Stars will gather to give high school students a voice on a one-hour special that will air on all four major U.S. networks — ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. The Entertainment Industry Foundation and XQ Institute’s latest initiative, EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live, will air live from Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. ET (tape-delayed PT).
After the success of EIF’s Stand Up to Cancer (which has raised over $370 million for cancer research), the organization — led by Hollywood insiders including board chair Chris Silbermann — is focusing on improving the high school education system and preparing students for success in college and future careers with support from local teachers and parents to global leaders and influencers.
Although names of those participating have not been announced, a statement on Thursday said the biggest stars from film, television, sports, music and digital can be expected. The event will bring together “musical, comedy and documentary segments to bring together the past, present and future of the American school system,” and campaigning will begin in July.
EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live is the follow-up to EIF’s education initiative Think It Up, which brought together a roster of talent including Justin Bieber, Kristen Bell, Stephen Colbert, Scarlett Johansson, Matthew McConaughey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeremy Renner and Ryan Seacrest for a live telecast in September 2015. CAA president Richard Lovett previously told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview about Think It Up that the focus on education stemmed from the fact that there had been “plenty of shopping messages” for going back to school but no “previous attention of gathering, support, acknowledgement, appreciation and cheerleading when our country goes back to school.”
The telecast will be produced by Done + Dusted and directed by Hamish Hamilton, who has directed some of the biggest shows in entertainment, including this year’s Super Bowl halftime show with Lady Gaga, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and the opening gala for Disneyland Shanghai. Anonymous Content, MACRO and Wise Entertainment are also joining as partners.
