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CNN Live Event/Special
New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin, Hour 4
Aired December 31, 2013 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(singing)
ANDERSON COOPER, CO-HOST: Oh.
KATHY GRIFFIN, CO-HOST: Wow!
COOPER: Happy New Year, everybody.
GRIFFIN: Happy New Year!
What an experience.
Can I say, I've actually never been as cold as when your arms are around me?
I don't know what it is. It's something I've always suspected. He's not human. He's Anderson Cooper.
COOPER: Thank you. Yes.
GRIFFIN: Yes?
What, some trouble?
COOPER: The reality of the situation yet again reveals itself.
GRIFFIN: Is it getting weirder?
COOPER: Yes.
GRIFFIN: Oh, you're suggesting that you didn't choose to cuddle with me, it's just because you're handcuffed to me, you had to.
COOPER: Let's listen in to Ray Charles. I love Ray Charles.
GRIFFIN: Who doesn't?
COOPER: Let's listen to that.
GRIFFIN: Of course.
(singing)
COOPER: And there it is, 2014.
GRIFFIN: Wow!
COOPER: Yes.
GRIFFIN: All the great hits.
Now, can we just talk about who we have seen at the ball drop over the years?
Lady Gaga one year, remember?
COOPER: Lady Gaga. Sonia -- Justice Sotomayor, which you may not have -- you know, I don't know if they actually captured it on camera, was kind of doing a line -- like a line kick...
GRIFFIN: Yes.
COOPER: -- like a Rockette type kick...
GRIFFIN: She was a Rockette.
COOPER: -- with -- with other, I guess, family members (INAUDIBLE).
GRIFFIN: I mean you may have to fact check that, but I believe she was a Rockette.
COOPER: She was not actually a Rockette, but she is from...
GRIFFIN: I think when she was in law school, she was...
COOPER: No. But she is...
GRIFFIN: All right.
COOPER: She is from New York and so this is really a...
GRIFFIN: It was kind of touching to see a Supreme Court justice doing the kicks.
COOPER: She was having a great time.
GRIFFIN: Why shouldn't she?
COOPER: Why shouldn't she?
Absolutely.
GRIFFIN: Who else have we seen with the ball?
Lady Gaga.
COOPER: I don't know. I can't remember.
GRIFFIN: Well, it's only been a year.
COOPER: I have no memory of last week.
GRIFFIN: Look, you think you went to a ballet earlier, OK, so...
COOPER: I just -- I don't know.
GRIFFIN: -- I don't even know which way is up with you anymore.
COOPER:
I went to "The Nutcracker," which is a traditional -- anyway, let's check in with Isha, who's down in the crowd -- Isha...
GRIFFIN: Do you know, I'm fascinated by how -- how quickly they do the cleanup here. It's actually stunning.
COOPER: Oh, yes, absolutely. I mean there are still a lot of people. And already, people are starting to leave. Isha is down there.
GRIFFIN: They're leaving their pens.
COOPER: But Isha, there's still a lot of people around where you are.
ISHA SESAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Anderson and Kathy, you know, this is what it's all about. People come from far and wide, from all over the world, to be here in Times Square for this one-of-a-kind celebration to see in the new year. And there are still lots of people here and just lots of togetherness. And that's one of the beautiful things -- Anderson, Kathy, we've done the show together for many, many years now. And, you know, you see it each and every time, this coming together of people from all walks of life and just all this emotion. And it's just a really beautiful moment. And it's always a joy to see and a great way to see in the new year. It's just a great feeling and a great mood down here.
COOPER: And it's great. Always a lot of couples in the crowd.
SESAY: Yes.
COOPER: And a lot of people are just friends and family members in the crowd.
GRIFFIN: Yes, there -- it's a great tradition.
COOPER: And a lot of people are watching at home...
SESAY: It is a great tradition.
COOPER: -- with their loved ones. And if you're not with your loved one, we appreciate you spending time with us.
I'm thinking back to all the times I watched this when I was a kid growing up in New York.
