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JERRY LEWIS: Jerry Lewis' publicist said Thursday the entertainer will not participate in the 46th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon in Las Vegas.

The MDA announced this year the telethon stalwart was retiring as host after 45 years.

The Las Vegas Sun said the 85-year-old star, who has been in poor health lately, had been planning to perform his signature song "You'll Never Walk Alone" for the final time in a pre-recorded clip to air on Sunday's show, however, musicians hired to back him up during the taping were told the gig had been called off.

Lewis' representative, Candi Cazau, Thursday confirmed on NPR he would not appear live or via video on the program, but did not offer any details as to why.

The star-studded fundraiser is to be carried on more than 150 TV stations from 6 p.m. to midnight in every U.S. time zone, the MDA said in a news release Thursday. It will be emceed by Nigel Lythgoe, Nancy O'Dell, Alison Sweeney and Jann Carl.

"It's always a privilege to be part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon," pop star Celine Dion, who'll be performing in the 2011 show's opening hour, said in a statement. "I hope by taking part in this great cause, I can help MDA in its mission to make life better for families who are fighting muscle diseases. From supporting scientists who are searching for treatments and cures, to helping children go to MDA summer camp, MDA provides love and care in so many ways."

Boyz II Men members Shawn Stockton, Nathan and Wanya Morris echoed Dion's sentiment in their own statement.

"We're excited to be part of the MDA Labor Day Telethon this year and lend our voices to a such a good cause. We remember watching it growing up and it's great to be a part of something so historic that benefits so many people every day. Be sure to tune in to catch us on the Telethon this Sunday," the vocal group said.

Lady Antebellum, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Feinstein, Darius Rucker, Reggie Bush, Jimmy Webb, Richie Sambora, Jon Secada, Maureen McGovern, Jordin Sparks, Martina McBride, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Kurt Warner, Billy Ray Cyrus, dancers from the stage show "Come Fly Away" and comic magicians Penn & Teller are also booked to appear on the show.

TOM JONES: Tom Jones' publicist says the Welsh recording star was treated for dehydration at a Monte Carlo hospital and is now feeling fine.

Jones, 71, was hospitalized during the weekend after falling ill, but was discharged Tuesday and is "now in very good health," a representative for the singer said in a statement issued Thursday to People.com.

"Sir Tom was ordered by doctors not to perform in Monte Carlo yesterday evening, due to severe dehydration. This was extremely disappointing for Tom, the band and all connected with the tour. This was the last date of a very successful three-month tour, where many of the shows were in locations that were in the throes of high summer heat. There are no heart problems, as has been reported in the press," the statement emphasized. "Sir Tom wants to relay his deep regrets for causing disappointment and inconvenience to all who would have come to enjoy his show last night. He thanks everyone for their understanding and support, and hopes to see the fans in Monte Carlo again soon."

GENE SIMMONS: Reality TV couple Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed are to marry next month at a Beverly Hills, Calif., hotel after 28 years together, E! News said.

The parents of two adult children are to wed Oct. 1, three days before the Season 7 premiere of their show "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," the report said Thursday.

Simmons, front man of the rock band KISS, proposed to Tweed, a model, while they were on holiday in Belize. The proposal was featured on the series' Season 6 finale last month.

KEVIN SMITH: AMC says it has ordered an unscripted television series set in filmmaker Kevin Smith's New Jersey comic-book store.

Smith, whose film credits include "Clerks," "Dogma" and "Chasing Amy," will executive produce the new reality show, "Secret Stash," AMC said.

"Set in Kevin Smith's iconic comic shop Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, the unscripted show captures the world of the neighborhood comic book store and fanboy culture," the cable network said in a synopsis.

Season 1 will contain six, hourlong episodes, scheduled for an early 2012 premiere.

"Draper. Meth. Zombies. This show couldn't be on a better network. AMC is to television what Miramax was to cinema back when I first got in the game: they're the premier destination for any story-teller looking to spin an offbeat yarn that no other outlet has the stones to touch," Smith said in a statement Thursday. "And as if I didn't love them enough, now they're putting my friends on TV! I'm ecstatic, proud, and extremely lucky to be in bed with a network I watch religiously anyway. And if they'd pushed just a little harder in the negotiations, I'd have done this show for no payment beyond early access to every episode of 'Mad Men,' 'Breaking Bad' and 'Walking Dead.'"