Should Dick Clark Retire From His New Year's Rockin' Eve Program? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-05-2009, 02:40 PM

Ten, nine, eight, seven ...

This New Year's Eve, Dick Clark will again be on TV, counting down the seconds to midnight. But in his slurred speech, the result of a 2004 stroke, some of us can't help but hear the countdowns in our own lives—to the end of our careers, to the difficulties of old age, to the decisions we must make about closing chapters that defined us.

Dick Clark: Still Rockin'
Dick Clark has been hosting TV shows for more than 50 years, and some people wonder if it's time for him to retire.

View Slideshow

Associated Press / ABC

Dick Clark posing with Ryan Seacrest.
Mr. Clark turned 80 this past Monday, and a lot of people consider him a hero for remaining on the job. They see him as a role model for resiliency, and a vital steward of New Year's Eve, a holiday designed to look back as well as forward. They ask: Why surrender Dec. 31 to the young?

Others argue that Mr. Clark has become an inappropriate symbol for what should be a happy celebration, because he reminds viewers of sadder things: the ravages of illness and the hazards of aging. He had his time, they say. He ought to let go of the baton and allow a younger generation to run with it alone.

We heard similar drumbeats around 80-year-old Bobby Bowden, the legendary Florida State football coach. In the wake of the team's lackluster record this year and calls for his resignation, he announced his retirement on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey has confirmed that she will end her talk show in 2011, after she completes 25 seasons. "This show has been my life," she said, "and I love it enough to know when it's time to say goodbye."

These public figures remind us of the hard decisions that often accompany letting go. It is an inexact process. It can be a mistake to leave a job too early, and it can be easy to stay too long.

"A lot of people retire because they have enough money. I call them 'the bored affluent,' " says John Sondereker, who retired in 2003, at age 60, as an executive vice president at Wells Fargo Financial. "Golf will never replace a good career."

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Dick Clark, on 'American Bandstand' in 1970: He's still in the spotlight.
But staying too long in a job can be worse. I've heard from readers over the years offering sharp advice about clinging to a fading career. Here's how one summed it up: "When the horse dies, dismount."

When people can't bring themselves to retire, it is often because they look for evidence that confirms their urge to hold on, says Richard Staelin, a professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, who studies "confirmation bias." Those who hang on too long tend to ignore things that would tell them it's time to leave, he says.

Since his stroke, Mr. Clark's show has continued to be television's top-rated New Year's Eve program. It's not as if he's a football coach whose team has stopped winning, says Larry Klein, the show's longtime producer. "We don't have losing seasons. We win every single year."

Also, feedback from viewers has been far more positive than negative, says Mr. Klein. "They say Dick shows strength and courage. He created the show. He's an American institution. He deserves to decide on his own when and if he'll leave." (Mr. Clark, who launched his New Year's Eve show in 1972, declined to comment for this column.)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000..._careerjournal

Mr. Television · 12-05-2009, 03:25 PM

It wouldn't be the same without Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. Everything on tv anymore is geared toward the young. Dick Clark is one of the few tv legends that are still around. He should stay until he wants to leave.

dakert · 12-05-2009, 03:40 PM

I agree

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It wouldn't be the same without Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. Everything on tv anymore is geared toward the young. Dick Clark is one of the few tv legends that are still around. He should stay until he wants to leave.

MickeyMac · 12-05-2009, 04:39 PM

Dick Clark is an icon and a great American. He should host these events until he dies. We dont have great TV personalities like him anymore sadly.

Marvo301 · 12-05-2009, 06:20 PM

Don't forget Dick Clark's production company owns the show so only he can ultimately decide if he stays or goes. I suspect that continuing to do the show is great therapy for him and I know he's a great inspiration to many. Rock on Dick!!

browneyes106 · 12-05-2009, 06:48 PM

I think the decision should be up to Dick and his health. I think he will retire sometime in the next couple of years.

Retro4Life · 12-05-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It wouldn't be the same without Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. Everything on tv anymore is geared toward the young. Dick Clark is one of the few tv legends that are still around. He should stay until he wants to leave.

Yeah, that sounds about right. I mean, honestly I think he's pretty much "retired" from most stuff except the New Year's Eve gig, and why not allow the man to continue? He's contributed so much to our TV culture in the past 50 plus years. Rock on, Dick!

Brian Damage · 12-05-2009, 08:55 PM

I agree with all of you guys. I mean we all grew up with Dick Clark. I am no big fan of Ryan Seacrest, but I do think he has done an admirable job as host.

TMC · 12-05-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It wouldn't be the same without Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. Everything on tv anymore is geared toward the young. Dick Clark is one of the few tv legends that are still around. He should stay until he wants to leave.

Honestly, it really hasn't been the same since DC had his stroke!

comedyfreak · 12-05-2009, 09:19 PM

He may not be the same due to the storke but, no one should be made to retire that's taking away their dignity. I hated that they made Bert Parks retire from his hosting the Miss America Pageant so many years ago. It has never been the same since.

catlover79 · 12-05-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It wouldn't be the same without Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. Everything on tv anymore is geared toward the young. Dick Clark is one of the few tv legends that are still around. He should stay until he wants to leave.

My feelings exactly!!

Pitooey · 12-06-2009, 01:23 AM

Although I'm sad when I see Dick sick looking on NY's Rocking Eve. I still watch it. On his retirement.... I leave it up to him.

