Dick Clark suffers mild stroke

BURBANK, Calif. - "American Bandstand" icon Dick Clark was hospitalized this week after suffering a mild stroke.

Clark, who turned 75 on Nov. 30, suffered the stroke this week, publicist Paul Shefrin said Wednesday, declining to give any details. He would only say Clark had been hospitalized in the Los Angeles area.

The entertainer, who went from hosting "American Bandstand" to game shows and producing awards ceremonies, is scheduled to host ABC's "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005" and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005" on Dec. 31. It will be his 33rd year welcoming in the new year.

"The doctors tell me I should be back in the swing of things before too long so I'm hopeful to be able to make it to Times Square to help lead the country in ringing in the new year once again," Clark said in a statement Wednesday.

Shefrin would only say Clark "is recuperating" and that there's no cause for alarm. Clark disclosed last year that he has diabetes.

Clark produces the American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

Please keep Dick Clark in your thoughts and prayers. American Dreams is one of my favorite shows as is Rockin' Eve.