MDA Telethon: The Good, the Bad And The Ugly

Today, the MDA Telethon returns to the air for it's 59th annual telethon, but this time, without Jerry Lewis for the first time since again, 1952. http://www.mda.org/telethon/
There has been controversy as this year's show is without Jerry Lewis and it appears he was fired instead of allowed to bow out graciously. There has been talk about whether he will show up or not, and right now, I would say there is a 60% he will not show up. Since I live in Las Vegas and the Pacific time zone, I'll be one of the last people to find out.
I also think, since Jerry Lewis is gone, the telethon will last only 1-2 more years because Jerry is/was the show and I don't think the stars they have on the show today will want to be on the show if Jerry is not there. Some more information from the Las Vegas Sun:The question was posed in a TV studio located, of all places, near Dean Martin Drive and Jerry Lewis Way.
“MSNBC Sunday” host Alex Witt asked it: How can it be that Jerry Lewis won’t be onstage at the South Point this evening to say a proper goodbye at the MDA Telethon?
“Do we know if this is health related?” Witt asked, reasonably, as Lewis is 85 years old and as recently as June had to miss an appearance on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia, citing physical exhaustion.
But no, Lewis certainly seems healthy enough to appear on television for 10 minutes, physically robust enough to sing a song and say goodbye. His appearance Aug. 20 at the Nevada Broadcasters Association dinner at Red Rock Resort reinforced that he is in good shape, and his omission from the telethon is not for failing health.
“It is somewhat inconceivable that the MDA Telethon will go on without Jerry Lewis,” Witt added, with mounting incredulity. “When you talk to people, are they scratching their heads and saying, ‘Really? The telethon with no Jerry Lewis?’ ”
Simple answer: Yes.
Officially, the Big Why remains unanswered. What can be said at this moment is Lewis is not part of the 46th MDA Telethon because MDA officials and he never could arrive at an agreeable context and format for what would be Lewis’ historic final appearance. A late-arriving effort to record Lewis performing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with an orchestra Thursday at South Point collapsed Wednesday morning.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/sep/04/big-why-still-unanswered-mda-telethon-plays-out-wi/
More information here: The hosts of the 46th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon said Sunday that Jerry Lewis retired from the yearly fundraiser — the organization’s first comments about the beloved icon’s departure since an announcement last month.
Lewis publicist Candi Cazau declined comment to the Associated Press when told of the comments to open the telethon on Sunday.
Co-host Nigel Lythgoe said during his opening comments on the telethon that he didn’t realize Lewis, 85, was thinking about retirement during the show last year, when the comedian offered Lythgoe his seat as Lewis took a break and Lythgoe was coming on the air.
“He made such a big point about it. 'I’ve never done this before,' he said,” said Lythgoe, the executive producer of “American Idol.” “I didn’t realize then that he was contemplating retiring.
“And Jerry, and I know you’re watching, when you gave me that chair I know it’s possible to sit on it, but it’s isn’t possible, Jerry, to replace you, sir,” he said. “What you have done for this organization and its families is something close to a miracle and I know that we all want to carry on your legacy.”
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/sep/04/mda-telethon-hosts-lewis-retired-fundraiser/
That is a load of BS. and if he retired, you would think the MDA would have given him a few minutes to say good bye.
I have mixed feelings about the telethon:
The Good: The MDA telethon has raised awareness of Muscular Dystrophy and other disabilities. It has raised money to provide services and equipment to the kids who have MD. Also, the money has gone for research, but sadly, there has not been much positive research as kids still get MD. There have been no cures, no immunizations or other ways to prevent MD.
The Bad: I have always thought Jerry Lewis has exploited the kids on the show. No doubt, he loves them very much, but they are not his kids. I work the severely disabled and I hate when they are exploited, even if it has some benefits. But then, if Lewis did not exploit the kids and make seem like they are totally helpless, then the money going into the MDA would be much lower.
The Ugly: The way MDA has treated Jerry Lewis this year has been ugly. From what I have heard, Lewis can be difficult to work with, but to throw away 52 years without saying good bye is also wrong.
I also have this little thought gnawing at my brain: the MDA has raised billions of dollars for MDA and they will raise ten's of millions today. What incentive do the researchers have to find a cure for MD? If they find a cure, then the money dries up and the researchers lose their gravy train. I would hope that is not the case, but then stranger things have happened.