CNN Addresses Andy Cohen Controversy: 'Andy Said Something He Shouldn't Have'

CNN has finally issued a statement for the “stupid and drunk comments” host Andy Cohen made during CNN’s New Year’s Eve special live from Times Square in New York City.

While Cohen was hosting with Anderson Cooper, the two were taking shots of Mujen, a distilled spirit crafted in Japan, in honor of the late “The Golden Girls” actress Betty White, who had passed away earlier that day. White was only a few weeks shy of turning 100 years old on January 17, 2022.

At one point in the night, Cooper mentioned that, although the alcohol tastes like water, it can sneak up on you if you're not careful. Only four minutes into the new year, Cohen revealed that he had way too much to drink when he began a drunken rant against outgoing NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

At exactly 12:04 AM, Cohen began his rant out of nowhere, saying, “Watching Mayor de Blasio do his victory-lap dance-”

“Oh, don’t go on a rant,” Cooper says, trying to get him to stop.

“-after four years of the crappiest term as the mayor of New York!” Cohen continued.

“That’s how you want to start the New Year?” Cooper asked repeatedly, but Cohen does not slow down.

“The only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been,” Cohen continued. “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!”

Cohen also threw shade at Ryan Seacrest and ABC’s annual “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” after Journey started to perform earlier in the night.

During the CNN broadcast, Cohen remarked, “If you look behind me, you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s group of losers performing. I’m sorry, but if you’re watching ABC, you’re watching nothing.”

The next morning, Cohen tweeted out a message saying, “I was a bit overserved last night,” but fans still called him out on his remarks. Many fans called it “embarrassing to watch” and hoped that he wouldn't be back next year.

Although many fans thought that Cohen's drunken rant was an “utter embarrassment,” CNN made a statement to E! News saying that they were prepared to welcome him back at the end of 2022.

“Andy said something he shouldn't have on live TV,” the network admitted. “We've addressed it with him and look forward to having him back again next year.”

To his credit, Cohen appeared contrite for the remarks that he made towards Ryan Seacrest; however, he did not think he had anything to apologize for when it came to his rant about outgoing NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

On Monday, Cohen took to his podcast “Andy Cohen Live” to tell co-host John Hill that the only thing he regretted was making fun of Ryan Seacrest and the ABC holiday special.

“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,” he said during the podcast. “And I really regret saying that. I was just stupid and drunk and feeling it.”

“I just kept talking and I shouldn't have, and I felt bad about that,” Cohen continued. “So that is the only thing. It's the only thing.”

Then, Cohen asked Hill, “Is there anything else you think I should apologize for, John?”

“No, I don’t think you should apologize, I think you should own it,” Hill replied. “It’s done. What’s done is done. I liked ‘sayonara sucker.’”

Fans responded to the Ryan Seacrest apology with mixed opinions. Although some people thought that Cohen and Anderson made a great comedic duo, others said it was disgusting to “watch a drunk person on TV who thinks is the most hilarious and smart people in the world.”

“That NYE show was awesome,” another commented. “Pure comedy.”

“I think you’re really assuming anyone was watching your show,” another commented. “They weren’t.”

Fans can listen to the 90-second clip of Andy Cohen's recent remarks below.