It's sad as the great heyday of the MDA Telethon was the 60's, 70s and 80s. Previous posters are sadly correct; it's very hard to find really big names to appear on the telethon these days, mostly has-beens and wanna-bes. Remember when Sammy Davis Jr., Foster Brooks, Richard Burton and other show biz legends would come on? They're all gone now and Jerry is naturally getting older. Also, the TV landscape has changed so much in the last 20 years that now we have so many choices. It's like the old holiday specials when we were kids. Back then, they meant a lot more because you waited a whole year for them and had to watch them when they aired. All changed now. Lewis always said the telethon would continue until they found a cure. That appears less and less likely with each passing year.
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MDA Telethon getting cut down to six hours
- Thread starter nathannah
- Start date
azumanga said:The classic telethon hour is outmoded, as well as the usage of local stations. The new telethon model is an improvement, but if I ran the MDA, I would find a national cable channel to broadcast the big show...
A good idea...
Considering that financial markets are closed on Labor Day, CNBC would be a good outlet to carry a 20+ hour telethon that weekend, but Jerry needs to pass the torch to somebody with more contemporary starpower to carry the load. Perhaps have somebody co-host with him for the next year or two, then pass the torch.
Since next year's telethon will only be six hours, I think even fewer stations will end up carrying it.
Mark_Giardina said:The advent of cable television, along with Jerry Lewis' advancing age, I believe are some reasons for the decline of viewers to the MDA telethon.
Six hours would make more sense versus a 24 hour event.
Besides when Mr. Lewis finally meets his maker, I highly doubt the MDA telethon will continue.
Unless they call in Ryan Seacrest.Sorry guys.
I think it's a good thing the MDA telethon will be cut down to six hours, because back when there were only the Big Three networks (as well as independent stations), 21 1/2 hours for telethons was a BIG deal! But look at Britain's ITV; their national telethons in 1988, '90, and '92 were longer than Jerry Lewis': 27 HOURS (with no breaks for news)!!!!!!
And with the rise of DVRs and DVD recorders, it would be easier to record the whole six hours anyway instead of doing the first three or so hours and then the conclusion with the final toteboard (they didn't do the signature "What The World Needs Now" this year) and "You'll Never Walk Alone."
And with the rise of DVRs and DVD recorders, it would be easier to record the whole six hours anyway instead of doing the first three or so hours and then the conclusion with the final toteboard (they didn't do the signature "What The World Needs Now" this year) and "You'll Never Walk Alone."
johnnya2k6 said:...look at Britain's ITV; their national telethons in 1988, '90, and '92 were longer than Jerry Lewis': 27 HOURS (with no breaks for news)!!!!!!
In Japan, there's a telethon called "24 Hour Television: Love Saves the Earth", which actually runs 27 hours, in support of various charities. There are a few other countries that have, or had, telethons exceeding 24 hours, such as Honduras, whose telethon for disabled children also runs 27 hours.
johnnya2k6 said:(they didn't do the signature "What The World Needs Now" this year)
They did, though it was part of a medley of songs during the closing credits. Was the MDA so in the red that it couldn't get the rights to use the song at all during the totes?
I'm surprised the Telethon can't find better talent to be on the show.
I understand the entertainment world especially the Vegas types that Jerry always used has changed and the days of Sinatra, Sammy and Dean have long since passed. But it almost seems like they haven't even tried over the last 20 years to update the talent pool.
I personally get a kick every year out of seeing Tony Orlando, Jack Jones, Norm Crosby, Maureen McGovern, and Charro on tv like it is still 1973, but unfortunately no one under 45 knows or cares about these acts.
I understand the entertainment world especially the Vegas types that Jerry always used has changed and the days of Sinatra, Sammy and Dean have long since passed. But it almost seems like they haven't even tried over the last 20 years to update the talent pool.
I personally get a kick every year out of seeing Tony Orlando, Jack Jones, Norm Crosby, Maureen McGovern, and Charro on tv like it is still 1973, but unfortunately no one under 45 knows or cares about these acts.
johnnya2k6 said:...look at Britain's ITV; their national telethons in 1988, '90, and '92 were longer than Jerry Lewis': 27 HOURS (with no breaks for news)!!!!!!
...and Mexico, where their annual 'Teleton' (first full weekend of December) typically runs from 11:30 pm ET (10:30 pm in Mexico City) until somewhere around 2 or 3 AM Sunday morning. Galavision has carried it stateside from the start. And it's a much bigger production than Jerry's show.
J
Jul
Guest
WOW!!!
To clarify regarding the above Mexican Teleton: it starts Friday night.
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