MDA telethon to also benefit storm victims

Jerry Lewis’ annual Labor Day telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. will go on as planned this weekend, with a portion of time devoted to raising money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The first four hours and the last four hours of the 21 1/2 -hour broadcast, which begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, will feature celebrity appeals asking people to donate funds to help the Salvation Army’s efforts in the devastated Gulf Coast region. The telethon, which can be seen locally on KCAL-TV Channel 9, airs on 200 stations around the country.

In addition, the MDA is donating $1 million to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts in the South.

Meanwhile, all six major English-language broadcast networks said Friday that they will jointly present a one-hour prime-time special next Friday to benefit victims of the disaster. “Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast” is being executive produced by Joel Gallen, who produced a similar telethon in September 2001 to assist victims of the terrorist attacks. The 8 p.m. program, which will air commercial-free on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, WB and UPN, will feature musical performances and celebrity appearances.

The joint effort comes after cable and broadcast networks planned a series of separate efforts to raise money for survivors of the hurricane. NBC was planning to hold a telethon Friday night hosted by Matt Lauer.

-- Matea Gold