The Muscular Dystrophy Association said Wednesday that the telethon comedian Jerry Lewis has hosted annually since 1966 will run a scant six hours next September, less than one-third its customary 21 1/2 hour length.

A curious thing about MDA's more than 750-word news release on shortening the program is that it didn't mention Lewis until almost 450 words in, and that mention was a reference to his reunion with former performing partner Dean Martin that Frank Sinatra arranged for the 1976 telethon (see video at the end of the post).

That truly was the biggest moment in telethon history but it seems sad that the last telethon is now no more. Can six hours actually be a "thon"? And is Jerry's role being reduced now that he is mid 80s?

Edited October 25, 201015 yr by quartermainefan

Jerry has (understandably) appeared in less and less of the telethon over the last decade. They have a lot of other hosts to carry through the 21 hours. I guess I can see why they might have decided to just go with a shorter telethon which could use Jerry more effectively, but I will miss the longer telethon. Even if I didn't watch all of it it was nice to see a variety of acts on TV, many of whom cannot get on television at all, aside from America's Got Talent.

I dunno....I think there's the potential to do what soaps have done...try to appeal more to a demo that won't be watching while driving away the ones who do. $50 million plus raised in 6 hours? And if the meaning between the lines (since they barely mention Jerry and people seem to be speculating about that) is one of Jerry Lewis' role being further diminished or cut, I think that would turn even more people off. MDA thinks the shorter timeframe will attract bigger name celebrities? Why? They aren't there longer than their skits/songs/commentary anyway. I don't think Charo or Ray Romano is sitting there answering phones for hours. I guess maybe they want George Clooney sitting there being seen on camera??

On the one hand, I personally do think it could be shorter (maybe not 6 hours short, but like let it run one day, maybe 10-12 hours or something, not overnight) because, I'm sorry, some of those acts are just plain awful and others (cough, Norm Crosby, cough) are just plain worn out. On the other hand, I think it has the potential to have the opposite effect of what they want. I think it's a big gamble that could go either way.

I wonder what will happen when Jerry either passes on or is too ill/feeble to continue. The CP telethon didn't continue much longer after Dennis James died. Maybe this is their way of beginning the process of taking more focus off Jerry as the most famous face/supporter of MDA. If that's the case, and it isn't mutual, that would be some kick in the teeth after what he's done for them and it would probably be a disaster for them PR-wise.

Edited October 26, 201015 yr by applcin