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CNN Live Event/Special
CNN's Special New Year's Eve with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. Aired on 11p-12a ET
Aired December 31, 2020 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[23:00:00]
EVELYN COHEN, ANDY'S PARENTS: I like David Axelrod and I like all of the people on your panel.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: All right. What was the best show that you binged? That binged watched.
E. COHEN: We love "Ozark."
COOPER: Oh, so good. I loved "Ozark."
ANDY COHEN, CNN HOST: By the way, mom, the answer to your question that you asked before is we are not wearing diapers. I know that you wanted us to wear diapers.
COOPER: Why did you want us to wear diapers, Evelyn?
E. COHEN: Because I can't imagine standing there for four hours without peeing.
ANDY COHEN: Yes. All right.
Well, mom and dad I love you very much. Happy New Year. You look great. I'm so glad you dressed up for the night. Go have a scotch on us.
COOPER: Yes. Yes. Absolutely. Wish you the best New Year. Happy New Year.
COHEN: All right. Before we start the official countdown here's a quick look at what's coming up in this hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: And welcome. This is it. The final countdown the last hour of 2020, thank goodness. It's finally here. We're live in Times Square. Not as many people obviously as previous years.
COHEN: Not as many? There is no one here.
COOPER: There are some very good people here having a great time. Over the next 60 minutes, we'll bring out some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry to help us welcome 2021. Mariah Carey is going to join us. John Mayer, Cameron Diaz. But, first, it's unfortunately time to take another shot. It's the top
of the hour. Wish you the best. Happy New Year.
COHEN: Oh.
COOPER: My goodness. Wow.
I'm very excited Cameron Diaz is here with us, but you have, what was that weird thing you had with Cameron Diaz? Sweetie, you need to wipe your nose a little. There was a weird thing you had with Cameron Diaz.
COHEN: Oh, are you kidding me?
COOPER: You thought she had --
COHEN: I was ask at -- you're prompting me to tell this?
COOPER: Yes, I want you to tell the story. Quickly though.
COHEN: Okay. I was at Jimmy Fallon's house for the Oscars.
COOPER: Name drop.
COHEN: Yes. Name drop.
And Cameron Diaz was there sitting next to me. And I thought I smelled something that I thought she had passed gas and then I thought, then the smell got stronger. And I thought that she had pooped her pants.
COOPER: Why would you think that?
COHEN: Well, because the smell was really strong. Then it turned out that the dog Gary had pooped on the floor and I had walked through it on my way.
COOPER: Jimmy Fallon's dog?
COHEN: Yeah. I had walked in it on my way to get Doritos, so it was me who tracked up -- I thought it was her. Very embarrassing.
COOPER: Didn't you run into her in the street?
COHEN: Yes. Anyway, I think she is on now. Cameron Diaz, are you there?
COOPER: Cameron Diaz, are you there? Andy, before we -- before we begin Cameron, Andy, do you want to take this time to formally apologize?
COHEN: I'm sorry. I hope I've apologized.
CAMERON DIAZ, ACTRESS: He already has.
COHEN: Yes.
COOPER: Okay. I just find it so strange. DIAZ: It's actually hilarious. You should have seen the stink eye he was giving me, which was hilarious. Like it wasn't like it was just thinking it in his brain -- oh, Cameron might have farted. Like literally he was looking at me like, what did you do? What happened? Did you just poop your pants? And literally it was on --
COHEN: I thought it was such a baller move at first like, Cameron Diaz, man, she just wears it all on her sleeve. It's so cool. I already thought you were cool.
(CROSSTALK)
COHEN: Right.
COOPER: I take it as a sign of Andy's obsession with celebrity that like he immediately thought the most famous person in the room
COHEN: I thought you were going to say my obsession with poop. Cameron, so many people found a lot of comfort during the holidays re- watching your movie "The Holiday." Do you ever re-watch it during the holidays?
[23:05:00]
DIAZ: I haven't seen it honestly. I don't -- however long it's been since we filmed it or we watched the premier I haven't seen it since then.
COHEN: Wow
DIAZ: I never watch my movies.
