Kevin Hart's 'Muscular Dystrophy': Release date, plot, host, trailer and all you need to know about the legendary telethon

In 2020, comedian and actor Kevin Hart is looking forward to filling some very large shoes as the show makes a comeback
Kevin Hart (Getty Images)
Kevin Hart (Getty Images)

In June 1950, Paul Cohen, a prominent New York business leader living with muscular dystrophy, focused on the urgent need to raise funds to advance research seeking treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy. One of the newly created Muscular Dystrophy Association's first goals, when it started in 1950, was to recruit celebrities who could help promote them to the American public.

On June 29-30, 1956, renowned comedians Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis co-hosted their first MDA telethon from New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall. On May 16, 2011, Jerry Lewis announced his retirement as host of the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon. In 2020, comedian and actor Kevin Hart is looking forward to filling some very large shoes as the show makes a comeback.

Release date

The special will stream live Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ET on Hart's LOL Network and its YouTube and Pluto TV channels, as well as on TikTok, Triller and Twitch. SiriusXM will air an encore of the show on its Laugh Out Loud Radio channel on October 26 at 4 p.m. ET and October 27 at 10 am ET. 

Plot

Throughout the decades, the legendary Labor Day broadcast originated from different locations, including New York, Las Vegas and Hollywood. The telethon will look dramatically different in its newest iteration. The ongoing coronavirus necessitates it being a virtual event, it obviously falls later than Lewis' Labor Day weekend event; and Hart's version will only last two hours as opposed to Jerry's scheduled 21½ hours of running time.

Cast

Kevin Hart is a stand-up comedian, actor, and producer. His career suffered a slow start, as he was booed off stage several times, once even having a piece of chicken thrown at him. Hart came to prominence from his guest appearance in 'Undeclared'. He made his film debut in the film, 'Paper Soldiers'. Hart then gained further recognition from his other films such as the 'Scary Movie' franchise, 'Soul Plane', 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin', 'Death at a Funeral' and 'Little Fockers'.

Trailer



 

Kevin Hart did a promotional video for the telethon where he can be seen receiving phone calls from famous celebrities.

If you like this, you'll love these:

‘The Graham Norton Show’

‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman’

‘60 Minutes’

‘A Little Help with Carol Burnett’

‘The Daily Show'

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Inspired by the novel 'Double Whammy,' 'R.J. Decker's' debut season had a massive viewership, right behind 'High Potential,' and 'Will Trent.'
9 hours ago
Apart from the violent hospital attack that affected Eddie and Athena, Buck had a life-altering moment in the '9-1-1' Season 9 finale.
9 hours ago
'9-1-1' Season 9 finale featured a gruesome attack on two fan-favorite characters, and a life-altering situation for Buck.
10 hours ago
The upcoming prequel will be set against the backdrop of 1950s New York City and will present the first batch of supes from Voight.
10 hours ago
Lucasfilm co-president teases major updates on 'Ahsoka' Season 2 as rumors swirl about the future of Rosario Dawson’s Jedi saga.
11 hours ago
Season 3 of 'Murder in a Small Town' is set against the backdrop of a sleepy small town is actually based on L. R. Wright's novel series.
13 hours ago
As lives hang by a thread, surprising choices and a dangerous attack kept the viewers on the edge of their seats in '9-1-1' Season 9 finale.
13 hours ago
Cass Beckman was involved romantically with Dr. Teddy Altman, who left the hospital at the end of 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 22 with Dr. Owen Hunt.
14 hours ago
This fan-favorite appeared in 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19 as a new surgical intern and quickly established himself as a gifted surgeon at the hospital.
15 hours ago
Nick and Meredith began dating in Season 18, with the couple moving to Boston a few seasons later
19 hours ago