Week of 8/26: Thanks, Jerry and the Look of Reza

By Sylvia Gurinsky

What could have happened to break the almost 60-year relationship between Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association?

Lewis is not the most politically correct of people. But unless the 86-year-old actor/comedian is suffering from illness, there seems to be no reason to toss him out completely without letting him take part in this year's telethon, which is much shorter than the 21-hour programs of years past.

Last year, the 21-hour telethon raised $61 million - in a severe recession. Lewis was a big reason for that, and for MDA's high profile.

One has to wonder if the organization can keep that profile - and its success - without him, and whether MDA prepared for a post-Lewis future.

One legacy of his success with both corporate and mom-and-pop donors was the news this week of a common source being found for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

One thing's for sure: The telethon will never again be as entertaining as it was in its glory television years of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. That's not MDA's fault. That's a function of the transfer of "show business" from genuine superstars - Lewis has had connections to the very best - to superficial people on rubberneck (reality) shows.

So here's a thanks to Jerry Lewis for everything he did for his "kids" and for MDA, and a fond look back at one of the telethon's most entertaining moments - in 1974, when the Jackson 5 performed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsqBjvOUPsQ

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Reza Badiyi, who died this week, directed more episodes of television programs than anyone else. But the two greatest TV memories he leaves involve the introductions to a trio of classics.

The first involved a secret agent and how he got to work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cscedJQ3PFU

"Get Smart," of course, was a spoof of the "James Bond" movies and various spy shows, so the entrance of Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) to Control headquarters was also a spoof.

In 1968, Badiyi gave a new look to Hawaii beyond ukeleles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

Combining his images to Mort Stevens' music made the opening to "Hawaii Five-0" one of the most memorable in television history.

In 1970, Badiyi showed the new single woman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCL3B5LgUCo

Mary Tyler Moore's opening theme and images would change from year to year - but the iconic final image of Mary throwing her hat in the air would stay and become immortalized in numerous ways.

Here's to the Look of Reza Badiyi.

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