COHEN: Wow.
DIAZ: But I love the gifts. I really do. Just slamming the wine in the grocery store, sitting in bed with it, you know. I feel like everybody can relate. Don't you think?
COHEN: Yes.
COOPER: Yes, nice.
COHEN: Absolutely. Oh, my god. That's gorgeous. Get that champagne ready because we're going to play a little drinking game in a minute.
DIAZ: We are?
COOPER: You announced the arrival of your daughter Raddix during the first week of 2020. Congratulations.
DIAZ: Thank you.
COOPER: We are all now parents. I can't believe I'm actually have a child.
DIAZ: Congratulations to you. COOPER: What has the first year of parenting been like for you?
Thanks.
DIAZ: Been incredible. I think that's just one of the many blessings in our family that is one that our, everyone around us thankfully is safe and healthy. But we've gotten to spend so much time with our daughter. It's been incredible that we've been home the entire year, which I know is just a truly a privilege on our part that we got to be able to do that during this time, which I know not everybody gets to do.
COOPER: Yes.
DIAZ: But it's been incredible. The best thing ever.
COOPER: Yes.
COHEN: As we get closer to midnight do you have any resolutions for 2021?
DIAZ: Ooh, you know, resolutions. I don't even know. I feel like 2021 is just going to blur from 2020 into 2021. I don't know if there is truly a distinction other than this moment right here with you guys. And I also just want to see you guys do another shot so that I know that like so it's happening, into the next, into the New Year. But resolutions I always, I think that I am just going to try to do my best to keep, you know, counting my blessings and to be of service and to just hopefully spread some love.
COHEN: Well, you have a new line called Abilene. I want you to grab it and we're going to play a little round of never have I ever 2020 edition. Okay? We all did similar things. So grab your Abilene.
COOPER: Wait, how does this work?
COHEN: How this works is you can play at home if you would like. You take a drink if you've done the thing. Okay? We're all playing together. So never have I ever in 2020 baked my own bread.
COOPER: So, if you've done the thing, you would drink?
COHEN: Have you baked your own bread? None of us have.
COOPER: Okay.
COHEN: You drink if you've done it. Okay. You've done it.
COOPER: Okay.
COHEN: Never have I ever bought a bunch of at home gym equipment.
COOPER: Oh, okay.
COHEN: Yu did that
COOPER: I did that. So I'm drinking. COHEN: You're drinking. Never have I ever really gotten into puzzles.
COOPER: Hum, no.
DIAZ: I don't have the time.
COOPER: Yeah.
COHEN: Never have I ever seen a ghost during COVID.
COOPER: Why, is that a thing?
COHEN: I don't know. Never have I ever run out of toilet paper and had to get creative.
COOPER: Hum.
COHEN: What? We lost her for a second. You had to get, what, use a leaf?
COOPER: Yeah. Everybody has. Haven't they?
COHEN: During quarantine?
COOPER: No, not during quarantine but like in my life.
COHEN: No, but --
COOPER: The thing is only during quarantine?
COHEN: This is pandemic
COOPER: I don't care.
COHEN: Okay.
COOPER: All fine. No. Yes. During --
COHEN: Never have I ever spent an entire day --
COOPER: I spent a month in the wilderness.
COHEN: Never have I ever spent an entire day in the nude.
COOPER: Wait. Did we lose Cameron Diaz?
COHEN: We lost her.
COOPER: Oh, my gosh.
COHEN: We'll try to continue. Have you spent a day in the nude?
COOPER: No.
You spent a day in the nude?
COHEN: I think while I had COVID and was sequestered from my kid.
COOPER: You're just lounging around in a nude.
COHEN: Maybe.
COOPER: Having fevered COVID dreams? Gross. Getting all sweaty wandering around your apartment.
COHEN: Shut up.
Never have I ever DM'd a random attractive stranger on Instagram.
Okay, good.
Never have I ever learned to cha-cha.
COOPER: Yeah. No.
COHEN: Never have I ever --
COOPER: I know somebody who could teach us.
COHEN: Who?
COOPER: I'm not going to say it.
