2023 is rapidly approaching and with the new year comes many traditions. Some people will make a list of goals they want to accomplish in the new year, while others are more than happy to put the old year behind them. Whatever your plans, change is a big part of the New Year. And plenty of TV shows have explored what this change could mean for their characters. Sometimes it’s a change for the better, and sometimes… not so much. Here are ten New Year’s-themed episodes perfect for celebrating 2023.
“How I Met Your Mother” - “Limousine” (season 1, episode 10)
Many people spend the New Year at a party, and how i met your mother explored how chaotic a New Year’s Eve party can be, especially in New York. Ted (Josh Radnor) rents a limousine for himself and his friends, intending to throw the best party in town. But soon things start to get worse as Lily (Alyson Hannigan) and Marshall (Jason Segel) broke up, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) brings with him an unpleasant date and a man they mistake for a singer Moby ends up bringing a gun to one of the parties they attend. Limousine is a completely chaotic episode, but it ends on a happy note as Ted throws an impromptu party in the limo and even gets a New Year’s Eve kiss from Robin (Cobie Smulders).
“Everybody Hates Chris” - “Everybody Hates New Year’s Eve” (season 4, episode 10)
General setup Everyone hates Chris in that its title character (Tyler James Williams) just can’t win. Whether at school or at home, he always takes charge. But that changed in Season 4 with the introduction of a New Year’s Eve themed episode titled “Everybody Hates New Year’s Eve”. Chris desperately wants to go to Times Square to spend time with his sweetheart Tasha (Paige Hurd). However, his mother Rochelle (Tichina Arnold) forbids him to go if he cannot find an adult to accompany him. Chris eventually finds a companion in Tasha Peaches’ mother (Tisha Campbell) and her badass boyfriend Malvo (Ricky Harris). In a rare victory for Chris, he actually manages to get a kiss from Tasha. Chris’ dad JuliusTerry Crews) has his own misadventure, as he convinces a man not to jump off a bridge - and earns the key to the city!
Futurama - Space Pilot 3000 (season 1, episode 1)
Possibly the biggest Christmas-themed episode ever to debut is the pilot. Futurama. Continuing the theme of change, it quickly turns the life of its protagonist Philip J. Fry (Billy West). A pizza delivery locks him in a cryogenic chamber for a thousand years, and he wakes up in an unfamiliar future. However, he ends up making new friends in the form of robot Bender (John DiMaggio) and Cyclops Leela (Katey Sagal). Space Pilot 3000 is definitely full of humor and pop culture references, FuturamaIt’s… well, future episodes, but at the end of the day, his main idea is to embrace change. Or rather, how some things will never change since Fry is still a delivery man.
“Bojack Horseman” - “Old Friend” (season 5, episode 12)
Another show that goes hand in hand with the themes of change Bojack rideras its main characterWill Arnett) is trying to break out of the vicious circle that has shaped his life. It’s not an easy road, and the Old Acquaintance series proves it. Bojack and his agent Princess Caroline (Amy Sedaris) are trying to land a role in a major film. But they end up being beaten by a rival agency that stings in different ways. Bojack tried to use the role as a way to reunite with an old friend, and Princess Carolyn ends up endangering her agency - considering she’s invested her entire life in it, that’s a bad sign. Even the optimistic Mr. PeanutbutterPaul F. Tompkins) receives bad news since his father (“Weird Al” Yankovic) need surgery. This is a good example that not every change in life is positive.
“Young Judge” - “Old Acquaintance” (season 1, episode 26)
First season Young Judge combined the mythology of the DC Universe with a spy story as its teenage heroes faced all sorts of threats. But in the season 1 finale, “An Old Acquaintance,” they faced their biggest threat - their own mentors. Vandal Savage (English)Miguel Ferrer) has managed to use a new technology that has subdued the Justice League, and only the members of Young Justice can stop them. Throughout the show, the team has been on covert missions on behalf of the League, so it was only fitting that their final test was the World’s Mightiest Heroes. And thanks to instructions from Michael Chang and Lauren Montgomeryviewers are treated to spectacular superhero fights, including a fight between Robin (Jesse McCartney), Super Boy (Nolan North), Superman (North) and Batman (Bruce Greenwood). Co-showrunner Greg Weissman also indulges in the tradition of the “New Year’s kiss”, when teenage heroes close their lips.
