Swift, Seacrest ready for 'New Year's Rockin' Eve'

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NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Ryan Seacrest is to lead the traditional New Year's countdown to midnight from Times Square in New York, with Jenny McCarthy interviewing the revelers.

Country music phenomenon Taylor Swift and Korean pop icon PSY will headline ABC's "New Year's Rockin' Eve' show in Manhattan, while recording artist Fergie will serve as host for the Los Angeles portions of the holiday festivities.

The bi-coastal celebration will include more than 5 1/2 hours of special performances and reports on year-end celebrations from around the globe, ABC said.

The program will also include a tribute to Dick Clark, who served as host of ABC's "New Year's Rockin' Eve" holiday program from 1972 to 2005 when he turned over the main emcee duties to Seacrest. Clark died in April at the age of 82.

"Surreal is probably the most appropriate word," Seacrest said on "Good Morning America" Monday when asked about appearing on the show without Clark. "You think back 40 years ago he started the tradition ... I not only watched him, I used to watch him and study how he hosted these shows."