GRIFFIN: I loved being home and watching whatever was on TV and not going out, not going to parties. So everyone that watches us, thank you. It is a touching time.
And in that vein, do you think that is trying to become a woman? COOPER: Geez.
GRIFFIN: Oh, is that a bad segue?
COOPER: Yes. I don't know what you're...
GRIFFIN: I thought it was a heartwarming...
COOPER: -- I don't know what you're talking about.
GRIFFIN: There's just a rumor that he...
COOPER: I don't know. I don't know, but I think that's ridiculous.
GRIFFIN: -- I mean (INAUDIBLE) separated or...
COOPER: Let's check in.
GRIFFIN: It's about family.
COOPER: Oh, I love this song.
GRIFFIN: It's "Somewhere Over the Rainbar -- Rainbow."
COOPER: Let's listen to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
GRIFFIN: Honestly, if they played like snow and a bar code, you'd say just let's stop your talking and let's listen.
COOPER: Well, yes, please.
GRIFFIN: I know.
COOPER: Let's stop your talking and let's listen.
I love this.
(singing)
COOPER: Brother Israel singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
GRIFFIN: Yes.
COOPER: I love this version of it.
GRIFFIN: He's a Hawaiian singer. His name is Israel. His name is so long -- his last name is so long, I can't pronounce it. But he is revered in Hawaii.
COOPER: For understandable reasons.
GRIFFIN: Fun facts.
COOPER: It's a beautiful version.
GRIFFIN: Yes. COOPER: We're going to take a short break.
When we come back, we also want to send out New Year's wishes to all the service members...
GRIFFIN: Absolutely.
COOPER: -- overseas. You do a lot of work with service members.
GRIFFIN: Yes. I work with an organization called vettix.org. And every show I do, I have vets and their loved ones. It's a great Web site.
And having visited, obviously, in Iraq and Afghanistan, as both of us have, we want to support the troops and their loved ones. They're heroes, as well.
COOPER: Yes, who are serving, as well.
So when we come back, we'll take you down to Key West and see how they rang in the new year there. We'll be right back.
GRIFFIN: I want to see the shoe.
COOPER: The shoe?
You're going to see the shoe.
(singing)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Hey, welcome back.
I'm here with Kathy Griffin in Times Square.
We have seen the ball drop, ringing in the new year here in New York.
Let's go to John Zarrella in Key West, Florida, where the shoe has fallen -- John, how did it go?
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, we had some trouble in the past. Not this year. It went really well. Sushi, a flawless drop this year.
SUSHI: It was my 17th year in the shoe.
ZARRELLA: And we got it right this time.
SUSHI: I loved it.
ZARRELLA: Delicious.
GRIFFIN: Hi, Sushi.
SUSHI: Yes, delicious. ZARRELLA: It's very good.
SUSHI: How are you doing?
COOPER: Kathy Griffin is saying hi, Sushi.
SUSHI: Hey, Kathy. I met you in a...
GRIFFIN: Hey, girl.
ZARRELLA: Kathy is coming down here.
SUSHI: I met her in Las Vegas.
ZARRELLA: Kathy says she's coming down here next year.
SUSHI: Oh, shhh.
GRIFFIN: I love you, Sushi. You're awesome.
SUSHI: Hey, Anderson Cooper.
COOPER: Hey, Sushi, how's it going?
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: Happy New Year!
SUSHI: I'm going down to New York in February.
Can we have a date?
(CROSSTALK)
ZARRELLA: Yes, we're -- we want to show the drop -- your shoe drop.
GRIFFIN: I will arrange that.
ZARRELLA: We've got to take a look at that shoe coming down right now, just a few minutes ago, and in your lovely, lovely champagne- colored gown. It came down perfectly, no issues...
COOPER: Let's take a look.
ZARRELLA: -- like the other times when we've had a little bit of a snag.
Yes, let's take a look at that drop.
SUSHI: All right.
(VIDEO CLIP)
(singing)
ZARRELLA: The crowd is still here... COOPER: And that was the scene...
