Televised new year’s specials have been growing in viewership every year due to nationwide expansion, musical guests, and celebrity appearances. Although each celebration has been joyful for viewers, this year will be different due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the year, numerous events have gone virtual in order for people to stay healthy and follow safety protocols. These specials will be no different. Sources stated that Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2021, NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021, and CNN’s New Year’s Eve would all be virtual and have no public audience for the first time. To figure out what special would be one’s favorite, let’s break each special down.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest
After almost fifty years, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special is still going strong. Ryan Seacrest will once again host the ABC special with last year’s New Orleans hosts Lucy Hale and Billy Porter joining him in New York City. Singer and songwriter Ciara will once again host the Los Angeles new year’s special. Due to safety protocols around the country, New Orleans will not be part of the televised event this year. However, this does not stop officials from making sure this event is incredible. With performers still being announced, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Porter, Cyndi Lauper, Machine Gun Kelly, Jimmie Allen, Nelly, Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Maluma have confirmed slots on the ABC’s annual special. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will be airing live 8|7c on ABC until 2:00 a.m. EST
NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021
Another huge new year’s special based in New York will be hosted by Carson Daly, Amber Ruffin, and Stephen “tWitch” Boss. Created in 2004 by Daly himself, this show will broadcast performances across the country from musicians of all genres. Performers for the NBC special announced so far are AJR, Busta Rhymes featuring Anderson .Paak, Chloe X Halle, CNCO, Jason Derulo, Goo Goo Dolls, Kylie Minogue, Pentatonix, Bebe Rexha featuring Doja Cat, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, and Sting featuring Shirazee. NBC’s New Year’s Eve 2021 will be airing live from 10-11 p.m. and return for the final countdown to midnight from 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. ET/PT.
Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2021
Unlike the previously mentioned specials, Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2021 is an all-new special with hosts and comedians Ken Jeong and Joel McHale replacing previous new year’s special host Steve Harvey. Performers for this special will include LeAnn Rimes, Green Day, Gloria Estefan, and Dr. Elvis. The event will also include iHeartRadio Musical Performances by artists such as Ava Max, Gabby Barrett, and John Legend, as well as Celebrity Appearances by Jane Krakowski, Morris Chestnut, Randy Jackson, and Tim Allen. This show will either be perfect or a complete mess. Either way, the comedy duo have always been great at putting on a show together and will likely give audiences everywhere a reason to laugh. Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2021 will be airing live 8|7c on FOX.
CNN’s New Year’s Eve
For those who wish to catch a new year’s event hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, CNN’s New Year’s Eve live from Times Square is the one for you. Both men have shown how excited they are for 2020 to end and will feature appearances and performances on their special by famous hitmakers and television personalities. Those who will be stopping by include John Mayer, Snoop Dogg, Patti Labelle, Jimmy Buffett, Carole Baskin, Josh Groban, Leslie Jordan, Dulce Sloan, Desus & Mero, Kylie Minogue, Aloe Blacc, Goo Goo Dolls, and Jon Bon Jovi. Their live stream will start at 8 p.m. ET and will be passed on to CNN’s Brooke Baldwin and Don Lemon at 12:30 a.m. ET.
Concerts That are Not Part of Television Specials
News outlets have reported many artists that have decided to perform virtual concerts away from the television specials. One notable artist included in this method is Justin Bieber! Multiple sources confirmed that Justin Bieber is partnering with T-Mobile to host a live stream concert on new years, with Bieber’s performance beginning at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET. Tickets for T-Mobile Presents New Year’s Eve Live with Justin Bieber can be purchased for $25 at JustinBieberNYE.com. Even though he will give a highly anticipated performance, Bieber will not be the only artist to do such a show. EDM musician David Guetta announced that before performing a virtual set for Tomorrowland’s end-of-year bash, he would be performing a concert broadcast from a secret location to raise money for UNICEF and Les Restos du Coeur. Other popular musicians who will perform viral concerts include BTS and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons.
No matter what new year’s special one chooses to watch, 2021 is arriving, and everyone cannot be more excited. Stay safe, stay healthy, and cheer’s to the new and hopefully better new year!
