Star-heavy Hollywood takes a stand

It's always dicey when celebrities gather for a cause, as they did last night for "Stand Up to Cancer." You know the event is a good thing. You know that in our culture, people model themselves after - and open their wallets for - singers, actors, and sports stars. You know that, every now and then, Hollywood really ought to unite for something other than awards shows.

But still, cynicism rears its ignoble head, and you wonder if the stars are merely showboating, if the benefit is just another photo opportunity, if those tears and casual hairstyles are for effect. You wonder if it's a coincidence that some on the stage have a new movie on the verge of release, or cosmetic spokesperson obligations. You wonder if each star actually puts her money where her carefully plumped-up mouth is.

The makers of the "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon, which aired commercial-free yesterday from 8-9 p.m. on ABC, NBC, and CBS, did an admirable job of keeping the night believably modest and real. As familiar faces and voices crossed the stage of Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, no sanctimony alarms were tripped, and only a few egos were flaunted. The hour moved briskly forward, from live and video pleas for donations by the likes of Keanu Reeves and Meryl Streep to informational clips about the latest advances in cancer research. Along the way, non-famous people made their presence known, as we heard from those living with cancer and cancer survivors.

I can't say the evening was overly emotionally manipulative. But there were a few touching moments. Early in the show, Patrick Swayze came onstage to a standing ovation. Swayze, who is battling pancreatic cancer, appeared thin, his jaw more prominent than usual. He spoke of his hopes for cancer research, then said, "Tonight I stand here, another individual living with cancer, who asks that we not wait any longer, and I ask only one thing of you: Please stand up with me."

For the most part, the tone was sober. Rival network news anchors Katie Couric, Brian Williams, and Charlie Gibson co-hosted, each one sharing his or her personal connection to cancer. Lance Armstrong introduced clips of John McCain and Barack Obama describing their stance on cancer - which seemed oddly gratuitous. But there were attempts at lighter segments, such as Brad Garrett supposedly receiving a digital rectal exam on the stage. The idea was to make checking for cancer seem like a breeze; we were also shown a "Simpsons" clip in which Homer gets a colonoscopy.

The night contained relatively little music. James Taylor and Sheryl Crow delivered a loose duet of "Fire and Rain," and Josh Groban and Monica Mancini performed an austere version of "Imagine" interspersed with readings by Halle Berry, Jennifer Garner, Casey Affleck, and Forest Whitaker.

The only "We Are the World"-ish moment that might have lent itself to parody was a performance, via remote from the rehearsal for the forthcoming "Fashion Rocks" concert, by a stage crammed with Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Fergie, Mary J. Blige, and others. They belted out "Just Stand Up," and not a one of them was about to sit down.

Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com. For more on TV, visit boston.com/ae/tv/blog/.