The Ball Drops Tonight! 3 Things We're Excited About For New Year's Rockin' Eve

The countdown to 2014 is on! Tonight at 11:59 p.m., the iconic Times Square ball will begin to drop from the top of One Times Square, signaling the start of the New Year. While millions will flood the streets of New York City to watch (in the freezing cold no less!), you can catch it all live (and stay warm!) by tuning in to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest. Why do we think the show, kicking off on ABC at 8 p.m. EST, is a must see? Keep reading to find out.

The Return Of Our Favorite HostsRyan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy take on another year of co-hosting the annual show, and we can't help but wonder who McCarthy will share her first kiss with this year. Back in 2012, she kissed a random police officer, but this time around, we're hoping her boyfriend Donnie Wahlberg will make an appearance!

Star-Studded PerformancesPrevious musical guests have included Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber, but this year, Billy Joel will be performing in Brooklyn right after the ball drops, while Miley Cyrus, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and Icona Pop will be sharing the Times Square stage with the one and only Blondie. (Eep!) The Debbie Harry-led group first made their appearance on the late Dick Clark's annual holiday show back in 1979, and what's even more exciting is that the band is also kicking off its 40th anniversary. Not a bad way to celebrate! As for the West Coast, Fergie will host more performances by Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Robin Thicke, Jason Derulo, and more.

The Times Square Ball There's a reason why the Times Square ball is such a big deal: For 2014, it will be covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles and features 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs, resulting in a total weight of 11,875 pounds. As the ball begins to drop, the LEDs will be able to create more than 16 million colors and billions of patterns -- inspiration for your next outfit, perhaps?

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