Andy Cohen wasn’t the only host to get drunk on New Year’s Eve and spew some surprising statements while hosting, but the Bravo star stands by his tirade and makes “no apologies” for speaking his mind.
The 53-year-old talk show host was at the helm of CNN’s New Year’s Eve special and having a great time, but viewers were a little shocked to hear his candid comments, which included Cohen insulting former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and fellow media personality Ryan Seacrest.
Cohen is not apologizing for having one too many on the holiday, however. The only comment he regretted was saying unflattering things about Seacrest.
“I will not be shamed for having fun on New Year’s Eve,” Cohen told Howard Stern on Tuesday.
“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.’”
The host said he had been “overserved” alcoholic beverages and was “stupid and drunk and feeling it.”
Cohen reiterated his lack of regret, saying, “I won’t be shamed for it. I had a blast. Anderson [Cooper] had a blast. We left and we were like ‘That was fun, what a fun New Year’s Eve.’”
But the Bravo star did say he regrets saying less-than-positive things about ABC and their host.
“I really like Ryan Seacrest. He’s a really nice guy,” Cohen told Stern. “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.”
Cohen also wished he hadn’t told viewers he’d be returning next year, although it turns out that statement was true.
“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 said. Cohen then explained that CNN already said he’d be back to host the NYE celebration at the end of the year.
Rumors swirled that CNN staffers weren’t happy with Cohen’s rant, especially what he said about de Blasio. While on air, the host let his true feelings show.
“Watching Mayor de Blasio do his victory-lap dance after four years of the crappiest term as the mayor of New York!” Cohen exclaimed as Cooper said, “Don’t go on a rant” and tried to stop what was coming.
“The only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been. So, sayonara, sucka! 2022! It’s a new year, because guess what? I have a feeling I’m gonna 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!”