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For the tenth consecutive year, Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper teamed up to ring in the new year in New York City for CNN’s annual coverage of the ball drop from Times Square.
Opening their telecast from the Renaissance Hotel, Griffin was quick to start poking fun at a giggling, suit-and-tie-sporting Cooper. “You kind of think you’re Jay Gatsby,” Griffin quipped.
The comedian also was quick to deliver some jabs at herself. “[CNN] should keep her on Spike where she belongs,” Griffin said of the network’s decision to have her host.
“Yeah, Spike. Not familiar,” Cooper fired back. “Wait — were they the ones that had the UFC reality show?”
Later, Griffin introduced puppet versions of the two hosts. “Just in case I got canned,” she explained to Cooper.
Photo via @haleydraz: “A very Kathy and Anderson New Year’s Eve” #CNNNYE pic.twitter.com/QxzgBV5Jms
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 1, 2017
Joining Griffin and Cooper were correspondents Randi Kaye, aboard the largest passenger ship in the world somewhere at sea; Richard Quest, who donned a neon vest and a safety harness to keep an eye on the party from high above Times Square on the ball drop platform; and Don Lemon and Brooke Baldwin reporting from New Orleans.
Oh my. #CNNNYE in Times Square with @andersoncooper and @kathygriffin is already a little out of hand. https://t.co/6nAGUjLng4 pic.twitter.com/yi8GjGS5en
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 1, 2017
Later in the night, Lemon got his ear pierced live in a bar in New Orleans, eliciting applause from Griffin. Lemon downed a shot, braced himself, and had a long sterile needle pushed through his earlobe. “I love it, Don,” the comedian said.
Yes. @donlemon just got his ear pierced live on the air https://t.co/yWGl6FUClk
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 1, 2017
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