's as ryan said, it's sport. >> larry: is it part of the schtick. >> no, there are times. >> larry: you never hesitate. >> there are times, i have to be honest with you, they didn't show the clip where i'm sitting there doing the show and suddenly like having a little wasp or something in the room, it -- something comes over and sings you, it's like, where did that come from? and i'm talking to a contestant and it's like, buzz, buzz, buzz, sting. and it's like, what is your problem? and i said -- i kept saying, what is the problem. >> larry: do you see a problem with the two of them? kara? >> i see problems with them both, but not together. >> larry: do they have a problem with each other? >> who is the one that

instigates it? >> the first time i thought it was a joke. >> madam? >> i thought you guys were joking. the second time i saw it, i thought, oh, no, wait. this isn't a joke. aye thai get to each other's face. they're like older brother-younger brother. >> there's much -- >> madam? >> because he's like a madam. >> larry: what does that mean? >> who's the instigator. let's go back to that. >> larry: i heard him say madam. >> you should just come and join us. you like to tir the pot. >> larry: last week, right? >> i want him to come on and do the vicious american idol at the top of the show. >> can you do it? >> right in to three. right in to three. >> larry: this is "american idol." >> done. >> then you can spar with him the re of the hour. >> larry: do you notice tension between him and him? >> no, it's not tension. they really are like brothers.

and i think ryan likes to see what he can do to push simon's buttons and simon likes to see what he can do to push ryan's buttons. they do it to each other. that's the way they play. >> siblings. >> to add to it, simon is actually the master of pressing everyone's buttons. kara, true or false, he constantly press your button? >> he does press my button. now i know. now i know -- >> you tickle her button. >> stop it. >> by the way -- >> do you have a brother? >> i do not have a brother. >> do you have a brother? >> much older brother right here. >> simon has brothers, yes. >> do you have brothers? >> yes. >> do you take them on and squabble a lot? >> much more respectful. >> on that note, more on "idol gives back." you can even start donating now right on this program. right on this program, you can start donating. simon is getting married. how did love chang ♪ [ male announcer ] let's kick our excuses to the curb.

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it was tough news to hear. everything changed. mom. ♪ i didn't know what to do. that's when i asked my doctor about exelon patch. he said it releases medicine continuously for 24 hours. he said it could help with her cognition, which includes things like memory, reasoning, communicating and understanding. [ female announcer ] the most common side effects of exelon patch are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. the likelihood and severity of these side effects

may increase as the dose increases. patients may experience loss of appetite or weight. patients who weigh less than 110 pounds may experience more side effects. people at risk for stomach ulcers or who take certain other medicine should talk to their doctor because serious stomach problems, such as bleeding, may worsen. [ woman ] mom's diagnosis was hard to hear, but there's something i can do. [ female announcer ] visit exelonpatch.com for free caregiving resources. i think i'll go with the basic package. good choice. only meineke lets you choose the brake service that's right for you. and save 50% on pads and shoes. meineke. ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your judges, randy

jackson, ellen degeneres, kara d dioguardi, and simon cowell. and your host, ryan seacrest. >> larry: we're back. by the way, you can start contributing to "idol gives back" right now. go to americanidol/ -- americanidol.com/idolgivesback. you do it right now. start pitching in. let's ask individual questions. the -- ellen, you did the appeal for feeding america in l.a. with david arquette. you work with one family? >> no, i went to where they give the food out and the warehouse where the food comes in and learned about -- it's -- it's amazing. i mean, what i learned, which was scary, there's so many families and children that are malnourished. and that is like the most important time for us to be nourishing our brain. it changes the architecture of

our brain if we're malnourished even for a short time. it affects everything. so if kids aren't fed, which is what feeding america is doing right now. it's -- it's impacting all of us. >> were you surprised the way you saw it? >> yeah. and also, the volunteers, it's not just -- $10 get s 90 pounds of food. we're not asking for much. the smallest amount will help a lot of people. >> you divide them among the charities. >> domestically and internationally, which, we obviously felt it feels important being "american idol" but we have problems all over the place. >> larry: what did you experience with the children's health fund in arizona personally? >> you meet the doctors, you meet the kids, you meet the families, you know, it's -- it's important because you actually see where the money has gone. and we got to meet real people. it makes a huge difference. and they were nice kids. >> larry: are you surprised that that exists in this richest of

countries? >> we said from day one we would only do this if the money went to american charities as well. you can't do a show called "american idol" and send all of the money overseas. when you've got problems in your own country. well, in america. and when you go around the country -- and i've been -- new york, lachltd, all sorts of places, arizona, big, big, big problems. and this has made a huge difference. >> larry: we'll be back and get randy and kara's thoughts too, don't go away. ♪

