Dick Clark

Monday, December 30, 2002

By Patricia Sheridan, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

He claims to have fended off the aging process by choosing his parents carefully, but a solid family life and an active life style might be enhancing Dick Clark's genetic predisposition for a youthful appearance. (His bio lists him as 73.) He also has a propensity for longevity. Married since the '70s, he hosted "American Bandstand" for nearly four decades and has helped Americans ring in the new year for 30 years. At 10 p.m. tomorrow on ABC, "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2003" will mark his 31st consecutive year directing the festivities live from Times Square in New York City.

Q. Is MTV this generation's "American Bandstand"?

A. Ah, dear Lord. Well, ironically, "American Bandstand" started out as films of artists singing with two disc jockeys, and kids got bored watching the films, so they got up and danced. It lasted for 38 years with kids dancing to records. There is a basic similarity, but I don't think they're the same.

Q. Do you consider yourself the old guard even though you don't look the part?

A. Oh, you've got to when you reach this stage of your life. You know you've become one of the pioneers or one of the folks that survived the ordeal.

Q. The public sees you as an ageless TV personality, but you are actually a very savvy businessman.

A. Well, I studied business administration when I went to college and I got into television by accident. So one was just an outgrowth of the other. I had to take a course in something and it seemed to be logical because they wouldn't let me study announcing or disc jockey-ing or any of that stuff.

Q. In your opinion, what do Americans want from television today?

A. I don't know how to answer that question, Patricia. Television is such a broad medium now with, you know, 500 channels to choose from. But the majority of people turn to television for escape of some sort.

Q. Speaking of escape, it looks as if you are having fun on your new show "The Other Half."

A. Absolutely. It's a cross-generation thing, with four guys with different backgrounds and different points of view. It's a lot of fun. We're renewed for this season, and we'll see what happens for the next season.

Q. At one time, ABC made you choose between your record interests (he was invested in some labels and artists) and broadcasting. Was it fair? Did you make the right decision?

A. Let me take them in reverse. First of all, I absolutely made the right decision. Whether or not it was fair, time and history will tell. Other people/entertainers were able to stay in the music business, notably Lawrence Welk. But you do what you gotta do at the time!

Q. What do you think of the comparisons of Eminem to Elvis?

A. I don't think there's any possibility there will ever be another Elvis. Eminem is outstanding. He is an extraordinary phenomenon, and he is to the 2000s what Elton John and Michael Jackson were to the years before and what Elvis was years before that.

Q. In all your years of reporting live from Times Square, does any particular year stand out?

A. I can't really give you a hot one. It's too involved. But in the mid-'70s, somewhere when the wind-chill factor was 17 degrees below zero, that was a memorable New Year's Eve. And once you are out there, you are there.

Q. What do you think of New Year's resolutions?

A. I think probably everybody tries their damnedest to live by their resolutions, but it is very, very difficult. It's usually to lose weight or stop smoking or to be kinder to people or whatever, and it's a tough one. But I think they should be made, and we should all try to adhere to them.

Q. What's yours?

A. I made a resolution two years ago, and I've done pretty well by it. I'm not an overly religious person, but I said to myself, I hope I can remember every day to thank God for being so good to me. I pretty much do it most every day.

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