I know the man’s had a stroke and the fact he’s partially recovered is a blessing, but just because Dick Clark can appear on national television, doesn’t mean he should. Just because someone can walk with a cane doesn’t mean they should run a marathon.
Neither sleet, snow, rain nor the residual effects of a stroke can keep Dick Clark down. At least on New Year’s Eve.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest returns to ABC tonight, hosted primarily by American Idol’s one-man media conglomerate. Though it’s unclear how much airtime Clark, 79, will have, he’s scheduled to appear for the fourth straight year and the 36th of 37 shows since it premiered in 1972.
“Dick will do the countdown and bring the ball in, and we’ll do a bunch of (short segments) with him,” says longtime show producer Larry Klein.
The segments were an uncomfortable watch, to say the least.
Dick, count the residual checks and watch the show from home. We have to deal with the overrated Seacrest, but we found ourselves looking at the post-stroke-Clark, understanding most of what he said, and instead of remembering him how he was, we’ve been given an opportunity to pity who he is now.
I know that’s not a nice thing to say, but it seems that Hollywood types just don’t know when to let it go.
Meh, I think it’s a tradition thing more than anything.
Now, watching him smooch his wife after midnight…THAT was uncomfortable!
I agree. It was sad.
Feels kind of like he was used.
Good ol’ Dick Clark. Poor guy.
“I know that’s not a nice thing to say, but it seems that Hollywood types just don’t know when to let it go.”
Frank Sinatra surely didn’t. I was truly embarrassed for him. His voice left the building long before he did.
Lionel Hampton holds the all-time award, at the end he was wheeled out in front of his band and would hold one stick and occasionally reach up and hit the vibes.
BONG!
Still, Lionel always hit the RIGHT note, the tension note.