jerry lewis telethon tote board

Find Jerry Lewis Mda Telethon stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Its as if they were trying to provoke him to leave. In the end, he did. Lewis mentioned that the effects of the downfall of the American economy may have played a role in that year's shortfall, but was still amazed by the amount amassed nevertheless. Celebrate our generous volunteers with us during National Volunteer Month. Select from premium Jerry Lewis Mda Labor Day Telethon of the highest quality. It was used from 1970 through 1989 in different versions. The six hour telethon, cut down from overnight and 21 and a half hours, was a bland parade of D listers and taped segments. Jerry Lewis pauses during the start of the "Jerry Lewis Stars Across America, MDA Labor Day Telethon," in Los Angeles on Sept. 3, 1995. [18][51][52] Additional guests appearing in pre-recorded segments from CBS Television City in Hollywood, taped August 7 to August 9, 2012, included OneRepublic, Brandy, The All American Rejects, Hot Chelle Rae, Karmin, will.i.am, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Silhouettes, Carole King, Reagan Imhoff, Pitbull, Gavin DeGraw and Alanis Morissette, among others. [13] Stars featured in the first short-form version included Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride and Darius Rucker, in pre-taped segments from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee,[14] the judges of American Idol (Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson), Celine Dion, Jon Secada, Tommy Emmanuel, Richie Sambora, Jimmy Webb, Michael Feinstein, Maureen McGovern, Jordin Sparks and Greyson Chance. "MDA press release: "Star Lineup Set for MDA Show of Strength Telethon this Labor Day Weekend", August 20, 2014", "MDA ends Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon", MDA Press Release: "Muscular Dystrophy Association Announces Relaunch of Iconic Telethon Hosted by Actor & Comedian Kevin Hart", "What happened to the Jerry Lewis Labor Day MDA Telethon, and 7 facts about the former TV staple", "In two swift paragraphs, Jerry Lewis' run as MDA chairman and telethon host ends", "Jerry Lewis Causes Stir, Mumbles 'Faggot' During Telethon", "MDA: "Still Going Strong: 44th Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Airs This Labor Day Weekend", 8/27/2009", "Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale): "Jerry Lewis telethon cut to 6 hours", October 6, 2010", "NBC5 (KXAS-TV) will be no-show for this year's notably shortened MDA telethon (updated) - Uncle Barky's Bytes", "Jerry Lewis tight-lipped on telethon role", Irked comedians, Forbes magazine agree Jerry Lewis deserves better, "Rep: Jerry Lewis Not Reinstated as Telethon Host Today's News: Our Take", "Despite Reports to the Contrary, Jerry Lewis Will Not Return as MDA Telethon Host", Mystery surrounds Jerry Lewis absence from Sunday's MDA Telethon, "Orlando Sentinel: "MDA Telethon raises $61 million in 6 hours; did you miss Jerry Lewis? Not to be confused with, 2011 cutback, overhaul and Lewis' departure. 1986 Jerry Lewis Telethon Tote Board & Sammy Davis Jr 40,354 views Mar 11, 2008 Sammy's lookin' tired..& Jerry wants to say.HEY LADY..you forgot your hair net thing. In 1973, with 150 Love Network stations in tow, the telethon moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where it originated at the Sahara Hotel. However, with less than 10 minutes remaining in the 2008 telethon, the tote board update reflected an increase from the 2007 total, racking up $65,031,393 in donations, exceeding 2007's tote. The 2010 telethon saw a further reduction by several million dollars. [21] This was MDA's resumption of a national telethon since its final broadcast edition in 2014, and the first transmitted exclusively online (the last several years of the telethon during the Love Network years were simulcast both on standard television and online, beginning in 1998). Lewis' 1990 "If I Had Muscular Dystrophy" essay, Help us make a show of strength with your support today. The Disabled Community Doesn't Want Your Pity | The Nation But in 2010, MDA crowed about $58 million at the end of the telethon with Jerry; $48 million. Last year's record was $61 million. Chris Pizzello/Invision, via Associated Press. (She replaced Gerald Weinberg, who was reportedly behind Lewiss ouster and who stepped down as president last December, after 54 years with the organization.) The majority of the program was pre-recorded. [82] In 2010, WGN's telecast also included a texting address for Canadian viewers to text in their pledges to MDC for an automatic $10 donation, aside from texting charges; this coincided with the MDA's launch of their own