Andy Cohen insists he’ll still be boozing it and smashing tequila shots as he ushers in 2023 on CNN’s New Year’s Eve show, despite reports the network is looking to cut off its hosts.
The beloved Bravo host told Rolling Stone in an interview that he was going to “burn the place down” and added that he was the “leader of the party”! Cohen, 54, who is back with longtime pal Anderson Cooper, 55, said claims the network wanted him to limit his drinking were exaggerated and that he wasn’t exactly concerned about the new policy.
“If the correspondents don’t drink this year, I’ll party even harder for them,” he said.
Cohen put his foot in his mouth several times when the bell rang in 2022, prompting him to apologize the next day — including to Ryan Seacrest, who hosted ABC’s rival show.
However, the ‘Watch What Happens Live’ host told the magazine his past indiscretions haven’t stopped him from having a good time.
“I enjoy it because I’m a guest on CNN, so I’m like a visitor.”
Real Housewives producer/Bravo host Andy Cohen (pictured left) and CNN host Anderson Cooper (pictured right) shared a laugh during their co-hosting duties on last year’s CNN New Year’s Eve show, a memorable night that saw the playful Cohen hit to outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio and Ryan Seacrest, which angered and embarrassed network staff
Andy Cohen and Cooper take pictures in the early evening of the New Year celebrations
During last year’s show, Cohen seemed to be having a little too much fun. In addition to Seacrest, he also slapped outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio, angering and embarrassing network staff.
The Seacrest broadcast featured performances by Ashanti, Ja Rule and Journey in Times Square. Andy also poked fun at Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, 54, as Journey’s lead singer.
“If you look behind me you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s group of losers perform. … I’m sorry, but when you watch ABC, you don’t see anything,” Cohen said at the time.
“We were showered in confetti from the fake trip on ABC. If it’s not Steve Perry, it doesn’t count! You understand it? It’s not a trip! It’s propaganda! It’s propaganda! It’s not a trip! It’s not a trip! No, that wasn’t Journey. Steve Perry is journey.’
Seacrest said earlier this month that CNN’s decision to limit alcohol consumption was a “good idea,” but added that he “could send them some Casa Dragones tequila just to tempt them while they’re on the air.” are”.
The Real Housewives producer also threw some shadows at then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for the second year in a row.
“Watching Mayor de Blasio dance his victory lap after four years of the shittiest tenure as mayor of New York — the only thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a terrible mayor he was,” he told Us magazines”. reported.
At one point, Cooper said to his outspoken friend, “Don’t make a rant!” “Is this how you want to start the new year?”
Cohen has hosted the New Year’s Eve party for five years, replacing comedian Kathy Griffin. Part of the show’s tradition, with Cohen as co-host, is to take shots “on the hour,” and part of the fun was watching Cooper’s facial expressions as he tried to let go
Some CNN insiders shared their fears with Radar Online. “We claim to be the most trusted news network, and yet CNN hires Andy Cohen to fool us all with his New Year’s gig?” They said.
“Andy doesn’t even work for CNN, yet he’s been the face of our network for the past 48 hours. It’s embarrassing and real CNN employees are very angry.’
However, CNN denied the site’s claims, with a spokesperson stating, “Andy said something he shouldn’t have on live television. We raised it with him and look forward to having him back next year.”
This year’s party is set to start at 8 p.m. in Times Square and will attract over 1,000,000 people. CNN will have appearances and appearances from Duran-Duran, J-Hope, Halle Baziley, Jax, Shaggy, TXT and more.
Cohen said after the ball dropped and the party was over, he joked, “I’ll just march back to Bravo at 12:30 in the morning and be done with that, and that way I can torch the place while I’m there, and then go.” Out.’
Andy Cohen posts photos of himself and Anderson Cooper to Instagram on New Year’s Day 2022 with the caption: I was a hair’s breadth last night but boy did I have fun! I hope you do too. Happy New Year everybody’
In response to a report that the network banned its hosts from drinking during this year’s show, Cohen told Rolling Stone that “CNN boss Chris Licht’s alleged direction may not apply to himself or co-anchor Anderson Cooper.”
“CNN said the correspondents weren’t drinking,” he told the publication. “Anderson and I will be the people partying on CNN [though] We will celebrate responsibly,” he said
Cohen also expressed his delight at ringing in the new year with his best pal, the more reserved CNN host.
“My job is to get Anderson out of his comfort zone [and] My job is to be a party ringleader for everyone who’s watching us on New Year’s Eve,” Cohen explained.
“And I will continue to do so.”
Cohen has hosted the New Year’s Eve party for five years, replacing comedian Kathy Griffin.
Part of the show’s tradition, with Cohen as co-host, is to take shots “on the hour,” and part of the fun was watching Cooper’s facial expressions as he tried to let go.
Ryan Seacrest speaks onstage during the 2022 New Year’s Eve Celebration in Times Square on December 31, 2021 in New York City
Cohen opened up about his embarrassing drunken tirade during his SiriusXM show Andy Cohen Live, which he co-hosted with John Hill the next day. He said his only regret of the night was “throwing ABC under the bus,” noting that he actually “really likes” Seacrest, according to a previously reported Chron story.
“I really like Ryan Seacrest. He’s a really nice guy,” Cohen said. “I was, as they say, in my cups and kind of enjoying the rant. I was like, ‘Wow, it’s really fun to be on CNN and just rant like a crazy guy. That is fun.”
“So I moved on and felt bad about it, I felt bad and texted Ryan the next morning.”
The presenter also said he regrets telling viewers he will be back on the air next year.
“Towards the end of the de Blasio rant, I said something like, ‘I have a feeling I’ll be here next year.’ And when I saw the clip, I thought, “Dude, this is the clip they’re going to play if you get canceled this year,” he shared, before adding that CNN has already confirmed he’ll be back in late 2022 is invited
It was later revealed that the comments came after Cohen and Cooper took pictures to honor the death of Betty White, who passed away earlier that day.
The next day, Cohen admitted the shooting may have had something to do with his tirade.
“I got a little overwhelmed last night,” he wrote in a Saturday post on Instagram. “I had so much fun though, and I hope you did too!”