 The 1973 telethon was also when the event broke the $10 million mark for the first time (the final tote being $12,395,973).Co-host Ed McMahon made an on-air prediction that donations would surpass $10 million (one digit more than the seven digits the Solari tote board could accommodate); at the moment it did, he came on stage to tell Lewis, "I have a brush, and I have some paint..." and Lewis repeated his 1966 stunt by painting a "1" on the board, this time punctuating it by wiping the paintbrush up and down the front of his tuxedo in celebration.An additional Solari number flipper would be added the next year, allowing a display of under $100 million.