text-to-pledge service. The 2010 edition was syndicated to approximately 190 Love Network affiliates throughout the United States. The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and telethons in general, have long had critics in the disabled community. Broadcast by local independent station WNEW-TV, the event was staged at New York's Americana Hotel, with a stage featuring a talk show-style desk and seating area for Lewis and performers, a performance area for a 19-piece jazz band, phone banks, and a large tote board to keep track of donations received. [13], Nigel Lythgoe, Jann Carl, Alison Sweeney and Nancy O'Dell were brought on as co-hosts[14] and shared hosting duties for the 2011 edition. The Labor Day tote board hit a record of $65 million in 2008, a figure Ford said reflected a full year's worth of fundraising activities capped off by the telethon. On May 16, 2011, it was first announced by the MDA that the 2011 edition of the telethon would be Lewis' last as host, and that he would continue his role as MDA's National Chairman,[11] still appearing at the close of each telethon, to sing his signature closing song, "You'll Never Walk Alone". [12] However, as with the previous format, some stations scheduled the telethon as they saw fit in the case of Chicago's WGN-TV, the 2011 telethon was scheduled from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Wednesday, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced the relaunch of their legendary Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, naming Kevin Hart as this years host. A group named Jerry's Orphans, formed by former Jerry's Kid Mike Ervin, protested the telethon in 1991 and 1992[105] and criticized the small percentage of MDA's funding going to supporting people with muscular dystrophy, the use of pity by the telethon, and the lack of disabled representation in the MDA. Lou Gordon was doing a local cut-in on the mMda telethon and Chad Everett of. 83. [citation needed] One source said, however, that it was due to Jerry sitting out most of the telethon, due to his heart attack earlier (even though the heart attack did not occur until December of that year). [80] The telethon was also the last program for the station that CKND-TV replaced: KCND-TV in Pembina, North Dakota, which simulcast CKND's coverage. For the second straight year, the show closed with a different song. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1,044 The Jerry Lewis Telethon Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 1,044 the jerry lewis telethon photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. In May 2011, the MDA dropped WABI-TV in Bangor, Maine from the Love Network after 30 years, citing potential economic costs resulting from the new format. After this, MDC officials cancelled the local broadcasts, claiming the move was done in order to save costs. The 2013 edition was the first to be broadcast with commercial interruption, although breaks consisted primarily of promos for ABC shows and local advertisements on ABC's stations, however many stations carried spots mentioning donations made by corporate entities during the breaks. Jerry_Lewis_MDA_Telethon - bionity.com For most of its run, the telethon ran live for 2112 hours, ending at 6:30p.m. In another case, some used a sister station affiliated with either The CW or MyNetworkTV or was an independent station to show the telethon start, and/or air the station's network programming while the telethon station continued to air the telethon; this was the case with CBS affiliate WDJT-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and its independent sister station WMLW-CA, which in 2007 aired the first four hours of the telethon during CBS prime time, then aired U.S. Open coverage on Labor Day to allow WDJT to carry the telethon. Longmore, Paul K. (2016). Were transforming the lives of people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases through innovations in science and innovations in care. America's Review: "Lythgoe: Lewis welcome on MDA telethon anytime", September 5, 2011. McMahon began his involvement with the telethon in 1968 and every year since then participated in some way. With a goal to exceed the1994 pledge of $47.1 . 