Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve '09 With Ryan Seacrest

For the 37th year, Clark will be in Times Square to mark the new year and, as he has since suffering a stroke a few years back, he'll get a lot of help from Seacrest during the night. Performers include the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift and Lionel Richie.

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest returns to ABC tonight, hosted primarily by American Idol's one-man media conglomerate. Though it's unclear how much airtime Clark, 79, will have, he's scheduled to appear for the fourth straight year and the 36th of 37 shows since it premiered in 1972. "Dick will do the countdown and bring the ball in, and we'll do a bunch of (short segments) with him," says longtime show producer Larry Klein.

Clark, who has made limited appearances since his stroke in 2004 — often speaking haltingly and using a walker or wheelchair — told the Associated Press in an e-mail interview, "I am one of the fortunate ones who survived and have been minimally impaired, so I'm just thankful I'm still able to enjoy this once-a-year treat of bringing in the New Year."Says Seacrest, 34: "I saw him recently, and he was in a fantastic mood. I know he loves this show and loves being in Times Square. What's great about Dick is he doesn't need much of a plan."

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Kellie Pickler on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

With only fourteen days to go until the premiere of the eighth season of American Idol, fans can whet their appetite by watching American Idol host Ryan Seacrest and former American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler ring in the New Year. It’s the 37th consecutive year for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. The show is co-hosted by Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest.

Former American Idol finalist and current country star Kellie Pickler will serve as a correspondent, reporting from Times Square in New York City. Singer Fergie will serve as host of the West Coast party that will also be featured on the show.Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest will feature performances from both New York and Hollywood. Dick Clark will continue his tradition of counting down until midnight.

As a country singer, Kellie Pickler has released two albums. Her first album entitled Small Town Girl sold more than 800,000 copies. Her self-titled second album was just released in October of this year. Both albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart. Kellie Pickler’s current single is “Best Days of Your Life,” which she wrote her friend and fellow artist, Taylor Swift.

“New Year’s Eve with Dick and Ryan is a time honored tradition and all of us at dcp and ABC are delighted that Fergie will once again host our West Coast event, and thrilled that Kellie Pickler will be amidst the revelry and party goers at Times Square,” said Orly Adelson, who is president of Dick Clark Productions.

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