New Year's Eve Will Never be the Same

"New Year's Eve hasn't been the same since Guy Lombardo died."

--so sayeth Glynnis Johns in the Christmas classic While You Were Sleeping. Well, for this 32-year-old, New Year's Eve will never be the same now that Dick Clark has died.

I know those older and wiser than me know the Dick Clark of American Bandstand, but while I was young, the show was slowly coming to a close. I never watched it, even though it was still airing when I was a young'un. How I remember Dick Clark the most is behind his podium of the Pyramid. Still the greatest game show EVER. I loved watching him as a young kid. He was so safe and comforting and pleasant-seeming. I have fond memories of watching that with my grandmother while she used to watch my brother and me during the long, fun carefree days before school started...and during every school holiday, break, and summer for years after.

I believe he was a true American icon. Groundbreaking on so many levels. I do wish I would've been around to see his American Bandstand in its heyday, but I cherish the memories I have of watching him ring in the New Year. It wasn't a new year until I got to hear Dick tell me so. And, even in the last few years, after his stroke, and while Seacrest has slowly been creeping, it still meant a nostalgic lot to hear him wish us all a Happy New Year.

Godspeed, Mr. Clark. Thanks for the memories!