NBC will be putting aside it’s usual Saturday night line up of Law and Order reruns to air a special benefiting victims of the deadly tsunamis in southern Asia. Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope will feature musical performances, some serious Hollywood muscle and at least two former presidents this Saturday at 8 p.m. Clear Channel, the parent of DC101, will also broadcast the concert live.

Expect to see everyone from recently separated Brad Pitt to Uma “We have no idea what Ethan Hawke was thinking” Thurman, prettying up your TV screen. Also scheduled to perform are Madonna, Eric Clapton and Nelly among many, many others. The list posted is actually quiet long, and DCist seriously wonders how they’re squeezing everyone in. The telethon, the second of its kind, will raise money for the American Red Cross. So, where exactly is the money going?

The NBC website states:

Funds raised through this special will support the American Red Cross two-phased assistance plan which includes specialized relief immediately and over the long term in the following areas: Food and safe water; health care and disease prevention; immediate family supplies; mental health counseling; disaster preparedness and prevention measures.

Um, not be bring up old stuff, but isn’t that what they said last time?
Of course, you could skip the two-hour dog and pony show and simply donate online.

In other unfortunate celebrity/tsunami-related news, it’s been brought to our attention that fitness and infomercial celebrity John Basedow is still missing in Phuket, Thailand, and feared deceased. Basedow is most well known for his Fitness Made Simple video series.