CNN reportedly wants less drunken 'zany antics' during New Year's Eve show


Sir, don't you think you've had enough?
It sounds like that was the message CNN's new boss sent to the network's staffers during a town hall meeting this week about its annual New Year's Eve broadcast. CNN is looking to "pare back some of the zany antics" its New Year's Eve show has been known for, with CNN CEO Chris Licht saying he feels "on-camera drinking" has "eroded the credibility of CNN personnel," Variety reports.
CNN's primetime New Year's Eve coverage has recently been anchored by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, the latter of whom made headlines last year for going on a drunken rant against New York City's "horrible" mayor Bill de Blasio (D). The morning of Jan. 1, Cohen tweeted, "Um, I was a bit overserved last night." But CNN said that while Cohen "said something he shouldn't have on live TV," he "will be back to co-host," and Cohen told Howard Stern, "I will not be shamed for having fun on New Year's Eve. That's why I'm there."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But Cohen himself may not have to sober up after all, as Variety's report notes he and Cooper will "still be able to imbibe during primetime hours," though other correspondents and anchors "who may have slurped down alcoholic concoctions on camera (or off) in the past will be required to halt the practice," reportedly including Don Lemon.
Cohen responded to the report on his show Watch What Happens Live by promising an even more raucous broadcast, declaring, "Anderson and I are going to party harder than we have ever partied before on New Year's Eve! Do you understand me?"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Leo XIV vs. Trump: what will first American Pope mean for US Catholics?
Today's Big Question New pope has frequently criticised the president, especially on immigration policy, but is more socially conservative than his predecessor
-
What's going on with the Beckhams?
In the Spotlight From wedding tantrums to birthday snubs, rumours of a family rift are becoming harder to hide
-
Quiz of The Week: 3 – 9 May
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia