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Article IndexBY BOB HOLT
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Veteran comedian Jerry Lewis announced in May that he was retiring as host of the Labor Day weekend Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, but he planned to make his final appearance on this year's show.
But the Muscular Dystrophy Association had other ideas. Pantagraph.com reports that Wednesday night, the MDA confirmed that it was removing Lewis as national chairman and that he won’t be appearing on this year’s telethon.
The MDA did not offer any explanation for the changes.
Lewis, 85, has been fighting health issues in recent years. An Associated Press report on philly.com mentioned that Lewis has suffered from a back condition, heart problems, and the lung disease pulmonary fibrosis.
At the Television Critics Association press tour last week, when Lewis was asked about his future plans with the MDA, he reportedly said, “it’s none of your business.’’
According to Entertainment Weekly, Lewis slammed reality television at the event. He said, “The kids on American Idol, they’re all McDonalds wipe outs, and now they’re doing reality TV. The industry has destroyed itself.”
MDA is expected to name a new host for the telethon. Oddly enough, EW.com reported that two of the co-hosts selected for this year are from reality television, American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, and The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney.
