In 1989, as part of an "A Current Affair" news special, cameras were allowed backstage to openly record and capture footage before the Telethon aired. Here's part 1 - that shows just a little bit of the rehearsals, meetings, and multiple preparations done before what was a typical Labor Day Sunday night. Remember now - Live TV aired internationally for 22 hours. There's multiple parts to this footage, part 2 will be uploaded soon and part 3 will include footage from the show as well as a few things from behind the scenes as well, culminating with JL singing his finale. This footage is B&W but I don't think anyone will mind much. As a bonus, Jerry was interviewed regarding his MDA efforts and a large part of that footage has been placed in here as well.
Watch Jerry rehearse You'll Never Walk Alone among other songs, clown around with entertainers, check microphones, joke with his family, staff and musicians alike.
Remember now.. The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon ran for 45 years. It was the best produced and organized fundraising even of it's time, and every Labor Day more than 100 million people tuned in to Watch the Stars come out.
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