Las Vegas Weekly

September 7, 2009 · 10:09 AM

Photo Gallery: Stars turn out in full force for MDA Telethon

By Robin Leach

Jerry Lewis at the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon at the South Point.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

It was a highly emotional moment for Jerry Lewis when he watched the video tribute to his late co-host Ed McMahon during the first hour of the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon now being broadcast live until late this afternoon from the South Point. Jerry simply broke down and cried!

Click HERE for our story posted on Friday for all the background of the annual telethon and a photo gallery.

Our contributing photographer Scott Harrison was on hand to capture the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. We’ll be back here at Vegas DeLuxe this afternoon with the announcement of funds raised for the charity -- and as always Jerry wants to raise at least $1 more than last year’s record $65 million.

Country singer Wynonna was among the first-hour guests to kick off the 21-hour production last night. One of the early highlights that lit up the phones was when Mirage headliner and singing ventriloquist Terry Fator brought more tears to the crowd with his incredible, spot-on impression of Michael Jackson singing “The Girl Is Mine,” which Terry also had performed recently at the Michael Jackson tribute concert at the Palms. Terry also joined The Commodores to sing “Brick House.”

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Wynonna at the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon at the South Point.

Dozens of celebrities are appearing on the telethon, including many local Strip stars such as master magician Lance Burton and Anthony Crivello, who dons the mask of the Phantom in Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian. Others include Clay Aiken, Garth Brooks, Billy Crystal, Michael J. Fox, Regis Philbin and Jeff Foxworthy.

With Ed’s passing, Jerry is now joined by three rotating female co-hosts for the telethon: Jann Carl of Entertainment Tonight, Nancy O’Dell from Access Hollywood and actress and The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Alison Sweeney, Nancy O'Dell, Jann Carl and Jerry Lewis at the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon at the South Point.

We’ll have more photos and the final tally later today right here at Vegas DeLuxe, and click HERE for Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ rundown of the telethon.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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