Okay, NOW the Aplocalypse is Upon Us

Look, I'm not sure a New Year can actually start without Dick Clark...

A week after suffering a mild stroke, Dick Clark remained hospitalized and his spokesman announced that Regis Philbin will fill in as host of ABC's "New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005."

"It'll feel strange watching it on TV but my doctors felt it was too soon," Clark said in a statement Monday. "I'm sure Regis will do a great job and I'm thankful that he was able to step in on such short notice."

...The 75-year-old entertainer, who went from hosting "American Bandstand," "Bloopers" and game shows to producing awards ceremonies, has been host of a New Year's Eve special for 32 years.

"It's the greatest `temp job' in the world," said Philbin, co-host of the syndicated daytime talk show "Regis & Kelly."

Subbing for ailing entertainers is becoming a bit of a specialty for Philbin, who filled in for David Letterman when the "Late Show" host underwent heart bypass surgery in 2000 and recovered from an eye infection in 2003.

Philbin, who will host the show from New York's Times Square, will be joined by singer Ashlee Simpson, who's hosting the West Coast part of the special. Besides Simpson, performers include Big & Rich; Ciara; Earth, Wind & Fire; Good Charlotte; and Billy Idol.

Ashlee Simpson????

Jokes aside, I don't know that it will seem normal to ring in the New Year without Dick Clark. Seriously -- when most anyone my age thinks of New Year's Eve, we generally identify one person, and that's Dick Clark. It's not like the guy ever really got old, either -- he can't, since he's Dick Clark.

Regis is a pretty good choice to play host. Here's hoping Dick returns for 2006.