For the first time in over 45 years, and with over $2 Billion raised for the research and the good works of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Jerry Lewis will not be a part of the Labor Day Telethon this year.

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 On August 3rd it was announced by MDA that Jerry Lewis "completed his run" as national chairman and would no longer be a part of the annual telethon. On Aug 21st it was rumored that he would be back as National Chairman and hosting the telethon, that went south, and the latest that Jerry would be singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the end of the show was also squashed when rehersals were cancelled and the band was sent packing. So we will be watching the telethon this year with no chance of seeing the mainstay of the show. However standing in for Jerry this year will be: Nigel Lythgoe ("So You Think You Can Dance"), Nancy O'Dell ("Entertainment Tonight"), Alison Sweeney ("The Biggest Loser") and Jann Carl (billed as "an Emmy-winning journalist"). Also this years show has been abbreviated to just 6 hours as opposed to the 21 and 1/2 hour marathon it used to be. This will include 7-8 minute breaks every half hour for the local stations and the community happenings. A part of the telethon for the last 27 years on K2 Television is Senator John Barrasso and he joined us to talk about this years event.

As we are reminded it matters not who is leading the charge against Muscular Dystrophy but that the battle continues. We encourage everyone to call in to the telethon, drop a couple bucks in the boots of the firemen around town or participate in one of the many events raising money for the fight against MD. And for those that can't imagine a Labor Day without Jerry...enjoy this.

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