Time for Dick Clark to retire?

[alp227]

I live in the West Coast, so I got to see the Times Square ball drop at 9PM local time, but that was on a live stream of CNN. Just now I watched the ABC coverage of the Times Square party hosted by the aging Dick Clark (and the young, energetic Ryan Seacrest). Clark suffered a stroke in 2004, and that's caused issues for his hosting New Year's Rockin' Eve. He missed it in 2004 but returned in 2005. However, his speech seemed to be getting slurred. This year, as he was counting down the last 15 seconds of 2009, he counted "15, 14, 12, 10, 11, 10, 9..." Videos of that incident have been popping up in rough camera-to-TV screen (opposed to uploading from DVR) format on Youtube.

What do you think? Is it about time that Clark just enjoy the rest of his life and let younger folks like Seacrest do the fun stuff? I think that this countdown screwup is really telling about Clark's health.

[KharmaTrain]

1. He Is Retired...

This is his only big event of the year...and I'm very glad he's still able to do it. Yes it's painful to hear him slur his words...especially as I remember him during his energetic days on American Bandstand. I think it's admirable he's come back after suffering such a dibilitating illness and appears to be mentally sharp and "with it". If ABC wants to have him and he wants to do it, I'll be watching and cheering him on.

Sadly many like to treat those with such an affliction by not wanting to see them...out of sight out of mind, but one day that could be you...trying to still stay vital. More power to Dick Clark...he's more of an inspiration today than he ever was spinning platters.

[EFerrari]

2. How does he look younger than me?

He's at least twenty years older. lol

It was great to see him. :)

[Horse with no Name]

7. I have some of the fondest memories as a youngster of Dick Clark

and I totally agree. He doesn't need to go away--I would take him any day over the over-rated Secrest.
Very nicely said!

[old mark]

3. I was wondering yesterday if he was still alive - I'm old enough

to remember him as s young and active early rock and roll promoter who helped the music grow. He did all of us then-future musicians a great service, because many of the RWers of the day wanted to kill the music. Black influenced music being enjoyed by white kids - satan's work. Clark helped bring some of that music to a mass audience, and he can do whatever he wants as far as I am concerned....How old is he, anyway?


mark

[Rhiannon12866]

4. I could look it up, but IIRC, Dick Clark was in my Dad's class at Syracuse University.

And my Dad was born in 1928... :shrug: :hi:

on edit: November 30, 1929

[cornermouse]

5. You back off and let him do it as long as he wants to.

When he's doing the show he IS enjoying life. The show isn't hard labor and he probably looks forward to it every year. Leave him alone.

[TicketyBoo]

6. Love Dick Clark.

And if New Year's Eve is the only time I get to see him, that's understandable.

I think it's courageous of him to do it, and I hope he doesn't stop (and that nobody else stops him). Go, Dick!

[DailyGrind51]

8. Yeah, that's right, discriminate against us old folks, your ageist swine! ;-}

Happy New Year!:party:

[hlthe2b]

9. Geez.. He's given over the major functions to Seacrest...

I'm pleased to see him out there... Do we have to hide older folks when they cease to be quite as energetic or "perfect? I think it is very motivational to see him do that and I wish him all the very best...

[Iggo]

10. Can't give the man a break for 15 fucking seconds a year?

jeezuzaychkeeryst!

[mackerel]

11. Nope

Stop watching because last year was soooooo soooooo bad