Ear on TV: Week of 12.29.08 - What are you doing New Year's Eve?

For years, New Year's Eve was Dick Clark's domain (New Year's Rockin' Eve, but in recent years, Carson Daly has been hosting his own special on NBC (New Year's Eve with...) that's much more rockin', in the tradition of the early days of the show Clark hosted. This year, Carson Daly has UK starlet Katy Perry co-hosting with him and welcomes performances from The Ting Tings, T.I., Ludacris and Elton John. Contrast that with the choices on the Rockin' Eve: Jonas Brothers? Pussycat Dolls? Lionel Richie? Since Ryan Seacrest has taken over some of the production, in the wake of Clark's stroke in 2004, the lineup has been far less rockin' and a bit more, shall we say, Idol-like? It all makes Carson Daly's special the best choice for a countdown.

Before get to any countdown, why not sip a few cocktails while listening to th golden pipes of Tony Bennett, who is this week's guest on Spectacle: Elvis Costello with.... While not the most riveting of episodes so far, Bennett is more than charming and even throws a curve in the proceedings by dragging Costello's wife Diana Krall up to the stage to perform and impromptu song with the singing legend. Krall, who's ever present in the audience at each taping, look's genuinely surprised by the request, but pulls herself together nonetheless, because, as we all know: anything Tony asks, Tony gets.

Meanwhile, Ovation TV has music marathons airing all week, beginning with all the Live from the Artist's Den performances on Monday night, featuring Oscar winners The Swell Season (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova,) along with Crowded House, Josh Ritter and others. For New Year's Eve, they're playing The Best of Montreux, pulling some of the best bits from 2003-2005, including Radiohead, The Roots and the recently deceased Isaac Hayes.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, December 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Hives (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Ray Davies (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: The Cure (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Al Green (REPEAT)
OVATION: The Artist's Den Marathon [all day]: The Swell Season, Ben Harper, Fountains of Wayne, Aimee Mann, Patti Griffin, Josh Ritter, Crowded House, more
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Rick Springfield (REPEAT)
Tuesday, December 30
IFC: Music Blast/From the Basement: Neil Hannon, Autolux
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: The Duke Spirit (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: The Hold Steady (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Gym Class Heroes (REPEAT)
OVATION: Bonefish Grill's: Notes from the Road Presents: The Bravery, Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, Gavin DeGraw, Matisyahu, more
Wednesday, December 31
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Purple Reign [Prince tribute act] (REPEAT)
NBC: New Year's Eve With Carson Daly: Katy Perry, Ludacris, The Ting Tings, T.I., Elton John
OVATION: Best of Montreux: Isaac Hayes, The Roots, Radiohead, Bonnie Raitt, Cheap Trick, more
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Tony Bennett
Thursday, January 1
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Keane (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Delta Spirit (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: T.I. (REPEAT)
OVATION: Live in Concert: Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Diana Krall, Peter Gabriel, The Rolling Stones, more
Friday, January 2
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Bon Iver (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Johnny Mathis (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Sounds (REPEAT)
Saturday, January 3
PBS: Austin City Limits: Lucinda Williams, Old Crow Medicine Show (REPEAT)