Already observing 2008

[Radioboy989]

I watched Dick Clark's Rockin' 08 last night. I love Dick Clark. He is a legend and due all repsect. With that said, it's time to let it go of the on camera work. It made me sad to see him as he is. I'd rather remember fondly.

Another observation from the show, although I have been quite fond of hating all music created (recycled) since 1987, I found some unique, mainstream sounding stuff on there last night. Maybe all musical hope isn't lost?

Finally, Ryan Seacrest must be captured, placed on a space shuttle and returned to his home planet before he takes over anything else. This guy must have the best collection of blackmail pictures in L.A.! It's not like he is incompetent, but he is not so good that he has to be a part of EVERYTHING that involves a mic and camera.

Now let's all wake up, discover we have been infected by Bobby Ewing disease, realize the last 12 years were just a dream, there is no corporate media giant, mom and pop still own their stations, we all still have jobs, we're paid well, the industry is thriving...yeah, I should have stopped with the space shuttle idea.

Have a happy, productive and prosperous new year!

 

[KFodor]

Though I didn't see much of Dick Clark (I was busy DJ-ing a New Year's Eve party Monday night), what I did see makes me agree with you.

I have the greatest admiration and respect for what Dick accomplished with his career. I also admire his tenacity to try and battle back from his stroke. But I think he would have been far better to have limited his on-camera "speeches" to just short bursts that he could have worked on in the weeks before (practice, in a case such as his, can help). I do wish him the best. It is not easy to recover from something like that. Recovery can take a long time (and sometimes, you only recover so far...)

There's a very old song asking "Have I stayed too long at the fair"? Perhaps, it's time for Mr. Clark to realize (as will happen to all of us), there's also a time to walk proudly through the door and let people remember you as you were at your best.

 

[alans613]

I agree with Jason and Radioboy here...I want to remember Dick Clark from his glory days when he not only did the New Year's Rockin' Eve for ABC, but also for when he hosted the $(Insert dollar amount here)Pyramid. I also remember his Top 20 "National Music Survey" that used to air on 102.9 WAZU in the 80s via satelitte. It is sad to see Mr. Clark in the state he's in now. I don't know how well Dick will recover from his stroke(Or how far he has recovered), but it was hard at times to understand him on New Year's Eve. I do know full recovery is possible(See retired pro wrestler Bret Hart, who has made a 100% recovery after his stroke in 2002). Anyhow, maybe it is time for Dick to pass the torch to someone else...Gee, someone other than Ryan Seacrest. Is the guy so talented that he has been the heir apparent to not only Dick Clark, but Casey Kasem as well? I don't think so...AT40 isn't the same without Casey, although at least Casey stepped down when he knew it was time. Oh, yeah, let's not forget he also replaced Rick Dees on KIIS in L.A. Maybe we should just call him the "Legend Killer" and be done with it.

 

[V.Riley]

Now that you mention it, it was about two weeks after Casey Kasem retired from AT40, that I stopped listening to the show. It just didn't sound as good. Apparently Ryan Seacrest had changed the format of the show enough (to make it his own) that I no longer found it desirable. Maybe Dick Clark is still in front of the camera as he doesn't want to hand the show over to Ryan Seacrest. However, I agree, Dick Clark should focus on his producer talent now rather than his on-screen role.

 

[del_griffith]

I think most folks here are looking at this from either from a professional perspective or as an involved media observer.

Yes, I hurt too for the effort Dick put forth and the results that are aired. But I have yet to hear a person on the street (folks I work, non broadcast) with or have had casual conversation with) say that Dick should hang it up.

Some comments from this year:

Yeah we watched Dick too. He looked better this year than last.

The stroke still seems to be evident. At least he's there every year still trying.

Boy I wish I have as much courage as he has when something like that happens to me.

Yeah, he still seemed to have trouble, but it's improving every year.

He seems to be improving. He's an inspriation.

That's the paraphrase of the comments I heard. Not a single one said he should throw in the towel. And every person I talked to about they did New Years eve tuned into to Dick Clark for at least the midnight dropping of the ball. So from my non scientific sample, it doesn't appear he's hurting audience numbers.

Maybe because some or all of us have been under the "on air microscope of perfection" we judge what hits the air under the same conditions we've been judged. Dick seems not to be judged that way by the public.

Dick may be using some of his banked good will and the public is gracious enough to allow him that and more.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[KFodor]

Del:

You're right...a lot of us are looking at it from a professional perspective. You must remember, though, there's been quite a few radio air personalities who have been "retired" following strokes, due to the sometimes long recovery period that can be involved.

In Dick Clark's case, I'm sure his longtime fans may think things like "He's improved from last year", or, "How brave he is to stay on the air". And, don't think I, for one, don't respect that. I certainly do. But, remember, as each year passes, the people who "fondly" remember Dick, largely from his "Bandstand" days and only partially from "New Year's Rockin' Eve", dwindle. That's why I suggested that his on-camera stints be carefully planned and rehearsed to allow him to deliver them in a manner that would lessen the feeling that you're watching a man with an obviously serious, even-though improving, health issue. As he improves, that could change. But, it's obvious he had problems with "extemporaneous" live delivery. And that's something that can be managed, from a producer's perspective.

Nonetheless, I wish Dick well...I respect his legacy and pray for his continued improvement.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I didn't see New Year's Rockin Eve this year.  But the last couple years I got the impression his spots might have been pre-recorded.  He certainly didn't venture outside.  How about this year?

Dick's closing in on 70, so he'd probably be getting kinda old to host this kind of program even aside from the stroke.

And speaking of the stroke, I notice folks here are referring to "serious health issues."  I assume this is based on more than how he sounds and looks.  Yes, I know he has diabetes, but maybe he's managing very well now despite the stroke-and-rehabilitation-induced changes in voice and appearance.  I don't claim to know.  I remember that a few years ago the gossip rags were insisting he was on his deathbed. 

Whether it's time to hang it up for NY's Rockin or not, I say, Bravo, Dick!