INFECTIOUS LAUGH Rock
(Photo: Getty Images)

During an MTV/Clinton Global Initiative event called "Giving" at the Apollo Theater in Harlem Saturday night, the comic responded to one student's comment about not having enough time to volunteer: "I bet if you had AIDS, you'd find time."

Rock was on fire. "MTV and BET can use some of those just-for-money-programs, y'know, infomercials for bass fishing, and turn them into educational programming to inform students of what's out there [so they can volunteer for causes]. We could even get Bono involved, 'cuz Bono can shame anyone into anything," Rock quipped while pointing across the stage at the wee U2 front man, who laughed along.

Also onstage, former President Bill Clinton, pelvic innovator Shakira, chanteuse Alicia Keys, and round table panel moderator, MTV's Sway, who took great pleasure in his own dreadlock-stuffed knit cap. Clinton even alluded to wanting one after Sway introduced him, and for the remainder of the evening, Sway offered to bring anyone "back to my place, about two blocks from here [125th street] and give them a hat." There were no takers.

The whole point of the event was to goad youth into activism in any arena, and Clinton ended one long comment with, "You start from where you are," prompting Bono to interrupt with, "That's a perfect song title. Has anyone written that tune yet? No? Edge, get to it," he said, turning to his guitarist.

Clinton also shared that "there were years when I did nothing for anyone. I felt very bad about those times." Bono cut him off again. "You've more than made up for it, buddy," he said.

Also in the historic theater was a bloated Val Kilmer, who prior to grabbing his seat did an impromptu dance at the bar behind Eve Ensler, Kate Hudson, Harry Belafonte, Chelsea Clinton, and Sarah McLachlan. The night ended with performances by Keys, Shakira, and Wyclef Jean, who rehashed his Dream Concert shtick with "Vote for me/Wyclef for President," while Clinton cheered from the front row.