Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, December 31. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Twilight Zone Marathon (SyFy, all day): Sure every episode of The Twilight Zone is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime, but there’s something special about knowing you’re watching all 156 episodes (plus commercials) with a nation full of people who just happened to stumble upon the same marathon. The whole thing actually began yesterday and will continue all the way through Sunday, which—at least to us—makes Rod Serling the official host of the New Year (sorry Ryan Seacrest). Today’s highlights include “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street” at 5:30 a.m., “A Stop At Willoughby” at 9:30 a.m., “The After Hours” at 11:30 a.m., “The Eye Of The Beholder” at 3:30 p.m, “The Invaders” at 10 p.m. and “The Odyssey Of Flight 33” at 11:30 p.m. It’s a little strange that SyFy is interrupting the marathon with WWE Smackdown from 8-10 p.m., but that’s just what happens… in The Twilight Zone.
Regular Coverage
Jessica Jones (Netflix, 10 a.m.): Oliver Sava wraps up his coverage of Jessica Jones’ first season with “AKA Smile.” Will Luke survive his seemingly fatal accident? Will Jessica be able to best Kilgrave? Will Robyn finally stop being so annoying? All that plus a special appearance from a Daredevil cast member. Your What’s On Tonight correspondent—who binge-reviewed the whole show when it debuted—would like to give a personal salute to her brother-in-arms for his wonderful coverage.
New Year’s Eve Specials
Your guide to the best and worst specials to watch during the last few hours of 2015.
New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve: La Vie Parisienne (PBS, 8 p.m.): By far the classiest way to spend New Year’s Eve, Alan Gilbert leads the New York Philharmonic in a Parisian-themed concert featuring mezzo-soprano Susan Graham and pianists Inon Barnatan and Makoto Ozone.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest (ABC, 8 p.m.): Ryan Seacrest and co-host Fergie are joined by correspondent Jenny McCarthy to report on festivities in both New York and Los Angeles. Carrie Underwood, One Direction, Wiz Khalifa, Demi Lovato, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Fallout Boy, and Nick Jonas are slated to perform while Taylor Swift will be releasing the music video for “Out Of The Woods.” We’d call this the most insufferable special of the night, but, honestly, it has some stiff competition for that title.
New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper And Kathy Griffin (CNN, 8 pm.): For instance, Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin try to take on the unstoppable team of Seacrest and Fergie with their own New Year’s Eve special from Times Square.