Michael Flatley was named a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations

Irish dance icon Michael Flatley’s Broadway debut is going out with bang! The famed “Lord of the Dance” creator was named a goodwill ambassador to the United Nations for his humanitarian efforts. A special performance of “Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games” at the Lyric Theatre was hosted this week by UN officials as well as socialite Stephanie Winston Wolkoff. Tears were seen streaming down Flatley’s face when Winston Wolkoff and friends greeted him at an after party in the upper lobby of the theater with champagne.

TURNS OUT, “HATEFUL” IS LOVABLE

Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” will expand to 1,958 screens in digital theatrical release after the success of the movie’s exclusive road show run, which debuted on Christmas Day. The movie, offered in rare Ultra Panavision 70-mm. and originally released on only 100 screens in 44 cities, has grossed $5.66 million at U.S. box offices to date, reports The Weinstein Co.

“The demand to see this film has exceeded our capabilities in 70-mm., so we’re greatly looking forward to bringing it to more theaters,” said Weinstein president of distribution Erik Lomis.

"GLOBAL" BOSS TO START COUNTDOWN

 Global Citizen co-founder Hugh Evans — whose annual festival brought together headliners Beyonce, Pearl Jam, and Coldplay earlier this summer — will join Mayor de Blasio in Times Square to press the button that begins the famous ball drop.

The 32-year-old humanitarian, originally from Australia, will ask the million-strong crowd to adopt the United Nations global goals for sustainable development as their 2016 resolutions.

The goals aim to end poverty, protect the planet and "ensure prosperity for all" over the next 15 years.

SEE NO CHEERLEADERS

 Jon Stewart spent some quality bonding time with his son Nathan at a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, where he had many laughs with his seatmate Tracy Morgan. Things seemed to take a turn for the hilarious when the scantily clad Knicks dancers started strutting their stuff in front of the 11-year-old and Stewart covered his eyes with one swoop of his arm.

IT’S A RARE WINTER ALBA

Around this time of year, Jessica Alba is usually gifting us with bikini clad Instagram pics on vacation with her family. But the actress was spotted out, fully covered up in a long coat, hat, and scarf at a park in Beverly Hills with her family. Her husband Cash Warren and her daughters Honor and Haven were also there, looking like they were all dressed for a snowstorm.

COUNTING DOWN WITH JENNY

Jenny McCarthy shows off her Burberry scarf in a promotional picture for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2016.” The blond bombshell was there to rehearse for her hosting duties for the biggest party of the year.