How to welcome the New Year in front of your TV
DON’T MISS: New Year’s Eve specials – Thanks to the pandemic, many of us will be ringing in the new year – 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 New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021” (8 p.m. Dec. 31, ABC) from a closed Times Square. Jennifer Lopez headlines the performance list, which also includes Billy Porter, Cyndi Lauper and Jimmie Allen. Overseeing the events from the West Coast will be Ciara.
Also airing Dec. 31: “Fox’s New Year’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. The program features performances and appearances by, among others, John Mayer, 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 at Mount Vernon, this 90minute special features musical performances by Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, Yo-Yo Ma, Audra McDonald, Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell and more.
“NBC’s New Year’s Eve” (10 p.m., NBC): Carson
Daly hosts, with Amber Ruffin, from New York City.
Performers include Busta Rhymes, Jason Derulo, Kylie Minogue, Pentatonix, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Sting.
Other bets:
SUNDAY: Ready for another guessing 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 Ingalls Wilder: American Masters” examines the life and work of the pioneer author who gave us the “Little House on the Prairie” book series. Included: interviews with stars from the 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 – and edible – new dishes. Who knew, for example, that you could make a decadent pasta our of day-old fries? (Netflix).
THURSDAY: The “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” returns for its fourth and final edition. As the witches wage war, on a number of fronts, Nick begins to slowly earn his way back into Sabrina’s heart, but will it be too late? (Netflix).
THURSDAY: Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager host “New Year’s Eve: Escape From 2020.” 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 be counted on to battle those metallic menaces known as the Daleks. (8 p.m., BBC America).
SATURDAY: Paranormal sleuths Amy Bruni and Adam Berry, 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).