Andy Cohen confirms that he and Anderson Cooper will drink alcohol as they ring in 2025 as hosts of CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve special.
By Tionah Lee Oct 28, 2024 7:32 PMTags
Anderson Cooper Reacts to NYE Demands After Hurricane Milton Coverage
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper won’t be popping champagne when the clock strikes midnight.
They may be aiming for something even stronger. Andy confirmed that when the duo host CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31, they not only will be allowed to drink on camera, but he teased he and his cohost are in for a boozy night.
“Yes! You bet,” the Watch What Happens Live host told Variety in an interview published Oct. 20. “After what Anderson did in that hurricane, I’m not only giving him tequila, I’m throwing it at him.”
Indeed, after the veteran news anchor endured being struck by debris while covering Hurricane Milton in Brandenton, Fla, in early October, many fans were calling on CNN to give the all-clear for Anderson (and Andy) to let loose as they usher in 2025.
"We need @AndersonCooper and @BravoAndy to host NYE. Please get this national treasure under cover," one fan wrote on their Instagram Story, which Andy reposted on his account and added, "Agree."
Andy, 56, also reposted a post on X (formally known as Twitter) that read, "CNN had better let Anderson Cooper black out on New Year’s Eve for this."
Back in 2023, CNN put the pause on Anderson and Andy’s alcohol consumption during the hours long live telecast seemingly after Andy raised eyebrows for comments he made, including when he declared that Ryan Seacrest and the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve team were “a group of losers” a few years earlier.
However, by the following year the protocols had relaxed as the longtime friends rang in 2024 with full cups and plenty of laughs. Noticeably Anderson, who had a couple shots of tequila before going into a full giggle fit during a drinking game with Neil Patrick Harris.
"We've been here for seven years doing this and for most of those years—" Andy began during their annual shot to ring in the new year, as Anderson remarked, "Are you asking about alcohol?"
"At the top of the hour we typically have a toast," the Most Talkative author noted as he poured shots for him and his cohost. "I guess, I'm just wondering does daddy get his juice?"
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