<p>We have one local countdown in Chicago that used to be broadcast from some interesting places like the Navy Pier ballroom, hotels, and dinner cruise ships. This year they broadcast from two local restaurants and it was fairly boring. The same female broadcaster has been doing it for years and in the past it’s been obvious that she had been partying hearty. This year she was totally sober and also looked suspiciously better than she has for years (not better like Dick Clark, really better).</p>
<p>They also show the local fireworks which used to be shot off at the lakefront by the city with music simulcast - now just at the end of Navy Pier. Ah well. We have discovered that the Spanish language stations seem to be having the most fun.</p>
<p>Oh, Guy Lombardo! I had forgotten about him. When I was a kid, my Dad was the sheriff in our county so was never home on New Year’s eve. My mom always loved puzzles so every year on New Year’s eve she and I would get out the card table and a new jigsaw puzzle, set it up in front of the tv and watch Guy Lombardo until midnight.</p>
<p>Our nearby city has a First Night celebration every year but we never go. It’s always on TV.</p>
<p>I am on the side with those that think it is time for Dick Clark to pack it in. I actually turned off the countdown when he started - it was terrible. If he is on next year, I will be tuning in somewhere else.</p>
<p>Dick Clark was wonderful for many years.Now he looks like the male version of Joan Rivers…but worse…sort of like he was dipped in parafin. But I guess as long as HE wants to ring in the New Year, he’ll be invited to do so. I’ve gotta say that he looks like he has had MULTIPLE plastic surgery…and in someways looks younger NOW than when he was on AB.</p>
<p>I vote for Dick Clark retiring. I would rather remember him as he was in his prime instead of pitying him now. I’ll be switching to CNN next year and Anderson Cooper if Dick is scheduled again. Nothing wrong with calling it a day…</p>
<p>I made a point to catch Dick Clark on what still is his countdown in name. He seemed to be doing better, IMHO, but he need not do more than say hello and do the countdown.</p>
<p>I’m surprised that other places don’t have their own NYE celebrations televised. Seattle has the Space Needle’s fireworks show on our NBC affiliate, while Carson Daily’s 11:30PM broadcast is delayed until 12:30AM.</p>
<p>Yeah, I alway thought the re-broadcast of the Times Square thing in times zones further west was odd, which is why I had ever watched it growing up in Seattle. We ususally were at our own local fireworks display.</p>