Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association wallowed in the pity approach. This was a cheap and exploitive tactic. I feared that some kids with disabilities and their families might actually come to believe this shallow analysis of their worth and potential. I resented that the telethon convinced so many Americans that the only life priority disabled people can and should have is to pin all our hopes on some bloated charity saving us. I have muscular dystrophy, as did my late sister, and we were both Muscular Dystrophy Association poster kids in the s.
When we showed up around the country with protest signs and fliers outside sites where local live telethon broadcasts were taking place, the irony drew a lot of media attention. Lewis always reacted to us with nothing but pure fury and hostility. The Associated Press obit recalled one of his infamous, caustic responses. A two-hour final telethon send off party would have been OK, with lots of guest stars. I'm sure On the Rocks acapella group would have loved to have been there and made Lewis laugh.
I think that they should have given Jerry a more honorable sendoff, provided he agreed not to embarrass the organization on air by complaining about being forced out. But the fact is that it was long passed time for Lewis to go. I found his presentation terrible and irritating like finger nails on a chalkboard - any time I saw him hosting I changed the channels. This is not to take away from his great achievements as the host and with the organization, but it would have been best for everyone if he had realized that it was time to pass on the torch rather than for someone else to have to make the tough decision.
If he had chosen to retire both he and the organization would have benefited from favorable publicity rather than this mess.
You're quite welcome Patty. I would think it would definitely be a different show without his wit mastery. I mean Jerry Lewis was a natural comic, in every sense of the word and for a very long time. But, I don't think it would do as good without him. When he did the show he was quite serious about it and I simply do not think there will be any substitute that will match his long standing and accomplishments.
I also missed the announcement. It's the end of an era. As a child I loved watching his telethons with my family. He is the reason I did the walkathons for over 20 years. I was inspired by his dedication and as a young person it made me aware of the need for service to your community. I suppose Dick Clark will retire next and then the last of the great "ones" will be gone. Thanks for this informative hub. I have been a huge fan of Jerry Lewis since I was a kid watching his movies on a saturday afternoon, his comedy was amazing.
I wasn't aware back then of his fantastic charitable contribution to society though, it's the mark of the man. His participation and efforts over a long and colorful career will not be forgotten.
You bring up some interesting points! I somehow missed this in the news! I have several friends affected and JL always provided long-lasting hope! I too, have waited for so many years to learn the secret of his motivation! I always thought it must be someone in his family, maybe a sibling, that died early on due to this disease, and it was kept a secret!
Hard to do in Hollywood, however!? This corporate "upset" will be good for ratings! We will all be tuning in to see "what's up?? I do hope it wasn't some immediate health issue with Jerry himself!? The last few MDA Telethons he didn't look too well? I must say in reading the announcement that I have never heard of any of the announced hosts for the show. At 35, I'm not sure if this says more about me loving classic Hollywood, or about me being 35,period.
He's not beloved in the disability community, who don't want to be talked about as pathetic, but rather as vital human beings with disabilities. I would always root for him to break the goal every year and I have to admit it was inspiring how people would pull together, because of his empowering personality. It was awesome to watch. Definitely voted up! As a young child, I saw an old news clip of Lewis imitating, I thought, a cerebral palsy patient.
Always wondered of he was trying to make amends with the telethon. Fifty-none years is a long time to be helping anyone or any cause. Not many do this. I am way late on reading this. But I thoroughly enjoyed your hub. I knew Jerry Lewis had been doing the telethon for a long time but I would have never guessed as how long.
Here is your up. I've always been divided about Jerry Lewis ever since he referred to people by a derogatory phrase I won't repeat. This is aman who is helping them?
I have a biased opinion because I have slight cebral palsy in my right side and I am very sensitive to so called political correctness vs. For example, I detest "physically challenged. He has raised a lot of money and that is excellent. He may yet reveal why he has been doing these fundraisers -perhaps after he dies this information will be revealed the way katherine Hepburn's diaries were revealed after she died.
I did, indeed, watch the Telethon in , but coverage did not begin locally until the small hours of the morning.
And I am happy that the governments and CBOs were so much more organized for this storm. Social Issues. It has remained there since then. Through the s, there were also Canadian Love Network affiliates, whose telethon presentations there benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada , an organization unrelated to the American MDA, but used Jerry's US telethon for fund raising.
Today, no Canadian station airs the telethon, though it is available on cable and satellite from WGN, as well as from border US stations. As of , Muscular Dystrophy Canada continued to operate pledge call centers during the telethon to collect Canadian donations. The final Canadian-based local broadcasts of the telethon aired from Ottawa in After this, MDC officials canceled the local broadcasts claiming cost savings.
The Ottawa broadcasts were first hosted by CFRA radio's Ken Grant, who expressed concern that there would be fewer donations due to the loss of local broadcast features. Ottawa's telethon broadcasts were conducted for 31 years, most of which originated from the Skyline Hotel later known as the Citadel Inn.
Hurricane Frances had struck through most of the Florida peninsula late on September 5th, during the telethon, significantly reducing pledges from the southeast United States.
As many Florida stations devoted their air-time to coverage of Hurricane Frances, most Love Network stations in Florida cancelled the local segments of the telethon and either showed only parts of the telethon, moved the telethon to a digital subchannel, or not show the telethon at all. On a Saturday afternoon in early December , some Florida Love Network stations showed a special three-hour telethon, as a way to recoup some of the lost pledges.
Telethon pledges were down another 7. It was the first time since that the telethon raised more money than the previous year. Category : Muscular dystrophy. Read what you need to know about our industry portal bionity. My watch list my. My watch list My saved searches My saved topics My newsletter Register free of charge. Keep logged in. Cookies deactivated. To use all functions of this page, please activate cookies in your browser. Login Register. Additional recommended knowledge.
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