CNN’s ‘New Year’s Eve Live’: A Look Back at Its Most Controversial Moments Over the Years
Shortly after Anderson Cooper began hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage from Times Square in 2002, the event itself often transitioned into a news story.
In 2007, Kathy Griffin was introduced as Cooper’s official cohost. Their unexpected partnership brought humor to the broadcast, with Griffin frequently stirring up controversy with her risqué jokes and expletives. Nevertheless, the network stood by her until May 2017, when she faced backlash for posing with a fake severed head of then-President Donald Trump.
After Cooper expressed his disgust on Twitter, calling the photos “clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate,” the network severed all ties with Griffin.
Continuing to keep the atmosphere light, Cooper partnered with his friend Andy Cohen as his cohost for the 2017-18 event, and together, they established a tradition of toasting during the broadcast.
A few years later, during the 2021-22 broadcast, Cohen made headlines after throwing shade at Mayor Bill de Blasio and Ryan Seacrest, resulting in a one-year alcohol ban for both Cooper and Cohen.
Scroll through to see the most memorable moments from the broadcast throughout the years:
