Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper Preview “Independence Eve Live”: ‘Drinking Beer. All Night’ (Exclusive)

Eric AnderssonWed, June 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC

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Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper in a promo shoot for 'Independence Eve Live'Credit: John Nowak/CNN -

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen host a July 3 special on CNN celebrating America's 250th birthday

The longtime friends will interview guests (and drink beer!) before capping the night with a festive, New Year's Eve-style ball drop

"We're going to be in the spirit of New Year's Eve, but also celebrating the best of America," says Cohen

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are once again taking Times Square — but this time, they won't need puffy coats to keep warm.

The longtime friends, who have hosted New Year's Eve Live in the heart of New York City for the past nine years, are emceeing a new special, Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250, on Friday, July 3.

"We're going to be in the spirit of New Year's Eve, but also celebrating the best of America," Cohen, 58, tells PEOPLE for our Best of America issue.

Both he and Cooper, 59, jumped at the chance to work together again after CNN cooked up the idea. "I said yes immediately," Cooper says. "I like hanging out with Andy. I knew I wouldn't [normally] see him on this weekend because he'd be doing glamorous things."

Cohen, dad to Benjamin, 7, and Lucy, 4, signed on despite the fact that the special falls during his vacation. "I'm never anxious to leave the beach on my week off, but I'm excited about the 250th," he says.

This time around, there will be a few major differences from their big December event: Streets won't be closed off for throngs of revelers, the temperature outside will be warmer and the hosts' drink of choice will be a bit lighter.

The pair, who are known for their tequila shots, will switch to something slightly less potent.

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper on 'New Year's Eve Live' on Dec. 31, 2025Credit: Craig T Fruchtman/Getty

"What do you think is the most American drink there is?" asks Cohen. "Beer. We will be drinking beer. All night long."

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There will be a ball drop, too, but at press time, neither Cooper nor Cohen were sure exactly what that would look like. "We're excited to see it," says Cohen.

The evening will also feature an array of guests — think cultural icons and inspiring everyday heroes — but it's Cohen who's more hands-on when it comes to the night's lineup.

"Andy doesn't allow me in the meetings any more because I really don't contribute much to them, because I don't know any of the pop culture references that he's referring to," quips Cooper, who shares sons Wyatt, 6, and Sebastian, 4, with his former partner and friend, Benjamin Maisani.

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper in a promo shot for 'Independence Eve Live'Credit: John Nowak/CNN

"So literally, it's Andy and his pop culture savant team who really put this together with help from CNN. And I am grateful to be the tag-along who shows up and is just surprised on camera by everything that is happening," he adds.

Both Cohen and Cooper are Madonna fans — and the Queen of Pop's new album Confessions II drops the same day as their special. Is there any chance she could show up? She did, after all, just stop by Times Square on Thursday, June 4 for a surprise concert.

"We're working on it," teases Cohen. "She's going to be in London apparently, as far as we know."

"This is like being at [former nightclub] the Roxy on a Saturday night and everyone says, 'Oh, there's a rumor Madonna's coming,'" Cooper notes dryly.

Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250, airs live on CNN on July 3 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

on People

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