Originally Posted by TheLegacy

my understanding is that ABC was giving dick the full decision as to whether he would show up. Remember that Clark is passionate about his shows and name - he wanted to be there and would have fought if ABC said no. I am sure that Dick knew this would be one of the few years left he could do it - and rather than see him as handicap I see him as a man of strength who overcame his affliction to rise up once more to be with his 'friends'