How to watch the New Year’s Eve 2022 ball drop live, plus every TV special

For even the biggest partier, the siren song of staying indoors is never stronger than on New Year’s Eve. Even if you’ve got a party to go to, or have picked out a wonderful outfit, there’s a certain allure to… not doing any of it and just hanging out. The night starts off wonderful, of course, but New Year’s Eve has a tendency to devolve into confusion, both drunken and sober. Everybody has their best nights and their worst nights.

Here are some options for at least having a nice night on New Year’s, no matter where you are.

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party

Photo: Vijat Mohindra/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/ Getty Images

What to Watch: Peacock or NBC

When: Starts at 10:15 p.m. ET

It is what it is There could be an emerging tradition. Last year, Miley and Pete Davidson were able to pull off what seemed to be as good a Millennial New Year’s TV extravaganza as could exist. They made corny jokes and did funny sketches. Although they looked terrible, it was a good show. Our mess, dammit.

Pete, who had an extremely busy year, isn’t involved time around. Miley called the nepo cavalry to add Dolly Parton, her godmother, onto the show.

That’s a pretty big upgrade, and the show will also feature Latto, Sia, Rae Sremmurd, the rock band Liily (?Fletcher (??)., the singer-songwriter. It will be a classic NBC show, and it will have some classic NBC synergies with. SNL’s Chloe Fineman and Sarah Sherman. Dolly Parton’s meeting with Sarah Sherman (also known as Sarah Squirm, her indie-gross-out comedian) could produce energy that was previously unknown in the solar system.

New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen

What to Watch:CNN and CNN Apps, as well as CNN Go

When: Starts at 8:15 p.m. ET

It is what it is It’s typically smooth sailing in the impermanent world of New Year’s Eve hosts, because how could you mess up a gig like this? You crack jokes, you introduce musical guests, and if you’re on CNN, you drink heavily. For years now, for some reason, CNN has picked New Year’s Eve as its annual chance to pull back on whatever credibility it has as a news organization and just let everyone get wasted. After consuming tequila shots, Don Lemon had his ears pierced. People love it!

Until last year, when Bravo’s Andy Cohen ranted with joy as outgoing New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio vacated his office. “The only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been. So, sayonara sucka!” Regardless of how accurately he captured the feeling in New York, it didn’t seem like the sort of thing CNN typically airs.

That feeling moved all the way to the station’s president, Chris Licht, who ordered its hosts to pull back. But not completely, as Semafor’s Max Tani has pointed out. The directive has gone back and forth, now allowing Anderson Cooper and Cohen to imbibe, although Cooper is apparently “concerned at the perception that only the two white hosts are permitted to drink.” So then that rule got walked back, with Licht saying he prefers no on-air drinking at all, which apparently has pissed off Don Lemon.

So come on down to CNN this New Year’s, where nobody knows what’s gonna happen!

Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest

What to Watch: ABC

When: Starts at 8:15 p.m. ET

It is what it is The New Year’s Eve TV gig first took off with Dick Clark, whose Rockin’ New Years Eve was the first real challenger to Guy Lombardo’s big band, which had dominated radio and TV for decades. Rockin’ The juggernaut that it is today, Seacrest, is a unique living link to television’s 20th-century operation. Dick Clark has passed on, but Seacrest holds onto Clark’s vision of a broad, happy New Year.

This year’s guests prove the point: Usher (from Las Vegas), Kevin Hart, Ellie Goulding, Patti LaBelle, REO Speedwagon, Nick Cannon, Jenifer Lewis, John Stamos, Tenacious D’s Jack Black and Kyle Gass, Jean Smart, Cheri Oteri, Ava Max, and more! You’re likely to like someone on this list no matter what your status. It’s a guaranteed good time, at least for the few minutes your fav is on the air before they get bumped by Stamos.

In his drunken rants last year, CNN’s Andy Cohen also took a few shots at Ryan Seacrest, calling the Rockin’ crew a “group of losers” whose show was the equivalent of “watching nothing.” Although he later apologized, the damage was done. Seacrest, Ciara and D-Nice will co-host the show with Seacrest. All of them will host their own parties with their musical stars across the country.

“I don’t advocate drinking when one is on the air. I don’t know how that started as a tradition, but it’s probably a good idea” to scale back, he told USA Today. Seacrest says he will not consume alcohol until 1 AM, and everything else on ABC at 8 PM.

Shaq-tacular Show Spectacular

Rick Kern/Getty Images

What to Watch: Meta Horizon Worlds and Meta Quest TV are available on your Meta Quest 2VR headset.

When: Oculus.com says the event starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, and continues until 3:00 a.m. ET. We’re not exactly sure.

It is what it is Meta is continuing to try and make Meta happen, and in the context of New Year’s celebrations, “trying to make it” means spending lots and lots of money on celebrities. The pre-recorded event, which only lasts an hour, features Cardi B, Ludacris, Lil Yachty, Killer Mike, Whipped Cream, and DJ Diesel (that’s Shaq). Pro roller skaters and cheerleaders will be there, as well as a basketball court and marching bands.

All you need, plus a sink for a half hour in VR, Meta Horizon Worlds or Meta Quest TV. Available in the Meta Quest 2 headset. It’ll also play on Shaq’s Facebook and Instagram pages.