The ‘Watch What Happens Live’ host and the CNN journalist drink shots every hour during their annual coverage from Times Square.

Andy Cohen says he has to take control of New Year’s Eve show when Anderson Cooper gets too drunk: ‘I hear the slur’

The 'Watch What Happens Live' host and the CNN journalist drink shots every hour during their annual coverage from Times Square.

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

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December 31, 2025 3:00 p.m. ET

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Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper host CNN's New Year's Eve coverage in 2024. Credit:

Craig T Fruchtman/WireImage

Contrary to what TV audiences see every New Year's Eve, Anderson Cooper really isn't a big drinker.

When audiences see him sloshed as CNN ushers in the new year, alongside his cohost and real-life friend Andy Cohen, it marks the one time of year that the *Anderson Cooper 360* anchor imbibes, Cooper confirmed to Stephen Colbert on a recent episode of *The Late Show*.

Cohen had plenty to say when he was asked what it was like being with Cooper for that.

"Well, let me say this," Cohen answered. "Around 10:45 on New Year's Eve every year, I become the straight man of our broadcast, okay? And I am driving the ship of CNN starting at 10:45."

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While Cooper interjected that he remained "fully in control," Cohen didn't waver.

"It's the truth," the *Watch What Happens Live *star said. "I hear the slur in his voice. I know his voice so well. And last year, I really did get him a little drunk on New Year's Eve."

The friends, whose families have vacationed together, spent the after-hours of last year's Times Square festivities at a party hosted by actress Patti LuPone.**

After Cooper said the soiree was "fantastic" and LuPone herself was "lovely," Cohen argued that Cooper wouldn't know.

"You remember none of it," Cohen told the journalist. "You were so drunk!"

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Cooper conceded that he "may have been drunk," because he drinks alcohol so rarely.

But when he and Cohen get together for their broadcast, they take shots at the top of every hour.

Cooper joked that, during the last 30 minutes of their broadcast, he's "looking online to see in what ways has he screwed us over" and damaged the network.

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen host a New Year's Eve special in the final hours of 2023.

Noam Galai/Getty

Before Cohen and Cooper departed *The Late Show*, Colbert took a shot with his guests, which Cohen noted that he does every Wednesday night with guests on his Bravo series.

Cooper noted that, for him, "it's a blur" after the first one.

This year — their ninth consecutive one cohosting — in addition to doing shots, Cooper and Cohen will welcome guests including Colbert, musical acts Brandy and Monica, Florence + The Machine, Brandi Carlile, and Patti LaBelle, as well as comedians like *The Office* alum B.J. Novak, and *Saturday Night Live* cast member Sarah Sherman.

*New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen* airs at 8 p.m. ET on CNN and the CNN app.**

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