Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen

Anderson Cooper And Andy Cohen Ring In 2023 With Hilarious Non-Alcoholic Moments!

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By Melanie VanDerveer on January 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM EST

Despite the alcohol ban during CNN's "New Year's Eve Live" broadcast, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen lived it up with tons of fun and plenty of laughs. Instead of drinking alcohol during the evening, the two decided to take a non-alcoholic mystery shot at the top of every hour. Even stone-cold sober, these two besties made the night exciting around every corner.

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Andy Cohen And Anderson Cooper Took Mystery Shots During The "New Year's Eve Live" Broadcast

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen - Instagram

"We will take the shot, and then we will guess what it was," Cohen, 54, said. The two put on glasses so they couldn't see the contents of the shot, but viewers at home could see what it was displayed across the TV screen. The first shot was pickle juice. "Honestly, this is no different to me because alcohol, to me, all tastes disgusting," Cooper, 55, said before taking the first shot.

At the top of the next hour, the two had buttermilk shots, and then at 10 p.m. ET, it was apple cider vinegar shots. "What could that be? Andy idea?" Cohen asked Anderson as they both looked like they were not enjoying that shot. "Socks? Or shoes? Are we drinking the squeezed juice of a leather shoe?" asked Cooper, to which Cohen screamed, "I need tequila. Honestly!"

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The Network Planned To Monitor Alcohol During Broadcast After Last Year's Event

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper
Andy Cohen - Instagram

In an Instagram post, Cohen admitted to being a "hair overserved" during last year's event, which then led the network to decide to monitor drinking during their New Year's Eve programs this year. "My only direction is to have fun," Cohen told PEOPLE before the network's decision came to be. "That's what I plan to do and I'm happy to cocktail it up."

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Many of his fans took to the comments of last New Year's Eve Instagram post to tell Cohen how much fun they had ringing in the new year watching him go on some hilarious drunken rants. "I watch only you guys every Dec 31. Don’t ever stop and keep being yourself. Very entertaining!!thank you! ❤️" one fan wrote. "This was the best TV I've seen in a while. So thank you for that, ???" another added. Another fan also agreed adding, "You’re New Year's Rant was the HIGHLIGHT OF NIGHT!!!! What a great way to ring in the new year 2022 with some gawd damn HONESTY!!! ❤️YOU MAN!!!!"

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This year, with no alcohol allowed, the two discussed the situation on air. "We can't drink. We can't drink, but it's fine," Cohen said with some energy mixed with anxiety. Cooper asked, "Are you going to be able to make it?" to which Cohen responded, "You know, that's the question. We will see. Do I have a pocket full of edibles? I do. Will I take them? I don't think so. I don't know. It's a long night. This is a telethon with no disease."

Many Viewers Shared Their Favorite Moments From The Evening On TikTok

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen - Instagram

TikToker Emfreeland, found it particularly funny when Cohen read a message from a viewer live on air. "She said this is a message to my son's father. Hey, you piece of ass! While you're out celebrating and having a good time. I'm here taking care of the child you forgot about," the message begins. He continued reading it with deep emotion saying, "Hope you're having fun, loser. P.S. You're bald!"

Many of her followers also found this moment to be laugh-worthy. "He forgot it wasn’t a real housewives reunion tweet ????," one person wrote. "The best night ever watching them ????," added another.

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Another TikToker, Alyssa Marie, posted the segment with Kevin Hart and his rant about Cooper and Cohen not being able to partake in some alcoholic beverages this year. "I'm gonna take a shot because you guys have been hoodwinked. I can't believe CNN," he ranted and the two hosts laughed. "I'm going to drink for you, OK?"

One viewer of the TikTok clip wrote in the comments, "I love when Anderson gets the giggles ?" and another added, "Anderson’s giggle fits are a tell-tell sign they have had drinks. ?" Another viewer said that while they didn't have drinks, they may have had something else. "I believe they had edibles thanks to Andy ???."

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Anderson Cooper Shared His Feelings About New Year's Eve On Social Media

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper - Instagram

At the end of the evening, Cooper took to social media to share some of his thoughts and feelings about New Year's Eve. "For much of my life, New Year's Eve has been infused with sadness. Watching the ball drop as a ten year old with my brother, while my dad was in the hospital, we knew something terrible was going to happen, and it did five days later when my dad died," he began his Instagram caption.

"I still feel that sadness, that loss on this night, but being able to spend it with my friend Andy, and with all of you who tune in, and going home afterwards to a home where my two boys are asleep in their cribs and will wake up in the morning laughing and joyful…it’s become a very different night for me… and I am grateful."

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He concluded the caption by reminding people that they aren't alone. "If you feel alone on this night, I hope you know that there are many of us who also feel that way, and you are not alone. I hope you all have a very happy and healthy new year."

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