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>> larry: we're back with ryan, simon, ellen, randy, and kara, talking about idol gives back. this wednesday on fox. they're going to raise millions for five charities, many people in need around the world. children's health fund, feeding america, malaria no more. save the children, and the united nations foundations are this season's beneficiaries. for more information, go to

cnn.com/larryking. you're auctioning off something? >> well, yeah. >> larry: as part of this? >> i did a save the children thing in mississippi with morgan freeman about literacy. we're all personally auctioning off various things. kara and i are auctioning off a singing lesson to the highest bidder. vocal lesson to the highest bidder. it's good. >> larry: for randy jackson. >> me and kara, larry, come on. >> you sing? and kara, you're teaching someone how to sing? >> yes, simon, i am. >> larry: are you making fun of them? >> no, no, no. >> larry: come on. >> beautiful voice. >> larry: how does it work in association with your charity? >> how does it work in association with the charity? this is another way to raise more money. and randy and i are going to define pitchy in the lessons. we're going to tell people what it is. pitchy, the definition. >> larry: spell it, p-i-t-c-h-y.

>> no -- >> pitchy, yeah. you're between keys. >> larry: give me an example. sing a little bit -- i'm not landing on the note. >> it's a pitching sound. ♪ somewhere over that's pitchy. >> larry: can you do pitchy? i can do pitchy well. ♪ somewhere over the rainbow >> that's pitchy. >> i can do pitchy. -- >> no, no, no -- >> i can do that too. >> only bad. >> larry: we had this tweet. ask the idol people why the giving back concept is important to them and what they do personally? >> i think it's important because we've got a television show that's all these years by a lot of people. if we can do something good at this level, you can create

impact. you can create impact. and personally, we donate our paychecks that night for the episode. we do the series that night for free and donate each of our paychecks, some of which are different than others, so some -- >> larry: that's a terrific gesture. nice of you. >> larry: so in addition to -- i imagine yours is the largest? >> you don't have to image up, it's true. >> i make a whole lot more. yeah, i think that's what we do on that night. but i think in general, all of us donate to various charities. and when ever you have a platform like this, for my show, we've raised a lot of money for katrina, we've raised money for breast cancer awareness. everybody does something. but when you have an opportunity to reach this many eyeballs and you can point out situations like, you know, feeding america, malaria no more, then it's important to do it. >> larry: you're asking everybody this week to sing inspirational songs. >> mm-hmm. >> larry: have you suggested any or is it up to them? >> we can't suggest songs. >> larry: can they pick anything

they want. >> it's up to this em. they choose it's part of the competition. >> it's difficult. you want to give them your advice and help them, but you can't. they have to show their vision for themselves. >> larry: but the work you do is wonderful. being in africa, must have been incredible for you. >> incredible experience. something i love about the show is it's really open, at least my personal life up to so much and to think that you can give back and make a difference. i've seen what "idol" does. >> as much as this show and these people have given all of us, it's the light thing to do, right? >> larry: everybody lucky enough to be in this business. >> you must. you must give back. it's what you have to do. >> you see a child, whether the child is from florida or the child is from somewhere in kenya and they're disabled -- they're kids. >> larry: simon, is it going to be truthfully, hard to leave? >> no.

no, it's not. >> larry: a little. it's not going to be hard to leave. >> genuinely, i've had the best time of my life. i'm grateful and lucky. but you always know when it's the right time to go. and -- you know, i look back and say we've had a great time. and i always promised myself i wanted to leave and be able to say that and say, your know, that. >> larry: do you expect to miss it? >> this is getting good? >> this is a good one, larry. >> larry: why? >> because i'll miss it at times, yeah. but you can't keep doing the same thing year after year after year. you can't. >> no, larry, you know that! >> larry: more about auction items for "idol gives back" and adam lambert has been a mentor for this season's contestants. how he's helping you. >> celebrating 20 years!

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>> larry: last season's "idol" runner-up adam lambert performed on the show last week and mentioned the contestants. here's a sample. >> the top nine took over the stage at viva elvis. and adam joined them for more conversation about the king and rock 'n' roll legacy. >> keep it fresh and surprise people. ♪ one for the money two for the show three to get ready ♪ >> grab it. >> smile a little bit.

>> smile more. >> playful, playful. that's the vibe of the song. >> i've been compared to you which is a huge honor. >> i heard, yeah. ♪ i will let you down >> larry: like that idea? it's a good idea. what adam is doing. mentoring. >> yeah, he'd done it. >> he did it on the show. he was one of the better mentors. he was great. >> fantastic. >> he was really good. >> larry: in addition to the tv show, "idol gives back," has an online auction going. the highest bid so far has been for a meet and greet with simon. and the second highest bid, for ellen degeneres and autographed sneakers. >> did make that bid to meet and greet him backstage. >> it was me. i made the bid. >> larry: give me an example. what kind of bids are you getting? >> it doesn't seem like we're

getting any bids. >> we've got to get some giant bids. >> larry: meet me -- singing lessons. >> simon listed his as, meet me for the last ever opportunity on "american idol." meet the greet. >> did i? >> yeah. and then you're giving away a bunch of tickets to your show and sneakers and things like that. >> i bid for myself, because i think they're good-looking tennis shoes. >> what if you're a size 4 tennis shoe. any size? >> i'm a size 8. 8 1/2, i think. >> larry: do you wear those new twisters, what do they call them -- shapeups! >> i don't have those. >> switsers. >> larry: yeah, you wear them? >> i don't. >> you do? >> larry: what are you staring at. i asked you if you wear sneakers. hold on. something's happened to simon. he's gone human.

