Over the past few months, viewers have seen various figures lose their positions at CBS News since the installation of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. However, with news coming out that Weiss could soon take control over CNN’s newsroom. According to an insider, one figure who could be at risk is Andy Cohen.
CNN Viewers Recently Saw Andy Cohen Branch Out With The Network Earlier This Month
Cohen is a radio and talk show host. He is known to many as the host and executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise and the late night talk show, Watch What Happens Live!, for Bravo.
Cohen has never been a full-time employee for CNN. However, he is known for co-hosting the network’s annual New Year’s Eve Live broadcast alongside Anderson Cooper. Having had this role since 2017, the two also recently hosted Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250 earlier this month in honor of the United States’ semiquincentennial anniversary.
That said, one insider recently shared concern that even Cohen’s seasonal role could be in jeopardy, even after it recently expanded. In fact, the nature of Cohen’s role is what makes it easy to cut, says the source.
While on Maureen Callahan‘s “The Nerve” podcast, Substack columnist Rob Shuter shared, “He’s a really easy person to fire. He works for four hours once a year on New Year’s Eve.” As claimed by recent reports, Weiss is poised to take over CNN’s news division through Paramount Skydance’s deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
According To The Source, Cohen Might Not Be Too Happy About Losing His Gig, Whether Or Not He Even Needs It
Should this happen, however, Shuter mused that CNN might not oppose the idea. As he explained, “The drinking, the mouthing off, going after the mayor, going after [President Donald] Trump, going after public officials. It always made CNN journalists very, very uncomfortable, but the ratings were good.”
“Andy’s success is that he’s so over-the-top and has very strong opinions… That’s what made him so successful at Bravo, and it’s what made him so successful doing the New Year’s Eve countdown at CNN.”
Shuter also mused on what the network could want going forward. He shared, “The difference now is that the new bosses are not like that. They don’t want a show pony.” Instead, according to the insider, “They don’t want somebody acting as master of ceremonies. They don’t want somebody insulting the president and his family,” he added, speaking about Weiss and her team.”
However, there is still the issue of whether or not Cohen would want to leave his New Year’s Eve hosting gig. According to Shuter, he actually appreciated how CNN “legitimizes him.” That said, Shuter also noted that Cohen shouldn’t be too beaten up should this happen, since his work for Bravo keeps him set for life, especially financially.
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
