Watch your favorite Disney characters wish Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin a Happy 2009.

Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Mendes and many other celebrities send New Year's Eve shout outs to Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin as they host the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square.

Times Square, New York City.

Anderson Cooper, Erica Hill and Don Lemon ringing in 2009.

Anderson and Kathy...'nuff said.

Cold and crazy crowds in Times Square - about 1 million people braved the temps to take part!

AC360°'s very own Erica Hill.

AC360° Coordinating Editorial Producer Kay Jones with Associate Producer Jack Gray.

Happy New Year from the CNN crew in Times Square!

Richard Morris (bottom right) plugging away in the control room.

Richard Morris
Associate Producer, Campbell Brown: No Bias. No Bull.

This should be an easy show, right? Nope. Between laughing from the Anderson and Kathy hysteria to technical issues, this is far from a midnight picnic. This show is classically orchestrated weeks before we go to air, and when it comes time for broadcast, well it goes you know where.

Nonetheless, this is a great group of people to ring in the new year. Fortunately for us, we are warm in the chaotic control room. Phones ringing off the hook, people yelling over the raucous crowds in the field and just looking forward to midnight. From 12 on, it is all warm and fuzzy, watching the east coast revelers, and watching the midwest getting ready for their countdown.

Stick around, there are many laughs to be had.

PS. Happy New Years!!!
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Kelly Daniel
AC360 Staff

There was plenty of chaos and yelling, and there’s more to come here in the New Year’s Eve show control room as we count down to midnight in the Central Time Zone. But under all that there’s plenty of excitement. And even though I’m working on New Year’s Eve, as we all took a sip of a fizzy drink at the stroke of midnight, I couldn’t help but think this ranks pretty near the top of my New Year’s celebrations.

It’s been a great year for AC360 and AC360.com, and there’s lots more to come in 2009.

Happy New Year!

THE GRAND CANYON SKYWALK

A Happy New Year wish from on the Grand Canyon Skywalk 4,000 up.
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NEW YORK CITY

Victor Tate, that is his wife Tina, of Virginia, spending New Year's Eve in Times Square for the first time.
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Anderson getting ready for the show.
COURTESY: Jack Gray

New Year's Eve revelers in Times Square.
COURTESY: Aspen Steib

The AC360° crew interviews people in the crowd.
COURTESY: Aspen Steib

CNN's Erica Hill and Aspen Steib in Times Square.
COURTESY: James Brierton

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Behind the scenes in the control room with the crew for tonight's show.

CNN's Brooke Anderson interviews David Spade at Club CNN in Las Vegas about his new comedy show. The show debuts New Years Day.

The sign outside Club CNN in Las Vegas.

CNN's Brooke Anderson interviewing Coolio.

Check out Anderson and Kathy's view from the stage in Times Square.

Albert Lewitinn
Executive Producer, New Year's Eve with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin

It has taken months of preparation, planning, technical support… but the moment will soon be here. Hundreds of CNN producers, technicians, and staff have come together to put on a great show for viewers to usher in the new year. The year 2008 has been one of epic history. An unforgettable election, a new President about to take office, an economy that has tested our resilience. Anderson and Kathy are excited. And so are we. Join us, and have fun. Fun is the theme of tonight’s show. Enjoy the show.