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. On February 10, 2012, the MDA announced that the 2012 edition would be cut to three hours (from six hours the previous year), airing during primetime on Sunday, September 2, 2012, still syndicated to the Love Network stations. [104] The picture that was painted with "Jerrys Kids" pulled at the heartstrings of millions of viewers, and in return accomplished the goal of earning as much money as possible. Lane (now LaneTerralever). [3][11] The 2011 edition was seen on the Sunday evening before Labor Day for six hours. The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon - Wikipedia During telethons, MDA's spokesperson Jerry Lewis generated both hilarity and probity; some saw this as at the expense of those for whom they are raising money. All the personality that Jerry Lewis gave MDA over 45 years was just . [46][47][48] The majority of the pre-produced performances were taped in Los Angeles and New York City, airing on various broadcast and cable channels in 150 markets around the United States. The new two-hour telethon featured comedian Kevin Hart as host of the program. In response to the passing of legendary comedian Jerry Lewis, former national chairman and telethon star of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the extended MDA family today mourns his loss. In recent years, more "Love Network" stations opted not to show the entire telethon, opting to join the show in progress after the 11 p.m. / 10 p.m. local news, or even on Labor Day morning, after the network morning shows. [30] Following the tribute, Lewis introduced McMahon's wife, Pamela, who was in the audience. Last year the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced that Jerry Lewis was stepping down as host of its annual Labor Day telethon, the marathon TV event he had made his personal showcase,. Instead of using blank numbers, all flippers began with zeros. As in the past, the International Association of Fire Fighters anchored the donations from local fill-the-boot drives with $25.2 million, eclipsing last year's $23.5 million. The game was to have taken place the day before (September 2, 1984), but the Seattle Mariners were scheduled to face the Baltimore Orioles that day. MDA is an active member of the gaming community through MDA Lets Play, a platform to raise funds for research, care and advocacy, for over 300,000 people in the United States, living with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases. The final edition aired on ABC on August 31, 2014, again as a two-hour special, beginning at 9PM ET/PT. Remembering Jerry Lewis - Muscular Dystrophy Association While the new telethon format in 2011 was designed to attract new stations and markets into the Love Network fold, the MDA still found itself dropping some stations, resulting in a net shrinkage of the network to just over 150 stations its smallest size since 1973. The telethon has raised more than $2 billion since its inception for . [33][77], Other new Love Network affiliate changes included WITI replacing WDJT-TV in Milwaukee (thus returning to the station that had originally aired the event); WNCF replacing WAKA in Montgomery, Alabama; KOCB replacing KWTV-DT in Oklahoma City; KICU-TV replacing sister station KTVU in San Francisco; KZJO replacing sister station KCPQ in Seattle, Washington; KXMN-LP replacing KSKN in Spokane, Washington; WNYF-CD replacing WWNY-TV in Watertown, New York; and KXXV replacing KWTX-TV in Waco, Texas (KBTX-TV in Bryan, however, still carried the telethon until it moved to KRHD-CD in 2013 as a result of the telethon's move to ABC).[76]. Jerrys goodbye appearance was scrapped after he and the charity could not agree on its format and length. Lewis still wont talk about what happened. [17] The show was also seen first-run in the Atlantic, Eastern and Central time zones at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, with the special tape-delayed in the Western time zones at 8 p.m. PT/7 p.m. It's ridiculous. Jerry Lewis - Wikipedia MDA Labor Day Telethon - Tote Board Labor Day Telethon That Jerry Lewis Memorably Ran Pulls Plug In 1986, the telethon had a three-way live simulcast during the 8:30a.m. half-hour, including Today on NBC and Good Morning America on ABC. [23] By the mid-1960s, the success of those shows convinced MDAA to stage a telethon to support MDA's New York efforts, with Lewis agreeing to host the big event when approached by the organization. [18] The venue segments and hosts varied,[45] depending on the local networks airing it. The final Canadian-based local broadcasts of the telethon aired from Ottawa in 2001 on area community television channels. Through 2010, the final totes did not take into account any pledges that are made after the final tote is announced live many stations would continue with their local segments afterward, with some stations delaying the final national tote until the very end of the telethon; some stations would also keep the pledge lines open for a short period of time after the telethon ended and the station resumed regular programming, thus making the final local totes inaccurate as well. Jerry Lewis' Legendary