“That ’70s Show” - “The End of the 70s” (season 8, episode 22)
Although the New Year is often seen as a start time, it is also an end time. Therefore, it is quite appropriate that It’s a 70’s show The series finale took place on New Year’s Eve. “That ’70s Finale” Finds Eric Foreman (Topher Grace) and his friends at a crossroads, approaching the last day of the 70s. Eric wants Donna backLaura Prepon), and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) finally defeats Jackie (Mila Kunis). But the biggest focus in the episode is Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) discuss whether they will move to Florida. They eventually decide to stay at their house, leading to the upcoming sequel. It’s a 90’s show.
“Third Rock from the Sun” - “Happy New Dick” (season 4, episode 9)
We’ve all had a miniature existential crisis at one New Year’s party or another, right? It’s the feeling that you haven’t achieved enough or that you’re not going anywhere in life. It turns out that aliens can experience the same feeling of panic, especially when it comes to their favorite sitcom. 3rd Stone from the Sun. dick (John Lithgow) worries that he hasn’t achieved much as 1998 draws to a close and intends to make amends. What follows is a completely chaotic episode that also emphasizes that people can enjoy the little things in life. Oh, and a subplot about Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) trying to arrange a New Year’s party is also worth attention.
“Family Guy” - “Da Boom” (season 2, episode 3)
If the judge used king of the hill explore the ridiculous Y2K hysteria, Seth Macfarlane relied on its capabilities Family man. In “Da Boom”, Peter Griffin (MacFarlane) is told that the year 2000 will mark the end of the world, and against his family’s wishes, he locks them in the basement. This time around, Peter’s impulsive actions prove right as the computer systems go haywire and the world descends into chaos. Not only does the episode have a few choice jokes like Cleveland (Mike Henry) and Quagmire merge together, and baby Stewie becomes a mutant octopus hybrid, but it’s also one of the director’s best animated works. Michael Dante DiMartino. DiMartino’s fluid, dynamic style will serve him well in Avatar: The Last Airbender as well as its continuation of the series The Legend of Korra.
‘Friends’ - “The One with the Monkey” (season 1, episode 10)
It’s New Year’s Eve Friends crew. Ross has a new furry roommate, Marcel the monkey. Chandler (Matthew Perry) offers to throw a no-date New Year’s Eve party, but is the first to break his own rule by inviting Janice (Maggie Wheeler). Soon everyone has a date except Ross (David Schwimmer). At the New Year’s Eve party, everyone’s plus one turns into a disaster date. By the end of the night, each of the friends is left alone, but Chandler complains that he has no one to kiss to see the New Year. To stop complaining, JoeyMatt LeBlanc) kisses him.
‘Office’ - “Ultimatum” (season 7, episode 13)
Pam (Jenna Fischer) creates a New Year resolutions board so that everyone in the office can add their resolutions to it. The crew has different goals, both big and small. Michael (Steve Carelll) decides to floss and Ryan (BJ Novak) wants to live the new year as if it were an art project. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) wants to meet a “slutty woman” so he goes to town and picks up Darryl (Craig Robinson) and Andy (Ed Helms) as his followers. Meanwhile Michael waits in anticipation to hear Holly’s outcomeAmy Ryan) and AJ’s (Rob Hubel) attitude. Holly gave an ultimatum to end the relationship if AJ didn’t propose before the end of the year. As New Year’s resolutions start to spiral out of control, Pam decides to throw out the entire board, unable to handle the team’s collapse.
Source: Collider
