Tv, Bill Gates | featured news

Steve Jobs' passing has left the world without a guru-like figure who can get the world talking about tech, albeit Apple tech. Tim Cook is stage-shy, Bill Gates is no longer the force he once was (he appears to be more interested in finding ways to save the world) and Mark Zuckerberg is too caught up in the Facebook IPO debacle. Step forward Will.i.am and Simon Cowell, who believe they can stir tech passions with an The X Factor-style show.

Early last June, CNN celebrated 25 years of "Larry King Live" with a week of shows whose A-list guests included President Barack Obama, LeBron James, Bill Gates and Lady Gaga....

Simon Fuller, the entertainment magnate behind "American Idol" and its charity event airing Wednesday, is trumpeting a starry lineup that includes Elton John, Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood. But he played it coy when asked about the "Idol Gives Back" role of two other prominent people. Bill and Melinda Gates, supporters of the fundraiser since it launched in 2007, "have done something very special, quite incredible, this year," Fuller said. Pressed for details, he would only advise that you must watch the broadcast.