TV Nets Band Together for Telethon

September 18 -- More proof that America is uniting in the wake of terrorist attacks: in a rare show of solidarity, the usually competitive Big Four networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, are planning to simulcast a star-studded entertainment show this Friday to raise money for relief organizations

America: A Tribute to Heroes, a live two-hour, commercial-free program, will be simulcast from New York and Los Angeles from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Participating at press time, in alphabetical order, are: Bon Jovi, Amy Brenneman, Jim Carrey, George Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, The Dixie Chicks, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Calista Flockhart, Dennis Franz, Kelsey Grammer, Tom Hanks, Faith Hill, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Conan O'Brien, Tom Petty, Ray Romano, Julia Roberts, Paul Simon, Will Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Sela Ward, Robin Williams, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young, with more stars expected to sign on before Friday.

According to the press release, the program will "seek to unite a shaken world with words and music, while paying tribute to the indomitable spirit, unfaltering fortitude, and courage that truly makes America 'the land of the free and the home of the brave.'"All funds raised from this program will go to the relief effort, all costs will be underwritten by the networks, and everyone involved will be donating his or her time and resources, according to the release.America: A Tribute to Heroes will be broadcast live in the Eastern and Central time zones and tape-delayed in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, and will also be video-streamed on the Internet.