MDA TELETHON VETERANS RETURN TO PRODUCE 1998 SHOW

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 14, 1998 -- As entertainers, sponsors, volunteers and families served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association make plans to gather in Hollywood on Labor Day weekend, a veteran production team is reuniting. The 1998 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon will be guided by a group of professionals star Jerry Lewis calls "a well-oiled machine with great talent and tremendous heart."

Telethon Executive Producer Robert Ross, MDA's senior vice president and executive director, oversees the broadcast, which combines top-name entertainers with nearly a million volunteers in 200 television markets across the country. The 21½-hour broadcast will provide some 75 million television viewers with an annual update on MDA's progress in the battle against 40 neuromuscular diseases. It will also serve as the catalyst to raise some $50 million to help MDA advance worldwide research seeking treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases, and to maintain its unparalleled program of services offered through 230 clinics nationwide.

Lee Miller returns this year for his eighth season as Telethon producer. A pioneer in the production of quality television specials and feature films, Miller has more than 1,200 hours of programming to his credit, including highly rated broadcasts of the Oscars, the Emmys and the Tony Awards. Miller's television series/special credits include shows starring Garth Brooks, Cher, Doris Day, Raquel Welch, Pearl Bailey, Jimmy Durante, the Lennon Sisters and the Everly Brothers. He's also produced eight movies for television, including the award-winning "Missiles of October."

Directing for the second year will be Glenn Weiss, a leading television director. A highly respected television industry veteran, Weiss has directed more than 30 variety shows, specials and series.

Ron Weed, executive in charge of Telethon production for the eighth year, has handled similar challenges for many television award shows and specials. Notable credits include the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Soap Opera Awards, and special events for Sea World and Busch Gardens.

Seeing that it all runs smoothly will be Telethon coordinator Jerry Weinberg, MDA's director of field organization and a national vice president.

For the 10th year, Eddie Foy III will serve as the Telethon's national talent executive. A casting director for more than 30 years, Foy's many credits include work with Columbia Pictures, 20th Century Fox, the Disney Channel, ABC and NBC.

Telethon creative consultant Sam Denoff is a four-time Emmy winner with a string of television successes, including "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "That Girl," and specials for Bill Cosby and Sid Caesar.

The Telethon, which airs from 9 p.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 6, through 6:30 p.m. EDT Monday, will originate from CBS Television City in Hollywood and feature live satellite feeds and special segments from New York, Chicago, Charenton (La.), Nashville and Puerto Rico.

"Bob Ross' Telethon production team has a clear vision: that everything we do is focused on helping adults and kids with neuromuscular diseases," Lewis, MDA national chairman, said. "This annual television celebration is our way of drawing all of America into our effort and fueling our progress for another year."

Ross has served as the Telethon's executive producer for more than 30 years. As MDA's executive director, he created and developed the Association's extensive programs of services, research and education, bolstered by devoted sponsors at national and local levels.

"We're expanding our audience with innovation," Ross said. "Our annual television audience of some 75 million Americans and Canadians will, for the first time, be joined by an international Internet audience watching the show live online at MDA's Web site, www.mda.org."

Tens of millions worldwide have access to the Internet, added Ross. As a result, "The Telethon will now educate the world about research progress in the battle against muscle-wasting diseases. It will also introduce families to the vast range of educational materials available on MDA's Web site."

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat 40 neuromuscular 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.

MDA, which annually funds some 400 scientific teams worldwide, was the first nonprofit organization honored by the American Medical Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award "for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity."

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