Lebanese revellers ring in New Year with TV programmes

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-01-02

[ANWAR AMRO/AFP/Getty Images] People gather to celebrate New Year's Eve in downtown Beirut.

New Year celebrations in Lebanon had their special, distinctive flavour. Restaurants, hotels and tourist spots flaunted special soirees, where renowned Arab and Lebanese stars sang the night away. One exception was Egypt's Amr Diab, whose downtown Beirut concert was cancelled because of slow ticket sales. Prices ranged from $250 to $800.

But a large cross section of Lebanese chose to ring in the New Year at home, amidst warm gatherings of family and friends sharing dinner and drinks. Home soirees were still 'star-studded' as the majority of TV channels aired special programming.

Viewers celebrated New Year’s Eve with special programs that aired on Tele Liban, NTV, NBN and Future TV. On MTV, its weekly programme "Hadith El Balad", hosted by Mona Abu Hamza, was dedicated to celebrating the New Year. Haifa Wehbe and comedian Tony Abou Jaoude made appearances. A special soiree followed the show, running past midnight, featuring arts and media personalities.

On OTV, Mireille Hakim and Elie Hoshan presented a special program that included entertainment segments and chances to win prizes. Stars of the famous comedy TV show "Lol" were also featured.

Future TV aired a soiree hosted by Michel Azzi, featuring a performance by Assi al-Helani, and a live feed from downtown Beirut.

As usual with LBC, the New Year’s Eve soiree was co-hosted by Tony Baroud and his wife, former Miss Lebanon Christina Sawaya. The programme featured games and contests that offered cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $100,000 and three cars. Sawaya broadcast live from a concert at the Regency Palace in Adma, featuring Melhem Barakat among others.

Though the star-studded programs proved popular, nothing topped the astrological predictions for viewer interest.

On LBC, Baroud conducted an interview with Michel Hayek, who discussed his predictions for 2010 at the Lebanese, Arab and international levels.

Through her weekly show, "Al-Haqq Youqal", Maguy Farah predicted that 2010 would usher in astrological discord among major stars. She called for caution, restraint and austerity.

OTV also closed their soiree with predictions from astrologer Mike Feghali.

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