134 replies to this topic

[Kansippian]

Good God Damn, why has no one started a thread on this? Or have they and I missed it? I searched high and low and cannot find one.

So, if this does not get closed, I loved the GooGoo Dolls, Maureen McGovern, The Village People(didn't the cop go into rehab?) and my favorite Barry Manilow. Barry, I admit, has had some wacky plastic surgery but still sings like a pro.

I liked the spelling bee musical thingie, the kid who spelled the words out with his feet was incredible, woohoo. I liked the girls who sang the 60's hits in that new musical "Shout", but I think I would skip the show. I hope these actresses/singers will have better projects to come.

Okay , last critique. I guess I am the only one who finds Bob Zany funny. All my friends hate him and wish leprosy on him, but I like him! Sue me!

Edited by Kansippian, Sep 9, 2006 @ 11:42 AM.

[RollingThunder]

local NBC station here in DFW aired it from 5-6pm...wonder what happened that they didnt air it from after the local news til 6pm the next day??

[jw7579]

Is it just me or does his daughter always look like she doesn't want to be there whenever the camera is on her?

[Major Misfit]

Did anyone see the very beginning of the show last night? I was super tired when I turned it on but I could have sworn in the first 10 minutes of the show, Jerry insulted a group of Asians, "They all came here in the same Ford Escort," (this was after an insult I can't remember) then said something about a guy having learned something from the "Hitler Youth," then proceeded to complain that guests appearing on videotape were lazy assholes who couldn't be bothered to appear in person.

Is it just me or does his daughter always look like she doesn't want to be there whenever the camera is on her?

If he were my father, I'd probably look that uncomfortable, too. What an unfunny douche he is.

[Ellegado]

You have to remember that Mr. Lewis has been dead for the past 10 years, so he doesn't know any better.

[prairiegirl]

Heh, good one, ellegado.
Let me add some perspective, if I may. I had a cousin who worked for the local NBC affliate in Dayton, Ohio for over 15 years, producing the local portion of the MDA telethon for five of those years.She of course had many occasions to work with Jerry Lewis over those years and while he could indeed be a douchebag and wildly inappropriate on many occasions, she many times told me that he sincerely worked his ass off to raise funds to find a cure for MD.So while I agree that his humor is hugely unfunny and from an era long dead, I think deep down he has a heart.
Just a note:when my cousin passed away from uterine cancer in 1994 at age 45, about a month before the telethon, my aunt received a phone call from Jerry Lewis, expressing his condolences.

[espie]

I wouldn't have watched even one minute of this if I hadn't totally forgotten it was on and been looking for the morning news. Happened to be the Village People performing at the time... I said something like "Christ, you've GOT to be kidding me; are THEY still around??!" and turned it off. Note to self for 2008: don't touch the TV on Labor Day Weekend unless you turn on the DVD player first...

[Grasonville]

While I realize it is totally staged and the final talley is well known from the beginning..............I cry like a baby for the last 20 minutes of the show - and i have been doing so for the last 45 years. Having said that, has anyone ever heard what made Jerry Lewis pick MD as his charity in the beginning?

(While I have heard him say that people who need to ask wouldn't understand I am still shallow enough to want to know)

[prairiegirl]

I am 46, so I am old enough to remember when Jerry was on stage for the whole thing, excluding local cutaways, of course, and I so miss the cheesy goodness of Buddy Hackett, Norm Crosby, and all the 60's and 70's Las Vegas acts that would do the show. By the way, Ed McMahon-you scared me yesterday-I realize no one is getting younger, but wow.

[Major Misfit]

While I realize it is totally staged and the final talley is well known from the beginning

Ooo! Please elaborate...I don't know anything about this.

I am old enough to remember when Jerry was on stage for the whole thing, excluding local cutaways, of course, and I so miss the cheesy goodness of Buddy Hackett, Norm Crosby, and all the 60's and 70's Las Vegas acts that would do the show.

I remember as well. I used to enjoy betting (with myself) at what point in the show he'd undo his bow tie and start sweating like a mall fountain. And every year I'd cling to the hope Dean Martin would show up. (While Dean was still living, of course.)

Sad thing is—the guy went off the deep end. At what point, I don't know. But after what I heard the other night, coupled with this troubling statement he made later on, he needs to retire and go away. He shouldn't raise money for one group of people while insulting just about everyone else.

[prairiegirl]

MajorMisfit, I agree with you that he should pass the torch to another host, but he will never do it. He's too well associated with MDA to stop doing it until he can no longer function. Which should be next week some time.Do you remember when Sinatra brought Dean out on stage during the 1976 telethon?
You have to admit, that was an historic moment.

[jw7579]

Gay Rights Group To Jerry Lewis: Apologize For Slur

(CNN) -- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Tuesday denounced comedian Jerry Lewis' use of the word "fag" on Lewis' annual Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy and called on him to apologize.