ZARRELLA: A spectacular crowd.
COOPER: Yes.
ZARRELLA: Look at that, Anderson. We still have...
GRIFFIN: Perfection.
ZARRELLA: -- tens of thousands of people here. Yes, it's just been another sensational new year.
And look at this.
What is this?
(CROSSTALK)
SUSHI: John, this is for you.
ZARRELLA: For me?
SUSHI: This is for all your appreciation...
(CROSSTALK)
ZARRELLA: Oh, Sushi in a shoe.
SUSHI: Sushi in the shoe.
ZARRELLA: Eleven years...
COOPER: That's awesome.
ZARRELLA: -- I finally get Sushi in a shoe.
SUSHI: (INAUDIBLE) and we wanted to thank you. And this is from myself and Sushi and all the (INAUDIBLE)...
ZARRELLA: Thank you, Sushi.
You're the best.
SUSHI: I want you to remember us here in Key West.
ZARRELLA: We always will.
SUSHI: OK?
ZARRELLA: You guys are the best. Wow! That's a heavy piece. Boy, that's going to go good on the old mantle -- Anderson.
COOPER: That is awesome.
ZARRELLA: A spectacular night here in Key West. SUSHI: Yes.
COOPER: John, before we let you go, I just want to share with our viewers a little bittersweet news. After more than 30 years at this network, John is leaving CNN. And I just wanted to personally say, John, you and I have worked together in a lot of different places.
When I first came to CNN...
ZARRELLA: Oh, yes.
COOPER: -- you were so nice to me. And we covered hurricanes together. And we went through hours on the air together. And I so admire you and so appreciate all the support you have given me.
And we just -- we -- you -- you've had such an amazing career here at CNN. You've seen almost everything. You've reported on just about everything.
We've put together just kind of a little montage of things we wanted to show our viewers.
Let's take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA: Some people find the smell of a cigar unpleasant. They don't want you around when you've got one lit up. A real tobacco connoisseur will tell you that's OK, why waste a good cigar on people who just don't appreciate the finer things in life?
The real question here is how good are the doughnuts?
Because once the novelty of topless waitresses wears off, it's going to be the doughnuts that support the business.
Look at this crowd, Anderson and Kathy. There's at least 10,000 people here tonight in every direction. And they all came to see Sushi in the shoe. And look who's here.
Sushi, how are you?
SUSHI: Hello.
ZARRELLA: The center of Hurricane Kate passed over us about half an hour ago. The winds have shifted direction. And now, this powerful hurricane is unleashing its strength from the opposite direction.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Compared to some of the other storms that you've been in recently?
ZARRELLA: This is really bad now. This is -- this is about as bad as it gets.
This is the backside of the hurricane, of Hurricane Andrew, a tremendously powerful storm that has come ashore here in Miami. This is the Louisiana Superdome. It is the refuge of last resort for the people who were not able to get out of the city before Katrina. After Katrina went by, the water here actually subsided. It was dry. But in the overnight hours, there was a breach -- a breach of the levee on the lakefront.
Oh, look. Get back. Get back.
I've never seen anything like this. I have never experienced anything like this before.
Even Vice President Bush is expected to be here when Christa McAuliffe and crew blast off. But whether that lift-off actually takes place on time will more than likely depend on Mother Nature.
These exercises are more than just training for the men, they are a demonstration of Egyptian-American friendship at a time when the influence of both nations is being tested in the region.
This is the barrio known as the 27th of February, named in honor of Independence Day in the Dominican Republic. Ironically, it was one of the worst hit areas in the two-and-a-half days of rioting.
Everyone agrees the task force has been successful in stopping the flow of marijuana into South Florida. But cocaine has become a much more difficult problem. A year ago, a kilo of coke, 2.2 pounds, was selling for about $20,000. Today, according to federal authorities, the price is $30,000, which means that although the cocaine blizzard isn't over, it's easing up a bit.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
John Zarrella, CNN, Cairo.
John Zarrella, CNN, Panama City, Florida.
