Entertainment Extra

2 TV ENCORE By Cassie Dresch TV Media W ith Christmas in the rearview mirror and a new year on the horizon, there's one last stop to make before ringing in 2015. New Year's Eve is one of the biggest parties in the world, with people from New York to Sydney to London to Moscow gathering with friends, family and sometimes even complete strangers to usher in another 365 days full of excit- ing new possibilities. The TV networks also do their part in hyping up the calendar reset, and there's always a bevy of New Year's Eve specials to choose from. ABC, NBC and Fox all feature some of the biggest names in movies, music and tele- vision — and that's just who's hosting! So, pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly and pour your- self a glass as the party heats up Wednesday, Dec. 31, to ring in the new year. Leading the charge is ABC's perennial powerhouse "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." Named after legendary host Dick Clark and his successor, this New Year's Eve special annually tops its competitors as the most- watched, highest-rated broad- cast on U.S. networks. The 2013- 14 broadcast raked in 22.8 mil- lion total viewers from 11:30 p.m. to 12:37 a.m. — its largest audience in 13 years. In compari- son, only 13.9 million viewers combined tuned in to NBC's and Fox's broadcasts. Seacrest ("American Idol," "E! News") Graybeals Carpet 2 x 3" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" Harrison- Metzger 2 x 2" On the Cover took over full hosting duties in 2006 after the late Clark suf- fered a stroke in 2004, and he's never looked back. Again this year, Jenny McCarthy ("The View") and Fergie ("Marmaduke," 2010) will partake in the festivities as co-hosts, with McCarthy report- ing live from Times Square and Black Eyed Peas performer Fergie hosting the Billboard Hollywood Party. One of the main components of "New Year's Rockin' Eve" is the live performances from the year's hottest artists, and this year's event is no difference. "Blank Space" and "Shake It Off" singer Taylor Swift headlines the East Coast party, performing live in Times Square, while British boy band One Direction will per- form at the Billboard Hollywood Party. Other artists, such as Charli XCX, Meghan Trainor, English music icon Elton John and Gavin DeGraw, will also be lending their singing talents. "Each year 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' continues its iconic legacy by delivering incredible performances from the year's hottest artists, and this year is no exception," Seacrest said in a news release. "We already have secured an unprecedented num- ber of music acts, culminating with a Times Square performance by Taylor [Swift], the biggest superstar in music today." While it may seem like "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" is at a disadvantage going up against "New Year's Rockin' Eve," the peacock network's New Year's Eve late-night offering still pulls in respectable numbers on one of the biggest party nights of the year. The 2013-14 broadcast was a record-setting success for the network, matching its high- est adult 18-to-49 rating ever and notching 9.5 million viewers (200,000 more viewers than the previous record). Host Carson Daly ("The Voice") is no stranger to the big ball drop in Times Square, having hosted each broadcast of the New Year's Eve special since its inception in 2003. He's also no slouch when it comes to hosting such a big event, with a stacked resumé and even an Emmy to his name. The TV and radio personal- ity got his start on MTV with the music video series "Total Request Live," before joining NBC to host "Last Call with Carson Daly." His experience there landed him other roles with NBC, such as hosting special events and join- ing "Today" as a new-age social media correspondent. ABC, NBC and Fox ring in the new year Fox, which usually pulls up the rear when it comes to New Year's Eve programming, is attempting to tap into a younger demo- graphic and boost its popularity with "Pitbull's New Year's Eve Revolution." No, there will not be a dog hosting a TV special. Pitbull is actually the stage name for Armando Christian Pérez, an international rap superstar who has had such global hits as "Timber" and "Give Me Everything." It's a lot to chew on if you're looking for a New Year's Eve spe- cial to settle into when we change over the calendars. Rest assured, though, there's a little bit of something for everyone. Whether it's a classic like "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," a growing success like "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" or a fresh, hip take like "Pitbull's New Year's Eve Revolution," it's time to pop the cork to ring in the new year. Carson Daly hosts "NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly" D&J Liquors 3 x 2" Animal Shop 2 x 2" www.ransfuneralhomes.com HARRISON-METZGER & RANS FUNERAL HOMES 304 S. Chicago St. | Royal Center, IN • 574.643.2265 123 E. Main Street | Kewanna, IN • 574.653.2265 • Funeral & Cremation Services • • Preplanning Options • Monument Sales • Offering compassionate services during your most diffi cult time of need. D&J Liquors D&J Liquors 3 Convenient locations for all your party needs! EAST - 3800 E. Market | WEST - U.S. 24 West | DOWNTOWN - 509 North St. A toast to our customers... May your New Year be fi lled with much happiness and good cheer. Just as us, the Baldini family, are fi lled with gratitude for your friendship and support.

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