New Year’s Eve is upon us, and there is a veritable cornucopia when it comes to choosing who to spend the evening with on television.
Below, our guide.
Broadcast
ABC: “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012” 10PM-2AM with a local news break
The title is a bit wordy, but still the gold standard after 40 years, even if Clark is limited to a handful of awkward appearances from a studio. Seacrest can more than hold his own. Musical guests include Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, LMFAO and Will.i.am.
NBC: “New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly” 10PM-12:30AM with a local news break
The former “TRL” host and current “Last Call” host holds down the fort on NBC, with appearances by Jimmy Fallon, Brian Williams, The Roots and Cee Lo Green.
Fox: “American Country New Year’s Eve Live” 11PM-12:30AM
Fox’s special is hosted by a comedian named Rodney Carrington and “Paws Stars” Rick Harrison and “Chumlee.” Toby Keith will perform.
Univision: “¡Feliz 2012!” 10PM-3:15AM
Hosted by “Sábado Gigante'”s Don Francisco, musical acts will include Gloria Trevi, Prince Royce and Chino y Nacho.
Cable News
CNN: “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin” 11PM-1AM
CNN is once again bringing back Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper, will someone drop an F-bomb? Probably. And CNN will probably being them back again next year.
Fox News: “All American New Year” 11PM-12:30AM
Screw all those other New Years, this one is All American! Megyn Kelly and Bill Hemmer host, with Trace Adkins set to perform.
MSNBC: “Lockup: Holman” and “Lockup: Raw” 11PM-1AM
Those other New Years shows are so… fun. For those who think 2012 is going to suck anyway, so they might as well get an early start.
Other nets with programming include MTV and BET.