John Zarrella, CNN, at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
John Zarrella, CNN, in Santa Domingo, the Dominican Republic.
John Zarrella, CNN, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
John Zarrella, CNN, Havana.
John Zarrella, CNN, New Orleans.
John Zarrella, CNN, on Miami Beach.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COOPER: And, John, it's just so many amazing things you've done. And I just -- I am really such a fan of yours. I really so admire you and just really respect you. And I know you're going to go on to great things. But I just want to thank you for everything you've done.
ZARRELLA: You know, Anderson, I almost shed a tear there, I've got to tell you. We had some great times together. And I wasn't half bad looking when I was young.
GRIFFIN: You still are handsome, John.
COOPER: You're rocking those sequins like no one ever has.
ZARRELLA: Thanks, Kathy.
COOPER: And you've been such a great sport...
ZARRELLA: (INAUDIBLE).
COOPER: -- covering the Key West drop for us and all the stuff you've done, really...
ZARRELLA: Good.
COOPER: -- I wish you the best and I'm in your corner any time.
ZARRELLA: Thanks, my friend.
Thanks, my friend.
COOPER: All right.
ZARRELLA: And thanks to everyone...
COOPER: All right.
ZARRELLA: -- who watched us over these years.
COOPER: John Zarrella, a legend in the news business, who will continue to be a legend in the news business.
GRIFFIN: That was an amazing package. And I'm just going to say what everyone else is thinking, he actually is a much better reporter than you are.
COOPER: I agree.
GRIFFIN: Yes, I mean...
COOPER: No, I'm...
GRIFFIN: What you do, by comparison, it's modeling.
COOPER: That's true.
GRIFFIN: OK.
COOPER: I admit that. Yes, absolutely. You're right.
GRIFFIN: All right. I mean, that guy is good.
COOPER: He is good.
GRIFFIN: I don't know what you've been doing this year. COOPER: It was quite a night here in Times Square, handcuffs notwithstanding.
GRIFFIN: Oh, I forgot.
COOPER: By the way, I have...
GRIFFIN: Could we...
COOPER: -- we have actually contacted the police. And there's an officer down there who says he can get this unlocked.
GRIFFIN: People are cheering for your freedom.
COOPER: Yes, look. She's handcuffed me.
GRIFFIN: Oh, he's whining. He'll be fine.
COOPER: (INAUDIBLE).
GRIFFIN: These scars heal.
COOPER: The police are actually -- they're ready to help me. They're on my side on this problem.
GRIFFIN: I'm going to get the fire department.
COOPER: Let's take a look at some of our moments from tonight in case you missed it, because we've been on now for three-and-a-half hours.
GRIFFIN: Yes.
COOPER: Let's watch.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GRIFFIN: It just ended?
COOPER: Let's start off the evening by saying I love you and I'm glad you're here, but I just want this year...
GRIFFIN: This is like an intervention. I know you get shy about these things, but I think it's very brave of you to use tonight to announce your endorsement for future president, Ted Cruz, in 2016.
COOPER: No, I obviously do not endorse anybody.
GRIFFIN: Anderson has been...
COOPER: Kathy Griffin, who has been a neme -- whose -- Ryan Seacrest has been her nemesis for years. You were convinced he was trying to kill you for a while -- or was that Oprah?
GRIFFIN: I believed, for a while, that Ryan Seacrest and Oprah were in a coven trying to kill me...
COOPER: OK.
GRIFFIN: -- that you also were a member of for at least four years.
COOPER: No swearing. No stripping. And for what are -- most important to me, no touching and no simulations if you know what I mean. Simulations...
GRIFFIN: I'm not going to simulate, I'm going to do it.
COOPER: I don't even know what you're doing.
GRIFFIN: People actually asked if I was going to lick you tonight...
COOPER: I've got to tell...
GRIFFIN: -- like Miley Cyrus. That was a genuine question.
COOPER: By the way, (INAUDIBLE)...
GRIFFIN: I know the hurt little boy who lives inside the model body. And let me tell you, he's five years old. Mommy is missing. She's at Studio 54. His soup is cold and all he wants is love. So he's reading every single Tweet.