MDA Telethon Relaunches With Host Kevin Hart The MDA Kevin Hart Kids telethon will air for two hours on Saturday, October 24th at 8 p.m. (streaming partners will be announced later), supporting both the MDA and Hart's Help from the Hart charity, which supports underserved communities. In 2016, Lewis broke a five-year silence by appearing in an online video endorsing MDA's redesigned web site, declaring that the work MDA started must go on. In 2007, the telethon again raised more than any previous year, closing the show with tote board pledges totaling $63,759,478. Hurricane Frances had struck through most of the Florida peninsula late on September 5, during the telethon, significantly reducing pledges from the southeast United States. Comedian Jerry Lewis on stage at the Jerry Lewis Telethon at the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, September 1976. The 2012 edition aired on Sunday, September 2, 2012; the job of renaming the new show was given to MDA's advertising agency E.B. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. The two-hour, star-studded virtual fundraiser event will air Oct. 24. "[108] Kemp, a White House official, was accused by an MDA official who has had muscular dystrophy since age 8, of "making a 'vicious attack' on the association and 'misusing the power of his Government office' in attacking the charity. With the show cut from 21.5 hours to just 6, Lewis was being replaced by a quartet of hosts, the MDA said, and would make an appearance only at the end of the show, to say goodbye and sing Youll Never Walk Alone one last time. Jerry Lewis Telethon - The toteboard years - 1976 - 2010 thetelethonyears.com Follow We present a Montage of the Final Total from each Telethon dating from 1976 to 2010. Without Marvin Hamlisch, some uncertainty for 'Nutty Professor', http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/theater/jerry-lewis-directing-a-musical-nutty-professor.html?pagewanted=all, Still Nutty: Portraits of Jerry Lewis by Marco Grob, The Anniversary You Cant Refuse: 40 Things You Didnt Know About, 90 Years of TIME Cover Stars: The Celebrities Who Defined a Century of Entertainment. Jerry Lewis' telethon hits new record (tote board tops $63.7 million Lewis always anchored the entire broadcast which ran 2112 hours ever since 1973. This years show, airing the Sunday night before Labor Day, has been further downsized, to just three hours, with no named host and a smattering of B-list guest stars (Carrie Underwood,Will.i.am, Khloe Kardashian). The show continued there until 1989 when it originated from the Cashman Center in Las Vegas the only time it was broadcast from a Las Vegas-area venue that was not a hotel and the first time it originated from a venue physically located within the city of Las Vegas itself. 2023, Muscular Dystrophy Association Inc. All rights reserved. Donations via phone. Following is a statement issued by MDA Chairman of the Board R. Rodney Howell, M.D. It has to change because the American audience has changed, says Cwik. The MDA itself donated $1 million to the Salvation Army for hurricane relief efforts. Lewis noted, "I'm heartened by the unique ability of Americans to help others in need, when they themselves are likely struggling financially. [29] In 2009, the telethon extended its coverage to social media, with followers on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube receiving additional information and behind-the scenes material. Following the cancellation of the national telethon, some stations continued the tradition producing local telethons, bringing such use in full circle, as the MDA telethon originated as a local program. [33] In a press conference with the Television Critics Association's summer press tour in late July 2011, Lewis denied that he ever said it would be his last telethon, would not elaborate on his role in the current telethon (stating that it was "none of your business"), and announced he would indicate his future plans the day after the telethon broadcast, citing "I will have plenty to say about what I think is important. Jerry Lewis Mda Telethon Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty . The local segments were discontinued[58] (phone pledges were accepted solely through a national toll-free number, instead of being collected directly by each station for the individual local or regional chapters of the MDA). Lewis' abrupt exit, announced by the MDA a month before the 2011 telethon, was never fully explained.. He writes, "I decided after 41 years of battling this curse that cripples children of all ages, that I would put myself into that chair, that steel imprisonment that has long been deemed the dystrophic