Roy Wood Jr. is not taking any chances as he heads into 2025.
The comedian, 46, who appeared as a guest on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live, refused a shot of tequila from co-host Andy Cohen—and made a point to explain himself.
“Does anyone want a shot,” Cohen, 56, asked Have I Got News For You co-stars Wood Jr., Michael Ian Black and Amber Ruffin.
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“Oh, no!” Wood Jr. said (Black and Ruffin accepted). “No, I don’t. The last Black man that drank on this network got fired. I’m going to keep it with water for right now. I need some stability.”
Cohen and his New Year’s Eve Live co-host Anderson Cooper, 57, didn’t ask any follow-up questions and quickly moved on.
Though Wood Jr. didn’t name anyone specifically, it appeared that he was referring to former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who would previously host CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage.
Lemon parted ways with CNN on April 24, 2023.
Related: What Do Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper’s New Year’s Eve Shot Glasses Say?
This New Year’s, Cohen promised viewers that there would be shots on the hour.
Approximately a mere five minutes into the broadcast, Cohen grabbed his bottle of tequila and two glasses.
“We are going to do this at the top of every hour,” he explained to those watching at home. “And we want you to join us.”
He continued, “That’s the fun of New Year’s Eve… Anderson doesn’t drink. This is our virtual celebration, whether you are at home alone or with family or with one other person, we are all here together. This is an incredible community that we’ve built up together over these eight years, and so I am excited.”
Cohen even revealed that he and Cooper were drinking from their “Daddy Got His Juice” shot glasses.
“If you’re joining us at home, wherever you are in the world—if you’re with friends, if you’re alone—you are here with us, and we are with you, and we see you,” said Cooper. “Welcome.”
Added Cohen, “We are all together. Raise your glasses, everybody. 2025: health and happiness to all. Cheers, buddy. So honored to be spending this you.”
Related: Andy Cohen Brings Out Tequila 5 Minutes Into Hosting New Year’s Eve, Promises Shots on the Hour
In an exclusive interview with Parade published earlier this month, Cohen admitted that he was ready to get “wild” this New Year’s, but that he and Cooper would still “drink responsibly.”
He explained, “Wild to me just means fun, and our directive is to have fun. That’s what I’m focused on. My focus is to make [Anderson] loosen up and to create a lot of laughs and memorable moments.”
As for continuing the TV duo’s tradition of spending time together on the last day of the year, Cohen’s favorite part of the evening is “just getting to hang” with his longtime friend.
“It’s such an unusual experience,” he explained. “It’s five hours of standing in Times Square in the elements, just shooting the sh– and having fun. It’s a very unique broadcast, and it’s really fun, and you’re actually counting down to something. You’re waiting for something to happen, and then something does happen, so it’s great!”
Related: Don Lemon Breaks Silence After CNN Termination
