A stormy Andy Cohen had an on-air meltdown when told he needed to lose his umbrella while filming CNN’s New Year’s Eve special in Times Square.
The sopping wet co-host of “New Year’s Eve Live,” appearing alongside fellow emcee Anderson Cooper, blasted the Times Square Alliance for demanding he ditch the clear umbrella.
He also claimed the group, which co-coordinates the annual ball drop celebration, threatened to not grant CNN credentials to cover next year’s event unless he dropped the device.
At 9:18 p.m., the show returned from a commercial break and Cooper warned viewers, “Andy’s taken a turn.”
Cohen, the 50-year-old host of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live,” then went on a rant.
“It’s more than drizzling in Times Square,” the co-host complained. “It’s not putting a damper on anything, but I will say this: I had this umbrella. The lady from the Times Square Alliance came over and said, ‘You have to get rid of the umbrella,’ off the air. And I said, ‘I won’t do it.’”
Cooper chimed in: “This has been going on for an hour and a half already. He was like, ‘What are you gonna do — arrest me?’”
Cohen added, “Yeah, I go, ‘Get the paddy wagon cause that’s what it’s going to take.’ But now they are threatening to pull CNN’s spot from the credential, from Times Square, for next year.”
Cooper said the spat was like the November incident in which CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’sWhite House press pass was temporarily stripped from him after a heated exchange with President Trump.
“Yeah, it really is and I gotta tell you something,” Cohen said, “if this umbrella is such a threat to the Times Square Alliance — and what does the Times Square Alliance do besides F with my New Year’s Eve?”
The Alliance, according to its web site, works to improve and promote Times Square, providing services via its public safety officers and sanitation teams. The not-for-profit organization also promotes local businesses, encourages economic development, co-coordinates major events, curates public art projects and advocates for constituents.
Cohen ended his water-tinged tirade by pointing out that staff from Spanish-language network Univision had umbrellas at one point.
“They’ve removed their umbrellas,” Cooper filled him in.
“Oh great,” Cohen sarcastically said. “I mean this is some Grade A B.S., honestly.”
Police had announced before the event that umbrellas, along with backpacks and coolers, would not be allowed into the area for security reasons. Revelers who had waited for hours to see the celebration firsthand were seen braving the elements, which included pouring rain for much of the night, without umbrellas.
Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, said he’s not sure who threatened to deny CNN press credentials for next year event, but that there’s no plan to do so.
“We’re fine, CNN is fine,” Tompkins told the Daily News. “We’re not saying that to CNN. We’re going to have a great show next year with CNN. And it was all part of 2018, which we’ve all moved beyond.”
He added that besides being a security issue, umbrellas are also discouraged by the Alliance because they can block camera angles for the dozens of other press organizations shooting.
Some umbrellas did make it into the area though. Model Chrissy Teigen was accidentally smashed in the face with Leslie Jones’ umbrella when the pair leaned in for a celebratory hug while filming NBC’s New Year’s Eve special.
The women were co-hosting the show along with Carson Daly, who was also holding an umbrella. And comedian and actor Ken Jeong was seen holding an umbrella at one point while appearing on Fox’s New Year’s Eve special hosted by Steve Harvey and Maria Menounos.
(Excerpt) Read more in: NY Daily News