child's plight. MDAA gained the Theater Authority's permission and proceed to form a family of stations that was later billed as "The Love Network. Exclusive: Without Jerry Lewis, MDA Couldn't Collect 50% - Showbiz411 But a few things have become clear in the year since the awkward public breakup. [3] The history of MDA's telethon dates back to the 1950s, when the Jerry Lewis Thanksgiving Party for MDA raised funds for the organization's New York City area operations. [83], A French-language telethon for MDA Canada was televised in Quebec concurrently with the American show[citation needed] in the late-1980s on the Radio-Qubec network (now Tl-Qubec); first televised in 1987, this telethon was hosted by entertainer Michel Louvain. [8] MDA called its network of participating stations the "Love Network". Your support is transforming the lives of kids with disabilities and disadvantages, and making a fulfilling and independent life accessible to all. Evan Kemp was foremost among them. The show was shown in its entirety immediately after the game ended. The telethon went on without him (raising $61.5 million, more than the previous year with Lewis, according to the MDA) and included a filmed tribute to him and warm words of thanks from various participants during the show. [24] MDA's website additionally states that the second national appeal was during its January 4, 1952 network radio program. While there was not a traditional tote board tallying donations from local hosts in their respective cities, the overall event urged national phone, text and website pledges toward funding efforts to find treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases. "[27] The 1973 telethon was also when the event broke the $10 million mark for the first time (the final tote being $12,395,973). Up through the Love Network's dissolution in 2013, of its charter affiliates, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 14:27. Jerry Lewis walks alone: The ritual of the Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Playing to pity may raise money, but it also raises walls of fear between the public and us. This is in addition to markets that did not carry the telethon in 2010, in which no stations were added in these areas in 2011. During the 2000s, the telethon would end its national segments shortly before 6 p.m. We can go shopping," a jubilant Lewis said as the tote board topped $63.7 million for his 42nd telethon. Meanwhile, in Seattle, KING-TV delayed the afternoon segment of the 1984 telethon because of a telecast of an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Cleveland Browns, in which NBC only aired limited coverage of the game. MDA Press Release: "MDA Names R.A. Clark as Executive Producer of 2012 Show", February 10, 2012. Telethons: Spectacle, Disability, and the Business of Charity. Telethon | Muscular Dystrophy Association In addition, KTLA in Los Angeles replaced KCAL-TV. In 1976, the Love Network grew to a peak of 213 stations, effectively making it America's fourth major television network, if only for 2112 hours. [26], By the mid-1960s, organizers of the telethon chose Labor Day weekend to stage their event, as it was the only time frame made available to hold it. . That year, Lewis explained the mission of the MDA with his comment: "God goofed, and it's up to us to correct His mistakes. When the tote board updated to show they'd gotten over 2007's total, he screamed three times, "I got it!" [74] The move left WGME-TV in Portland as the only Love Network affiliate for the state of Maine,[74] which is not available on Time Warner Cable in most parts of the Bangor market. [32] The 2011 telethon was the first edition to broadcast the national segments in high definition; the broadcast of local segments in HD remained optional for the station. A Brief History of the Jerry Lewis Telethon | Mental Floss This continued to be the case after the telethon's move to ABC, with the program seen on ABC stations in cities near the CanadaU.S. Laugh along with Kevin Hart, and all his friends, wherever you are. One such station is WGN-TV, which, from the 1970s to 2012, pre-empted the afternoon segment of the telethon for Chicago Cubs or Chicago White Sox baseball (except for the 1994 telethon, due to the baseball strike). Most of the attending audience members were representatives and invited guests of sponsors and major donors. The MDAA benefit broadcasts first originated from a variety of locations in New York City in 1954, as local telethons seen exclusively on WABD (later WNEW-TV and now WNYW) or WABC-TV, who donated their broadcast time for the event. Jerry Lewis dies at 91, publicist says | CNN A 21.5-hour show doesnt fit in a 140-character world.. "[7], Professor Christopher Smit has argued that the MDA Telethon operated as present-day equivalent to the historical American freak shows which ran during the height of their popularity in the United States from 1840 to 1940. On September 4, 2011, right before 6 p.m., the Baltimore Grand Prix was scheduled on ABC, Deutsche Bank Championship golf on NBC, and U.S. Open tennis on CBS. They can not wait to make the 100K announcement. 