Newsflash: Host Jerry Lewis stepping down from MDA Telethons

The Muscular Dystrophy Association announced today that Jerry Lewis, who presided over 900 hours of MDA live telethons, is retiring as host of the annual event.

"As a labor of love, I've hosted the annual Telethon since 1966, and I'll be making my final appearance on the show this year by performing my signature song, 'You'll Never Walk Alone',"  Lewis stated in a press announcement. "I'll continue to serve MDA as its National Chairman – as I've done since the early 1950's.  I'll never desert MDA and my kids."

Jerry Lewis discusses his work on MDA Telethons in this excerpt from his Archive of American Television interview:

This year's six hour prime-time Telethon will air on September 4th.