jerry lewis is leaving

I remember that a couple of weeks back, I informed you about Jerry Lewis’ decision of bidding adieu to MDA Labor Day Telethon.The announcement came a few weeks before the telethon, which Mr. Lewis has hosted since 1966. In May Mr. Lewis said he was retiring from the show, a television staple, but he had planned to appear on it this year. Now that’s not happening, according to R. Rodney Howell, the chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s board. Mr. Howell also said in a statement that Mr. Lewis had been “released” from his position as national chairman of the association, but did not explain why.Lewis, 85, has been the MDA's national chairman since the early 1950s and has hosted the Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon since 1966.

He announced in May that he was retiring as host of the telethon that has become synonymous with his name.The 85-year-old comic legend and humanitarian has been MDA's national chairman since the early 1950s and hosted his first telethon back in 1966. Lewis had originally announced in May that the 2011 show would be his final year on the telethon -- but that he would stay on as chairman.MDA Chairman of the Board of Directors R. Rodney Howell, M.D., said in a statement Wednesday, "Jerry Lewis is a world-class humanitarian and we're forever grateful to him for his more than half century of generous service to MDA. We will not be replacing him as MDA national chairman, and he will not be appearing on the Telethon."Chairman Dr. R. Rodney Howell says, "We will not be replacing him as MDA national chairman, and he will not be appearing on the telethon."

A reason for Lewis' relinquishing his role as host a year early has not been specified.

The telethon has raised over $2 billion for Muscular Dystrophy since it began in 1966.Last week at the TCA Press Tour, Lewis was cryptic about his future involvement with the telethon, telling reporters, “It’s none of your business.” During that discussion, he also slammed reality TV shows like American Idol and The Biggest Loser. Oddly enough: American Idol producer Nigel Lythoe and Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney were slated to cohost this year’s telethon.The first marathon I ever ran was in Caracas, Venezuela in 1982. After completing it, I swore I would never run another marathon. Eight years later, I ran my second marathon in Washington, D.C. I became addicted to marathon racing. Now I do two or three a year. Vienna was my 24th marathon since 1982 including seven international marathons – in America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Miss Ann and I traveled to Vienna two days before the marathon to meet up with 28 other marathoners – 24 full-marathoners and four half-marathoners – from Egypt, the Middle East and Europe. I traveled the furthest. There were also nine family and friends who came to support the runners. The marathoners – representing ten nationalities – were all current members or alumni of the Maadi Runners Club, a Cairo-based group of Egyptian and expatriate runners that run together starting at dawn each Friday on the air-polluted streets and clean air of the desert in and around Cairo – while avoiding packs of snarling wild dogs. I was an active member of the running club during the three years I lived in Cairo.