Andy Cohen blasted Bill de Blasio in a drunken on-air rant on New Year's Eve after the embattled mayor was seen dancing and celebratin...
Andy Cohen blasted Bill de Blasio in a drunken on-air rant on New Year's Eve after the embattled mayor was seen dancing and celebrating in New York City as he bid farewell to a tumultuous year for the Big Apple.
Cohen joined CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday night in hosting the network's live coverage of the annual ball drop in Times Square, where only a handful of guests were invited this year due to the pandemic.
Just before the clock struck at midnight, de Blasio was seen pushing the button to start the crystal ball's descent as his wife, Chirlane McCray stood by his side. The pair were then seen onstage dancing into the new year.
But the mayor's celebratory dance didn't sit well with Cohen, who knocked back tequila shots with Cooper before slamming de Blasio over his leadership.
'That's how I felt when I saw Mayor de Blasio dancing just now,' Cohen said as Cooper grimaced from the shot. 'I did not need to see that at the beginning of 2021.'
He then addressed de Blasio directly on television, shouting: 'Do something with this city! Honestly, get it together!'
Happy New Year: Andy Cohen blasted Mayor Bill de Blasio for dancing on New Year's Eve in a drunken, on-air rant
It comes as New York authorities have been struggling to combat a surge in crime in the city amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Crime stats from the four weeks between November 30 - December 27 showed violent crime in the Big Apple is far higher than it was at the same time last year.
In the 28 days to December 27 2020 there were 21 murders - an increase of 61.5 percent when compared with the same dates in 2019. There was also a 4.2 percent increase in rapes, and a staggering 122.4 percent surge in shootings.
Violent crime began spiking following a $1 billion cut to the NYPD's budget which was approved this past summer following passionate protests to defund the police.
Officials have failed to take responsibility for the surge in crime, instead shifting blame.
After midnight, de Blasio took to Twitter to wish his residents a happy new year and praised their resilience during such a year.
'As a city, as a community, we have been through so much this year. We showed our resolve and proved New York City will come back stronger than ever,' he tweeted.
After midnight, de Blasio took to Twitter to wish his residents a happy new year and praised their resilience during such a year
De Blasio's tweets quickly drew criticism from angry New Yorkers who accused him of ruining the city
But the tweet quickly drew criticism from angry New Yorkers who accused the mayor of ruining the city.
'After you and Cuomo destroyed NYC give it about 20-30 years to come back you useless a**h***,' one person said in an expletive-laced tweet.
'2020 was just another year during which [de Blasio] destroyed the city,' added another.
'Failure mayor,' another replied. 'Way to ruin NYE in NYC. You should be ashamed of yourself,' one user added.
Times Square is usually at the center of the world's New Year's Eve celebrations, with tens of thousands of people packing in to the commercial hub every December 31st to watch the ball drop at midnight.
But, this year, the time-honored tradition was modified amid the ongoing pandemic, with members of the public prohibited from gathering in the area for the first time since the ball-drop began back in 1907.
However, a few dozen people did gather near Times Square Thursday night wearing colorful hats and 2021 glasses. Many appeared to be wearing masks as others took the opportunity to pose for photos near the area.
Earlier on Thursday, de Blasio told reporters 'It’s going to be actually, arguably, the most special, the most poignant, the most moving New Year’s Eve.'
'In 2021, we’re going to show people what it looks like to recover, to come back,' the mayor added.
Hello 2021, and goodbye 2020! The year of the COVID-19 pandemic has officially ended with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (pictured with his wife) dropping the ball in an eerily empty Times Square as millions of Americans watched the annual event from home
De Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray were seen dancing on stage after the mayor set the ball drop in motion
Times Square is usually at the center of the world's New Year's Eve celebrations, with tens of thousands of people packing in to the commercial hub every December 31st to watch the ball drop at midnight
But, this year, the time-honored tradition was modified amid the ongoing pandemic, with members of the public prohibited from gathering in the area for the first time since the ball-drop began back in 1907
However, a few dozen people did gather near Times Square Thursday night on 50th Street
A few dozen people did gather near Times Square Thursday night wearing colorful hats and 2021 glasses
Many appeared to be wearing masks as others took the opportunity to pose for photos
A man is seen wearing 2021 glasses ahead of the ball drop in New York City's Times Square
People gather in Midtown Manhattan to pose for photos ahead of the New Year's Eve celebrations
Several people were seen wearing decorative 2021 hats near the Times Square area Thursday night
Children are seen with decorative accessories as they pose for a photo near Times Square on Thursday
Shortly after the ball dropped, TV host Andy Cohen slammed de Blasio for how he's handled issues in the city.
