NewYear’s Eve specials to watch
TV and streaming picks for Dec. 27-Jan. 2
Don’t miss: New Year’s Eve specials: Thankstothepandemic, many of us will be ringing in the newyear — and saying “good riddance” to 2020 — from home. Fortunately, TV has plenty of festive specials lined up to keep us company, including “Dick Clark’s NewYear’sRockin’EveWithRyan Seacrest 2021” (8p.m. Jan. 31, ABC) from a closed Times Square. Jennifer Lopez headlines the performance list, which also includes BillyPorter, CyndiLauperandJimmie Allen. Overseeing the events fromtheWest Coast will be Ciara. Also airingonThursday, Dec. 31:
• “Fox’sNewYear’s Eve Toast& Roast 2021” (8 p.m., Fox): Former “Community” costars Ken Jeong and Joel McHale team up in Los Angeles to recap the highs and lows of 2020. Performers include Gloria Estefan, Ava Max, Gabby Barrett, Green Day, John Legend and LeAnn Rimes.
• “New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen” (8 p.m., CNN): Cooper and Cohen celebrate in Times Square. Theprogramfeaturesperformances and appearances by, amongothers, JohnMayer, Snoop Dogg, Patti LaBelle, Jimmy Buffett, Josh Groban, Desus & Mero, Aloe Blacc, Goo Goo Dolls and Jon Bon Jovi.
• “United in Song: A Celebration of America’s Resilience” (8 p.m., PBS; Check local listings): Filmed atMt. Vernon, this90-minute special features musical performances by Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, Yo-YoMa, AudraMcDonald, Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell and more.
• “NBC’s New Year’s Eve” (10 p.m., NBC): CarsonDalyhosts, with AmberRuffin, fromNewYorkCity. Performers include BustaRhymes, Jason Derulo, Kylie Minogue, Pentatonix, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Sting.
Other bets Today:
Readyforanotherguessing game? Brace yourself for “The Masked Dancer.” Craig Robinson hosts a spinoff that features costumed celebrities busting some moves in front of panelists Ken Jeong, Paula Abdul, Brian Austin Green and Ashley Tisdale. (5 p.m. PT; 8 p.m., Fox).
Monday: A dozen young chefs face off in the latest edition of the
“Kids Baking Championship.” In the opener, they create colorful brushstroke mini cheesecakes. (9 p.m., Food Network).
Tuesday:“Laura IngallsWilder: American Masters” examines the lifeandworkof the pioneer author who gave us the “Little House on the Prairie” book series. Included: interviews with stars fromthe TV show the books inspired, as well as experts, scholars and notable authors. (9 p.m., PBS).
Wednesday: Here’s a very different kind of culinary competition: In “Best Leftovers Ever!” home cooks are challenged to transform tired leftovers into tantalizing— andedible— newdishes. Whoknew, for example, that you could make a decadent pasta our of day-old fries? (Netflix).
Thursday: The“ChillingAdventures of Sabrina” returns for its fourth and final edition. As the witcheswagewar, onanumber of fronts, Nick begins to slowly earn hisway back into Sabrina’s heart, but will it be too late? (Netflix).
Thursday: HodaKotbandJenna BushHager host “NewYear’s Eve: Escape From2020.” It’s a special that highlights the year’s most entertaining and talked- about videos and trends. (8 p.m., NBC).
Friday: Fan favorite John Barrowman reprises his role as Captain Jack Harkness in the “Doctor Who” holiday special. With the Doctor ( Jodie Whittaker) still locked up in an alien prison, he’ll becountedontobattlethosemetallic menaces known as the Daleks. (8 p.m., BBC America).
Saturday: Paranormal sleuths AmyBruniandAdamBerry, along with psychic medium Chip Coffey, return for a new season of “Kindred Spirits.” In the opener, they trek to Salem, Massachusetts to investigate the home of John Proctor, who was executed during the witch trials. (10 p.m., Travel Channel).