The Best New Year’s Eve TV Scenes Ever

The Office: “Ultimatum” (2011)

In this classic New Year’s television episode of The Office, Michael Scott anticipates news about the status of Holly Flax and A.J.’s relationship and prepares for either outcome. When he finds out that Holly caved on the ultimatum and they are still together, he takes out his frustration on his employees by force-feeding Kevin and berating Creed. Holly is then seen telling A.J. that she wants to take a break from their relationship. Meanwhile, Pam puts up a New Year’s Resolution board for the office, with resolutions such as Michael resolving to floss, Kevin resolving to eat more vegetables, Ryan resolving to “live life like it’s an art project,” and Creed resolving to do a cartwheel. Ultimately, Pam tosses the resolution board into a dumpster, saying she has learned her lesson.

Watch The Office episode “Ultimatum” on Sky.com.

30 Rock: “Klaus & Greta” (2010)

In this outrageous New Year’s Eve episode of 30 Rock, Jack gets drunk on New Year’s Eve and travels to Massachusetts with Kenneth to try and erase a message he left on his high school sweetheart’s answering machine. While there, they find evidence that her marriage is struggling and Jack decides not to erase the message. Liz Lemon accidentally outs her cousin, Randy, and he comes to live with her in New York. Liz and Randy go to a nightclub where Liz runs into James Franco and gets drunk, and the two end up sleeping together. Meanwhile, Tracy Jordan, realizing his hostility towards women, decides to add a woman to his entourage.

Check out the 30 Rock episode “Klaus & Greta” on The Roku Channel.

How I Met Your Mother: “The Limo” (2005)

One of the best New Year’s Eve tv episodes to ever be aired, the How I Met Your Mother New Year’s episode became an instant classic in 2005. Ted (Josh Radnor) rents it to take his friends around New York City, hoping to visit five parties before the clock strikes 12. With the help of special guests such as Kathleen Rose Perkins and Marshall Manesh, and the sound of Barney’s (Neil Patrick Harris) “Get psyched” mix playing in the background, the plan is put into motion. Despite the lack of excitement at the parties and New York traffic, the friends stay in the limo when the new year arrives. While there, Ted and Robin (Cobie Smulders) even share a promised kiss, despite her having a different boyfriend in the story.

Watch the How I Met Your Mother episode “The Limo” on Youtube.

Everybody Hates Chris: “Everybody Hates New Year’s Eve

Chris has made a New Year’s resolution to go to Times Square and see the ball drop at midnight, but his preoccupied mother, Rochelle, will only let him go if he is accompanied by a responsible adult. Tasha invites him to go with her mother (Peaches) and Malvo, both of whom are ex-convicts, but Rochelle initially refuses before relenting after Peaches gives her a long speech about her rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Julius is stuck in a traffic jam and successfully persuades a man who was threatening to jump from a bridge not to by telling him about other people who had problems but didn’t jump off a bridge. As a result, Julius is interviewed for the news and has to rush home before midnight. Lastly, Drew and Tonya make a bet to see if they can stay up until midnight.

Check out the Everybody Hates Chris episode “Everybody Hates New Year’s Eve” at Tubi.com.

Friends: “The One With All the Reservations” (1999)

Of course one of the greatest sitcoms of all time will have a memorable New Year’s episode. This episode of Friends features the six main characters making individual New Year’s Eve resolutions. These stories all end up in varying levels of hilarity, such as Chandler agreeing not to make fun of his friends and Ross donning a pair of leather pants that he can’t get back on. Rachel’s resolution ties into the secret-relationship-between-Chandler-and-Monica arc, making the episode both funny and brilliant.

Check out the Friends episode “The One With All the Reservations” at Yidio.

My So Called Life: “Resolutions” (1994)

In this classic NYE TV episode, Angela and her friends ring in the New Year as ’94 turns to ’95. Angela (Claire Danes) resolves to get out of her head, Sharon (Devon Odessa) vows to wait for love before engaging in any sexual activity, Rickie (Wilson Cruz) searches for a place to belong, and Jordan (Jared Leto) takes his academic studies more seriously. Of all the stories told in this episode, Rickie’s is definitely the most emotional. He seeks a place where he can fit in, yet his family is not an option due to their last argument before the holidays. Thankfully, Mr. Katimski (Jeff Perry) provides him with acceptance and a sense of belonging.

Check out the My So Called Life Episode “Resolutions” on Amazon Prime.

Seinfeld: “The Millenium” (1997)

In a classic Seinfeld storyline, Karmer and Newman are planning for the millenium three years in advance. Newman of course does not want Jerry to attend their co-hosted party, so Kramer decides to have his own. Deals are cut and supplies are bought in preparation for the festivities, but Jerry soon discovers that Newman has scheduled his party for the wrong year. Elsewhere in the episode, Lauren Graham guest stars as Jerry’s girlfriend, who gets into a speed-dial argument with her stepmother over him. George does whatever he can to get fired from the Yankees, including wearing Babe Ruth’s uniform, so that he can join the Mets, who imply they will hire him if he is a free agent.

Watch the Seinfeld New Year’s Eve episode “The Millenium” on Yidio.

That ’70s Show: “That ’70s Finale” (2006)

Considered one of the greatest New Year’s Eve television episodes of all time, That ’70s Show goes out in style. The 200th episode of the series is also the series finale, and in this unforgettable episode, there are some of the most iconic NYE TV moments ever. It is December 31st, 1979, the last day of the decade. The episode begins with a clip show of memorable moments from the decade, and the characters reminisce about the decade. Hyde helps Kitty and Red decide about moving, while Fez searches for the perfect time and place for his first kiss with Jackie and Kelso returns to spend the last night of the ’70s with his friends.

Kelso falls off the water tower, after being tricked by Fez and Hyde. Red and Kitty announce to their guests that they decided not to move to Florida. As Donna goes outside, Eric returns right before midnight and apologizes to Donna, and they kiss and reconcile. Everyone races upstairs to ring in the new year, leaving Kelso behind after Hyde pushes him, and Kelso is the last character seen as he dejectedly grabs “the stupid helmet”, preparing to call Red a dumbass. The episode ends abruptly as they reach “one” and the license plate of the Vista Cruiser reads “That ’70s Show” with an “80” registration tag. The end credits roll over a scene of the gang sometime during season one singing “Hello It’s Me” by Todd Rund.

Ring in the New Year with the That 70’s Show episode “That ’70s Finale” on Peacock.

Ring in the New Year With These Classic Television Episodes

We’ve explored some of the most iconic New Year’s Eve television episodes ever, and there’s something for everyone. From 30 Rock to My So Called Life to Seinfeld to That ’70s Show, these classic shows will make you laugh, cry, and reminisce as we approach the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to get inspired to set your own resolutions or want to laugh until you cry, these TV episodes have it all!