Andy Cohen (pictured at his New York City studio on Tuesday) has ‘no apologies’ for his drunken rant during CNN ‘s New Year’s Eve special and claims he was trying to cheer people up in wake of Betty White’s death
Andy Cohen has ‘no apologies’ for his drunken rant during CNN‘s New Year’s Eve special and claims he was trying to cheer people up in wake of Betty White‘s death.
The talk show host, appearing on the Howard Stern Show Tuesday, was asked about reports CNN staffers were furious at him for blasting outgoing NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio while tipsy on air. But Cohen was unbowed, saying: ‘I will not be shamed for having fun on New Year’s Eve…
‘Not only was it a middling year but it ended in a car crash of COVID and Betty White dying on the day of New Year’s Eve – who everyone loved – so it was like, “we gotta kick it into gear, we gotta have fun,”‘ he said.
White died at her LA home aged 99 on New Year’s Eve, sending her many fans into mourning, with Cohen now claiming his antics were intended to try and brighten their mood.
Cohen, 53, while hosting the network’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, went on a rant blasting outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and ABC host Ryan Seacrest.
The presenter confessed to being ‘overserved’ with alcohol while hosting the special alongside Anderson Cooper, later admitting he was ‘stupid and drunk and feeling it.’
However, Cohen – who was pictured happily entering the his NYC studios on Tuesday – said he has ‘no apologies for my drinking on New Year’s Eve, none’ and claimed CNN and network President Jeff Zucker has not addressed the rant with him.
‘The only direction that I get every year from Jeff Zucker is have fun. That is my job,’ he told Stern. ‘I won’t be shamed for it. I had a blast. Anderson had a blast. We left and we were like “that was fun, what a fun New Year’s Eve.”‘
Cohen did say his only regret from the night was ‘throwing ABC under the bus,’ noting that he actually ‘really likes’ Seacrest.
During a phone interview on the Howard Stern Show Tuesday (pictured), Cohen said he was instructed to have ‘have fun’ while hosting the NYE show
Cohen (left) said his rant was meant to bring joy: ‘Not only was it a middling year but it ended in a car crash of COVID and Betty White (right) dying on the day of New Year’s Eve – who everyone loved – so it was like, “we gotta kick it into gear, we gotta have fun”‘
‘I really like Ryan Seacrest. He’s a really nice guy,’ Cohen said. ‘I was, as they say, in my cups and I was kind of enjoying the rant. I was like “wow, it’s really fun being on CNN, just ranting like a nutty guy. This is fun.”‘
‘So I kept going and, that I felt bad about that, I felt bad and I texted Ryan the next morning.’
The presenter also said he regretted telling viewers that he would be back on-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 was like “dude that’s the clip they’re gonna play when you get canceled this year,’ he shared, before adding that CNN has already confirmed he would be invited back at the end of 2022.
The news was not received well by network staff, who are said to be ’embarrassed and angry’ at the star for ‘making a fool’ out of them.
Cohen admitted to being ‘overserved’ while hosting the network’s New Year’s Eve special (pictured) alongside Anderson Cooper, later admitting he was ‘stupid and drunk’
Insiders told Radar Online: ‘We claim to be the most trusted network in news and yet CNN hires Andy Cohen to make a fool out of all of us with his New Year’s performance?’
‘Andy doesn’t even work for CNN and yet he has been the face of our network for the past 48 hours. It is embarrassing and real CNN staffers are very angry.’
However, CNN denied the site’s claims that Andy will ‘not be invited back’ to host next year, with a spokesperson stating: ‘Andy said something he shouldn’t have on live TV.’
‘We’ve addressed it with him and look forward to having him back again next year.’
MailOnline has contacted CNN and Andy’s representatives for further comment.
Andy Cohen was spotted entering his New York City studio on Monday after CNN said it was standing by the 53-year-old presenter for his drunken New Years Eve tirade
CNN staffers said Cohen ‘made a fool’ out of them during the drunken spectacle, leaving them angered and embarrassed
Cohen also opened up about his embarrassing drunken rant during his SiriusXM show, Andy Cohen Live, on Monday which he co-hosted with John Hill.
‘The only thing that I regret saying, the only thing is that I slammed the ABC broadcast and I really like Ryan Seacrest and he’s a great guy,’ Cohen said sheepishly.
‘And I really regret saying that, and I was just stupid and drunk and feeling it,’ he continued. ‘And it was, it was, I was continuing the Journey rant and I just kept talking and I shouldn’t have.
‘I felt bad about that. So that is the only thing. It’s the only thing,’ Cohen added.
Cohen was vicious in his verbal jabs about Seacrest, who was hosting Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for ABC, during his live broadcast which was happening simultaneously.
‘If you look behind me, you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s group of losers performing,’ Andy told CNN viewers while co-hosting with anchor Anderson Cooper, 54.
‘I’m sorry but if you’re watching ABC, you’re watching nothing,’ Andy rudely added.
Seacrest’s broadcast featured performances by Ashanti, Ja Rule and Journey in Times Square. Andy also made fun of Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, 54, as the lead singer of Journey.
‘We were doused with confetti from fake Journey on ABC. If it’s not Steve Perry, it doesn’t count! You get it?,’ Andy said. ‘It’s not Journey! It’s propaganda! It’s propaganda! It’s not Journey! It’s not Journey! No, that was not Journey. Steve Perry is Journey.’
Speaking out: On Monday, Cohen opened up about his embarrassing drunken rant during his SiriusXM show, Andy Cohen Live
Under fire: During his tirade, Cohen took aim at TV presenter Ryan Seacrest (left) as well as outgoing NYC mayor Bill de Blasio
While Cohen admitted during his radio show that he regretted the comments, he then seemed to blame the media for their coverage of his obnoxious remarks rather than really taking responsibility himself.
‘The headlines about Ryan Seacrest are all like I trash Ryan Seacrest,’ he said. ‘I’m like, I really, I hope he hears the clip. You know what I mean? Anyway…’
Cohen also openly mocked de Blasio on the network’s holiday special as he called him the ‘c***piest’ mayor in New York.
‘The only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been,’ Cohen said.
‘Don’t go on a rant!’ Cooper said in response to calm him down. ‘Is this how you want to start the new year?’
‘So sayonara sucker! 2022! It’s a new year, because guess what? I have a feeling I’m going to be standing right here next year, and you know who I’m not going to be looking at, dancing as the city comes apart? You!’
The comments came after Cohen and Cooper took shots to honor the death of Betty White who passed away earlier that day.
The following day, Cohen admitted the shots may have had something to do with his rant.
‘I was a bit overserved last night,’ he wrote in a Saturday post on Instagram. ‘I had so much fun though, and I hope you did too!’
Ouch: Cohen was vicious in his verbal jabs during his live broadcast while co-hosting with anchor Anderson Cooper, 54