The TV Column

Weekend telethon now 2-hour Show of Strength

If you're in between ice bucket challenges, you might try squeezing in the Muscular Dystrophy Association concert at 8 p.m. today on ABC.

The taped two-hour MDA Show of Strength is what has replaced the long-running Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. That former TV tradition ran from 1966 until 2010. In its heyday, the marathon lasted up to 21 and a half hours before exhausted host Lewis dragged himself on stage to tearfully croon "You'll Never Walk Alone."

The marathons (shown over Lewis' "Love Network" of stations) were tough to watch in their entirety in the old days, but you can't argue with results. Over the years, scores of A-list stars appeared for the cause. (And for the publicity with millions watching.)

By 1976, 213 stations were in the Love Network (the majority were ABC affiliates) and millions of dollars were raised each year for the worthy cause. It was also in 1976 when Lewis reunited on the air with his former partner Dean Martin. That was a TV highlight of the year.

The record for MDA donations was set in 2008 with more than $65 million pledged.

By 2011, the telethon had shrunk to six hours, and in 2012 it was down to three hours and no longer classified as a telethon.

As of last year, the Love Network had devolved to only ABC and the special to a mere two hours. Nonetheless, almost $60 million was donated in 2013 and there was no lack of star power crammed into the evening.

This year's benefit concert was taped in May and June in Los Angeles and Nashville and continues to serve up an eclectic blend of celebrities.

Scheduled to perform on the 49th broadcast of the fundraising event are Rascal Flatts and LeAnn Rimes, plus Aloe Blacc, American Authors, Bret Michaels, Fall Out Boy, Jason Derulo, Matt Nathanson, R5 and Sara Evans.

Celebrity presenters include Alyssa Milano, Brad Paisley, Charles Esten, Chris Powell, Jann Carl, Jordin Sparks, Josh Groban, Kesha, Kevin Frazier, Laila Ali, Ludacris, Nancy O'Dell, Pete Wentz, ABC's Dr. Richard Besser, Susan Lucci, Terry Fator, Tom Bergeron and Victor Ortiz.

In addition, there will be a number of testimonies from those served by MDA, including five families who will share their stories and give viewers a glimpse of what it means to live with muscle diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and the ice bucket challenge's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Spice it up. In case you missed the memo, ABC is bringing in fresh blood to Dancing With the Stars next season.

It'll be the 19th incarnation of the competition series, and the lovely and talented two-time DWTS champ Julianne Hough is being added as the permanent fourth judge. She joins Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, who have been the judging panel since the show debuted in 2005.

The 26-year-old former cast member is the latest attempt by ABC to keep things fresh. Last season the network dumped Tom Bergeron's co-host, Brooke Burke Charvet, and replaced her with Erin Andrews. That didn't sit too well with some viewers.

In addition, several guest judges were trotted out last year. They included Hough, Ricky Martin and Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller.

All of this is an attempt to postpone the inevitable sagging ratings. The show still packs a punch, with 14 million viewers each week, but that's far off its heyday of twice weekly episodes and 25 million viewers.

One problem: As a panel member, Hough will be judging her brother, Derek Hough, who will be coming back this season as a pro dance partner. Will she recuse herself? I doubt it.

Do not pass Go. So certain are they that it'll be a hit, CBS honchos have given a direct-to-series order for Zoo. That means there will be no pilot episode to ponder. The 13 episodes are expected next summer.

The series, based on the James Patterson novel of the same name, is a sci-fi thriller dealing with a global pandemic of violent and organized animal attacks. A young outcast maverick biologist must unlock the mystery before the critters take over and wipe out the humans.

Patterson, best known for his Alex Cross series, has sold more than 300 million books worldwide.

Back to the cave. Lifetime has ordered a pilot based on Jean M. Auel's first novel in her Earth's Children series The Clan of the Cave Bear.

Viewers might recall the 1986 big-screen version starring Daryl Hannah as Ayla and a 14-year-old pre-Charles in Charge, pre-Baywatch Nicole Eggert as the young Ayla.

The movie featured such memorable characters as Creb, Broud, Goov, Grod and Brug. The movie wasn't much for dialogue, but it sure beat Raquel Welch's One Million Years B.C. when dinos and cavemen duked it out.

Executive producers for The Clan of the Cave Bear include filmmakers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. Look for it next year.

The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:

mstorey@arkansasonline.com

Style on 08/31/2014

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