Jerry Lewis Could Still Be There For MDA [VIDEO]

Glenn Pinkerton, Las Vegas News Bureau via Getty Images

If you're a Jerry Lewis fan like I am, you were probably quite disappointed that the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced earlier this year that they were ending their association with him after this year's telethon. Then two weeks ago the decision was made to not only remove Jerry from this year's show, but to relieve him of his status as national MDA chairman.

After all, Jerry Lewis is the face of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He has hosted the telethon for 45 years, helping to raise nearly $2.5 billion dollars for the cause. He has served as chairman for almost 60 years.

However, there does seem to be a catch. A recent gossip column in the Las Vegas Review Journal has caused speculation about whether or not the matter has been resolved.

The column, written by longtime city reporter Norm Clarke, said that "Comedy king Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association have made peace," going on to say that "[I]n a stunning reversal, Lewis was reinstated Saturday to the MDA Labor Day Telethon he has hosted since 1966," attributing the information to "a source close to Lewis."
But late Sunday Clarke sent a tweet that appeared to recant the story ."A source told Vegas Confidential that Lewis had been 'reinstated,' " Clarke wrote. "The source clarified that today, saying he meant reconciled."

Jerry recently surfaced at a Nevada Association of Broadcasters dinner to receive an award. No mention of the controversy was mentioned at this event.

The MDA telethon faces an uphill battle on its own with or without Jerry. The popular talent showcase was the premiere destination in its heyday for performers of all kinds, and would include countless memorable moments. In recent years, though, with the growth of online fund raising and television stations not wanting to donate such a significant amount of time to broadcast it, interest and participation are dwindling.

Add that to the fact that Jerry Lewis is now 85 years old and today's generation has little or no idea of who this man is and the impact that he has made on the world through radio, movies, television, and of course...The Jerry Lewis MDA telethon.

I for one hope the controversy arouses some interest and that this won't be the last that we hear of Jerry Lewis.