I wonder if I'm alone in thinking that the Times Square New Year's Eve specials have become a downer? Multiple stages line the street so that someone you have (or likely haven't) heard of can sing "Imagine" to cut the happy mood immediately. Then, from there, the countdown begins with a surprisingly low amount of audience volume...and "Aud Lang Syne" is trimmed to include the well-overplayed "New York, New York." What follows is another downer - "What a Wonderful World." I noticed, watching this 3 hours behind, that roughly 10 minutes later as the new year began in New York, the streets were about "back to normal" as one could ever expect. Amazing how it's devolved into...well, this.
To get that old feeling back, I fired up Dick Clark's New Year's Rocking Eve from 1981 into 1982. Why wouldn't I?! As we begin with Dick showing a frenzied crowd who shut down the area:
we then go to the ABC Television Center in Hollywood for the Rocking Eve!
I don't have many regrets, but looking back, one was not taking up this invitation: each year while I was at ABC, I was asked if I wanted to attend the Hollywood portion of New Year's Rocking Eve. It's taped roughly a month before, and the only other direction was to wear "party clothes." That interpretation was left up to you. One year I was in Hawaii, but the other 2 I could have attended. I should have attended. What a curio it would be to find oneself on camera then...but especially now, with all the time past. I don't think I'd be invited anymore.
I can look at the artists I missed (Luda, Rihanna) and then see that as the clock turned to 1982, we were treated to the Ricks of 1981:
Even lip-synched, that's a powerful 1-2 right there. We are then introduced to our hosts, Charlene Tilton and Tom Wopat. Two stars from CBS shows hosting an ABC special would seem to show the stroke Dick Clark had at the time.
Even before Rick Springfield can start singing, ABC doesn't want you to forget: it's not ALL Rockin, you know?
In what can be viewed as a higher-class American Bandstand, the dancing shots get classed up with people in tuxedos and formal wear. The transition is seamless as they go back live to Dick, who's freezin' for his money. No heaters beyond the lighting. All we hear is just a constant wail of cheering and people clowning for the camera.
After Rick James lip synch's Super Freak, it's time for another transition back to the Times Square but...holy cow:
We have video games here because hey, it's a party! Time for a commercial and...whoa horsey:
HELL YES.
OK, we're getting close, and Dick Clark mentions that the people they're showing don't know they're on camera...but that isn't stopping them from trying anyway.
It arrives - Dick yells "Happy New Year!" and immediately we show Hollywood, where Charlene and Tom celebrate like they've just won the bonus round of a game show:
After 2 minutes of celebrating, we go to commercial. A long break - even a fake out coming back - maybe 4 minutes? It includes a Dr. Pepper commercial with Scott Baio. Once finally back, Barry Manilow is followed by the Four Tops, who perform their current hit "When She Was My Girl." The hour continues with more songs - Jesse's Girl being one of them. We even get one of Tom's slow dance country tunes. Rick (James that is) returns with Ghetto Life, which, I think covers the debate on what's better, then or now. "Playing tag with winos, the only way to have some fun." Give it to me, baby! They immediately turn then to Rick Springfield, who performs "Love is alright tonight" - sorry, my brain is on overload now. Girls are screaming, people are, well, rocking out.
Think about the last 2 songs.
Now think about the shit I mentioned from this year.
Isn't New Year's supposed to be a party?! A celebration either of a great year, or happiness that the current year, while shit, is finally over? I've felt both ways many times. Yet I watched the Times Square of now 2024 try to sap the happiness out of me...and damn it all, I'm not having that as my end of 1 year or start of another.
During the thick of viewing this special, I was seated aside The Big Scoop, who was faintly paying attention while playing video games. Mid-play she asked, "why do you like old commercials, anyway?" I hate getting asked questions like that; like I have to prove to anyone why I have the interests I have - what is it to you? But this time I did and, come to find out, she was paying attention. "Yeah, because those commercials are sweet, you know? And if it's funny, it's supposed to be funny. Commercials now are so stupid: here's people falling down or whatever." I remind her that you had to try harder then, too: no "skip" buttons. Not that anyone in 1981/82 could have ever imagined a world where that would be a possibility. I also wonder if those revelers, 40 years ago, would envision a future where it almost seems those in charge want you to almost feel lucky you made it. Well fuck that. Give me an excuse to party, I'll do it. Make a situation unnecessarily remorseful, well, I won't be there.
