Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2011 CountdownPop-Ed: I'm not a big fan of going out on New Year's Eve, so like millions of other people I faithfully order in pizza and tune in to 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.' And ever since he returned to his program in 2005 following his stroke, my husband and I have had a disagreement over Clark's participation. He thinks it's disturbing and depressing to watch him. I think his brief appearance offers some valuable lessons about human frailty and perseverance.

I certainly understand my husband's point of view. It can be uncomfortable watching 'America's oldest teenager' struggle with his words. But at the end of the day I feel that's our issue to overcome, not his.

Clark, 80, who has been on television since the 1950s only took one year off from the countdown following his stroke in 2004. When he returned the following year, briefly viewed seated behind a desk slurring his speech, it was a jarring sight. He was breathless and had trouble finishing his sentences.

But he's been doing the countdown ever since. Last year he incorrectly counted down the numbers. But last night he executed it perfectly to ring in 2011 and his speech had noticeably improved.

Clark Counts Down to 2011 Starting at 3:20 In