Andy Cohen rang in the new year as he has done every year since 2017—alongside his close friend Anderson Cooper as co-host of CNN’s live New Year’s Eve broadcast.
For New Year’s Eve 2026, the Bravo host was in rare form as he chatted with guests and downed tequila shots while awaiting the countdown to the New Year.
But while Cohen, 57, grew increasingly animated as the night went on, in the end, he closed things out by posting a poignant Instagram photo of him hugging Cooper as they stood on a platform in the middle of Times Square.
“Happy New Year ❤️,” Cohen captioned the photo.
Fans Reacted to Andy Cohen’s New Year’s Eve Photo
Cohen and Cooper have been close friends for years. They both have kids around the same age and sometimes even vacation together, they shared during the CNN broadcast. Still, their personalities are very opposite, which is what can make watching them together so much fun.
The duo’s love for one another was apparent in Cohen’s sweet New Year’s photo. Fans reacted in the comment section
“A friendship that anyone would love to have. Enjoy partying the night away!💕🥳” one fan wrote.
“I know you know, but you two are THE CUTEST❤️❤️,” another added.
TV host and political commentator S.E. Cupp also chimed in, writing, “YOU GUYS. Can’t tell you how much joy you bring to new years. Truly, YOU are NYE now. Taken the mantel. Done. Won. Perfection. Everything.”
Anderson Cooper Tried to Stop Andy Cohen From Going on a Political Rant on NYE 2026
GettyDuring the live CNN broadcast, Cooper tried to calm Cohen down as he began to talk politics late in the evening.
According to the New York Post, shortly after the ball drop, Cohen went off on outgoing NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and Cooper tried to cut him off—to no avail. Cohen accused Adams of having a “chaotic” and “horrible” four-year term and wished him to “go off in the sunset” to make way for incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Cooper put his arm around Cohen in an attempt to calm him down as he issued his passionate rant, the Post noted. “No, no, no,” Cooper warned his pal.
Cohen previously found himself in hot water when he dissed former mayor Bill de Blasio during CNN’s New Year’s Eve 2022. He and Cooper were banned from drinking the following year on-air.
Cohen offered no apologies for his 2022 political rant. The morning after, he wrote on Instagram, “I was a hair over-served last night, but man did I have fun! I hope you did too. Happy New Year everybody.”
He later admitted on his Sirius XM show, “Andy Cohen Live” that he regretted talking about Ryan Seacrest’s rival New Year’s Eve show.
“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,” Cohen said in January 2022. “And I really regret saying that, and I was just stupid and drunk and feeling it. …I felt bad about that. That is what I absolutely, that I really regret. I really do.”
Anderson’s laughing, (giggling) was again, worth the watch!!🤣 Made my whole year!😂😂😂
However Andy is always very inappropriate. I refuse to watch WWHL. Andy persona is dirty mouth and cool, but his home personality has gay overtones.be yourself all the time. Stay out of politics. Mandani. really????
Why are you commenting
You have nothing to say
I can go a lifetime without watching a drunken Andy and Anderson crotch sniff each other on TV