Today in 1949, one of the biggest names in TV helped usher in a big part of TV history. Before the famous Jerry Lewis telethons, Milton Berle hosted a televised fundraiser for 16 straight hours in New York. Plus: coming up this weekend, it’s the Chicago Tea Festival.

Hollywood Flashback: Milton Berle Hosted the First Star Telethon in 1949 (Hollywood Reporter)

Chicago Tea Festival 2026 

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