I understand what Channel 9 attempt to do every New Year’s Eve with their coverage of the fireworks. It’s been hit and miss too – how does a director, no matter how many cameras he’s given, show the scale and scope of fireworks dotted along Sydney Harbour, on the Bridge, and off buildings in the CBD? It’s a lot of fun, with a lot of improvised commentary and links, independent of what’s on the autocue. The inclusion of Jason Segel and Kermit is, however, suspect at best. From the press release:

Channel Nine will present the world’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations when Sydney Harbour lights up with the Time To Dream spectacular on Saturday night, December 31.

Join Cameron Williams and Jesinta Campbell with the best view in town as they host the New Year’s Eve broadcast live from the Lord Mayor’s Party at the Sydney Opera House, starting at 8.30pm. Featuring performances by the Potbelleez and David Campbell, the Lord Mayor’s Party will have the best views and entertainment in Sydney, all from the comfort of home.

Throughout the evening, Jaynie Seal will take viewers to the best vantage points around the harbour for all the colour surrounding the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Peter Harvey looks back on a jam-packed year of news, entertainment and sport that included the Royal Wedding, Cadel Evans’ Tour de France victory, the Australian visits of President Obama and the Queen, and all the major events that shaped 2011.

From Glebe Island, James Mathison will report on Sydney Resolution, Sydney’s biggest ever New Year’s Eve concert, which will be headlined by Pet Shop Boys, Jamiroquai and Culture Club. History will be made when a frog introduces the 9.00pm family fireworks display: famous Kermit the Frog, star of The Muppets, who will be joined by his co-star, Jason Segel. Comedian Jimeoin will show them how to start the fireworks – and the quickest getaway before they go off.

At 9.15pm, two hours of the top music hits of the year begins as Richard Wilkins presents the New Year’s Eve ARIA 2011 Countdown, with chart topping music videos from LMFAO, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Adele, Jessie J and lots more.

Then at 11.30pm, Cameron and Jesinta begin the countdown to midnight and the spectacular fireworks
finale as Australia says farewell 2011 and hello 2012.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations – Sat 31/12 8.30pm, Ch9.