Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen knocked back shots during CNN’s live New Year’s Eve Show, just a year after the network banned on-air drinking during the festivities.
‘Speaking of traditions, it’s the top of the hour,’ Cohen said Sunday night as he and Cooper appeared at the annual live show in Times Square.
‘We’ve been here for seven years doing this, and for most of those years – well, at the top of the hour we typically have a toast.’
The TV presenter continued: ‘I guess I’m just wondering, does daddy get his juice?’
‘Can daddy get his juice responsibly?’ Cooper quipped back.
As per a new policy in fall 2022, the hosts were ordered to steer clear of booze during the holiday broadcast.
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper took shots during CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast on Sunday
‘I guess I’m just wondering, does daddy get his juice?’ Cohen joked before Cooper procured a bottle of tequila
The hosts were ordered to steer clear of alcohol in fall 2022, after former network CEO Chris Licht slammed the tradition as unprofessional
When Cooper said he had no alcohol, Cohen procured a bottle of tequila from his bag.
‘Anderson, this is why I’m a really good partner to you. I got it! We’re doing this!’ Cohen said.
After inviting the viewers to join their toast, Cohen and Cooper each downed a shot.
The controversy emerged during 2022’s New Year’s show, where Cohen and Cooper hosted from NYC while former CNN anchor Don Lemon reported from New Orleans.
Lemon, clutching a drink, proclaimed that haters could ‘kiss my behind,’ and Cohen launched into an alcohol-fueled rant against Bill de Blasio.
The network made the decision to ban on-air drinking that fall, under the direction of then-CEO Chris Licht.
In a November meeting, Licht proclaimed: ‘I’m not looking for a bunch of my respectful talent to be out there all night doing shots,’ according to a recording obtained by The Washington Post.
‘That will be different,’ he continued. ‘I don’t think that builds credibility.’
A spokesperson later acknowledged that Cohen’s alcohol-fueled tirade against de Blasio was inappropriate, saying: ‘Andy said something he shouldn’t have on live TV.’
During 2022’s New Year’s Eve show, Lemon drunkenly ranted to his ‘haters,’ telling them to ‘kiss my behind’
The same night, Cohen launched into a booze-fueled tirade against former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio
After the CEO’s statements leaked, Lemon appeared on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ to down a tequila shot with the host.
‘I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do this year,’ Lemon told Colbert. ‘You’re going to get me in trouble.’
The former anchor of ‘CNN This Morning’ parted ways with the network in April following accusations of misogyny.
It is unclear if new CEO Mark Thompson has reversed the alcohol ban, but Cohen beseeched him to allow on-air drinking last month.
‘I haven’t heard anything yet, but come on, they need to let us drink,’ Cohen told E! News in November.
‘It’s New Year’s Eve. That didn’t go well last year in terms of viewer happiness about us drinking. People really cared and I hope CNN gives the people what they want.’
Both Cohen and Cooper built up the suspense during an appearance on ‘The Late Show,’ with Cooper saying: ‘I think you’re going to have to tune in and see.’