JERRY LEWIS MDA TELETHON RETURNS
TO SOUTH POINT FOR THIRD YEAR
TUCSON, Ariz., July 28, 2008 - The Muscular Dystrophy Association's 2008 Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon will once again be broadcast from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas.
MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis was enthusiastic about being back at the South Point for his 21½-hour live broadcast, calling it “a fantastic facility and the staff is tremendous.” Lewis lives in Las Vegas
The South Point recently added 800 rooms with the completion of a third tower this July, for a total of 2,163. Amenities include seven restaurants, spa, movie complex, bowling center, equestrian events facility and multiple conference options.
This will be the third year the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon has broadcast from the South Point. The 43rd annual event raises funds for MDA’s fight against muscular dystrophy and related diseases. In 2007, pledges and donations to the MDA Telethon brought in a record $63.8 million. Television ratings for the broadcast were comparable with such shows as the Emmy Awards, Golden Globe and Academy Awards.
Lewis will share the stage with a variety of celebrity co-hosts, including Emmy-nominated Tom Bergeron of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Dancing with the Stars;” Jann Carl of “Entertainment Tonight;”veteran comedian Norm Crosby; award-winning singer Billy Gilman; Alison Sweeney of the daytime TV drama “Days of Our Lives” and host of the reality TV show “The Biggest Loser;” and "American Idol" finalist Ace Young.
Making her debut as a co-host is Nancy O’Dell of “Access Hollywood,” who has joined MDA’s efforts to combat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), which claimed the life of her mother in early June.
Ed McMahon, a member of the MDA Board of Directors and former host of numerous television programs, will make his 42nd appearance as Telethon anchor.
MDA’s “Love Network” of 180 television stations across the country will relay the show to more than 40 million viewers. Real Networks will broadcast the show online at www.mda.org.
The show airs from 9 p.m. EDT on Aug. 31 to 6:30 p.m. Sept 1. Broadcast times vary, so viewers should check local listings for airtimes.
“It’s a great honor to welcome Jerry and MDA’s wonderful Telethon back again,” South Point President Michael Gaughan said. “We’re happy to make our facility available to play a part in finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and related diseases.”
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. |
