It’s a crucial component to any New Year’s Eve, wherever you are — which channel should you flip on to watch the countdown to 2015? You have several choices, but we’re highly in favor of any TV option that could lead to a good old-fashioned late-night train wreck. Here’s a round-up of some New Year’s Eve specials and performers; reasons to watch each one; and how likely it is that something crazy will happen:
New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin (CNN)
When: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Where: New York City
Hosts: Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin, best frenemies
Extras: Correspondents around the world reporting on New Year’s traditions, including New Orleans, the Bahamas and the Crab Drop in Easton, Md.
Why to watch: Cooper’s quote in CNN’s news release: “I’ve given up asking Kathy to watch what she says. There’s no point. I’m just hoping for the best.”
Train-wreck chances: High, per usual. It’s live TV and Kathy Griffin can (and will) literally say anything to Cooper’s faux-horror. Their chemistry is off the charts at this point — it’s their eighth year hosting together — so, really, craziness is just a foregone conclusion.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2015 (ABC)
When: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., break for local news, then 11:30 p.m. to 2:15 a.m.
Where: New York City, Los Angeles, Nashville
Hosts: Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy from NYC, Fergie from LA
Performers: Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, MAGIC!, Idina Menzel, Elton John in New York; Gavin DeGraw and Lady Antebellum in Nashville; Iggy Azalea, Bastille, Charli XCX, Jason Derulo, One Direction, Pentatonix, Rixton, Meghan Trainor, Brantley Gilbert, Ella Henderson, Nick Jonas, Nico & Vinz and Train in Los Angeles.
Why to watch: Cap off the year of T-Swift, of course! And, you know, the one and only Pentatonix.
Train-wreck chances: Definitely possible, if not for the sheer amount of hours that leads to a higher possibility of something going wrong. Seacrest is always good for an awkward moment, too.
New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly (NBC)
When: 10 to 11 p.m., break for local news, 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Where: New York City
Hosts: Actors Terry Crews (“Brooklyn Nine Nine”) and Ken Marino (“Marry Me”), plus model Chrissy Teigen
Performers: Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Seth MacFarlane, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams
Why to watch: If you really miss “The Voice,” three out of the four coaches are performing. Guess Adam Levine had better New Year’s plans.
Train-wreck chances: Middling to high. Hey, MacFarlane is there, for some reason.
Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution (Fox)
When: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., break for local news, then 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Where: Miami
Hosts: Pitbull, a.k.a. Mr. 305! (He’s apparently downgraded from Mr. Worldwide.)
Performers: Enrique Iglesias, Fall Out Boy, Fifth Harmony, the Band Perry, Becky G
Why to watch: To marvel at the agelessness of Iglesias; to finally figure out what the kids are talking about with Fifth Harmony.
Train-wreck chances: Low to middling. Pitbull trots out some lame jokes when he’s hosting anything (ahem, American Music Awards), but these performances should be fairly tame.
Other options:
“All American New Year” (Fox News Channel, 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.)
The network’s Bob Beckel, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Anna Kooiman, Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery and Jesse Watters host, with correspondents Bernard McGuirk and Joanne Nosuchinsky chatting with people in Times Square.
“New Year’s Eve Dance Party” (Fuse, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.)
Exactly what it sounds like.
“A Toast to 2014!” (NBC, 8 to 10 p.m.): Fourth-hour “Today” co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford look back at the biggest stories of 2014, with special appearances from lots of NBC stars and Weird Al.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/national/nyc-prepares-for-new-years-eve-celebration/2014/12/30/6c7a4207-57e0-4f01-8c61-2cc9906eb54c_video.html