Eric Adams says Andy Cohen 'should seek help' after NYE on-air jab

TIMES SQUARE, MANHATTAN: Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams fired back at Andy Cohen after the TV host launched a drunken on-air rant about him during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square.

Cohen criticized Adams shortly after the ball dropped on CNN while holding a shot glass, prompting Adams to quip that Cohen could use “AA,” referencing Alcoholics Anonymous.

Eric Adams fires back after Andy Cohen NYE remarks

“I have two letters for him: AA,” Eric Adams told The New York Post on Thursday afternoon, January 1, referencing Alcoholics Anonymous.

Adams also took to his X account to share his response to Cohen’s on-air rant, writing, “My response to @Andy: AA.” He added, “Another sloppy, drunken rant. If anyone actually cares about him, they’ll tell him to get help. New Yorkers aren’t laughing with him.”

He concluded, “They are concerned about him. Public intoxication is a disease. He should seek help. He was safe in Times Square because we did our job. Again. Seek help. AAA: Andy’s Alcohol Anonymous.”

Andy Cohen criticizes Eric Adams during NYE

Andy Cohen, who co-hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast with journalist Anderson Cooper, launched into a rant about the scandal-plagued former mayor just after midnight while holding a shot glass.

As Cohen criticized Adams, calling his tenure “chaotic, horrible,” Cooper interjected with a firm “don’t,” seemingly warning him against veering into politics while intoxicated.

Cohen ignored the caution and pressed on, claiming, “I just want to say, I mean he’s got his pardons, he’s pardoned,” and telling him, “Great, you got your pardons, go off in the sunset.” 

“We’ll fiddle with what we have, with what you left us with,” Cohen said, as 'The Office' star BJ Novak attempted to calm him. Despite repeated efforts to stop him, Cohen continued, accusing Adams of pardoning his way “through four years” and “all the clubs.” “You did it, you did it, you did it, didn’t you?” he added.

Anderson Cooper worked to de-escalate the moment while Novak told viewers that Cohen could not “control” himself.

Meanwhile, Adams, 65, was also in Times Square that night, where he helped press the button for the iconic ball drop that ushered New York City into 2026.

Andy Cohen mocks Office of Rodent Mitigation

Cohen also joked about the former mayor’s new Office of Rodent Mitigation, which took effect in December 2025. He congratulated Adams for seemingly denting the rat population, calling it “a metaphor of sorts,” and added that the new year had arrived with fewer rats in New York City.

On Thursday, January 1, New York City officially welcomed a new mayor as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in by Attorney General Letitia James, marking the start of a new chapter for City Hall.

Adams marked his final day in office by sharing a farewell video from his desk on December 31, reading some of his favorite quotes printed on a coffee mug. “Mayor Adams’ greatest hits, you know,” he said, waving the mug his staff had gifted him.

He continued reading, "'I wake up in the morning sometimes and look at myself and give myself the finger. Stay focused, no distractions, and grind. It's not what's in the tweet, it's what's in the streets.'" He concluded by thanking his City Hall team, saying, "It's been an honor, New York!"