Bodog Beat

Singing takes a back seat on American Idol this week as the nation's most popular show spotlights its charitable endeavors. With "Idol Gives Back", the hit Fox program will deliver cash and lots of it to poverty-stricken regions in Africa and America.

Throughout Tuesday's episode, viewers were shown scenes of host Ryan Seacrest and the show's three judges visiting dilapidated and squalid places, which hopefully will be aided by the program's efforts. Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp, Fox's parent, will donate 10 cents for each vote this week to a maximum of $5 million. With voting extended for four hours, the goal of 50 million votes seems attainable. More than 37 million voted last week in the normal two-hour window.

On Wednesday, Bono will perform in a two-hour special concert show that will include the ouster of one of the six remaining finalists.

The performances this week featured inspirational songs, to complement the theme of overcoming suffering. Simon Cowell noted off the start that the real competition had now begun, a less-than-veiled dig at Sanjaya Malakar, the popular but flawed singer who was eliminated last week.

Winners on Tuesday included teenager Jordin Sparks, whose latest American Idol odds put her as the 1/1 favorite to win the season, and Melinda Doolittle, the 6/5 choice.

Sparks (pictured) sang "You'll Never Walk Alone", a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, and Doolittle delivered another knockout performance with Faith Hill's "There Will Come a Day".

Although Phil Stacey had a second consecutive strong showing, he remains a 45/1 long shot. The other competitors also seem a few rungs below Sparks and Doolittle, making this a two-woman race for No. 1.

For the latest American Idol odds, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

PHOTO: Jordin Sparks is the new favorite to win American Idol. (Courtesy of American Idol)