I scroll through mine, I'm like next, next, next. Go to kathygriffin.com, buy tickets. He's just so -- there's one tear like Demi Moore in "Ghosts." He's doing some pottery. And that little boy never grew up. He's got short pants. He's got suspenders. He's having high tea.
Somebody just love him. Just love him for who he is. He's just a model. He's an underwear model that became a newsman by mistake.
Get me Rick Sanchez. Rick, if you're watching, come on back. You're welcome.
COOPER: Man, you are funny. You make me laugh.
GRIFFIN: (INAUDIBLE) comes to my window above me...
DEBORAH HARRY, BLONDIE LEAD SINGER: I love the...
GRIFFIN: No?
HARRY: I think we can stop, right. Actually, it was about Anderson.
COOPER: Oh, thank you. Yes, thank you.
GRIFFIN: Did that girl with the crown just say the word micropeen (ph)?
COOPER: Yes. Yes.
GRIFFIN: All right. So she said the watermelon has a micropeen?
COOPER: No. No, no, no. A what?
GRIFFIN: A micropeen.
COOPER: No.
GRIFFIN: What haven't you done yet, Deborah Harry?
HARRY: Well, I haven't climbed Big Mountain.
GRIFFIN: You can climb Anderson Cooper right now, if you know what I'm saying.
COOPER: In high school, I wanted to be Amish because I thought...
GRIFFIN: You know what, you drop these bombs on me...
COOPER: It's true.
GRIFFIN: And then you have the nerve to act like I'm the one that's like unpredictable.
COOPER: No.
GRIFFIN: What do you mean you wanted to be Amish?
COOPER: I wanted to be Amish. I thought it would be so like -- first of all, I'd seen the movie, "Witness," and I thought it looked so nice.
GRIFFIN: Yes.
COOPER: You don't have to worry about what you're wearing, black and white every day.
GRIFFIN: Here's the deal. You're a Vanderbilt. It's not going to change. There aren't Amish Vanderbilts. Your mom used to live in the Bergdorf Girl...
COOPER: I...
GRIFFIN: -- Goodman store.
COOPER: I'm a Cooper, first of all.
GRIFFIN: OK, easy, all right?
Witness (ph), I handcuffed myself to Anderson Cooper.
You guys, I did it. And I don't have a key at all.
COOPER: This is truly my worst nightmare.
GRIFFIN: We're together forever. If I can't have you, no one can.
COOPER: I will gnaw off my hand. And I've actually lost the blood flow to my hand.
GRIFFIN: It's been a while.
COOPER: It's been...
GRIFFIN: I mean I don't think they know, if they're just tuning in, they don't know how long it's been.
COOPER: Yes. It's been at least an hour, I think.
GRIFFIN: Yes. And I really don't have the keys.
COOPER: Twice.
GRIFFIN: I really don't.
COOPER: And I'm not kidding, there is a police officer down there.
GRIFFIN: Oh, I'm so scared of you, Anderson Cooper. Oh, I'm so scared.
COOPER: No, no, I'm just saying there's a police officer down there who has said he has a key, who thinks he can get me out.
GRIFFIN: I would love nothing more than a celebrity mug shot, so I actually hope I get arrested tonight for abducting Anderson Cooper.
COOPER: 2013 is yet to come in New Orleans and in Nashville. Brooke Baldwin is going to cover all of that, so stay with CNN.
It's time for us to say good-bye.
We -- we've done it again.
GRIFFIN: You want some Nivea for your wrist, to maybe make it feel a little better?
COOPER: No.
We want to wish everybody a very Happy New Year, a very healthy new year. And we hope you're surrounded by love and health.
And we appreciate you joining us.
GRIFFIN: Happy New Year!
Come see me on tour.
Thank you for joining us.
COOPER: You've got to get it that plug.
GRIFFIN: We'll get a plug.
COOPER: You've got to get in that plug. GRIFFIN: I do a lot of shows.
(singing)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
