Dick Clark

[pinkdog]

Oh, I remember that. Eh, seemed like normal celebrity "Oh my god it's Michael Moore what the hell is he up to get me out of here RUN!" reaction to me.

[indygirl]

ireneb said:

You're all a hell of a lot more gracious than the N Y Times' reporter who was unbeliveably horrible in today's paper...saying the most snide, disgusting things, seriously. She said watching DC was like the old relative who spends the holidays sitting immobile on the couch, crying and saying maudlin stuff about "liviing to see another year with you guys"! That's paraphrased, but the word "maudlin" was used.

Msn.com has put up an article that seems to go the opposite direction from the reporter you mentioned, ireneb. Much more supportive and respectful. But it does spend some space on the criticisms as well.

[Shanmac]

I give him a TON of credit for doing the show. For a guy who has strived for youthfulness for so long, it must have been hard on him. I was a bit shocked and saddened to hear him at first, but you know what? He looked great, and I think considering the circumstances, he did an awesome job. I'm glad he did it; I was so sad when he didn't make it last year. I think the show did seem really canned and rehearsed, but if I were him, I would want to know what to say backwards and forwards. Like I said, I gotta give him a lot of credit. That took a lot of hard work and, for lack of a better term, balls to get up there and banter with Seacrest. I also give him credit for tolerating the irritating Seacrest.

[india7]

I was up around Lincoln Center yesterday and saw some of his items - VERY cool stuff! Should be a great auction, wish I could go to just watch!

[Ripley]

Here is a link to the auction web site. Click on the link for the Addendum (PDF file) to see a list of some of the items including Marilyn Monroe car fresheners.

[splitchick59]

Aww, poor guy. He appeared more than he did last year, but it was still a bit wierd. You could hear his energy palpatating through, but his voice just wouldn't let him give. And then he was off on the countdown. When it was 10 seconds to midnight, he was on 12. Luckily someone told him or he realized when it was actually midnight. He kissed his wife again.

[margojata]

Well, he was able to move the side of his body that he didn't move last year. He did several arm movements and grasping his own hand - as well as a handshake with Ryan. Last year that side was just limp. I guess I'd feel better about it if I knew whether or not he can really walk or move. Kirk Douglas has been very mobile after his stroke - even though his speech never returned to anywhere near normal.

[Brookie]

He was significantly improved from last year at this time; we need to stop expecting the old Dick to host these countdowns. This is what we'll have from now on, or a version of it. It was still hard to watch, because it points to our own mortality somewhat. Here's a guy who's been an American icon - Dick Clark never ages, American Bandstand, etc. - who's now dealing very well with what happened to him. I give him so much credit for not giving up and spending the rest of his days inactive or whatever else he could be doing (he sure doesn't need the money). He still puts himself out there for the world to see.

[pamster]

ITA Brookie, and I say hooray for him!!!!
My dad had a BAD stroke at 58 and lived (or should I say struggled) for 22 more years. I would have given anything if he'd managed 50% of Mr. Clark's recovery.
Long may he wave!!

[divasahm]

Last night as our family watched the primetime festivities, it occurred to me that I was nine years old when Dick Clark premiered "New Year's Rockin' Eve"--the same age my daughter is now. Wow.

Ryan Seacrest mentioned James Brown's death and showed a rare 1964 performance clip from "Bandstand". You've got to hand it to Dick Clark--he probably almost went completely broke at the time, but he had the vision to buy "Bandstand" and all rights and privileges pertaining thereto from ABC back in the late '50s or early '60s. Now he's sitting on thousands of hours worth of pop music history. I wonder who will end up with all those tapes when he's gone--the Museum of Television, the Smithsonian, or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?