Is anyone watching the MDA telethon?

[nickyb720]

It's not the same without Jerry and it's such a trainwreck!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

If it weren't for the people they help, I'd like to see a significant decrease in donations this year...just to send a message.

 

[joe1946]

I am not watching the not Jerry Lewis not Labor Day telethon this year.

 

[connie1042]

My daughter was the Goodwill Ambassador for the State of Minnesota when she was 9. It was a fun year for her. She never got to meet Jerry Lewis, but he did sign a picture for her. He has done so much for MDA. I don't know what happened, but they really messed this one up. He was going to have this be his last telethon. What did he say or do, that made them release him. I have a feeling that he will say something tomorrow or very soon. He did not want the telethon to ruined by his release.

 

[txvjc]

I'm not, but I remember loving it as a kid for some reason...I would always try and watch the whole thing

 

[safetymom]

I can't wait to hear Jerry's side of the story. He said he would talk about it after the telethon.

 

[Joshua_me]

Truth be told, it was kind of a trainwreck when he WAS there... (at least the last few years...)

He made some remarkably innapropraite comments to the guests and the audience that I can't even share here on the Dis. I chalked it up to his age.

One image I can never shake, though... About Five years ago, Chairo (sp ?) was singing a song called "Get Up and Dance" or something like that, and during her number she danced over to a group of wheelchair-bound audience members - And while standing in front of them, she "hoochie koochied" and sang the words to them, "Get up and dance everyone" while pointing at them.

I was so horrified I couldn't get to the remote fast enough.

 

[wings91]

It's sad to see it cut down from nearly a 24hr event to just 6 hours now.

 

[jpeka65844]

Truth be told, it was kind of a trainwreck when he WAS there... (at least the last few years...)

He made some remarkably innapropraite comments to the guests and the audience that I can't even share here on the Dis. I chalked it up to his age.

Not to burst any bubbles, but I've heard that Jerry Lewis is a royal #$^hole.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Funny, I was just reading an article yesterday about the telethon and Jerry...no doubt he has an unparalleled contribution to MDA however reading between the lines it seemed to me that even he felt there were moments he would have rather not have made happen...I mean, who doesn't feel that way about at least something. At a point, everyone has to move along and his appeal has waned. It might have been better to bridge a transition this year with him still involved than to appear to have cut him out...it might have appeased his fans. That stated, some new life needed to be breathed into it, for the sake of the long-term health of the charity.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I don't know what happened with Jerry Lewis and MDA but there is group of comedians who were very upset they ousted Jerry and they got together and held their own a fundraiser at a comedy club in LA. I don't think Jerry Lewis was too happy about not doing this last telethon either. I also read that MDA removed him from their board of directors too. Something must have happened...something more than just wanting to do something new. I have also heard that Jerry Lewis is very demanding and not all that nice, but he did do alot for MDA. It will be interesting to hear more of the story when it comes out.