Last night would have been the fiftieth anniversary of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, but the anniversary was not celebrated by the man or those of us who have been along for the journey with him. For you see, those now responsible for the management of the charity somehow felt that the time had passed and that there was no longer any place available for the man who had led the March of Dimes for as long as most living could remember.
Jerry Lewis, the slap schtick half of the Martin and Lewis team set out over fifty years ago to do something for the children. What ever the motivation, something touched the man at a young age and he decided to take it upon himself to make a difference. Jerry Lewis decided to parlay his celebrity and his Hollywood contacts into a fledgling movement to help children stricken with a deadly disease.
A disease of atrophy and despair and a disease that seemed to favor children as it's victims. Most know the story of the annual Labor Day telethons. Most have sat through countless Labor Days watching the ticker slowly roll forward to reach the goal of surpassing the previous year. Most have watched as some of the most preeminent talent of our age performed for Jerry and the kids. We also watched as those who were up and coming and scratching to make a name, took the time to commit their time and talent to the worthy cause.
Jerry hosted his first MDA telethon Thanksgiving weekend of 1952. Jerry later began hosting the annual MDA telethon live nationally in 1966 and he continued hosting them year after year and decade after decade until last year. For decades the telethons were known as the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethons. But after last years telethon, Jerry made the decision and the announcement that this year would be his last. Having battled his own health issues for the past ten years, Jerry knew that time, age and the years had finally caught up with him and he simply couldn't carry the torch any longer.
So preparations were made for his final appearance this weekend. But that never happened. Those now in charge of the Muscular Dystrophy Association decided that Jerry's days were over and his presence was no longer welcome. Someone decided that it was time to change things. They would cut the telethon from its decades long 21 1/2 hour format, down to 6 hours and while they were at it, they were going to dump Jerry as the host.
The decision was made back in May to dump Jerry from the telethon and as the national chairman of MDA and while many in the entertainment industry and the comedy circuits across America attempted to intercede, a reconciliation was not to come. Yesterdays telethon came and went and the man that had made it tick and held it together and formed the catalyst for the annual pilgrimage of millions of Americans to their television sets and to their phones for over fifty years wasn't there.
Those that hosted attempted to offer up their faux condolences and appreciations and their equally shallow and transparent tributes, but in the end the reality was painfully apparent. The lasting tribute, the final honors were denied to the one man more responsible for the success of the March of dimes than any other in the history of the organization. The moments passed and millions of Americans sat in quite reflection on what once was and what should have been.
I have a saying that I believe is poignant to times like these. "You only get one chance to do it right." and last night the MDA foundation allowed that moment to pass and they did so purposely and in my opinion, with the utmost disrespect to the man most responsible for the billions that have been donated to "Jerry's Kids." Well, they are no longer Jerry's kids. They will always remain so in his heart that is certain, but the honor was forever more stripped from the man last night in what in my opinion is one of the most disgusting acts that I have ever seen play out on a public stage.
Jerry Lewis is eighty six years old now. He won't be with us that much longer, but one thing is for certain. There is promised love and justice in Heaven and in the life that comes after this one, Jerry Lewis will be showered with honors for his efforts here in this life. For he has stored up treasure in abundance by his actions here on behalf of those who weren't able to stand for themselves. Jerry's song "you will never walk alone" wasn't played last night, nor was the acknowledgement made (as it always had been) that a man never stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.
Reflecting on what came to pass this weekend saddens me. The end of an era unfolded and in doing so there was no celebration of the man's life, nor acknowledgement of all that he has caused to be given to so many through the decades. Just the bum's rush by those who's own self importance was elevated and used to trump the final moment of tribute as it should have been. As it was meant to be, but as it will no never be.
Many people have stooped to help the children over the years, but no one has bowed as low or traveled as far to do so than Jerry Lewis. For the man is truly a giant. A giant soul who bowed his character and his soul to a greater purpose and a truly deserving calling. Who else can ever replace this man and his love for the children. I for one will miss him. My sincere hope is that I am not alone in that feeling.
My sincere hope is that prayers will go up as a cacophony for this man now and in the future when he is called home to be with angels and children and all of those who he tried to help through his efforts over a lifetime of dedication to his cause. Jerry Lewis may be forgotten by many of those of present day celebrity, but the man is and will always remain a saint in my belief.
God Bless you Jerry.
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