'I just don't need to see that at the beginning of 2021,' Cohen said, referring to de Blasio and his wife dancing. 'Do something with this city!' Cohen said as CNN's Anderson Cooper laughed.
'Honestly get it together,' Cohen yelled.
Others also took to social media to slam de Blasio for his leadership over the Big Apple.
'@NYCMayor way to ruin NYE in NYC. You should be ashamed of yourself,' one person wrote.
Another shared: '2020 was just another year during which @NYCMayor destroyed NYC.'
People wearing protective mask look for the Times Square ball near Times Square during the virtual New Year's Eve event
A couple kisses near Times Square during the virtual New Year's Eve event on Thursday
Attendees watch a performance near Times Square during 2021 New Year's Eve celebrations on Thursday in New York City
Groups of people were seen watching a performance near Times Square during the 2021 New Year's Eve celebrations
Mounted New York City police officers are seen in Times Square ahead of the New Year's Eve celebrations
This year, the time-honored tradition has been modified amid the ongoing pandemic, with members of the public prohibited from gathering in the area for the first time since the ball-drop began back in 1907
People celebrated at the East Village Social restaurant earlier on Thursday before establishments closed at 10pm
People prepare to celebrate the new year at Washington Square Park on Thursday in New York
A man dances on Avenue A in the East Village on New Year's Eve in New York
Bars and restaurants were closed at 10pm on New Year's Eve in New York City due to the coronavirus pandemic
On Thursday afternoon Times Square was eerily empty, with the area cordoned off to the public and police patrolling nearby sidewalks to enforce social distancing.
The Big Apple is battling against a second wave of COVID-19 infections, as well as soaring rates of violent crime, an uptick in closing businesses, and a drastic drop in revenue.
Hopes for a brighter 2021 have been dampened by news of a dismally slow roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine, with a paltry 29.7 per cent of available doses administered across New York as of Wednesday.
New Year's Eve celebrations first began in Times Square back in 1907, and people have gathered there every year since.
Even in 2001, less than four months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, crowds converged upon the commercial strip to celebrate the start of a New Year.
But this year, officials have officially barred the public from moving in. The only people allowed into the area are media and invited first responders who have been hailed as the 'Heroes of 2020'.
However, the ball drop will still go ahead and people are encouraged to watch the event virtually. Performances will also still take place, albeit without an audience.
Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus and Megan Thee Stallion took the stage as part of the festivities.
On Thursday afternoon Times Square was eerily empty, with the area cordoned off to the public and police patrolling nearby sidewalks to enforce social distancing
The way we were! Revelers are seen packing into Times Square on December 31, 2019. Party goers could not predict that the world would soon be turned upside down
The time-honored tradition has been going since 1907. New Yorkers are pictured in Times Square on New Year's Eve 1939
However, for many weary New Yorkers, there does not seem much to celebrate.
On Wednesday, The Big Apple reported its highest ever daily increase in coronavirus cases, with nearly 6,000 new infections confirmed across the five boroughs.
Hospitalizations and deaths are also increasing at an alarming rate. Gov Andrew Cuomo is now preparing to reopen the Javits Center field hospital, designed to treat an influx of COVID cases.
Festivities in Newry, Maine, began promptly at 9pm and consisted of fireworks at the Sunday River resort.
In Florida, female impersonator Gary Marion, known as Sushi, performed Thursday night during the New Year's Eve Shoe Drop.
Normally held on Duval Street at midnight, the event was moved behind Key West's Bourbon St Pub and occurred several hours early to comply with a mandatory 10pm curfew that Key West city officials ordered to reduce the potential spread of the coronavirus.
And New York is not the only state ringing in the new year differently. The US and other countries are celebrating from home or with modified events as cases of the virus continue to rise. Tyler Owens toasts to a new year with his wife Olivia Owens in St Louis, Missouri
Female impersonator Gary Marion, known as Sushi, waves to a small group of revelers after descending in a large replica of a woman's high-heel shoe in the back courtyard of a Key West, Florida, entertainment and hotel complex, late Thursday. Normally held on Duval Street at midnight, the New Year's Eve Shoe Drop was moved behind Key West's Bourbon St Pub
Sunday River guests watch the fireworks display on the side of the ski trails to ring in the New Year on Thursday in Newry, Maine. All festivities stopped promptly at 9pm in accordance with state guidelines
Skiers descend the Broadway Trail at Sunday River in a New Year's Eve torchlight parade on Thursday in Newry, Maine
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