37th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Marathon

by A.D. Amorosi

Jerry Lewis. To some, he's Dean Martin's partner, the lantern-jawed comic who made pratfalls and high-pitched squeals de rigueur for the likes of Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler. There's the solo artiste/director that the French adore: the dueling comic done up as a ring-a-ding Kool cig-chainsmoking, red sweater sort, or the Nutty Professor with the "nice laaaaddeeee" schtick. There's Elder Statesman Jerry (see The King of Comedy, Funny Bones, even his role as the Devil in Damn Yankees). But for anyone over 30 years old, the schmaltziest Jerry -- the absolute hokum king -- is the one who has hosted the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon for almost 40 years. As self-instated MDA national chairman, Lewis has never been beyond calling "Jerry's Kids" "cripples," an un-PC title that's sent even MDA heads reeling in protest against the man who claims he'll do or say anything to get his progeny money. Beyond worthy charity, the reason to watch is Jerry's helplessly appalling begging and his outrageous demeanor while hosting guests. Backinaday -- the smooth macho '50s, the swinging '60s, the sideburned '70s -- Lewis hosted the very height of the Borscht Belt, Broadway, Vegas and Hollywood. I guess the same is almost true this year: Ed McMahon, Norm Crosby, Carrot Top, Billy Crystal, Clint Holmes, Phyllis Diller, Larry King, Nancy Sinatra and Andy Williams will show. But along with his "give 'til it hurts" pleas, stay up for the finale. Even if you have to suck on meth to do it, you can't skip Lewis' take on "You'll Never Walk Alone," of which even he has said "only a fool would do this." And only an idiot would miss this kind of kitsch.

37th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Marathon, Sun., Sept. 1, 9 p.m., continuing through Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 2, 7 p.m., WB17-TV.

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