CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen Takes Shots During New Year’s Eve Coverage … It’s Not Alcohol

 CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen rang in the New Year on the network by taking shots of non-alcoholic substances.

During a company town hall back in November, CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht informed staff that he would put a stop to much of the drinking that has usually been a hallmark of CNN’s New Year’s Eve programming.

At the time, it was believed that hosts like Anderson Cooper would be allowed to keep drinking, but anchors and correspondents like Don Lemon would be prohibited from drinking during the broadcast.

However, Cohen exclaimed during live television coverage, “We can’t drink!”

Cohen said that he had a pocket of edibles. “Will I take them? I don’t think so,” he said. “I don’t know. It’s a long night. This is a telethon with no disease. Do you understand? We’re here all night! Passing time!”

Cohen and Cooper instead took shots of non-alcoholic substances.

“What we are doing is we are taking a mystery shot!” Cohen said.

They took shots of pickle juice and buttermilk, Mediaite reported.

WATCH:

This year will be the first New Year’s Eve show overseen by Licht since he took over the network in February. During the meeting, Licht reportedly told staffers that drinking on-air eroded the presenters’ credibility and “respectability.”

Last year, the broadcast drew significant controversy when Lemon and Cohen both went on alcohol-fueled rants while on air. First, Lemon ranted to fellow host Alisyn Camerota and comedian Dulce Sloan about criticism he receives. “I don’t give a — what you think about me, what do you think about that?” Lemon said. “I’m a grown-a** man. I don’t care what you think about me.”

“I am who I am,” Lemon continued. “I’m a grown, successful black man who a lot of people hate because they’re not used to people seeing me — and people like me — in the position that I am. To be able to share what I … my point of view on television, it freaks people out. And you know what? You can kiss my behind. I do not care. I don’t care. I really don’t care. I have one life, and this is who I am, and I feel very, um … blessed and honored to be in this position to be able to do this. So all the hate I get? It’s motivation to me. Bring it. I don’t care.”

Then Cohen fired a shot at ABC’s annual New Year’s Eve program, which could be seen from the CNN broadcast. “If you look behind me, you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s group of losers performing,” Cohen said. “I’m sorry, but if you’re watching ABC, you’re watching nothing.”