New Year's Eve Drama: Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen's Heated Exchange

The New Year's Eve celebration took an unexpected turn when Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, co-hosts of CNN's "New Year's Eve Live," had a heated exchange on air. The show, known for its lighthearted and politics-free atmosphere, saw Cohen, 57, criticizing outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams while Cooper, 58, tried to intervene.

Heated Exchange

Cohen attempted to voice his opinions, but Cooper shut him down with a firm "Don't," even edging away from the camera. Despite Cooper's efforts, Cohen continued his slightly slurred critique, mentioning Adams' pardons, which turned out to be a misunderstanding. Adams had not received any pardons; instead, his federal corruption case was dismissed with prejudice in April 2025.

Viral Moments

Cooper's repeated "I'm out" comments and his attempts to leave the frame became a highlight of the night. Guest B. J. Novak also tried to defuse the situation, warning Cohen that he might be cut off. The exchange left viewers wondering, "Is this how we are going to enter 2026?"

Backhanded Compliment

Despite the tension, Cohen managed to give Adams a backhanded compliment, noting his efforts to reduce the rat population in New York. This comment referred to Adams' establishment of the Mayor's Office of Rodent Mitigation just before leaving office.

Social Media Buzz

The incident quickly went viral on social media, with users sharing reaction gifs and strings of crying-laughing emojis. They described Cooper's attempts to step out of frame as the funniest moment of the night. Another clip of Cohen and Cooper's earlier, tipsy banter about sharing a bed and casting themselves in a gay romance series also spread widely, topping 700,000 views.

Party Vibe

Viewers had been expecting a lively, alcohol-infused show after Cohen confirmed on "Watch What Happens Live" that they would be drinking. He even joked that it was his job to get Anderson drunk. The show's party vibe was a hit online, with fans cheering the hosts' antics.

New Year, New Mayor

At midnight on January 1, Eric Adams was succeeded by Zohran Mamdani, 34, as the new mayor of New York. The night ended with a mix of drama, humor, and a lot of social media buzz.