'American Idol' and 'AGT' help Jerry Lewis raise close to $59 M for MDA

With the help of American Idol and America’s Got Talent, plus 21 hours of non-stop TV programming, MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis raised $58, 919.83 for MDA and “his kids.” The live TV event included performances and appearances by Hollywood’s hottest stars, including Ace Young, David Archuleta and Nigel Lythgoe from American Idol, plus past winner of America’s Got Talent, Terry Fator. Overall, the marathon broadcast featured over 65 acts and was watched by more than 40 million viewers. The 2009 MDA Telethon raised $60 million, so the 2010 venture fell shy of ambitious goals. However, Jerry Lewis said he was extremely grateful for the total, especially in light of the continuing recession and tough economic times.

Te theme for the 2010 MDA Telethon was “Make a muscle. Make a difference.” Highlights of the broadcast included:

There was not a dry eye in the house as MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Abbey Umali sang “Ordinary Miracle.” Umali, the first youngster to ever open the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, was unflappable as she warmed Telethon Co-host Jann Carl by making an immediate heartfelt appeal following her performance. Abbey encouraged America to give generously to help advance the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s lifesaving mission.
Grammy-nominated recording artist Ace Young, Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of American Idol, plus singing sensation David Archuleta took a moment during the Telethon to celebrate MDA’s new “Make A Muscle, Make A Difference” public awareness campaign. Young and Archuleta were both American Idol finalists, so it was a happy reunion for the prime-time show mates.
Nigel Lythgoe joined ventriloquist Terry Fator and his sidekick Julius "The Soul Singer" on stage on Sunday night. The trio discussed who should win the next America's Got Talent competition, which Fator won in 2007.

About the MDA Labor Day Telethon:

Adults who used to watch as kids now introduce their own children to the 21½-hour, star-studded variety show that simultaneously entertains, informs and raises funds for the services and research programs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
First broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by just one TV station in New York City, the unique event starring popular comedian Jerry Lewis quickly caught the public's attention and raised more than $1 million. This year’s show was broadcast on more than 170 MDA "Love Network" stations across the country.
In 1998, the MDA Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast, hosted by RealNetworks on MDA's website. An "interactive" show long before the computer age popularized the term, the Telethon's drama comes from the ever-increasing fundraising total posted on the tote board, by hand in 1966, now electronically. Jerry's goal of raising "one dollar more" than the previous year's amount has been more than met almost every year, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the American public. In 2009, the total was $60.5 million.

It’s not too late to donate to MDA. To make a donation go to MDA.org.

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