Emily Yahr (c) 2014, The Washington Post. 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, aka 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.