MDA telethon ending...

Labor Day Telethon That Jerry Lewis Memorably Ran Pulls Plug, May 1, 2015

I remember watching this every year. Not so much since the last decade or so though.

Honestly I saw this coming. It's partly because of the huge amount of competition for eyeballs, and partly because so many people don't sit down and watch a lot of tv at one sitting anymore, binge-watching notwithstanding. There's also the falling out between Jerry Lewis and the MDA.

It's sad to see it go though. I used to watch every year when Jerry hosted it - it just wasn't fall until Jerry sang.

Although I didn't watch it every year he was (and is) one of the greats.

Back when the MDA started fund raising using Jerry Lewis, they were the only ones that had a telethon. Then in the late 1980's, early 1990's there was the Farm Aid telethon.
Telethons are costly to produce. The 3 major on air networks all devoted time and personnel. Musical talent of various genre performed.

Today, people are tired of all of the pitches for funding. Everyone wants just $18 a month. This adds up to real money which many people don't have to donate. Unless you or a family member has the disease dejour, we're too busy to care.

In closing, the vast majority of people today don't know who Jerry Lewis is other than possibly seeing on a commercial for the telethon. Different times we live in.

I thought the reason for the 'falling out' between Jerry & MDA is because Jerry brought the remedy to their attention, and the MDA didn't want to give up the gravy train.
Well, the train has come to a complete stop.

MichaelW said:

I thought the reason for the 'falling out' between Jerry & MDA is because Jerry brought the remedy to their attention, and the MDA didn't want to give up the gravy train.
Well, the train has come to a complete stop.

Click to expand...

I know there is treatment, but is there a "remedy" yet? If there is, I can see why the MDA wouldn't want to publicize this.