Comedians rally in support of Jerry Lewis

[August 06, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jerry Lewis' separation from the Muscular Dystrophy Association is not a laughing matter for some comedians.

Paul Rodriguez, Larry Miller, Tom Dreesen, Norm Crosby and others have joined in support of Lewis, the 85-year-old comedian who the MDA says is no longer its national chairman and will not appear on this year's telethon.

The funnymen told reporters gathered at The Laugh Factory comedy club Friday in Hollywood that they want the MDA to feature Lewis on the upcoming telethon.

Rodriguez says Lewis should be brought back in a limo and given the accolades that he deserves.

The group says they hadn't spoken with Lewis since the separation was announced but Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada said they supported him regardless of why he was dismissed.

[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

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