Regis Philbin will host a rockin’ eve
I have but one humble request. Let’s take the “Rockin’ ” out of New Year’s Eve.
I know I sound persnickety, but I just can’t stand that word, or to be exact, its’ truncated spelling. For years, while millions of New Year’s Eve revelers have been waiting for the ball to drop, I’ve been waiting for that dropped “g” to reassert itself.
The word “rockin’ ” has always seemed a tad phony. Like most of New Year’s Eve, it has that air of forced frivolity, the doomed, desperate effort to have fun – or else!
But now, 30 some years after Dick Clark hosted his first “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the word, or near word, is beginning to take on the quaint air of a cultural artifact, like Keith Moon’s drumstick or Jimi Hendrix’s hairbrush encased in amber in the dusty lobby of some half-empty Hard Rock Cafe.
I used to find “rockin’ ” annoying. Now it just seems rather sad.
While the rock went out of “rockin’ ” some years (or decades) ago, Dick Clark has always hosted the proceedings with indefatigable energy. Now in his 70s, he is currently recovering from a stroke and will skip this year’s proceedings.
Regis Philbin, the hardest-hosting man in show business, will helm “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2005” (10 p.m., ABC). MTV-manufactured pop star Ashlee Simpson will host West Coast portions of the show.
This year’s special will include performances by Big & Rich, Ciara, Earth, Wind & Fire, Fabolous, Good Charlotte, Billy Idol and Simple Plan, as well as Simpson.
“New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly” (10 p.m., NBC) features appearances by fellow Peacock network stars, including Conan O’Brien, Brian Williams, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Dule Hill and Jill Hennessy, as well as Donald Trump, taped live from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Musical guests include Avril Lavigne, Maroon 5 and Duran Duran.
For those who prefer to ring in the New Year with two-dimensional friends, there’s the “South Park New Year’s Rock-a-thon” (10 p.m., Comedy Central), featuring six consecutive episodes of “South Park.” Scarlett Johansson, Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace will also be on hand for some 3-D humor.
The Cartoon Network will also welcome 2005 with a four-hour animated block hosted by Japanese pop singers Puffy AmiYumi (midnight, Cartoon Network).
Now in its 10th year, this year’s “The Twilight Zone” (8 a.m., Sci Fi) marathon features episodes chosen by fans on the cable network’s Web site. Broadcast in glorious black and white through 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
Other highlights
Feral kittens on “Joan of Arcadia” (8 p.m., CBS).
Jamie Foxx and the late Robert Pastorelli star in the 2000 heist drama “Bait” (8 p.m., Fox).
A camera crew follows the King in concert in the 1972 documentary “Elvis on Tour” (5 p.m., Turner Classic Movies).
Shocking developments on “JAG” (9 p.m., CBS).
A happy teen vanishes on the way home from school on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).
Cult choice
For dancing queens, nothing says New Year’s like “Abba: The Movie” (9 p.m.,. Turner Classic Movies). Lasse Hallstrom directed this 1977 concert documentary.
Series notes
Bridget’s breakup on “8 Simple Rules” (8 p.m., ABC) … Holly’s beau is very much spoken for on “What I Like About You” (8 p.m., WB).
Housekeeping disasters on “Complete Savages” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … Cash-flow problems on “Grounded for Life” (8:30 p.m., WB).
Tom Arnold guest-stars on “Hope & Faith” (9 p.m., ABC) … Brock hits the links on “Reba” (9 p.m., WB) …. Claude’s dating woes on “Less Than Perfect” (9:30 p.m., ABC) … Playing with food on “Blue Collar TV” (9:30 p.m., WB).
Late night
Kevin Spacey appears on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m.) … Jay Leno hosts Kathleen Madigan, Blue Man Group, Tom Green and Motley Crue on “The Tonight Show” (11:35 p.m., NBC). … Keri Russell and Snoop Dogg chat on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (12:35 a.m., NBC).