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History will be made this year, as 35th annual Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethon will take its 21 hours to the Web, offering exclusive on-demand materials and the chance for Web users to ask Telethon experts questions online, some of which will be answered during the live telecast.

RealNetworks and GlobalMedia.com, national sponsors of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), will be contributing pro bono the streaming video and user friendly-Internet interface.

"Many of our 75 million viewers who see the show on TV are wired for the Internet, where the show is now also seen," said Jerry Lewis, MDA National Chairman. "We're seeing phenomenal growth in World Wide Web use, so, to better serve our loyal Telethon audiences, we're breaking new ground with GlobalMedia. We're harnessing the power of converging media to enrich the Telethon viewing experience with on-demand information online about local MDA programs, our rapid research progress, and the celebrities appearing to help 'my kids.'"

This year, Ed McMahon and Jerry Lewis, national chairman of MDA, will mark this special anniversary by remembering their old friend, Sammy Davis, Jr. by performing a favorite song of his, "Without You I am Nothing," originally sung by Mel Torme. Ed McMahon said of Sammy Davis Jr., "Nobody could be more inspiring than Sammy Davis Jr. to each and every one of us because he was such a mega star." Casey Kasem had high praise for the "mega star," noting that, "The man did everything and was so humble."

Starting at 9:00pm Eastern on Sunday, Sept. 3 and ending 6:30 pm Eastern on Monday Sept. 4, the event will air 21 hours of non-stop entertainment here with appearances by Jann Carl, Norm Crosby, and Cynthia Garrett as Telethon co-hosts. Stars appearing in the program include: Christina Aguilera, Wayne Brady, Delta Burke, Charo, Tony Danza, Linda Davis, Diane Ford, "Fosse," Dennis Franz, "The Full Monty," Brad Garrett, Billy Gilman, Savion Glover, Grand Ole Opry, Marilu Henner, Jack Jones, Casey Kasem, Jack Lemmon, "Lord of the Dance," Maureen McGovern, Kevin Meaney, Regis Philbin, Frank Sinatra Jr., Martha Stewart and Clay Walker.