Stars lining up for Lewis MDA telethon

TUCSON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- David Archuleta, Enrique Iglesias and Lynyrd Skynryd have signed up to perform on Jerry Lewis' U.S. Labor Day telethon, 21 1/2 hours long, organizers said.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association also confirmed WAR, John Ondrasik, OneRepublic and Barry Manilow are on the bill for the Sept. 5-6 event.

"Yes, the telethon is consistently big on entertainment value," Gerald C. Weinberg, MDA president and chief executive officer, and telethon executive producer, said in a statement Wednesday. "But, unlike other live shows, our unique television program is an outstanding catalyst for the public support needed to advance MDA's lifesaving mission year-round."

"There's nothing like our telethon," added Lee Miller, longtime telethon producer. "Every hour offers moments you'll remember for the whole year. We produce the equivalent of an entire television season in one weekend, and you simply can't find a better live television show that marries an outstanding network feed with lively local television segments."

Entertainer and MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis will be headlining the star-studded television program that's expected to be watched by some 40 million Americans.

Lewis is to be assisted by co-hosts Alison Sweeney, Nancy O'Dell and Jann Carl.

Special guest co-hosts will include Nigel Lythgoe, Richard Belzer, Ace Young, Brandon Barash and John Pinette.

The show is to include music and dance productions from Broadway's "Memphis," "Rock of Ages" and "Million Dollar Quartet," as well as Las Vegas show favorites "Elvis (Cirque du Soleil,)" "Paris by Night" and "Vegas! The Show."

Also expected to be featured on the program are Tony Orlando, Taylor Dayne, Maureen McGovern, Charo and Jack Jones.