The MDA Labor Day Telethon is an iconic TV show dating back to the 1950s.
The early clips are maudlin, but still well worth watching.
Jerry Lewis goes over the top singing You’ll Never Walk Alone
For children with Muscular Dystrophy who would never walk alone.

The early clips are maudlin, but still well worth watching.
Stars like Woody Allen, Jack Benny and Johnny Carson performed
For children with Muscular Dystrophy who would never walk alone
And corporate sponsors selling Seven-Up and Elgin watches.

Stars like Woody Allen, Jack Benny and Johnny Carson performed
From the Las Vegas Sahara, then later from Caesar’s Palace,
And corporate sponsors selling Seven-Up and Elgin watches
Would walk on stage and give fat checks to Jerry Lewis.

From the Las Vegas Sahara, then later from Caesar’s Palace,
Ed McMahon would introduce executives wearing thousand dollar suits
Who would walk on stage and give fat checks to Jerry Lewis,
Then call for the timpani roll for each million dollars passed on the tote board.

Ed McMahon would introduce executives wearing thousand dollar suits.
They would interview Jerry’s Kids who had survived the previous year,
Then call for the timpani roll for each million dollars passed on the tote board.
Of course, the telethon prompted a lot of criticism—

They would interview Jerry’s Kids who had survived the previous year,
Talking only about the money that was needed for some miracle cure.
Of course, the telethon prompted a lot of criticism—
They never once discussed accessible buildings, transportation, or civil rights.

Talking only about the money that was needed for some miracle cure
Was an attempt to normalize these poster children, a flat rejection of who they were.
They never once discussed accessible buildings, transportation, or civil rights.
But those were different times—now the telethon is relegated to only three hours

Of attempting to normalize these poster children, a flat rejection of who they are.
And the line of singers and dancers, seals and clowns is much shorter now.
These are different times—the telethon is relegated to only three hours,
Even Jerry is no longer there in person—only a video of him to close out the show.

And the line of singers and dancers, seals and clowns is much shorter now.
But Jerry still goes over the top singing You’ll Never Walk Alone, 
Even though he is no longer there in person—only a video to close out the show.
The MDA Labor Day Telethon is maudlin, but still well worth watching.

(Previously published in Extracts)