2023 is fast approaching, and with a new year comes a host of traditions. Some people will make a list of resolutions that they want to accomplish in the new year, while others are more than happy to leave the old year behind. Whatever your plans are, change is a big part of the New Year. And plenty of television shows have explored what that change might mean for their characters. Sometimes that change is for the best and sometimes... not so much. Here are ten New Year's-themed episodes that are perfect to ring in 2023 with.
'How I Met Your Mother' - "The Limo" (Season 1, Episode 10)
Many people spend New Year's at a party, and How I Met Your Mother explored just how chaotic a New Year's party can be - especially in New York City. Ted (Josh Radnor) rents a limo for himself and his friends, intending to find the best party in the city. But things soon start taking a turn for the worse, as Lily (Alyson Hannigan) and Marshall (Jason Segel) are separated, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) brings along an obnoxious date, and a person they mistake for singer Moby winds up bringing a gun to one of the parties they attend. "The Limo" is an absolutely chaotic episode, but it ends on a sweet note as Ted throws an impromptu party in the limo and even gets a New Year's kiss from Robin (Cobie Smulders).
'Everybody Hates Chris' - "Everybody Hates New Year's Eve" (Season 4, Episode 10)
The general setup of Everybody Hates Chris is that its title character (Tyler James Williams) just can't win. Whether it's at school or home, he's always taking it on the chin. But that changed in Season 4 with the New Year's themed episode titled "Everybody Hates New Year's Eve." Chris is desperate to go to Times Square so that he can spend time with his crush Tasha (Paige Hurd). However, his mother Rochelle (Tichina Arnold) forbids him to go unless he can find an adult to accompany him. Chris does eventually find a chaperone in the form of Tasha's mother Peaches (Tisha Campbell) and her ne'er-do-well boyfriend Malvo (Ricky Harris). In a rare win for Chris, he actually manages to get a kiss from Tasha. Chris' dad Julius (Terry 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)
Perhaps the biggest New Year's themed episode to ever debut is the pilot of Futurama. Keeping in line with the theme of change, it quickly upends the life of its protagonist Phillip J. Fry (Billy West). A pizza delivery winds up trapping him in a cryogenic tube for a thousand years, and he wakes up to an unfamiliar future. However, he winds up making new friends in the form of the robot Bender (John DiMaggio) and cyclops Leela (Katey Sagal). "Space Pilot 3000" is definitely chock-full of all the humor and pop culture references that would come to shape Futurama's...well future episodes, but in the end, its underlying message is about accepting change. Or rather, how some things will never change as Fry still remains a delivery boy.
'Bojack Horseman' - "Old Acquaintance" (Season 5, Episode 12)
Another show that goes hand in hand with the themes of change is Bojack Horseman, as its titular protagonist (Will Arnett) attempts to break free from the vicious cycles that have shaped his life. It isn't an easy road to walk, and the episode "Old Acquaintance" proves it. Bojack and his agent Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) are attempting to score a role in a major movie. But they end up getting outplayed by a rival agency, which stings in more ways than one. Bojack had attempted to use the role as a way to reconnect with an old friend, and Princess Carolyn ends up putting her agency in danger - considering she's poured her whole life into it, that's not a good sign. Even the upbeat Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Thompkins) is hit with bad news, as his father ("Weird Al" Yankovic) needs to have surgery. It's a good example of how not every change in life is a positive one.
'Young Justice' - "Auld Acquaintance" (Season 1, Episode 26)
The first season of Young Justice melded the mythology of the DC Universe with an espionage-inspired plot, as its teenage heroes faced all manner of threats. But the Season 1 finale, "Auld Acquaintance," pitted them against their biggest threat yet - their own mentors. Vandal Savage (Miguel Ferrer) has managed to use a new technology that puts the Justice League under his thrall, and only the members of Young Justice can stop them. All throughout the show, the team had been conducting clandestine missions on behalf of the League, so it was only fitting that their final test is the World's Greatest Heroes. And thanks to the direction from Michael Chang and Lauren Montgomery, viewers are treated to some spectacular superhero fights - including a showdown between Robin (Jesse McCartney), Superboy (Nolan North), Superman (North), and Batman (Bruce Greenwood). Co-showrunner Greg Weisman also indulges in the "New Year's kiss" tradition, which finds the adolescent heroes locking lips.
'That 70's Show' - "That 70's Finale" (Season 8, Episode 22)
Though New Year is often seen as a time of beginnings, it's also a time of endings. Therefore, it's only fitting that That 70's Show had its series finale take place on New Year's. "That 70's Finale" finds Eric Foreman (Topher Grace) and his friends at a crossroads as they reach the final day of the '70s. Eric wants to win back Donna (Laura Prepon), while Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) finally wins over Jackie (Mila Kunis). But the biggest thrust of the episode finds Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) debating on whether they'll move to Florida. Ultimately they decide to stay in their house - which leads to the upcoming sequel series, That 90's Show.
'3rd 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? That sense of feeling like you didn't accomplish enough, or that you're going nowhere in life. It turns out that aliens can feel the same sense of panic, especially when it comes to the beloved sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. Dick (John Lithgow) frets that he hasn't accomplished much as 1998 draws to a close, and sets out to rectify it. What follows is an episode that's absolutely chaotic but also underlines that people can take joy in the little things in life. Oh, and the subplot about Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) attempting to throw a New Year's party is worth a watch as well.
'Family Guy' - "Da Boom" (Season 2, Episode 3)
If Judge used King of the Hill to explore the ridiculous hysteria over Y2K, Seth MacFarlane leaned into its possibilities with Family Guy. In "Da Boom," Peter Griffin (MacFarlane) is told that Y2K will herald the end of the world and against his family's wishes, locks them in the basement. For once, Peter's impulsive actions turn out to be correct as computer systems fail and the world is plunged into chaos. Not only does the episode feature some choice gags such as Cleveland (Mike Henry) and Quagmire being fused together while baby Stewie becomes a mutant octopus hybrid, but it's also one of the better-animated efforts thanks to director Michael Dante DiMartino. DiMartino's smooth, fast-paced style would serve him well on Avatar: The Last Airbender as well as its sequel series The Legend of Korra.
'Friends' - “The One With The Monkey” (Season 1, Episode 10)
It’s New Year’s Eve with the Friends crew. Ross has a new furry roommate – Marcel the monkey. Chandler (Matthew Perry) proposes a no-date New Year’s party but is the first to break his own rule by inviting Janice (Maggie Wheeler). Soon, everyone has a date except for Ross (David Schwimmer). At the New Year’s party, everyone’s plus one turns into a disaster date. By the end of the night, each of the friends is alone, but Chandler complains he has no one to kiss to ring in the new year. To get him to stop complaining, Joey (Matt LeBlanc) kisses him.
'The Office' - “Ultimatum” (Season 7, Episode 13)
Pam (Jenna Fischer) creates a New Year’s resolution board so that everyone at the office can add their resolutions to it. The crew has a mix of goals both big and small. Michael (Steve Carrell) resolves to floss, while Ryan (B.J. Novak) wants to live his life in the new year like it's an art project. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) wants to meet a “loose woman,” so he hits the town and takes Darryl (Craig Robinson) and Andy (Ed Helms) as his wingmen. Meanwhile, Michael waits in anticipation to hear the outcome of Holly (Amy Ryan) and A.J’s (Rob Huebel) relationship. Holly had an ultimatum to end the relationship if A.J. did not propose by the end of the year. As the New Year's resolutions begin to get more out of hand, Pam decides to toss the entire board away, unable to deal with the team’s derailment.