Communtiy General is in a bit of a state. The ER department is about to go under if they can't raise $100,000. Luckily, Norman has a plan; a telethon. The even has Mark hosting, Jack running stage manager duties, Delores as the talent coordinator, and the whole shebang will hosted by the legendary TV comedian, Buddy Blake.
Unfortunately, Buddy is nowhere near as nice off the camera as he is on it, and with bringing him and his old crew come back a raring host of issues. All of it culminates with Buddy walking on set with a knife to his back and falling down dead. With a time limit until the suspects leave after the telethon and Buddy's son Michael facing murder charges for being the last person seen alive with him, it's up to Mark and the team to save him and the ER.
"Murder at the Telethon" displays symptoms of the following tropes:
- Actor Allusion: Buddy is murdered while wearing a costume to play a funny version of Robin Hood. With Dick Van Patten as his killer, as well.
- Alliterative Name: Buddy Blake.
- Asshole Victim: Buddy was an abusive cheating old has-been.
- Clear Their Name: In addition to trying to save the Emergency Room, Mark is compelled to solve the mystery in order to save Buddy's son Michael, who used to be one of his medical school students, from being arrested for the murder.
- A Deadly Affair: Monty killed Buddy for having an affair with Sarah
- Dodgy Toupee: Both Buddy and Monty wear one. In fact, it's how Mark ultimately proves Monty is the killer. In the struggle with Buddy, Monty's toupee fell off his head and he grabbed Buddy's toupee by mistake, giving him effectively longer hair. He later switched it out for a spare of his own toupee, but the one recovered from the scene has a number to identify the customer which seals the deal.
- Exactly What It Says on the Tin: There is in fact a telethon, and there is in fact a murder at said telethon.
- Fat and Skinny: Buddy was the Fat of his duo with Hank as the skinny.
- Fat Bastard: Buddy is a heavier man, and treats most of the people around him like dirt.
- In the Back: Buddy faces his curtains via a pocket knife jammed in his back, puncturing his aorta.
- In-Universe Nickname: Buddy's used to be "Mr. Boob Tube".
- Nice Character, Mean Actor: Buddy Blake is a jovial guy when he's on camera, but when he's backstage he's a real son of a bitch.
- Special Guest: Dom De Luise as comedian Buddy Blake.
- Running Gag: Norman talking about potentially getting Jerry Lewis for the telethon.
- Telethon: Community General starts one to save the ER department, which is obvious considering the episode is called "Murder at the Telethon".