>> he's gone human! >> it's a wild show today. >> larry: you just signed a new contract for this show. >> i did. >> larry: how long? >> this season plus two more seasons to host "american idol." >> larry: how long are you committed? >> five years. >> larry: you have more than him? >> yes. i'm going to be the last one there. i think there's nobody -- >> i'm just learning this now. >> larry: how long are you in for? >> i have a couple, two. >> larry: and you? >> i -- i have a few. >> what's -- what's that? what's a few? >> larry: hold on, he's leaving, you have a few, you have a couple, you have five -- >> i have two more. >> larry: you are the low man on the totem pole? >> no, i'm the low man. i only have two. this one and the next one. >> you only have two? >> i signed for three, we're in the midst of one and then i have two more. by the way i would do it for ten. >> just to be clear, how many is the only one guaranteed five years out of all of you? >> yeah, yeah. >> larry: so do you feel hanging

by a thread? >> and she's the newest. >> larry: the newest gets the most. >> everyone's leaving. >> randy, what's going to happen to us? >> i don't know. >> larry: we are going to take a break and be back -- >> no breaks, no breaks! >> larry: we have more moment, one break more. donate now at americanidol.com "idol gives back." more with our guests next. energy. her. this. lives. how ? by bringing together... information. ... people ... ... machines ... ... systems ... ideas... verizon helps businesses worldwide... including fortune 500 companies... find and achieve... better. better. better. better.

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finalist in season five of "american idol" and he went to angola with kara in february as part of "idol gives back." check out our interview with elliott at cnn.com/larryking. there were a bunch of tweets from people who wanted to know if there was any chance paula abdul will come back to "idol" with him going. >> we should ask the boss. >> where is he? >> larry: are you still the boss of the show, even after you leave? >> no, no, no. >> you've been doing this longer than any of us. >> larry: what about paula, do you think she would come back? >> i don't think she will. >> larry: because she won't be asked or she wouldn't accept? >> i think she's moved on. and i know a few things, what paula's up to, and you'll hear something fairly soon. >> how about now? >> it's not my business to say it. it's her business. >> larry: you never worked with paula, right? >> no, no. paula left before -- >> larry: when you watched the

show, did you like her? >> yeah, i mean, i was a fan of the show, so i watched and enjoyed her as much as everybody else. >> larry: randy, do you miss her? >> yeah, i think she's mad cool, she's very interesting, and great, great for the show, because she's so unpredictable, which i love. >> larry: kara? >> yeah, paula was a big part of my career early on. she gave me a break -- >> larry: sort of brought you in. >> she's still around. don't sound so sad. she's still with us. of course i miss her. i've known her for quite a while as well and i use to play her ca-singles. >> larry: prediction from all of you. we'll start with the man leaving. how long is "american idol" going to remain a hit? do you think. >> a long time. i genuinely do believe that. i've always said that. >> larry: why? >> because it's just so embedded now and i think it will run 20,

30 years. >> larry: that long? >> well, how long have you been on air for? >> 25 years, june 1st. longest running show in the history -- same host. >> there you go. >> larry: that will be different. ryan could be the same host in 25 years. ellen, how long do you think this show has legs? >> i think there are people who give up on it and say, i'm not watching it, and then they watch the next season. there's a constant audience, a audience that goes in and out, and then you get a new audience. it's a fun show, a fun formula and you get sucked in. some years, it's better than others, depending on the contestants. >> and one of the great things about it is, families can watch it together. a dad that doesn't have anything in common to talk with the doctors, can sit and talk to the daughter. >> watch it with your pets. >> larry: everything you want. >> it's a family show. >> and as long as there's talent, there's going to be "american idol". >> and hope. >> you're right. >> larry: how about its imitators? >> there are a lot of imitators,

but you know, that's kind of flattery at this point, right? >> larry: now, it's nothing new. there's always been a talent show. >> there's always been a talent show, but i think "idol's" definitely got legs to go on for a while longer. >> it's all about fun and talent. as long as there's talent, there will be "american idol." >> larry: you brought it, right? >> i was on the show. >> larry: really, did you know it would make it big? >> no, i genuinely did it. when we first filmed it, i thought we'd last three or four weeks. i honestly thought that and i thought everybody else thought as that well. so to be here nine years later. >> larry: do you feel any gold -- >> to beat last year. >> larry: what was last year? >> the total has been $140 million, so if we can keep on track with adding the right percentage to that, it would be fantastic. >> larry: we can nothing but salute youll