DICK CLARK RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THREE SPECIALS ON ABC, DECEMBER 31

Primetime Special to Be Followed by Two Late-Night Specials; Ashlee Simpson to co-host and Perform

For the 33rd consecutive year, Dick Clark will lead America into the New Year when he hosts three specials starting at 10:00 p.m. ET, on Friday, December 31, on the ABC Television Network. In all Clark will host three-and-a-half hours of special New Year's Eve programming.

"Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005" will air from 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET, with Clark reporting "live" on the festivities in Times Square, New York, and looking back at the last year. Joining him will be correspondents Catherine McCord (former co-host of "Loveline" and model) and Mike Richards (former host of "High School Reunion" series and a reporter for "Extra" and the "American Music Awards"), who will report on other happenings in and around New York City.

During "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005, Part 1" (11:35 p.m.-1:05 a.m., ET), Clark will report on the final minutes of the year 2004 and make his traditional Times Square countdown to midnight. He will be joined by recording star Ashlee Simpson, who will preside over segments of the show from Hollywood and introduce top recording artists Billy Idol, Big & Rich, Los Lonely Boys, Ciara, Fabolous, Simple Plan and Earth, Wind & Fire. Simpson will offer additional performances, and McCord and Richards will continue to check out other goings-on in the Big Apple and New Year's celebrations throughout the world.

Wrapping up the night's activities will be "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2005, Part 2" (1:05.-2:05 a.m., ET). Simpson will bring back the aforementioned performers in this hour, and will also sing another hit. While all this is going on, Clark will close the curtain on the activities in Times Square.

Among this year's scheduled performances: Billy Idol sings his rock classic, "White Wedding," and his forthcoming single, "Scream"; Big & Rich sing their giant 2004 hit, "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," "Love Train" and "Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)" from their current Top 10 Country platinum album; Los Lonely Boys perform this year's Top 20 hit, "Heaven," and their new single, "More Than Love"; Ciara sings her current Top 15 crossover hit, "1, 2 Step" and her recent chart-topper, "Goodies"; Fabolous offers his current Top 10 Pop/R&B crossover hit, "Breathe," and his newest release, "Baby"; Simple Plan offers their current chart hit, "Welcome to my Life," and their forthcoming single, "Shut Up"; Earth, Wind & Fire perform a medley of three of their biggest hits, "Shining Star," "Boogie Wonderland" and "September," as well as "This is How I Feel" from their forthcoming album, plus "The Way You Move," with a special appearance by fusion saxophonist Kenny G. Ashlee Simpson sings her 2004 hit, "Pieces of Me," and two songs from her debut album, "Lala" and "Autobiography."

The special is from dick clark productions, inc., with Clark serving as executive producer. Larry Klein produces and Barry Glazer directs. New York segments are directed by Bob McKinnon. Writer is Barry Adelman. Production designer is Bruce Ryan. Executive in charge of production is Bob Bardo. Executive in charge of talent is Amy Striebel. Fran La Maina is executive in charge.