TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"New Year's Rockin' Eve," 9 p.m., 11:35 p.m., ABC. The oldest of the New Year's Eve shows remains the biggest, in length and in star power. Dick Clark's basic scheme still works: Performances are taped at an advance party, then entwined with live coverage from Times Square in New York. This year's party is hosted by Fergie and has Natasha Bedingfield, Ne-Yo, Jesse McCartney, Fall Out Boy, Pussycat Dolls, Solange and Robin Thicke. But now there's more emphasis on the live part, hosted by Clark and Ryan Seacrest. This year, that includes music by Taylor Swift, Lionel Richie and the Jonas Brothers. There's also a bonus, inspired by the biggest change in 2009: Will.i.am (of Black Eyed Peas) sings "It's a New Day," dedicated to Barack Obama.

ALTERNATIVES

More New Year's Eve shows. Fox made late additions to its "New Year's Eve Live" (11:05-12:35 a.m.), inserting Daughtry and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They join a lineup hosted by Spike Feresten and Mark Thompson in New York; it also has David Cook, Scott Weiland (of Stone Temple Pilots) and Robbie Knievel trying a motorcycle leap over the pretend volcano at the Mirage. Scary stunts in Las Vegas are also key to "New Year, No Limits" (6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., ESPN). Robbie Maddison tries to leap over the fake Arc de Triomphe on a motorcycle; Rhys Millen tries to make an off-road truck do a back flip. Meanwhile, "New Year's Eve With Carson Daly" (11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., NBC) has added Elton John to a lineup that includes Ludacris, Katy Perry, the Ting Tings and T.I. Luke Russert (Tim's son) and Amy Roback will be at Times Square and the second half will be simulcast on CNBC and MSNBC.

OF NOTE

"Bones," 7 p.m., Fox. Here's a rerun of the fun season opener. In London, Brennan meets a guy a lot like her; Booth meets a woman like him.

"Shrek 2" (2004), 7-9 p.m., ABC. This likable sequel has the good-hearted ogre getting used to the family of his wife, the princess.

"Knight Rider," 7 p.m., NBC. Remember when New Year's Eve meant worries about computers going crazy? This episode has a computer virus spreading quickly; even KITT is infected.

"Live From Lincoln Center," 9 p.m., PBS. Lorin Maazel conducts the New York Philharmonic, with Susan Graham singing classic arias.

"Spectacle," 7 and 10 p.m., Sundance Channel. At 82, Tony Bennett remains an immensely entertaining singer and storyteller. Elvis Costello interviews him here; Costello's wife, jazz singer-pianist Diana Krall, even steps out of the audience to join him for a number.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 8 p.m., NBC. This rerun has Detective Lake (Adam Beach) becoming a prime suspect.