Labor Day Telethon That Jerry Lewis Memorably Ran Pulls Plug (reporter, television)

[oeccscclhjhn]

5/1/2015

the muscular dystrophy association telethon is ending its annual labor day telethon, a television tradition for decades that has slowly disappeared from view since the sudden end of jerry lewis' role as host following the 2010 show.

[jim9251]

Talk about the end of an era. I remember watching this every year a long time ago. Fun stuff, especially when Dean Martin would appear.

[rdflk]

Yeah, I'm saddened that's its gone. It was SUCH a tradition.
I don't think they worked hard enough to find the RIGHT HOST(s) to take it over.

Changing TV landscape, TV time costs so much...yeah yada yada yada....MDA dropped the ball, big time.
oh well, that's MDA's loss.

[SabresFanInSA]

Im sad to see it gone because of the nostalgia but at the same time I couldnt even tell you what channel it aired on for the past 20 years.

Also MDA isnt losing anything really. They are ending the telethon but they are going to switch to social media and more advanced methods to raise money. I would bet they figured out that the actual telethon wasnt rasing much money anymore and their money was coming from other avenues.

[charlygal]

Unfortunately, TV telethons have gone the way of variety shows.

[Delahanty]

Originally Posted by SabresFanInSA

Im sad to see it gone because of the nostalgia but at the same time I couldnt even tell you what channel it aired on for the past 20 years.

Also MDA isnt losing anything really. They are ending the telethon but they are going to switch to social media and more advanced methods to raise money. I would bet they figured out that the actual telethon wasnt rasing much money anymore and their money was coming from other avenues.

Yes. All they need is a well-publicized GoFundMe page around Labor Day.

I agree that the telethon in its heyday with Jerry Lewis was fun to watch.

[mangoarrow]

I think Jerry Lewis is a huge d-bag. I remember seeing him on Letterman's show in the 80s and he was such an obnoxious idiot. He kept talking while spitting water out and told Dave to try it. Dave then had the greatest line ever... "Gee, I hope I don't look like a jackass!" The entire audience erupted in cheer and laughter. You could literally see life leave Jerry's body. It was hilarious!

But I think firing Jerry from the telethon was beyond stupid. Donations dropped over 50% because of it. So they ended up punishing MD sufferers who depends on the money. I hope they all got fired.

[Lodestar 77]

That fundraiser jumped the shark for me a long time ago. Didn't know it was still an active televised event.

So many years, so much money, and yet MD is still with us.............

[mangoarrow]

Read that the man behind Jerry's ouster, President Gerald Weinberg, was himself pink-slipped after the debacle. At least he got some revenge.

[Delahanty]

Originally Posted by mangoarrow

I think Jerry Lewis is a huge d-bag. ........

Is that you, Betty White?