"Jerry Lewis' on-air use of this kind of anti-gay slur is simply unacceptable," GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano said in a statement posted on the group's Web site. "It also feeds a climate of hatred and intolerance that contributes to putting our community in harm's way."

[ScarletPrincess]

Is the final amount the amount they raised THIS year? I heard it was something like $64 million. Or is that a running total of all they've raised to date in all the years of the telethon? Last year the total was $61 million. I find it more easy to believe they raised $3 million this past year than another $64 million after raising $61 million last year.

[Major Misfit]

I agree with you that he should pass the torch to another host, but he will never do it. He's too well associated with MDA to stop doing it until he can no longer function.

Yeah, I hear ya, prairiegirl. I don't think he'll ever leave that telethon either—I knew that a couple of years back when he appeared despite being so grossly bloated from the prednisone he'd been on for whatever medical ailment he battled at the time. I gave him a lot of credit for going on TV looking so bad, but damn. After Jerry's disturbing remarks this year, I wish the MDA would seriously reconsider their affiliation with him. If he's not smart enough to retire himself, maybe the organization should do it for him.

Do you remember when Sinatra brought Dean out on stage during the 1976 telethon?
You have to admit, that was an historic moment.

Oh, completely! Granted, that was a long time ago, so my memory is hazy, but Sinatra was a staple on the show, right—and Dean was a holdout for many years? And their appearance was mostly a surprise? I have a vague recollection of it happening, only because in my childhood, I never liked Sinatra but had a huge (and very weird) crush on Dean.

My personal old-time telethon faves were Lola Falana and Joey Heatherton. It was the only time every year I'd see either on television.

[k2p2]

eah, I hear ya, prairiegirl. I don't think he'll ever leave that telethon either—I knew that a couple of years back when he appeared despite being so grossly bloated from the prednisone he'd been on for whatever medical ailment he battled at the time. I gave him a lot of credit for going on TV looking so bad, but damn. After Jerry's disturbing remarks this year, I wish the MDA would seriously reconsider their affiliation with him. If he's not smart enough to retire himself, maybe the organization should do it for him.

I remember him saying, on THS or some such, that some folks suggested that he pare back the year he was so bloated from the meds. He said, "Did I ever say I will keep doing this as long as I look good on camera? No, I said I will keep doing this as long as I live." And he did, and he still is.

I remember when Dino showed up. Was it really 1976?

[Grasonville]

Is the final amount the amount they raised THIS year? I heard it was something like $64 million.

Yes - the amount is THAT years amount - and it doesn't include the local affiliates - that is the total from ReMax and 7/11 Stores and The Firefighters Union and all the corporate sponsers that come onstage to present "this" years donation.

When they cut back to your local station that amount is what your phone calls with donations have made THAT year.

[becca656]

Which, to me, has always been entirely amazing - that after years of raising multi-millions of dollars to find the cure, I hear absolutely nothing about any advances against this disease. I wish there was some way to know where the money was going, especially since Jerry's been doing this admirable task for decades. By now, something positive should've come of it. I'm just trying to understand.

[AcheronBlue]

Back in the '70's my Mom and I would watch the telethon while getting my clothes and school supplies ready for the new school year. It's so nostalgic for me to watch.

As far as the money goes - I know a large portion is to go for research funding, but does the MDA help out individuals with equipment (motorized wheelchairs) and meds and stuff, too. Those expenses could add up quickly.

I remember a few years back about Jerry talking about the breakthrough findings in gene therapy and that the researchers had found (isolated) the defective gene.

I would suppose that the MDA would be for stem cell research. Anyone else know more about this? How much of the budget goes towards lobbyist for the government?

Edited by AcheronBlue, Sep 5, 2007 @ 12:03 PM.

[Grasonville]

Here is a link:

http://www.mdausa.org/main.html

There was a time when there were no adults featured - hence the name "Jerry's Kids" - but the MDA does research into multiple neuro muscular diseases.

[borderottie]

TWOP ROCKS!! I can't believe there is a board for this. LOL!!
I'm one of those that remembers when Jer used to be on camera pretty much the whole time except the wee-hours of the morning, I think. I LOVED the old acts they used to have in the '70's. Rat Pack members, etc.
I also remember that it used to start just after the late news and it was always something to see how long we could stay up and watch it. Granted, these were the pre-cable days when tv usually went off the air after Tom Snyder. :-)
I think that is part of what made it so wonderful back then is that it was so unique in a day when we only had four channels for a limited number of hours a day. (I can literally feel the hairs on my heading graying!)

These days it is just such a shell of it's former self. Jer's hardly on and when he is, you wish he wasn't cuz he's gonna embarass himself and everyone near him. Bless his heart... as we say.
And "WORD" about Ed McMahon. YIKES!!

