It was the end of an era Sunday night as the first Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon was held without comedy legend Jerry Lewis at the helm. The good news is that this year's show raised almost $61.5 million for the MDA, up about $2.6 million from 2010.

However, the absent Lewis was on the minds of many, and Nigel Lythgoe, who co-hosted this year's telethon with Jann Carl said he was sad that his predecessor didn't participate, but that the MDA needs to move on to ensure the fundraiser continues.

Lythgoe also told the Associated Press that he'd been expecting Lewis to show up, either during the telecast, or to pre-tape his signature song 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'

"I was fully expecting him to turn up at any point and join that six hours -- and I'm sorry he didn't," Lythgoe said. "And hopefully another year he might. I mean, he knows that he is always welcome on the telethon. It's his baby."

TV and film funny man (and MDA Telethon host) Jerry Lewis had a mild heart attack on Sunday. He also has pneumonia, and even though both things aren't good for a man of 80, doctors say he's going to make a full recovery. He remains in the hospital.

Lewis was supposed to perform live for the first time in five years in July, but that now has been cancelled. He also appeared at a Friar's Club Roast in his honor on Friday night.