CNN's New Year's coverage became popular viewing when Kathy Griffin co-hosted alongside Anderson Cooper. Viewers loved their dynamic and enjoyed seeing the outspoken comedian make Cooper uncomfortable.However, following Griffin's infamous Trump photo, she was fired from the program. The network needed to replace Griffin's spot with someone who could offer an equally enjoyable dynamic to viewers.Bravo's Andy Cohen was brought in to co-host with Cooper in Griffin's place. His alcohol consumption would get the better of him, however, and it resulted in another uncomfortable moment for Cooper.
Andy Cohen Went Off On Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio During CNN's Live New Year's Eve Broadcast
CNN's New Year's coverage would become memorable for their decision to allow hosts to drink alcohol during the broadcast. This has led to some very memorable moments that often went viral online.
However, no moment would be as memorable as when Cohen went on a 45-second rant against former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio after ringing in 2022. This happened after Cohen and Cooper took several shots of what appeared to be tequila.
"Watching Mayor de Blasio do his victory-lap dance after four years of the crappiest term as the mayor of New York!" Cohen said as Cooper begged him not to go on a rant.
"The only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been," Cohen continued. "So, sayonara, sucka! 2022! It’s a new year, because guess what? I have a feeling I’m gonna be standing right here next year, and you know who I’m not going to be looking at dancing as the city comes apart? YOU!"
"That’s how you want to start the New Year?" Cooper asked laughing.
Elsewhere in the broadcast, Cohen ranted about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and rival New Year's host Ryan Seacrest.
"There's a bunch of smoke coming from Ryan Seacrest's group of losers that are performing behind us," Cohen joked. "If you've been watching ABC tonight, you've seen nothing, I'm sorry."
CNN Stood By Andy Amid Rumors That He Wouldn't Be Returning To The Show
As Cohen's rant went viral online, many were amused by his outburst. However, not everyone was so good-humored about the situation. In fact, there were a number of reports which falsely claimed Cohen was fired by CNN. One report quoted a "TV insider" who claimed CNN was "embarrassed and angry" at Cohen's behavior.
A spokesperson for CNN told BuzzFeed News that the network was standing by Cohen and he was welcome back the following year.
"I can confirm that Andy Cohen will be back to co-host NYE on CNN next year," the statement read.
When speaking to Howard Stern, Cohen slammed the "unnamed sources" for "making up" the story.
"Listen, I will not be shamed for having fun on New Year’s Eve. That’s why I’m there. That’s why they bring me there," he said.
Cohen also said that the clips which went viral were taken from the final portion of the broadcast.
"It’s a four-and-a-half-hour show," he explained. "The booze started kicking in at around 11:30, so everyone is focusing on kind of the last 45 minutes or hour that we were on the air. I kicked into high gear with 45 minutes left, so we had done 15 interviews before that point, you know."
He further asserted that he wouldn't be shamed for having fun on New Year's Eve.
"I won’t be shamed for it! I had a blast! Anderson had a blast! We left and we were like, ‘That was fun, what a fun New Year’s Eve,’" Cohen said. "No apologies for my drinking on New Year’s Eve. None."
Cohen went on to reveal what then-president on CNN, Jeff Zucker, told him.
"The only direction that I get every year from Jeff Zucker is: ‘Have fun,’" he said. "There you go. That is my job."
Cohen did say he regretted what he said about Seacrest, whom he texted the following day to apologize.
"I did wind up kind of starting to throw ABC under the bus, and that is my only regret from the night," he said. "Because I really like Ryan Seacrest. He’s a really nice guy."
He continued, "I was kind of enjoying the rant! I was like, ‘It’s really fun being on CNN and just ranting like a nutty guy! This is fun!’ So I kept going, and that I felt bad about. And I texted Ryan the next morning."
CNN Reportedly Enforced New Rules For The Following Year, Including No Alcohol For The Hosts
In May 2022, Chris Licht was brought in as CNN's new chairman and CEO. According to Variety, staffers at the network met with Licht in November to discuss the New Year's coverage. Licht reportedly said that he wished to move away from any on-air partying, fearing it would "erode credibility" and take away the network's "respectability."
As a result, it was said that certain correspondents and anchors were told to abstain from alcohol consumption during future New Year's broadcasts.
Amid speculation, Cohen spoke to Rolling Stone and clarified that it was CNN correspondents who weren't allowed to drink.
"Anderson and I will be the people partying on CNN [though] we will be partying responsibly," he said. "If the correspondents are not drinking this year, I will be partying even harder on their behalf."
However, Cohen would later tell Page Six that neither he nor Cooper would be drinking during the New Year's coverage. "But we're going to have a BLAST," he said.
Cohen and Cooper ultimately didn't consume alcohol during the broadcast, but took mystery shots instead. One of the mystery shots was pickle juice.
