I recall sitting around the television with close friends at a rental beach house in Cape May, New Jersey on December 31, 1999 watching the ball drop in Times Square on “Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve” special. We were all quite vocal in wishing the same thing a decade ago—Dick Clark really should pack it in! He looks terrible! Now 10 years later, he’s still at it at the ripe old age of 80. Being 80 doesn’t bother me, but the after-effects of his stroke a few years ago renders him unwatchable for me.
I’ve seen the trailers for tonight’s ABC programming and “Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve” is on the docket (With Ryan Seacrest in fine print). I hope that Ryan does the bulk of the show tonight. I don’t think I can stand viewing poor Dick Clark mumble and stutter his way through forced dialogue. He is an all too vivid reminder of my own mortality. It’s time to pass the torch to the image of youth and vitality seen in Ryan Seacrest. Please Dick, step aside this year or I’ll be flipping the channel!
