Posted on 08/03/2011 7:48:11 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
(CNN) -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association announced Wednesday that comedian Jerry Lewis is no longer serving as the organization's national chairman.
Lewis, 85, and MDA had announced in May that he was retiring as host of the MDA Labor Day Telethon in September. But he said then in a statement that he was planning to continue to serve as the organization's national chairman.
"As a labor of love, I've hosted the annual telethon since 1966," Lewis said in the news release issued in May by the association. "And I'll be making my final appearance on the show this year, by performing my signature song, 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'"
Jim Brown, vice president of public relations for the MDA, told CNN in a telephone interview that Lewis will not be replaced in his role as national chairman.
He also said that Lewis will not host this year's telethon, which is scheduled for September 4. Instead, it will be hosted by Nigel Lythgoe, Nancy O'Dell, Allison Sweeney and Jan Carl, Brown said.
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
Nigel lythgoe will be a good host. Not sure about Allison Sweeney. She’s pretty mediocre.
I believe that originally Jerry Lewis went for this charity because he was accused of mocking the handicapped with his characters. So while I give him credit for the good work he has done, it’s not all golden and pure.
Dude. The guy does 45 years and you find fault?
Yes, it’s all golden and pure.
So you figured that he did this for MD for over forty years because of that? Hummm, no good deed goes unpunished I guess.
Nigel lythgoe will be a good host. Not sure about Allison Sweeney. She’s pretty mediocre.
That is so funny. I was thinking the complete opposite. I think they need some fresh young person to run it. Last thing we need is an old coot like Nigel. How boring.
I never heard of any of them, guess I have been under a rock.
Hell, Jerry Lewis is 85 years old!
Maybe I was too harsh. It doesn’t really matter why Lewis started. He done good!
Allison rocks on Days though(Yep its the only show I actually watch on NBC)
The one thing I can’t stomach is watching Jerry Lewis pretending to care about someone other than himself.
Well, then this news should have you in seventh heaven. We’ll see how the MDA does without him.
Nigel Lythgoe, Nancy O’Dell, Allison Sweeney and Jan Carl,
##
I’ve never heard of any of these people. Are they in show business?
I don’t watch Days but do know her from BL and throughout the years from seeing her on commercials about Days. I think she would do an outstanding job and bring a needed freshness to the telethon. She probably has access to a wider group of actors and musicians than ancient Jerry Lewis whose connections are all pretty much dead. Oh by the way, I hope that Days lasts forever so you can continue to enjoy it.
Looks like a cross between Donald Trump and Prince Charles!
The cash or the cure.
Last week at the TCA Press Tour, Lewis was cryptic about his future involvement with the telethon, telling reporters, “It’s none of your business.” During that discussion, he also slammed reality TV shows like American Idol and The Biggest Loser. Oddly enough: American Idol producer Nigel Lythoe and Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney were slated to cohost the telethon with Lewis.
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/08/03/jerry-lewis-will-not-host-2011s-mda-telethon/
Been a longtime fan of the show but its gone downhill throughout the years(always happens with Soap operas, you can miss a few months and start watching again and you really haven’t missed anything) I doubt the show lasts forever. I think their contract expires next year, but Alison has been doing an outstanding job on the show..also on Biggest Loser so it will be great seeing her co-host the Telethon
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.