One of the most enduring faces on TV belongs to Dick Clark, who became a symbol of youth with the nationwide broadcast of “American Bandstand” in 1957.
Nearly 40 years later, the seemingly ageless chairman and chief executive officer of dick clark productions wears many hats while presiding over his diverse entertainment enterprise, a conglomorate that includes a line of skincare products Clark pitches on the Home Shopping Network.
“When I turned 60 five years ago, my skin turned rotten on me,” Clark said in a telephone interview from his office in Burbank, Calif. “All those years of flying and abusing my skin in the sun , so I started developing a line of products that helped. It’s very successful. Just another hidden enterprise.”
Another moneymaker tucked away in the company’s portfolio is Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill, a group of restaurants offering regional cuisine amid Clark’s personal collection of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. The eateries have locations in Overland Park, Kan., Reno, Nev., Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis.
But Clark’s biggest effort is directed toward television, where he has been involved in more than 7,500 hours of entertainment programming, including 34 television series, more than 250 television specials and 25 theatrical and television movies.
Recently, dick clark productions put its corporate stamp on three specials that ran during one weekend; Clark served as executive producer for each.
“Friday night we did `The 22nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,’ Saturday night we did `The All-Star Ultra TV Censored Bloopers’–and I appeared on that–and Sunday night we did `Rudy Coby: The Greatest Magician in the World.’ I did a cameo appearance, but I’m backstage these days more than ever before,” Clark said.
“As an executive producer, I worry a lot, but mainly I try to pull things together, sell them and get them on the air.”
For eight years, dick clark productions has produced a special broadcast from Sea World and Busch Gardens theme parks nationwide. This year’s theme, “Party for the Planet” (7 p.m. Wednesday WBBM-Ch. 2) salutes the environmental efforts of America’s youth. Hosted by Shari Belafonte, the hour-long special highlights efforts of children and adults nationwide in a segment called “A Pledge and a Promise” Environmental Awards.
Thirteen awards for commitment to environmental awareness and protection totaling $100,000 will be given out by Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen to school groups ranging from kindergarten through college level. Filmed segments of some of the environmental programs will be included.
While the special emphasizes the environment with a look at such Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks conservation efforts as animal rescue and rehabilitation and breeding of endangered species, dick clark productions is responsible for making the entertainment portion of the program rock ‘n’ roll.
Performers include: “Baywatch” hunk David Hasselhoff performing a song from his new album; Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen singing about twins–accompanied by sea lions, otters and killer whales at Sea World of Ohio’s “Dolphin Cove”; teen heartthrob Jonathan Brandis hosting a sneak peek at Sea World of Florida’s new “Wild Arctic” habitat for polar bears and beluga whales; and “Home Improvement’s” Zachery Ty Bryan taking viewers on a mini African safari.
“The main thing we want people to realize is we think they will have fun watching the show,” Clark said. “The kids will hopefully be encouraged to take a little better care of the atmosphere and the environment. And those of us who are older who contributed toward its demise may have a chance to correct mistakes.”
On the surface, “Party for the Planet” might seem to be an infomerical for Sea World and Busch Garden’s theme parks, but the sites are only the stage for a production whose intent is to educate and reward those who are environmentally concerned.
Best picks:
“From The Secret Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Franweiler” (7 p.m. Saturday, WLS-Ch. 7)
“National Geography Bee 1995” (2 p.m. Thursday, WTTW-Ch. 11)
