Will Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen Drink on New Yr’s Eve 2026?
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are back at it for New Year’s Eve 2026—and yes, the drinks will be flowing.
The longtime pals and CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live cohosts confirmed the tradition during a playful appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, December 16. In a classic TV moment, Cooper, Cohen, Colbert, and his bandleader Louis Cato all took shots from a shotski before reminiscing about their 2024 celebrations.
Cohen admitted that he “dragged” Cooper to Patti LuPone’s afterparty, which Cooper called “lovely.” Cohen, of course, didn’t let that slide: “You remember none of it! You were so drunk.” Cooper agreed he was likely tipsy, adding, “I don’t drink other than when I’m with this guy on New Year’s Eve.”
The duo also dished on the logistics behind their broadcast. Cohen explained that every year around 10:45 p.m., he has to start “driving the ship” for CNN’s coverage. Cooper tried to protest, but Cohen doubled down: “This is the truth. I hear the slur in his voice. I know his voice so well. Last year I really did get him a little drunk on New Year’s Eve, so by the time we went to Patti’s house…”
Cooper chimed in, saying he “[had] to intervene,” noting that he was “fully in control” during the evening. “I don’t remember much, but it was fine,” he added. “The problem for me [on] New Year’s Eve, really in the last 30 minutes, I’m just looking at things online to see in what ways has [Cohen] screwed us over? In what ways did he say things that I’m going to have to defend?”
This will mark the ninth consecutive year the pair cohosts the broadcast. After a brief CNN ban on on-air drinking in 2022 following controversy over Cohen’s remarks about Ryan Seacrest and former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Cooper and Cohen returned to raising glasses the next year. For New Year’s 2025, Cohen famously pledged a tequila shot every hour leading up to midnight.
Fans can also expect a star-studded lineup this year, including performances from Robyn, Shakira, Brandy and Monica, Bryan Adams, Florence + The Machine and RAYE. Special appearances are slated from Colbert, Oz Perlman, Amy Sedaris, Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, Patti LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O’Connell, B.J. Novak, Leanne Morgan, Sarah Sherman and more.