For the first time since 1966, America will not be hanging out with Jerry Lewis this coming Labor Day weekend. On Wednesday, The Muscular Dystrophy Association announced they dropped the 85-year-old comedian as host of their annual telethon and national chairman. Details surrounding the ouster are still a bit hazy.
Over the years, Lewis helped raise nearly $2.5 billion for the cause. Now many fellow comedians who have been inspired by the legend are coming to his defense.
So tonight, we'll hear from actor Richard Belzer. Best known for playing Detective Munch on "Law & Order: SVU," the actor is a diehard fan of Jerry Lewis and credits him as making huge influence in his life. (So big a fan he rocks a tattoo of Lewis on his arm).
Like Lewis, Belzer is using his celebrity status for public service. Belzer recently shot this PSA with the Citizens Crime Commission of NYC in support of banning high capacity ammunition magazines.
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Dark glasses and sniffling, Belzer? Coked-up much?
Good work on the ammo ban campaign.
Dark glasses and sniffling, Belzer. Coked-up much?
SHAME on the Muscular Distrophy Association. It is disgraceful that Jerry Lewis has been summarily "released" from his Chairmanship and his participation as host of this extraordinary telethon that I have been watching for over 50 years. And without an explanation. SHAME ON YOU!! He should be the host and he should be given a major farewell party.
I AGREE, CINDY. A big farewell telethon, with Jerry Lewis highlight clips!
As a Disabled woman that has been more hurt than helped by ANY telethon and certainly never helped and definitely hurt by the likes of Jerry Lewis, I am personally glad that Jerry Lewis was finally dropped from the MDA. He has promoted the notion that Disabled people's lives are not worth living and has never listened to Disabled people and what we say we need and want. Lewis has promoted bigotry (i.e. racism, sexism and ablism) throughout the years. Rather than suggesting he is some great humanitarian, one should question his commentary and his behavior (i.e. his hatred for the very people he supposedly tries to help as well as his commentary concerning other protected classes).
i resent Belzer using this to promote his anti gun agenda guns don't kill people people kill people lets don't wind up likeEngland where the only people who have guns are police criminals and military