Jerry Lewis has rebounded from health problems that recently plagued him, and released his statement regarding the legendary Telethon that marks Labor Day and the end of summer in the United States.
“In the 1950s, America buzzed with the sense that if you just tried hard enough, you could achieve whatever you wanted. You could harness the atom, cure disease, and play the Copacabana. Anything was possible if you were willing to get out there and give it absolutely everything you had.” Says Lewis.
In sharing the humble beginnings of his MD Telethon, Lewis elaborated. “In 1956, just before we broke up, Dean (Martin) and I did a 24-hour TV marathon at Carnegie Hall called the "Martin and Lewis TV Round-Up," to benefit a small organization called the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Back then, MDA was a group of adults with muscular dystrophy, parents of children with MD and their other loved ones. They had almost nothing - except a dream and the willingness to give it everything they had.”
“I stuck with MDA, and we did more Telethons. In 1966, we anchored our Telethon to the Labor Day weekend, and it quickly became an American tradition. Over the years hundreds of talented performers, from Frank Sinatra to The Wiggles, have shown up voluntarily and done 10 minutes on the Telethon to further the cause of MDA's big dream. The American public has responded with incredible generosity.”
This Labor Day weekend, it's time for Jerry's Kids and the 41st edition of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon.
The show runs on a nationwide network of local affiliates from 10:35 p.m. Sunday to 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Lewis will be assisted by his veteran co-host, Lowell, Massachusetts native Ed McMahon. Others taking co-host shots include Jann Carl, Tom Bergeron, Norm Crosby, Billy Gilman, Larry King, Tony Orlando and Bob Zany.
According to Lewis’ spokesperson Candi Cazau, the 21 hour show will originate from the new South Coast Hotel in Las Vegas, with segments coming from New York and Chicago.
The talent scheduled include Paul Anka, Goo Goo Dolls, Lee Greenwood, Dave Matthews Band, Neil Patrick Harris, Ray Romano, William Shatner, Lance Burton, Celine Dion, Clint Holmes, Julie Roberts, Patti LaBelle, Bebe Winans, Brian McKnight, Branford Marsalis, George Clinton, and the casts of "Phantom of the Opera," "Shout," "The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee," "The Color Purple" and "The Wedding Singer."
The annual event focuses on muscular dystrophy and the many people it involves, victims and caregivers alike.
The proceeds raised on air and at sites all over the nation will support the MDA's vital research and services for children and adults with any of the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases covered in its program.
Last year, the drive rose just shy of $55 million, a new record.
Since 1998, the telethon has been seen around the world via Internet simulcast, hosted by RealNetworks on MDA's Web site.
The show - and MDA - is very much of a labor of love for Lewis, who turned 80 in March, and has suffered several physical ailments of his own.
Born Joseph Levitch in Newark, N.J., Lewis was best known as a comedian, before moving into acting, writing, directing and production.
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