[Grasonville]

I think that is part of what made it so wonderful back then is that it was so unique in a day when we only had four channels for a limited number of hours a day. (I can literally feel the hairs on my head graying!)

Good point about there even BEING TV at 3 Am was a novelty at one time - and it isn't what it used to be at all

[MMorningstar]

I still make a point of watching the last minutes of the telethon, as I did as a kid, to see if Jerry will cry when he sings "You'll Never Walk Alone." Some years, he's blubbering like a baby, but this year, he didn't even try to squeeze out a tear. Disappointing!

[Ellegado]

I actually DVR the last five minutes for "You'll Never Walk Alone". That's the money shot to me. It starts off fall for me. Jerry Lewis is embarrasing himself and is a douchebag. But I don't think changing hosts would help. I think it would destroy the Telethon. And since this show does give so much money and help to people with these diseases, that would be a much bigger tragedy than a 80 year old egomaniacal French legend saying dumbass remarks while Ed McMahon is wondering where the heck he is.

[prairiegirl]

Forgot to add in my posts the other day that I was stunned and delighted by the two songs performed by Jack Jones. He sounded great and it was the highlight for me.
And I also know that most of the kiddies in the audience were wondering:"Who's This Jones Guy?"

[Anna2]

My brother is one of Jerry's kids. Had there been no Jerry and no telethon, my brother would not be alive at the age of 43. He lived fulltime as a research patient from ages 2 to 12 in the Institute for Muscle Disease which was part of the New York Hospital at the time. The Institute was affectionately called "The House that Jerry Built." Because the research they were carrying out at the time resulted in adding essentially nothing to the body of knowledge, the Institute was closed down. Not that it means anything, but all of the patients who were there then (except for my brother) are dead now. Bro appeared in one of MDA's Public Service Announcements when he was young and cute.

A motorized wheelchair costs thousands and thousands of dollars; it's comparable to the cost of a car. Patients get theirs free from MDA. You don't hear about the research, but trust me, it's there. MD isn't cured yet, but children are growing into adulthood and people are living longer and better lives. MDA paid for the genetic testing of our whole family many years ago; none of us carried the gene. By the way; stem cell research holds a lot of promise for treatment. I hope the next Administration will be more realistic about this.

We were involved with the telethon at the very beginning and I have fond memories of going the whole time on the phones. (I was young then.) I also remember the year when the telethon raised its first million dollars for MDA. My mother cried. A million dollars was a lot at the time.

Jerry's involvement with MDA precedes the telethon. He has always said he will not reveal why he does this until a cure is discovered. His children don't know and his wives don't know, so it's not like he had a child, or a sibling, who died from the disease. I fear we may never know.

He's 82 years old and smoked for most of his life. He's gonna look bad. I loved the clip with him and Sinatra and Dean Martin. I understand he and Dean never got together again after that, but they would occasionally talk on the phone.

I too wish he'd be more discreet in what he says. It's not the same world he came of age in. MDA is not likely to dump him - he's their biggest asset.

Just hoping to clear up some of the confusion.

[prairiegirl]

Anna2, thank you for sharing that. My heart goes out to you and your family. As I've said, I do think Jerry has worked his butt off for MDA, and I also agree that he will never stop his work with MDA, as long as he is able. I read Jerry's book about Dean and he did call him after Dean's son was killed in a plane crash, and Jerry went to DM's son's funeral, but sat in the back and did not approach him.He's a complicated man, that's for sure.

[Grasonville]

My brother is one of Jerry's kids. Had there been no Jerry and no telethon, my brother would not be alive at the age of 43. He lived fulltime as a research patient from ages 2 to 12 in the Institute for Muscle Disease which was part of the New York Hospital at the time. The Institute was affectionately called "The House that Jerry Built." Because the research they were carrying out at the time resulted in adding essentially nothing to the body of knowledge, the Institute was closed down. Not that it means anything, but all of the patients who were there then (except for my brother) are dead now. Bro appeared in one of MDA's Public Service Announcements when he was young and cute.

A motorized wheelchair costs thousands and thousands of dollars; it's comparable to the cost of a car. Patients get theirs free from MDA. You don't hear about the research, but trust me, it's there. MD isn't cured yet, but children are growing into adulthood and people are living longer and better lives.

And there you go - thanks so much for sharing your personal story.

[mooncreek]

At this point, you come to expect that Jerry will say something to piss off some group - whether it's a bad racial joke or the how women comics are never funny. Everyone has that old relative who says the worst things but kinda gets away with it because they're so old and they came from a different era. It's not saying I condone any of it - just that explaining that it's no longer appropriate to say goes in one ear and out the other.

I will say that I felt sorry for Ed McMahon. He did not look well at all.

[Diana Berry]

Thanks for sharing Anna. Bless you and your family. I've always respected Jerry and MDA. I'm so glad it has helped your family.

I do hope that Jerry does eventually share his reason for his involvement just because so many of us have given because of effort.