MDA telethon making major changes without Jerry Lewis

PHOENIX – Comedian Jerry Lewis’ conspicuous absence will not be the only change at the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s telethon this year.

The Tucson, Ariz.-based association is making major changes to the telethon, slashing it down from a nearly 22-hour show to six hours of prime time television in an effort to boost audience numbers, raise more money, and make sponsors and celebrities happy.

The association announced many of the changes Thursday as it moves on from a 45-year partnership with Lewis.

The 85-year-old Lewis and the association still haven’t said why they’ve parted ways, but the move doesn’t appear to be hindering the Tucson-based association’s plans for the Sept. 4 telethon.

MDA announced earlier this month that Lewis was no longer its national chairman and wouldn’t be on this year’s telethon. When pressed by a reporter at the time about his role with the telethon, Lewis said: “It’s none of your business.”

Since 1966, the telethon has lasted 21  1/2 hours, with Lewis at the helm, and has raised more than $1.6 billion.

Now the telethon will begin at 6 p.m. and end at midnight in all time zones. The show, being taped in Las Vegas, will air live only on the east coast.

Everyone else in the country will watch the telethon on a tape delay, with two seven- to eight-minute segments airing live every hour.

MDA spokesman Jim Brown said the association has been discussing the much shorter telethon for at least a year, but declined to say whether that was a factor in Lewis’ departure from the show.

He said the shorter air time is in response to affiliates who complained of the telethon’s length, and will ensure a prime-time audience for celebrities and sponsors.

The show will be co-hosted by “American Idol” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, “Entertainment Tonight” anchor Nancy O’Dell, “The Biggest Loser” host Alison Sweeney, and journalist and TV producer Jann Carl. Lewis has harshly criticized “American Idol,” calling it a competition of “McDonald’s wipeouts” and “The Biggest Loser,” asking who really cares about watching someone lose weight.