7 / 15. During the telethon for that year, Jann Carl assumed McMahon's duties during Lewis's hours on-air, while Shawn Parr billboarded the start and end of each segment. Most border stations would also show either the local pledge number for the Canadian portion of their viewing area (as WMYD did), or the national Canadian number. News", "MDA 'Show of Strength" airs on NewsChannel 5", "Luke Bryan Joins Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw for "MDA Show of Strength" Sunday Music News ABC News Radio", "Tune in FOX6 and watch the MDA Labor Day special | FOX6Now.com Milwaukee News & weather from WITI Television FOX6", "End Of An Era: MDA Telethon Moves To ABC", "MDA Telethon Ends Historic Run, Urgent Fight for Families Continues,", "Kevin Hart to helm famed MDA telethon hosted for decades by Jerry Lewis", "Longtime MDA Telethon Anchor Ed McMahon Dies", "MDA: "Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Achieves $60.5 Million", 9/7/2009", "Chicago Sun-Times: "Without Jerry Lewis, MDA telethon promises to be bland affair", September 2, 2011", "MDA Telethon to Vary from Annual Tradition", "WPXI gears up for telethon; WTAE debuts new set", "Reno Gazette-Journal: "Reno loses telethon TV feed", September 4, 2010", "WABI: "MDA Telethon Dropped on TV5 Part 1", May 18, 2011", "MDA: "2011 TELETHON LOVE NETWORK STATIONS", "Visiting MDA Summer Camp Before The Annual Telethon", "MDA Telethon won't be shown in Joplin this year", "Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Fundraiser", "42nd Annual Jerry Lewis Labour Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC)", "Muscular Dystrophy Canada: "46th Annual Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy Canada", "WGNO: "Jerry Lewis Local Telethon Postponned (sic) Due to Gustav", 8/29/2008", "KPRC: "Jerry Lewis Calls For Gustav Help", 8/31/2008", "NPR: "Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Raises $58.9 Million", 9/6/2010", "No Jerry Lewis in this year's taped MDA fundraiser", New Online Tote Board to Give Supporters Fundraising Updates During MDA Telethon This Sunday, "We Remember September 2010 Access Press", https://www.mda.org/sites/default/files/FormerNationalGWA.pdf, MDA Primetime Telethon Achieves $61.5 Million, Americans Put Their Strength Behind MDA to Fight Muscle Diseases, Muscular Dystrophy Association's Labor Day weekend telethon raises $59.6 million. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, the local telethon segments on WNOL-TV were also postponed, with WGNO, the local producer (as well as WNOL's sister station) urging those wanting to give to do so through "the national telethon". At the show's 25th Anniversary in 1990, it wasn't used, but returned for the 1991 edition back in Las Vegas. During the telethon's Las Vegas years in the 1970s and 1980s, the show originated at the Sahara until 1982 when it moved to a bigger space at Caesars Palace. The telethon was a relic from a different age, a tuxedoed Lewis oozing show biz schmaltz and hosting stars from Frank Sinatra to Jennifer Lopez over 45 years, pushing through his exhaustion to. Jerry Lewis Telethon, early TV bring back memories - Tallahassee Democrat The show was cut from three hours to two, airing beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. ET (5 p.m. to 12 midnight CT),[67] with the first hour produced locally. Showing Editorial results for jerry lewis muscular dystrophy telethon.. Search instead in Creative? Privacy Policy | McMahon, borrowing from Carson's prognosticating character "Carnac the Magnificent", also made predictions on what the final total of funds raised would be, and from 1970 though 1979, he was spot on many years, missing by as little as thousands of dollars, considering the final tallies. "[4] Joining WNEW-TV in that 1968 telecast were: Buoyed by the Love Network's reach, the 1968 Labor Day Telethon generated $1,401,876 in donations. Because if I go there, youll never get me back, he said when I raised the subject with him recently in Nashville, where hes directing a new stage musical,The Nutty Professor. The 1976 telethon also was one of the most-watched, drawing more than 85 million viewers, according to the A.C. Nielsen ratings service.

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