Andy Cohen's New Year's Eve Plans: Boozy Broadcast or Sober Show?

While preparing to take the podium once again for the coming New Year festivities on CNN, Andy Cogen previously let fans know that he and his fellow TV star and pal, Anderson Cooper will be indulging in some booze on TV. However, in a new update, the Watch What Happens Live host has revealed that there will be a change this year. He made this known in a recent interview with Page Six.

The Bravo personality relayed to the news publication that he and Cooper will not be indulging in alcohol. He specifically stated that they won't be drinking, but are sure to "have a BLAST." This was in contrast to what the dad-of-two previously stated as he prepared to usher in the new year.

Speaking with Rolling Stone in a recently released interview, he mentioned his plans to imbibe some amount of booze although he acknowledged CNN's ban. He revealed to the news site, "CNN said the correspondents will not be drinking. Anderson and I will be the people partying on CNN [though] we will be partying responsibly.” 

He further joked that he would "torch the place,' and then head back to his Bravo base. He said that his job was to take Cooper out of his comfort zone. The 54-year-old also relayed that his job was to be the 'party ringleader' for every watching the live broadcast. He added that that was what he would continue to do.

Back in November, CNN staffers held a town-hall meeting with the company's CEO Chris Licht where it was announced that some policies will change concerning the New Year's Eve live broadcast. Licht shared that on-camera drinking marred CNN's credibility among viewers.

Last year's New Year's broadcast which followed the booze tradition came with mixed feelings. While Cohen was praised for his hilarious take on Mayor Bill de Blasio, he faced scrutiny for how he referred to ABC's production and staff. Fellow TV anchor, Ryan Seacrest had clamped down on Cohen's misconduct for offering to the staff in question as "a bunch of losers." Although Cohen apologize the following day, Seacrest seemed to still be displeased.

After CNN made its decision known concerning 2022's New Year's Eve broadcast, Seacrest weighed in on the situation. He showed his support stating that he did not "advocate drinking while one is on the air." He relayed that he did not know how the tradition started, but he felt CNN probably made a good decision to retract it.

Still speaking on the alcohol tradition, Seacrest described the hosts as a serious journalist, and then a friend of mine who has a lot of fun." He noted that he did not think the hosts would have said what they said last year if they had not been drinking. The Live With Kelly And Ryan host is the anchor of ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

After his verbal attacks on ABC, Cohen acknowledged that he went out of line. He stated that the only thing he regretted saying was how he slammed the ABC broadcast. He made it known that he really liked Ryan Seacrest while referring to the latter as a "great guy." Cohen noted that he was drunk and he just kept on talking, but he did feel bad about it after the whole euphoria.