Mystery surrounds Jerry Lewis’ absence from Sunday’s Muscular Dystrophy Telethon

Las Vegas Sun ^ | 09/01/2011 | Robin Leach

[SeekAndFind]

Few TV traditions in America are as popular as the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon, but this year’s is still shrouded in mystery as to what happened between entertainment legend and longtime host Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Not one mention of his name in the two latest MDA press releases about the telethon. That’s not only downright rude and disgraceful, but also a tragedy.

This year’s show, broadcast live again from South Point on Sunday, has been cut to 6 hours from the long-standing 21-hour marathon. MDA says the new look will be more fast-paced and hopefully double donations that hit nearly $60 million last year in a flagging economy.

MDA also says the compressed show is attracting new superstar entertainers: Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Martina McBride, Steven Tyler, Jon Secada, Randy Jackson and Richie Sambora are scheduled to make appearances during the telethon. Nigel Lythgoe, Nancy O’Dell, Jann Carl and Alison Sweeney are this year’s hosts.

It won’t be the same without Jerry at the helm. His dedication and devotion to MDA and Jerry’s Kids have raised more than $2 billion, making him the solo star with the biggest gift to charity. Jerry’s legacy will last forever even in his absence.

Broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by just one TV station in New York City, the first event raised more than $1 million in pledges. This Sunday, more than 40 years later, the show will be broadcast by more than 150 MDA “Love Network” stations and assisted by approximately 250,000 volunteers across the country. Nearly 40 million people are expected to watch.

In 1998, it made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast. It’s momentum came from Jerry revealing the ever-increasing fundraising total

[OldPossum]

Steven Tyler is a pedophile who judges 15 year old girls in Sin City on American Idol.

I don't watch TV, so you can understand why I don't know who Mr. Tyler is. I haven't missed much, now have I?

[the invisib1e hand]

he’s only a hundred and fifty years old. what’s the mystery?

[triumphant values]

No, I have never heard of either. I grew up in the 1950s and was there when rock 'n roll first appeared. In the mid-1960s I was a radio disk jockey and appreciative of singers of songs that had what we quaintly used to call "melody."

If you grew up in the 50s and were in the DJ scene through the 60s, you've heard of Aerosmith. I mean it's nice and all that you want to play quaint fuddy duddy, but you're not 90 years old.

[OldPossum]

Note that I said “mid-60s.” I worked for various radio stations beginning in 1962 and ending when I graduated from college in 1966.

I have heard of the word Aerosmith from posts here on FR but I never heard any of their “music.” Tell me the names of some of their hits that I missed.

Would I recognize any of the melodies? Could you hum one of their songs and pick up the melody to your satisfction? Or was their stuff the loud, raucous torture of guitars that I associate with the “music” of bands that took over rock ‘n roll in that period?

P.S. I am 70 years of age.

[triumphant values]

Oh, so you were the ripe old geezer age of 32 (5 years from DJing) when Aerosmith started releasing I believe 6 multiplatinum records in a row and you never heard of them until FR. Ok, whatever, it's your story, tell it any way you like.

"Huh, sonny I can't hear you. Led Zeppawhat" "Those darn kids and their Floyd and Pinkerton".

At the age of 32. Sure.

[OldPossum]

The popular music changed so much in the late 60s that I quit listening. It lacked melody. It might seem unintuitive but not every 32-year-old listens to pop music.

And you are calling me a liar and I don’t appreciate that.

Again, name me some of their hits. I quit listening but I might have run across references in the press to their hits.

And ask you again: was their music loud and unmelodious? If it had melody you could hum it.

Your silence on the issue tells me all I need to know.

[fnord]

I gave up on television when they switched to color in the mid-60’s. that and their huge, unnecessary 13” screens. my Philco was all I needed.

never heard of Aerosmith? dream on ...

or perhaps Toys in the Attic is more apropo

[jackibutterfly]

If you’ve ever listened to Sean Hannity on the radio, Martina McBride sings his theme song, Independence Day (Let Freedom Ring). You HAD to have heard that. She does another fantastic song - Broken Wing. Check her out on youtube.com.

[OldPossum]

Yes, I’ve heard that although it hardly sounds like a r&r song, now does it? You mentioned another song that the lady sang, is that an Aerosmith song too? As for youtube.com I never bother with that.

Now, as to that list of chart-busting hit songs by Aerosmith that you referenced...

[OldPossum]

Oh, I noticed that I replied to your post instead of that of triumphant values, who still hasn’t replied to my question about Aerosmith hits. I guess those multi-platinum albums didn’t contain any recognizable singles.

And he didn’t tell me about the quality of their music. I’ll bet it was the garden-variety guitars in agony and over-done drums.