Countdown to 2016: The 10 best NYE TV episodes
The countdown to 2016 is officially less than 24 hours. Whilst you’re regretting everything you did in 2015, and hurriedly planning your long list of New Year’s resolutions that… read more
Countdown to 2016: The 10 best NYE TV episodes
The countdown to 2016 is officially less than 24 hours. Whilst you’re regretting everything you did in 2015, and hurriedly planning your long list of New Year’s resolutions that you’ll 100% definitely, without a doubt, stick to this time – check out our list of the top 10 best New Year’s Eve sitcom episodes.
Friends
“The One with the Monkey”
The first of three Friends NYE specials to make the list because they’re just that good. This classic episode from the very first season sees all of the gang desperately trying to ensure they’ll have someone to kiss at midnight. Hank Azaria guest stars as Phoebe’s love interest and Ross brings an unusual date, Marcel the monkey.
Peep Show
“New Year’s Eve”
In the final episode of season seven, Mark and Jeremy are determined to have a good time at a New Year’s fancy dress party. Mark runs into trouble with Dobby and Jeremy doesn’t do much better with Zahra.
South Park
“Are you there God? It’s me, Jesus.”
Originally broadcast just before the dawning of the 2nd millennium, this episode of near-the-knuckle animation South Park took inspiration from the Judy Blume book “Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret”. The episode therefore centres around the storyline of Cartman believing he has experienced his first period. Jesus has his own issues with the pressure of hosting a New Year’s Eve concert in Las Vegas at which people believe God will be appearing.
Family Guy
“Da Boom”
Also airing in 1999 was this apocalyptic episode of Family Guy. Due to the Y2K problem, a nuclear holocaust occurs but Peter manages to save his family and decides to travel with them to the nearest Twinkie factory. Peter becomes the mayor of “New Quahog” but he eventually, inevitably, angers the townspeople – oh and Stewie is exposed to nuclear waste and becomes a weird octopus hybrid before hatching thousands of mutant spawn which attack the whole town. You know, the usual.
Friends
“The One with the All the Resolutions”
In this season five episode, the friends all choose a New Year’s resolution to better themselves. Rachel vows to give up gossiping, Ross will do something new every day, Phoebe will become a commercial pilot, Joey will learn to play guitar, Monica will take more pictures, and Chandler will not make fun of his friends. Of course, none of them last very long…
Absolutely Fabulous
“Happy New Year”
Kate O’Mara guest stars as Patsy’s sister, Jackie, in this festive edition of the British sitcom. An older, meaner version of Patsy, she is disliked by everyone except Patsy who looks up to her as a glorious role model. As per usual, Eddy is trying to stay as hip as possible and plans to go to a “dance happening” to see in the New Year.
How I Met Your Mother
“The Limo”
Like all cool, young things in New York City, the HIMYM gang have five NYE parties to visit in order to determine the best one to end up at by midnight. Ted rents a limo so that they can all ride between parties together but driving through the big city on one of the biggest holidays of the year is not a simple task.
The Big Bang Theory
“The Justice League Recombination”
Stuart holds a fancy dress party at the comic book store to ring in the New Year. The boys ask Penny to dress up as Wonder Woman in order to complete their Justice League of American line up. Penny struggles with the idea of being alone on New Year’s so brings dunce Zack along, only for it to rekindle some buried feelings for Leonard.
The O.C.
“The Countdown”
Kirsten’s sister Hailey comes to town and throws a wild New Year’s Eve party. Marissa is desperate to go to the party, even though Ryan would rather stay at home, and she ends up going with soon-to-be-psycho-stalker Oliver. Ryan makes a last minute decision to be the romantic hero and gives us one of the more epic scenes that we’ve come to treasure from The O.C.
Friends
“The One with the Routine”/”The One with the Rockin’ New Year”
Finally, this unforgettable episode of Friends that sees our favourite brother-sister duo team up for a legendary dance routine. Joey’s roommate, Janine (Elle Macpherson), gets a job dancing on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and invites Joey, Ross and Monica along for fun. The Gellers are desperate to impress their parents by appearing on TV and so crack out their old “famous” dance routine, a glorious moment that cements this as the best ever NYE sitcom episode.
Happy New Year!
