Posted on 05/17/2011 6:49:45 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Jerry Lewis announced on Monday that he is retiring as the longtime emcee of the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon. “As a labor of love, I’ve hosted the annual Telethon since 1966, and I’ll be making my final appearance on the show this year by performing my signature song, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’,” the legendary 85-year-old comedy entertainer said in a statement on the MDA website. “I’ll continue to serve MDA as its National Chairman – as I’ve done since the early 1950′s. I’ll never desert MDA and my kids.”
According to the MDA, Lewis has logged more than 900 hours helping the organization raise money to fund research for treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and ALS. “It’s time for an all new Telethon era,” he added. “This year’s six hour prime-time Telethon on September 4 will be spectacular, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.” UPDATE: The cohosts for the 2011 show will be Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance), Alison Sweeney (The Biggest Loser), Nancy O’Dell (Entertainment Tonight), and Jann Carl (Entertainment Tonight).
You have to give the guy a lot of respect for doing what he has done.
Not a Lewis fan, but, I salute his efforts. The man has had a net positive impact on the world. God Bless him for that.
Well good for Jerry. He did good and deserves all the praise he is getting. Which is good, because as an entertainer, I never understood his appeal.
God Bless Jerry Lewis. The telethon was a huge event when I was a kid and I did many an all nighter watching it. And with that lack of sleep, I would cry with him when he sang, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Bever heard of any of them.
Always remember the year that Dean Martin came on, after all of those years of the two not talking to each other.
Can't type either.
900 hours / 45 years = 2 hours annually. Somehow I get the feeling there's a helluva lot more that's unaccounted for in all that time. Hat's off to you Jerry!
I’ve always wondered why he did so much for MDA. He’s never revealed any personal reason of which I am aware.
“Which is good, because as an entertainer, I never understood his appeal.”
I don’t claim to understand it, but it seems some comedians do well when they are young, fresh and energetic, but don’t wear well with age.
Jerry Lewis and Eddie Murphy come to mind in this category.
Jerry Lewis’ early works with Dean Martin were quite good. But as time went by, and Lewis went off on his own, he almost became a parody of himself.
What about Tony Orlando? Is he out?
What does Jerry Mathers have to do with any of this?
Good on him. If you must have a bleeding heart, that’s a fine cause he chose. A younger man might have gone in for saving wildlife, illegal aliens, Palestinians, or celebrity refugees from murder charges.
Mr. Lewis,
You did good, kid.
:)
And here’s something to make everyone smile:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlksTohQJa4 (Jerry Lewis & Dean Martin reunion)
You forgot to carry the one or sumptin’! ;)
What I never understood was why, after 45 years and millions and millions raised there’s no cure. Actually, no disease except and since polio has there been a cure. All else have formulated drugs to help prolong life and make life more comfortable etc. Just sayin.
Wow! It’s been 45 years that I’ve not watched it?
Math is not your strong suit I see......
The telethon always meant school was getting ready to start so I didn’t look forward to it as a kid.
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