Dick Clark after the stroke - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stoney · #1 01-01-2010, 12:22 AM

I just caught 30 seconds of Dick Clark on his New Year's show and if made me cringe. I know he has been the ultimate teenager (kind alike Pat Boone with the Dorian Grey painting in his trailer) but I'm sorry, the stroke took away 80% of his speech and 50% of his free movement. They are having him appear to show folks that he is still in charge of things but he can barely speak and cannot form most words. The speech center is the most common loss after a stroke.

I know from a friend at NBC that he really does have a lot to do with producing the show and uses a Blackberry/Twitter device with a larger keyboard to communicate with his staff, and a similar device for meetings using a large screen. But I don't think he should be on air, sure it's been 37 years but they word cruel comes to mind in having him speak-or attempt to speak. Just have him there and do his signature wave/salute to the camera or use the screen and type his words...

It's kinda like watching a relative who has had a stroke try and speak at a wedding or such...(I had an Uncle this way). Some folks like to say it is an expression of endurance, I think it is someone using them for their own purposes.

I mean a lot of us grew up watching DC on the tube on bandstand, seeing him this way is not a good thing.

Sorry if others feel different, we each are entitled to our opinions.

thief · #2 01-01-2010, 08:55 AM

ou ould e ahammed a uor elf.

POS · #3 01-01-2010, 09:00 AM

I think he should retire; it's creepy to watch.

KarTek · #4 01-01-2010, 09:09 AM

Don't be hatin' on ole Dick. He still has a lot of spirit.

Angel · #5 01-01-2010, 09:10 AM

How many of today's generations (X and Y) even know who DC is ? or his significance as far as TV is concerned ? I know that there are a stack of 20-somethings on this board - any of you guys know what "American Bandstand" was and its significance ? (not that I think I know, but at 34, I have an idea...)

-John

powerpig · #6 01-01-2010, 09:36 AM

The wife and I were talking about this last night. She said she was going to bed as she couldn't bear to watch. It's very sad to see.

strelnik · #7 01-01-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerpig

The wife and I were talking about this last night. She said she was going to bed as she couldn't bear to watch. It's very sad to see.

Maybe a reduced or cameo role would be good, but to exclude him would be a crushing blow.

You younger guys don't know this, but in the days before computers, a lot of guys' self-esteem was tied up in their job, especially if they had a prestigious one. I know people who lost big time jobs, then had a heart attack or went home and blew their brains out.

Now there are no more prestigious jobs, just more or less lucrative ones, so it's not an issue for this generation. Times change but Dick is still around. Let him do that til he doesn't want to, or truly can't.

Stoney · #8 01-01-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thief

ou ould e ahammed a uor elf.

8=)

Skid Row Joe · #9 01-01-2010, 12:24 PM

People shouldn't be embarrassed, shamed or uncomfortable when seeing Dick Clark, or anyone that has suffered a stroke, or disability of any kind. Now that's easier said than done, but realize stroke and it's effects can come at any age, and the person shouldn't be expected to hide themselves away. I think it's great that he's into work endeavors, even though he may not need the income. Some of us older and younger than Dick are in that boat too, and just want to interact and contribute to our business careers to give us something other than hobbies to keep ourselves active. None of us know when our health can take an untimely turn for the worse, anyway. Dick is 80 years young, and I hope to see him out there for many years.

cscmc1 · #10 01-01-2010, 07:47 PM

I honestly thought the audio feed for the New Year's show was dicked up when I flipped channels to see DC talking last night. It took me a few moments to realized it was just his current condition.

The Clk Man · #11 01-01-2010, 07:51 PM

This is a touchy subject with me. DON'T judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. I have. I spent a better part of a year learning how to spell again, I still spell things wrong. My sentence writing sounds like I am a child. Give Dick Clark a break. He is doing the best he can.

MTI · #12 01-01-2010, 08:24 PM

Whether it's Dick Clark, Kirk Douglas, Mohamed Ali, Michael J. Fox . . . it's about time that "the media" started exposing us to the real human condition and not just the "bubble headed bleach blonde"

t walgamuth · #13 01-01-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

People shouldn't be embarrassed, shamed or uncomfortable when seeing Dick Clark, or anyone that has suffered a stroke, or disability of any kind. Now that's easier said than done, but realize stroke and it's effects can come at any age, and the person shouldn't be expected to hide themselves away. I think it's great that he's into work endeavors, even though he may not need the income. Some of us older and younger than Dick are in that boat too, and just want to interact and contribute to our business careers to give us something other than hobbies to keep ourselves active. None of us know when our health can take an untimely turn for the worse, anyway. Dick is 80 years young, and I hope to see him out there for many years.

I totally agree.

thief · #14 01-01-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Whether it's Dick Clark, Kirk Douglas, Mohamed Ali, Michael J. Fox . . . it's about time that "the media" started exposing us to the real human condition and not just the "bubble headed bleach blonde"

I heard that McDonald's is commemorating a Mohammad Ali drink.

It's the Chocolate Shake

INAPPROPRIATE
B.C.