Dick Clark Passes

[recto101]

I can see Ryan Seacrest as Clark's replacement. I respect Clark's talent as an entrepreneur and producer, but in my opinion, as an on-air personality (don't everybody attack me now), he was unexciting. I grew up with Bandstand, but also local LA dance party shows like 9th St West/Boss City/Real Don Steele, Groovy, and others. The local hosts (Sam Riddle, Steele, Robert W. Morgan - even Casey Kasem on the short-lived Shebang had a lot more personality. I see Seacrest as the same type.

Interestingly enough, Clark was a good actor. Some years ago, I caught a Perry Mason rerun in which he played a rich neer-do-well alcoholic playboy. He did a pitch-perfect job, even slurring his words just a little like he'd had a cocktail before testifying. IIRC, he was the guilty one, too, and did the ubiquitous confession at the end.

Clark was also hilarious playing himself in a cameo on Police Squad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUx1i38Rco8

I know in the 70's and 80's Clark did game shows like $10,000 and $25,000 Pyramid but I'm not sure how many seasons his game shows lasted? Seacrest will never replace Clark but its true Seacrest is a great host on Idol, New Years Show, E! TV host, KIIS-FM host and Syndicated radio host.

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

The man was an icon and trailblazer. He knew how to relate to network CEOs and retail clerks. Here's a small market perspective: I briefly worked in Utica-Rome NY, the market where Clark began his radio to TV journey at WRUN and WKTV. Years, decades after he left, people in the Mohawk Valley warmly and proudly recalled him and his family. Some said he even stayed in touch with the locals and was known to visit after he made the big time in Philly and LA. The guy was an absolute gentleman. RIP, Dick.

 

[RADIO TRUTH]

When you remember Dick Clark, remember that he had to turn states evidence to avoid getting indicted by a senate subcommittee in the 1959 payola scandals. ABC made Dick Clark divest himself from over 300 record company related businesses. Also read up on how he got the American Bandstand job from Bob Horne.

 

[Lopaka]

Regarding payola, I have heard that it was just the industry standard, that it was not actually criminal at the time, it was said that no matter how many times a record got aired if people didn't like it, it wouldn't sell. Same source said the scandal was invented by J Edgar Hoover to destroy Alan Freed because of his playing 'black' music for white audiences. Whats the truth?

 

[michael hagerty]

I can see Ryan Seacrest as Clark's replacement.

At one point, it looked like Rick Dees was poised to become that guy. His Weekly Top 40 was at one time syndicated by Dick's company. There were some similarities, in terms of youthful appearance and energy. Don't know what happened there.

Strictly my opinion, and I like Rick Dees a lot, to succeed Dick Clark, you have to be the sincere straightman. Disco Duck, Willard Wiseman and Dees Sleaze are Rick's image. To suddenly drop the comedy would have made him seem inauthentic. Seacrest had no such baggage.

 

[onairb]

Interestingly enough, Clark was a good actor. Some years ago, I caught a Perry Mason rerun in which he played a rich neer-do-well alcoholic playboy. He did a pitch-perfect job, even slurring his words just a little like he'd had a cocktail before testifying. IIRC, he was the guilty one, too, and did the ubiquitous confession at the end.

That was the final episode of the series, 'The Case of the Final Fade-out.' Thus, Clark was the last 'bad guy' that got tripped up by the esteemed Mr. Mason. Pretty good company!

 

[Icangelp]

Re: Heaven just inherited a great tv show host

I go back further than that...I watched Bandstand on TV when I was in kindergarten...51 years ago.

Gotcha beat Michael. I was 13 when Bandstand came to my town in 1957.

As for Ryan...c'mon, Dick himself picked Seacrest. He was the annointed annoying successor.

Fixed. ;D

AB + MMC with Annette Funicello, was the perfect after-school combination for most grade school males.