On New Year's Eve, one would assume that the liveliest place to be is at a nightclub, a ball drop, or even a house party. Surprisingly, you can usually find a party on your TV if you're tuned into CNN's New Year's Eve broadcast. Hosted by Anderson Cooper, the festive broadcast has recently been joined by the likes of Andy Cohen, Don Lemon, and well...booze.
Unfortunately though, it appears that things may be getting less chaotic now that the network is cutting down on on-air drinking. Specifically, on-air drinking for correspondents and anchors not joining Cooper and Cohen from New York City's Times Square.
Variety reports that CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht addressed on-air drinking during a town-hall discussion held last week. He spoke about how New Year's Eve drinking could potentially damage CNN's "respectability" amongst viewers.
CNN's broadcast isn't the most watched New Year's Eve special, but it has become a favorite on social media. Needless to say, the internet was hardly pleased with the news that some anchors would be unable to drink during this year's broadcast.
"Apparently CNN doesn't realize seeing the hosts drunk is the best part of their New Year's Eve show," one user tweeted.
Even Cohen chimed in on the news during a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live. The New Year's Eve show co-host appeared to confirm the news, but also excitedly added that "Anderson and I are going to party harder than we have ever partied before on New Year's Eve. Do you understand me?!"
Danielle Harling is an Atlanta-based freelance writer with a love for colorfully designed-spaces, craft cocktails and online window shopping (usually for budget-shattering designer heels). Her past work has appeared on Fodor’s, Forbes, MyDomaine, Architectural Digest and more.
