After Six-Year Hiatus, Reimagined MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon Returns Oct. 24

Six years after signing off the airwaves after a 45-year run, the MDA Telethon is back this month with a new host, a new format and an entirely revamped set of distribution platforms.

Comedian/actor Kevin Hart, 41, will be joined by a phalanx of celebrities during The MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The telethon will be a reimagined event featuring entertainment, comedy, musical performances, and MDA’s Let’s Play For A Cure gaming elements. The special will give viewers the opportunity to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Help From the Hart Charity, as well as get an inside look at the essential work of the organization through impactful profiles on families, research, care, and advocacy.

Newly added celebrity guests to the two-hour special include Garcelle Beauvais, Aloe Blacc, Bryan Cranston, Adam Devine, Fat Joe, Liz Gillies, Aldis Hodge, Edwin Hodge, DJ Khaled, Daniel Levy, Loni Love, Leslie Mann, Robin Thicke, Gabrielle Union Wade and John David Washington. Previously announced for the show were Jack Black, Usain Bolt, Josh Gad, Michael B. Jordan and Jillian Mercado.

“We’re thrilled to have these incredibly talented celebrities help raise critical funds we need for research, care and advocacy for our families,” said Lynn O’Connor Vos, President and CEO of MDA. “We are also firmly dedicated to ensuring that the neuromuscular disease community is accurately portrayed and celebrated in all of the programming with our community advisory committee providing counsel, and having representation on the Telethon production team and as part of the writing process. We are grateful for all support as we focus on raising awareness and removing barriers for people within our community.”

The reimagined telethon will be live-streamed Oct. 24 from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern on the LOL Network platforms including YouTube, Pluto, and more. According to its website, Hart’s LOL Network includes a collective network of more than 100 million viewers, across 81 countries.

“Reimagining a major cultural television program that generations still remember, is very exciting, especially at a time when we all need some joy and hope,” said Jonathan Krisel, Director of The MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon. “Bringing the mission to new audiences through streaming and social media, with some of the funniest, most talented celebrities of our time, is the thread that we are building upon for this year’s show with Kevin Hart.”

In addition to the show’s interactive gaming elements, viewers are encouraged to share about the event on social media using the hashtag #MDAKevinHartTelethon.

Over seven decades, the MDA has funded over $1 billion in research and care for more than 300,000 Americans living with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases. The MDA Labor Day Telethon ran until 2011; it was re-branded in 2012 as the MDA Show of Strength, which ran from 2012 to 2014.