SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH THE DIVINE MISS M WHEN "BETTE MIDLER: THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON" DEBUTS NEW YEAR'S EVE, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

HBO rings in the New Year from Las Vegas next month when BETTE MIDLER: THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON features the entertainment icon in a musical extravaganza chock-full of the colorful entertainment that is the hallmark of the "people's diva." The 70-minute special, Midler's first on the network since 1997, debuts FRIDAY, DEC. 31 (9:00-10:10 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Taped before a packed house at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Midler's fifth HBO special spotlights the Emmy(R), Golden Globe and Grammy winner's high-energy blend of spectacular music and bawdy humor. BETTE MIDLER: THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON features some of Midler's colorful characters and her entourage of talented performers, including the staggering Harlettes, her dazzling dancers, The Caesar Salad Girls, and a 13-piece band, which includes a six-person horn section from the Las Vegas band The Fat City Horns. The all-new presentation showcases many of The Divine Miss M's greatest hits, including "The Rose," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "From a Distance," "Hello in There" and "Wind Beneath My Wings."

While performing before sold-out crowds at Caesars Palace for nearly two years, Midler decided to tape the most imaginative show of her career to share the experience with fans around the world.

Bette Midler made her HBO debut with the 1977 presentation "The Bette Midler Show," the network's first music special, followed by "Art or Bust" (1984), "Bette Midler's Mondo Beyondo" (1988) and "Diva Las Vegas" (1997), for which she won an Emmy(R). She received Oscar(R) nominations for "The Rose" and "For the Boys," both of which brought her Golden Globe awards. Overall Midler has received four Golden Globes, three Emmys(R), three Grammys and a special Tony Award.

BETTE MIDLER: THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON was produced by Bette Midler and Seanne Farmer; directed by Bette Midler; executive producer, Bette Midler; original stage production conceived and directed by Bette Midler.