I think I'm on Hour 15 now. Ed McMahon is back as announcer and Larry King is back to host, not in a tux and not even wearing a funny hat.
We seem to be in a crying hour…people tearing up as they talk of how Muscular Dystrophy or some allied affliction devastated someone's life. I feel better fast-forwarding through these segments since I made my pledge.
A corporate head just handed Larry King a check for $3,000,000. Larry asked the guy tougher questions than he's asked George W. Bush in six years. I also note that Larry's better than Jerry Lewis when it comes to sounding enthusiastic as you introduce a performer you never heard of before.
The Drifters/Coasters/Platters act returns and this time, someone actually manages to mention that they're appearing at the Sahara. These performers are not only good but they've been up all night. They deserve at least a bit of a plug. Looks like they even have a relatively full audience out there to play to, as well. They sing all different songs except for the finale which is, again, "Shout." Ever since National Lampoon's Animal House, it's a felony to not close any R&B oldies performance with that number. Matter of fact, I hear that Kitty Carlisle Hart — who just turned 96 and is still performing — closes her act with that. And then for an encore, she brings out a sledge hammer and smashes a watermelon.
43 minutes into what my clumsy math says is Hour 17, Jerry returns, tanned and rested. He kids around with the producer about the fact that apparently the dancers from the Folies Bergeres at the Tropicana are a no-show. Then he brings out Dean's daughter, Deana Martin, and they sing a duet: The return of Martin and Lewis. Over $37 million now.
The guys from Pittsburgh in the funny hats are back, this time with Jerry. Jerry asks them how long they've been with him on his telethons. One of them replies, "Fifty-one years, Jer," which means they go back with him to when the telethons were local in New York. Jerry says, "And for fifty-one years, you guys have never chosen to fix those damned hats." They give him a check for $425,000 anyway.
18 and a half hours into the telethon, Jerry bring on my pal, Ronn Lucas, who is only the best ventriloquist working today. Ronn gets a decent time slot and a good, personalized introduction. It's a good spot. David Letterman is about to do a week of ventriloquists on his show, probably not because he likes that kind of act but because he thinks they'll be easy to make fun of. I hope they'll book Ronn and I hope Dave lets him just do what does so well.