2,688 of these waterford crystals and behind that 32,000 l.e.d.s generating over seven billion different light combinations. that s what you see on tv. each year we replace 192 of those with this year s theme, which is the gift of harmony. the global sentiments. always a reason for harmony and prosperity. what can people expect in times square? we want people to enjoy themselves. it s the changing of the guard. a brand new year. like opening a chapter of a book for the first time. you can make it happen. positive. has there ever been a glitch? we do extensive testing. we re testing the hydraulics, the software, the light pattern. this goes on for weeks and months in advance right up to 30 seconds before it drops. so it s failsafe? we re good to go. fingers crossed. who gets to throw the switch? it s not me this year.