While some networks assault your senses with flashing lights and forced revelry, SBS, bless its heart, offers a New Year’s Eve sanctuary for the discerning viewer. This year, they’re eschewing the typical countdown chaos for a curated selection of musical performances and documentaries, proving that sophistication doesn’t have to take a holiday just because it’s December 31st.
The festivities commence at 6:00 PM with the ritualistic airing of “Dinner for One,” a comedy short so beloved it’s practically a New Year’s Eve tradition in itself. At 7:30 PM, the tempo shifts with “Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration,” a concert filmed at Bocelli’s Tuscan home. Prepare for sweeping melodies, breathtaking scenery, and the kind of operatic grandeur that makes you momentarily forget about the impending existential dread of another year.
At 9:15 PM, SBS pays tribute to a pop icon with “George Michael: Portrait Of An Artist.” This documentary, featuring interviews with luminaries like Stevie Wonder and Stephen Fry, offers a poignant look at Michael’s life and career. And for those who prefer their New Year’s Eve with a touch of bohemian flair, “Boheme on the Beach” airs at 11:05 PM, followed by “The Best of the Havasi Symphonic” at 1:10 AM.
So, if the thought of another generic New Year’s Eve broadcast fills you with a sense of ennui, SBS has you covered. They’re offering an alternative for those who prefer their celebrations with a side of substance, a reminder that New Year’s Eve can be about more than just counting down the seconds. It can be about appreciating art, reflecting on the past, and maybe, just maybe, feeling a flicker of hope for the future.
SBS’s New Year’s Eve programming begins Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
