More than ever before, media and television have been a massive part of the 2016 election. Candidates utilized everything from 24-hour news channels to viral late night comedy segments to try and get ahead in the race to the White House. The seemingly endless election cycle finally reaches that end on Nov. 8, and television has plenty of programming planned to celebrate the momentous occasion. Face it: We could all use some relief from all this election-anxiety. But, with so much programming to choose from, which 2016 election night TV special should you watch?
It could be the second-most important decision that Americans make today, so it's best to take a look at all the options so that you can stay informed and make the right choice for you. No matter who you supported at the polls, there are plenty of election specials that provide a variety of tone, coverage, and varying points of view. Whether you are liberal, moderate, or conservative, looking for cold-hard facts or some light humor — there's something for everyone airing on the evening of the U.S. election. This rundown of Election Day specials should help you make this important decision, or at the very least make the choice a little easier.
Want To Laugh? Watch Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert is hopping away from his usual CBS home and hopping to Showtime for Stephen Colbert's Live Election Night Democracy's Series Finale: Who's Going to Clean Up This S---?. The special promises to be funny, factual, and vulgar and vibrant in a way that Colbert isn't allowed to be on CBS. Tune in at 11:00 p.m. ET to catch one of the masters of political comedy take one final shot at the 2016 elections.
If Stephen Colbert doesn't scratch your comedy itch, tune into his former home at Comedy Central to see special election editions of Tosh.0, Drunk History, The Daily Show With Trevor Noah and a live post-election edition of @midnight.
Want To Crack Open A Bottle Of Wine? Watch The View
If you're stuck inside on Election Night but wish you were sitting around a brunch table, fear not. The View Live Election Special is airing on Lifetime at 9 p.m. ET and promises everything you love about the daytime talk show, but with plenty of political commentary and even more shade.
Want To Chill? Watch The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel is dedicating its entire Election Night programming to helping relieve viewers of their election anxiety with "Clouds! Rainbows! Autumn splendor! And...yes...smooth jazz!" The Weather Channel's press release asks, "Wouldn't it be nice if we all had a place to escape? If you think The Weather Channel is going to tell you to sit back, relax and stick your head in the clouds... you are correct."
On the whole, the election makes for some of most tense television coverage of 2016, but luckily there are plenty of different ways to watch. Liberals, conservatives, and moderates can all surely agree that it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a show to close out this very interesting election.
