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New Year’s Eve and the dynamic duo of Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen have become synonymous. For their eighth consecutive year, they’ll be hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live on December 31, 2024. Their friendship, spanning decades, began with a near-miss blind date in the early 90s, orchestrated by mutual friends. While romance didn’t spark, a strong bond formed years later during a shared vacation. Cohen, the Bravo personality and host of Watch What Happens Live, joined Cooper, the Anderson Cooper 360 host, in 2017, replacing Kathy Griffin. Ever since, they’ve become a New Year’s Eve tradition, ringing in the new year together in Times Square. As we anticipate 2025, let’s revisit some of their most memorable and hilarious moments, from witty one-liners to slightly tipsy confessions.
NYE Through the Years: Cohen and Cooper’s Unforgettable Moments
2017: A Freshman Year Full of Promise
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In their inaugural year, Cohen and Cooper were still developing their on-screen rapport. However, Cohen’s interviews, particularly with Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, were instant classics. When Kidman was questioned about her viral Oscars applause, she retorted, “I wish that there was more important things to be concerned about or that people were focused on more important things than that sort of clapping.” Cohen’s playful response? “I think [Nicole] just shaded me a little bit… I guess she’s not coming on my show.”
2018: Umbrella-gate and the Times Square Alliance
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The 2018 New Year’s Eve celebration was marked by rain and a memorable clash with the Times Square Alliance. During a commercial break, Cohen was asked to close his umbrella. His on-air response was a mixture of indignation and humor. “I said I won’t do it,” he exclaimed. “Get the paddy wagon, cause that’s what it’s going to take.” He even claimed they threatened to revoke CNN’s Times Square credentials. Cooper, amused by the situation, encouraged viewers to tweet their support for Cohen’s umbrella.
2019: A Touching Tribute to Gloria Vanderbilt
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Cohen and Cooper honored Cooper’s late mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, with a surprisingly candid anecdote. Cooper recounted preparing Vanderbilt for an appearance on Watch What Happens Live. Vanderbilt’s unexpected question? “He’s not going to ask me who has the biggest c— in Hollywood, is he?” Cooper later confessed, after receiving a text from a friend, “Maybe I went too far.”
2020: Snoop Dogg, Empty Times Square, and Acid Trips?
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In a pandemic-stricken Times Square, Cohen’s interview with Snoop Dogg provided much-needed levity. Cohen’s question, “Have you gotten high at an NFL football game?”, sent Cooper into fits of laughter. Snoop Dogg’s affirmative response, along with the story of almost being ejected, was pure entertainment. Cohen then playfully suggested that he and Cooper should try acid that night, since Cooper had never done it before.
2021: “Sayonara, Sucka!” – Cohen’s Unfiltered Commentary
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After a few drinks, Cohen offered some uncensored opinions, targeting Ryan Seacrest’s ABC broadcast and then-NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. Despite Cooper’s attempts to dissuade him, Cohen declared de Blasio’s term “the crappiest” and bid him farewell with a memorable “Sayonara, sucka!”
2022: “Hoodwinked” by CNN’s Alcohol Ban
Following the previous year’s on-air antics, CNN implemented a no-alcohol policy for Cohen and Cooper. Kevin Hart, during an interview, expressed his disappointment, taking a shot on their behalf and declaring them “hoodwinked” by the network’s decision.
2023: “Does Daddy Get His Juice?” – The Return of the Toast
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The alcohol ban was lifted in 2023, much to the delight of Cohen and Cooper, who toasted the occasion at the start of the broadcast. Cohen’s playful inquiry, “Does Daddy get his juice?”, marked a return to their spirited tradition. He even produced a bottle of tequila, encouraging viewers to join their hourly toasts until the ball drop.
