Television provides plenty of parties for New Year’s Eve
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” 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. (8 p.m. Thursday, ABC)
Also airing Thursday:
“FOX’S NEW YEAR’S EVE TOAST & ROAST 2021” >> 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. (8 p.m., Fox)
“NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE WITH ANDERSON COOPER AND ANDY COHEN” >> 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. (5 and 10:30 p.m., CNN)
“UNITED IN SONG: A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA’S RESILIENCE” >> Filmed at Mount Vernon, this 90-minute special features musical performances by Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, Yo-yo Ma, Audra Mcdonald, Renée Flem
ing, Joshua Bell and more. (8 p.m., PBS; check local listings)
“NBC’S NEW YEAR’S EVE” >> 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. (10 p.m., NBC)
Other bets
TODAY >> Ready for another guessing game? Brace yourself for “The Masked Dancer.” Craig Robinson hosts a spin- off that features costumed celebrities busting some moves in front of panelists Ken Jeong, Paula Abdul, Brian Austin Green and Ashley Tisdale. (5 p.m., Fox)
MONDAY >> A dozen young chefs, including San Jose 12-year- old Bella Luu, 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. (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. ( 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)
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)