thoughts on the news of the day: jerry lewis

hmmm…..

            It’s the end of an era.  Jerry Lewis is concluding his long running career as Master of Ceremonies for the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon after serving as host for 45 years.  Jerry always referred to the children struck by MD as “my kids”.  "As a labor of love, I've hosted the annual Telethon since 1966 and I'll be making my final appearance on the show this year by performing my signature song, `You'll Never Walk Alone,'" Lewis said of the broadcast which is scheduled for Sept. 4.

            I remember the early years of the Labor Day telethon; seems like it lasted the better part of three days.  Since it was a holiday weekend, Mom and Dad would let us stay up late and watch Jerry sing songs, crack jokes and interview celebrities and victims of MD.  As the hours went by, the bow tie would untie and hang loosely around his neck and I think there were handkerchiefs mopping sweaty brows.  

            These days, the telethon has been shortened to six hours of prime time television on channels other than the major networks.  After all, Jerry is 85 – how much can he take might be the logic.  Or it might be that popularity and originality have waned.  Whether or not you like Jerry Lewis and his zany humor, you have to give him credit for sticking with a cause and continuing over the years to give it his all.  He has raised over one billion dollars for MD research and I am sure he will be missed.  I’ll be watching along with millions of others this Labor Day weekend.  After all, it is the end of an era.

            hmmm…..