A few years ago, I worked on a Dick Clark Production*. My first thought was “I wonder if I’ll meet him,” followed quickly by “Of course I won’t. He’ll be in a cushy chair in the control room if he’s there at all. Dude is OLD.”

Well, I met him, because he was on set and in motion the whole time. Crossing lines off of cue cards and writing new ones in. Rearranging the seating chart. I actually saw the guy MOVE A STAGE LIGHT. Dude was old, and dude liked to work.

As you move up in this business, you think it’s going to be the kids a generation behind you, with their ambition, ideas and work ethic, who will nudge their way past you and force you to keep up. You don’t expect it to be the 75-year-olds.

And he was, while not effusive- probably because he was in a hurry to go vacuum the lobby carpet- a very nice guy. Rest in peace, Dick Clark.

* the 1st Annual DVD Exclusive Awards! Categories like Best Menu and Outstanding Behind-The-Scenes Featurette! You may have noticed that there wasn’t a 2nd Annual. But man, you would have sworn it was the Oscars the way this guy was working.

- Dave