What to watch on election night to maintain your sanity
As our long national nightmare comes to an end and the votes are tallied to determine whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will become the next president of the United States, you may be pondering the best way to run out the clock on Election Day.
Luckily, a few brave TV networks are providing an alternative to the cable news navel-gazing we've been subjected to this election season, whether you're in the mood to laugh or just pretend it's not happening at all. Here are some highlights from across the dial:
Escape the Election marathon - The Weather Channel, 3 p.m. to midnight ET/PT
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On Nov. 8, "the one network you can count on for absolutely zero election night coverage" is The Weather Channel -- which makes sense, if you think about it. Instead, the network will play nine hours of nature scenery and soothing music to help transport you to your happy place.
Too Cute marathon - Animal Planet, 3 p.m. to 12:01 a.m. ET/PT
If you like your counter-programming with a side of adorable, try Animal Planet's parade of puppies, kittens, barnyard animals and their feathered friends. After the cynicism of this election cycle, we could probably all use a little sweetness.
The View live election special - Lifetime, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
On Tuesday night, the ladies of The View will head over to Lifetime for a two-and-a-half-hour "viewing party," featuring such special guests as former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, Lena Dunham, Kathy Griffin, Will Forte, Tom Bergeron and Robin Roberts. According to Joy Behar, there will be booze.
Election Night Live - Comedy Central, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
In a true display of democracy, Comedy Central will be livestreaming its entire election night lineup with no login or authentication required, featuring the Tosh.0-lection special at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, an election-themed installment of Drunk History at 10:30 p.m., and live specials from The Daily Show (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT) and @Midnight (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT) to help us laugh our way through what Trevor Noah has termed "democalypse 2016."
Stephen Colbert’s Live Election Night Democracy’s Series Finale: Who’s Going To Clean Up This Sh*t? - Showtime, 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT
Late Show host Stephen Colbert will trade CBS for Showtime for one night only, where the inimitable late night host will go live and uncensored to react to the election results as the state by state returns come in. "It'll be all the political comedy you love from my CBS show, with all the swearing and nudity you love from Showtime," Colbert promised in a statement.
