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Carson Daly, ‘American Idol’ stars ring in 2010

by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 22, 2009

Carson Daly is pictured interviewing Mary J. Blige in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. (NBC photo by Debra Rothenberg)

Everybody wants to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve – but not necessarily while standing outside.

For those who’d rather watch the revelers in New York’s Times Square or on the Las Vegas strip from the warmth and comfort of their own home, television has you covered.

At 10 p.m., NBC’s “New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly” kicks off live from New York City. Known for its lineup of mega music stars, this year’s special features performances by Green Day, Rihanna and Jay-Z.

“I feel like every year we step up our musical performances and we’re always thrilled. And this year, I mean, we like, literally, have hit the jackpot,” Executive Producer David Friedman says. “We have Green Day performing, which, you know, obviously there’s tons of buzz about Green Day, what they’ve been able to do in their long career and then their most recent album. So we have Green Day. And we just are about to add Rihanna … and we’re really excited about, you know, as far as I’m concerned, one of the hottest artists, like right now current.”

Rihanna will team with Jay-Z to perform “Umbrella” and “Run This Town.”

In addition, Friedman says his show will include a performance from the Broadway musical “Hair” and an array of special guest appearances.

While Daly’s New Year’s Eve special is always star-studded, don’t expect the host to fall all over any celebrities. It’s just not his style.

“Well, I think my approach has always been the same,” he says. “I mean, I grew up in L.A., so I was never star struck. I never wanted to be in the entertainment business, I wanted to be a golfer.

“So by just kind of the way I’ve been brought up, you know, even at MTV I always tried to have the attitude of whether I was interviewing Madonna or a 16-year-old girl who, you know, came to Times Square to see their favorite artist, kind of treat them both the same and with the same respect.

“And I think that sort of holds true today, you know. I look at these people as people, too, and I see no reason to sort of swoon over them. And it’s effective, you know. I think, you know, people just enjoy having a nice conversation and being treated normally.”

For the second year in a row, NBC’s New Year’s party will begin in prime time. Daly, who’s “Last Call” follows “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night” weeknights on NBC, relishes the chance to entertain America at a more civilized hour.

“I loved it,” he says of last year’s inaugural foray into prime time. “Listen, I’m, you know, I’m on at 1:30 in the morning. So any opportunity I get to broadcast while people are actually awake is a great thing for me. So, I mean, I love it.”

“I’ve always done live TV, you know, daily live TV is just my background,” Daly says. “So I love doing the late night show; it’s a completely different thing. But every year, like especially last year, in particular, and being on in prime time and being live and being there and just getting to be a broadcaster, it’s – I really enjoy the night.”

Friedman says, “There’s very few people who can do live television like Carson can. And prime time gives us the ability to really ramp up nicely because, you know, when 11:30 hits, you only have like, you know, if you take out commercial time, you only have like 10 or 12 minutes of live TV before that ball drops. So, what prime time enables us to do, in addition to obviously more coverage and more eyes, it enables us to sort of ramp up and really give the viewer the sense of what this party is going to be like in about an hour from now, and about 20 minutes from now, and about, you know, 10 minutes from now. And no one does it better than Carson.”

Not to be outdone, ABC offers “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2010” at 10 p.m. The Alphabet’s lineup includes Jennifer Lopez and Daughtry, both taking the stage in Times Square, and prerecorded segments from Las Vegas with host Fergie. The Black Eyed Peas frontwoman will perform with her band, and introduce sets from Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Keri Hilson, Colbie Caillat, Robin Thicke and Orianthi. 

Kris Allen (photo courtesy of Fox Broadcasting Co.)

Finally, over on Fox, model and actress Carmen Electra hosts “Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live!” beginning at 11 p.m. “American Idol” season eight winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta, both with new albums, headline and will perform songs live from Las Vegas.

Life has changed considerably for the two singers in 2009. While they were making music independently a year ago, currently they’re both signed to a record label, on magazine covers, doing late night talk shows – and even headlining a New Year’s Eve special.

“Obviously, (these things are) very important, you know,” Allen says. “They’re very important to what we do, and to sell records people need to see you. And that’s fine. I’m doing ‘Letterman’ today; like, I’m excited. I grew up watching that show. So for me, I love doing that stuff.

“Yes. I agree. It’s definitely a lot of fun and it’s a great way to get the albums out there,” Iraheta says.

For the reality television rock stars, this year’s New Year’s Eve will be slightly different than in 2008.

“For me, last year, I was at a party, we had a party at my house and we had like this small deck on the roof,” Allen says. “There was like 45 people at my house, or something like that, it was a lot, I don’t know the number. We all had sparklers, or whatever, and somebody’s pants caught on fire. So, that was pretty scary.”

Now, with a few more than 45 people in attendance, in the world’s biggest party town, the “Idol” alums are hoping their music sets some feet on fire this New Year’s Eve.

“Who wouldn’t want to be in Vegas performing?” Iraheta says. “I mean, it’s pretty much an experience of a lifetime for me and for both of us. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Allison Iraheta (photo courtesy of Fox Broadcasting/credit: LeAnn Mueller)

For those who do want to go out on New Year’s Eve ...

•Ring in 2010 on Falls Street in Niagara Falls – adjacent to the Hard Rock Cafe – with a free street festival from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. The event features the live music of Free Henry! at 8:30 p.m., The Dave Constantino Band at 10 p.m. and Rik Emmett at 11 p.m. Additionally, there will be fireworks and concessions. A 10-foot Gibson Guitar will be dropped 80 feet at the stroke of midnight.

Indoor reservations will be taken at Hard Rock for tables (from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.) The restaurant will feature live music by eXit! from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Call 282-0007 for reservations, heated tents or information on the VIP tent.

•Rip and the Bandogs perform at 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve at Water Street Landing, 115 S. Water St., Lewiston.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call 754-9200, or visit waterstreetlanding.com.

•And, of course, “First Night Buffalo” takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Queen City. It emanates from the Buffalo Convention Center, and features a variety of family activities.

A midnight ball drop follows at Roosevelt Square.