Let's be honest: there are very few people out there that actually want to watch the New Year's Eve festivities. If you're not out at a party already, the last thing you'd want to do is watch four hours of a massive party in New York City. Most people simply switch channels as soon as the ball starts to drop, then get back to whatever they were actually watching once it's over.
So, what exactly is there to watch this New Year's Eve that doesn't involve a ball or Pitbull? While years past have been somewhat barren in terms of viewing choices, New Year's Eve 2014 actually has some great shows and movies on hand. If you're not into loud parties with way too many inebriated patrons, there are plenty of TV show marathons you can binge on instead.
The Walking Dead
Dec. 30 9:00 a.m.
AMC
It might not be the first thing that people think of when ringing in the New Year, but it's hard to argue against the quality of The Walking Dead. AMC will be running a marathon of the entire show though New Year's Day, so there's really no better time to catch up if you somehow haven't seen it already.
Kourtney and Khloe Take the Hamptons
Dec. 31, 7:00 a.m.
E!
If you're into reality TV, then Kourtney and Khloe is likely right up your alley. E! will spend all of New Year's Eve with a massive marathon featuring the two sisters, and while it's certainly not the most cerebral entertainment out there, New Year's Eve was never going to be about making good decisions.
How I Met Your Mother
Dec. 31, 9:00 a.m.
Lifetime
The show's ending may have been a huge disappointment, but that doesn't mean How I Met Your Mother wasn't a good watch up until the last season. When it first aired, it was one of the most original ideas on TV, and thanks to Lifetime, fans will get to relive the best parts of the show during the New Year's Eve marathon.
The Simpsons
Dec. 31, 7:00 p.m.
FXX
You'd be forgiven for thinking that all FXX does is run marathons of The Simpsons, but could one more possibly hurt? Plus, there's been plenty of fantastic winter episodes throughout the years - who's ready for another obnoxious sing-along of "Mr. Plow?"
The Three Stooges
Dec. 31, 7:00 p.m.
IFC
At this point during the holidays, most families are resisting the urge to pummel one another. This year, instead of getting arrested for a domestic disturbance, sit down and watch The Three Stooges.You can't find slapstick comedy more classic than these shorts, and IFC will be running a marathon all throughout the New Year's Eve festivities.
The Twilight Zone
Dec. 31, 7:00 a.m.
SyFy
There's plenty of comedy to watch on New Year's Eve, but what about something spooky? The Twilight Zone always managed to straddle the line between sci-fi and thrillers, and considering there's still nothing quite like it, a trip through the Zone is definitely a unique way to ring in the New Year.
Portlandia
Jan. 1, 6:00 am
IFC
It's one of the strangest comedies on TV, but as a follow-up to The Three Stooges New Year's Eve marathon, Portlandia isn't a bad choice at all. The best part is that IFC is giving fans a few hours in between the marathons to take a nap - six hours of sleep is plenty, right?
Fargo
Jan. 1, 11:00 a.m.
FXM
Not everyone would assume that a TV adaptation of a cult classic film would be successful, but Fargo is proof-positive that such a formula can work. It's a bit darker than anything else on this list (except for maybe The Walking Dead), but there's no denying that Fargo's mix of dark comedy and crime drama is anything less than great.
Futurama
Jan. 1, 9:21 a.m.
Comedy Central
The best show on TV to be cancelled multiple times, Futurama still holds up better than most of its contemporaries. It was one of the best shows on TV during the 2000s, and considering the series started on New Year's Eve, it only makes more sense that Comedy Central would run a marathon. Why it starts at 9:21 a.m. is anyone's guess, though...
There you have it: the best that New Year's Eve has to offer. Just don't forget to flip over to the ball drop at 11:59 p.m.!