James"Thunder"Early · 12-06-2009, 01:47 AM

Only if he wants to, he's still doing it, so it's clear he still wants to. It probably has done a lot to help keep him going after his illness.

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-06-2009, 01:50 AM

I agree

Schmoopie · 12-06-2009, 06:11 AM

I think he should stay. It's something he loves and he should do it as long as he can. I remember one year didn't Regis fill in a little bit but Dick Clark was still there? I don't watch that show like I used to because the past several years haven't featured anyone that I really like that much. I'd love to see Harry Connick Jr on there, but he's not exactly a rock star!

12-05-2009, 02:40 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Should Dick Clark Retire From His New Year's Rockin' Eve Program? Ten, nine, eight, seven ... This New Year's Eve, Dick Clark will again be on TV, counting down the seconds to midnight. But in his slurred speech, the result of a 2004 stroke, some of us can't help but hear the countdowns in our own lives—to the end of our careers, to the difficulties of old age, to the decisions we must make about closing chapters that defined us. Dick Clark: Still Rockin' Dick Clark has been hosting TV shows for more than 50 years, and some people wonder if it's time for him to retire. View Slideshow Associated Press / ABC Dick Clark posing with Ryan Seacrest. Mr. Clark turned 80 this past Monday, and a lot of people consider him a hero for remaining on the job. They see him as a role model for resiliency, and a vital steward of New Year's Eve, a holiday designed to look back as well as forward. They ask: Why surrender Dec. 31 to the young? Others argue that Mr. Clark has become an inappropriate symbol for what should be a happy celebration, because he reminds viewers of sadder things: the ravages of illness and the hazards of aging. He had his time, they say. He ought to let go of the baton and allow a younger generation to run with it alone. We heard similar drumbeats around 80-year-old Bobby Bowden, the legendary Florida State football coach. In the wake of the team's lackluster record this year and calls for his resignation, he announced his retirement on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey has confirmed that she will end her talk show in 2011, after she completes 25 seasons. "This show has been my life," she said, "and I love it enough to know when it's time to say goodbye." These public figures remind us of the hard decisions that often accompany letting go. It is an inexact process. It can be a mistake to leave a job too early, and it can be easy to stay too long. "A lot of people retire because they have enough money. I call them 'the bored affluent,' " says John Sondereker, who retired in 2003, at age 60, as an executive vice president at Wells Fargo Financial. "Golf will never replace a good career." Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Dick Clark, on 'American Bandstand' in 1970: He's still in the spotlight. But staying too long in a job can be worse. I've heard from readers over the years offering sharp advice about clinging to a fading career. Here's how one summed it up: "When the horse dies, dismount." When people can't bring themselves to retire, it is often because they look for evidence that confirms their urge to hold on, says Richard Staelin, a professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, who studies "confirmation bias." Those who hang on too long tend to ignore things that would tell them it's time to leave, he says. Since his stroke, Mr. Clark's show has continued to be television's top-rated New Year's Eve program. It's not as if he's a football coach whose team has stopped winning, says Larry Klein, the show's longtime producer. "We don't have losing seasons. We win every single year." Also, feedback from viewers has been far more positive than negative, says Mr. Klein. "They say Dick shows strength and courage. He created the show. He's an American institution. He deserves to decide on his own when and if he'll leave." (Mr. Clark, who launched his New Year's Eve show in 1972, declined to comment for this column.) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000..._careerjournal
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12-05-2009, 03:25 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	It wouldn't be the same without Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. Everything on tv anymore is geared toward the young. Dick Clark is one of the few tv legends that are still around. He should stay until he wants to leave.
	__________________ Sonny

12-05-2009, 06:20 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Don't forget Dick Clark's production company owns the show so only he can ultimately decide if he stays or goes. I suspect that continuing to do the show is great therapy for him and I know he's a great inspiration to many. Rock on Dick!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

12-05-2009, 09:19 PM	#10
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	He may not be the same due to the storke but, no one should be made to retire that's taking away their dignity. I hated that they made Bert Parks retire from his hosting the Miss America Pageant so many years ago. It has never been the same since.
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12-06-2009, 01:23 AM	#12
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	Although I'm sad when I see Dick sick looking on NY's Rocking Eve. I still watch it. On his retirement.... I leave it up to him.
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12-05-2009, 04:39 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Dick Clark is an icon and a great American. He should host these events until he dies. We dont have great TV personalities like him anymore sadly.

12-05-2009, 06:48 PM	#6
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	I think the decision should be up to Dick and his health. I think he will retire sometime in the next couple of years.

12-05-2009, 08:55 PM	#8
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I agree with all of you guys. I mean we all grew up with Dick Clark. I am no big fan of Ryan Seacrest, but I do think he has done an admirable job as host.

12-06-2009, 01:47 AM	#13
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,087	Only if he wants to, he's still doing it, so it's clear he still wants to. It probably has done a lot to help keep him going after his illness.
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12-06-2009, 01:50 AM	#14
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I agree
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12-06-2009, 06:11 AM	#15
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I think he should stay. It's something he loves and he should do it as long as he can. I remember one year didn't Regis fill in a little bit but Dick Clark was still there? I don't watch that show like I used to because the past several years haven't featured anyone that I really like that much. I'd love to see Harry Connick Jr on there, but he's not exactly a rock star!
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