ABC will spotlight worldwide parties on New Year's Eve

Two years ago, ABC News tracked the dawning of the new millennium around the world with an ambitious 24-hour broadcast anchored by a hardy Peter Jennings.

This year, the news division will mark the transition to 2002 with a New Year's Eve program that is reduced in size -- to 3 1/2 hours -- but not necessarily in scope.

"We're going to try to capture the complicated sense of this moment, in which people are trying to absorb what happened over the past year," said Tom Yellin, one of three executive producers of "ABC 2002."

"There was a day that changed all our lives," said Yellin, alluding to Sept. 11. "I think New Year's is a good time to be contemplative as well as to celebrate, and we plan to do both."

"ABC 2002," with Jennings serving as anchorman, will air from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 31.

It will spotlight new year observances worldwide, as did the millennium program. There also will be "thoughtful conversation" about the past and future, including challenges ahead, with political leaders and others, Yellin said.

But don't put away the party hats: Entertainment is planned, with performances by U2, Sting, Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, Arlo Guthrie and others. Jennings even had a hand in booking the talent, approaching U2's Bono at a concert and jazz master Marsalis closer to home.

"Wynton lives up the street so I said, 'Come on down and play a bit,'" the anchorman said.

ABC News, which did not produce a New Year's Eve special last year, began considering one for this year in early September. The terrorist attacks came and the idea was shelved.

"Then somebody said, 'Wait, maybe there's more of a reason than ever"' for the program, Yellin said.

"What's driving it this time is the sense that we're at a unique point in all of our lives and it's really important to take stock," he said. "But it shouldn't be dour and depressed and negative. There's a lot to be thankful for, hopeful for, thinking about."

Jennings will steer the itinerary from the Rose Center for Earth and Space at New York City's American Museum of Natural History.

A return to Times Square, from which Jennings had anchored the millennium edition, was briefly considered.

"But it doesn't feel like we should celebrate in quite the same way," Yellin said. "And we're not going through to midnight. Dick Clark has Times Square, and that's sort of his space and that's appropriate."

The Rose Center seemed the perfect location for "ABC 2002," Jennings said.

"If you're ever going to think and chat about that, New Year's Eve is a good time," he said.