COHEN: Never have I ever ridden my bike endlessly around the barren streets of New York City.
COOPER: Hilarious.
Never have I ever ridden my bike? Okay. Okay.
COHEN: Yes.
Never have I ever made a TikTok out of sheer boredom.
COOPER: Please no.
COHEN: Never have I ever accidentally flashed someone on zoom when I thought the camera wasn't on.
[23:10:02]
COOPER: No. Never have I ever --
COHEN: Eaten an entire pint of ice cream in one sitting. Yes, I have.
COOPER: This week.
COHEN: Well, I mean --
COOPER: Have you tried Ben and Jerry's, what is it called, Netflix and chill ice cream? Oh, my god.
COHEN: We lost Cameron. COOPER: Cameron Diaz, yes. I'm bummed.
COHEN: Coming up an emotional, emotional tribute.
COOPER: It's great.
And Mariah Carey joins us live. I mean --
COHEN: We'll be right back. We are getting a little drunk here.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:15:02]
COHEN: All right. We are back and before we get to John Mayer, Cameron Diaz is back.
COOPER: Cameron, I'm so sorry we lost you.
DIAZ: It's okay. You know what? I feel like technology is totally like not even supposed to work. It's magic, you know?
COOPER: It is, totally. Yes.
DIAZ: But you know what is so impressive? You guys are like in Times Square right now. You're such ballers like nobody can go into Times Square but you guys are there running a whole show.
COHEN: I have to say it's pretty exciting being here.
COOPER: It is.
COHEN: And it's special and it is nice that the first responders are here.
COOPER: Yes.
DIAZ: So wonderful.
COHEN: I'm sorry we didn't get to raise a glass with you.
COOPER: You have like champagne, sparkling wine, rose?
Yeah. A whole line.
DIAZ: We have white. It's delicious.
COOPER: Wow.
DIAZ: And it's a perfect night. It's the perfect sparkling for me to be celebrating with you guys and wishing you both a happy --
COHEN: We'll see you. I want to do a toast to you and also a toast because I want -- I know
you said you kind of quit acting but this is a toast to get you back because I need you.
COOPER: We all need you.
COHEN: We all need you.
DIAZ: do scenes in your house where you wonder whether or not --
COHAN: I would love that. That would be great.
COOPER: Congratulations. Cheers to you on being a parent.
(CROSSTALK)
DIAZ: To all the essential workers, how incredible you have all been, and I appreciate everything, and the whole world appreciates what you've done. Honestly, it's incredible that they've showed up the way that they have. And I'm so happy that you guys are celebrating them this evening in Times Square.
COOPER: Well, we wish you the best. Have a great new year. Our best to your family.
COHEN: Thank you.
DIAZ: To you as well. Take care.
COHEN: All right. It's time for something very special. My friend John Mayer is in Los Angeles. I'm going to throw it to him. This speaks for itself.
John?
JOHN MAYER, SINGER: Hey, Andy. Hey, Anderson. Happy New Year.
I wanted to play a song to remember everyone we lost this year. Because I know they will live forever in us.
(JOHN MAYER SINGING)
[23:20:33]
COOPER: Wow. That was incredible. That was so lovely. Thank you, John.
COHEN: So many people lost this year.
COOPER: Yeah. It's -- we were talking about this with Stephen Colbert in the last hour and I mean I'll just repeat myself but I remember please when I was a little kid watching a New Year's Eve show, Dick Clark's New Year's Eve show, and I was watching with my brother and it was 1978. My dad was in the hospital. He had a heart attack.
And I remember sitting in that room watching TV and sort of all of the celebrations going on in Times Square and all the revelry and the excitement and stuff, and it seemed terrifying to me because I didn't know what this New Year would hold. And my dad died five days later and my life changed very much after that.
But I remember thinking there was something about watching that New Year's celebration. It's one of the reasons I started working on New Year's because I -- there is something about the kind of phony levity and sort of I don't know excitement of New Year's that as a young kid who had lost, was about to lose somebody I found very scary and I think there are a lot of people out there tonight who have lost somebody this year or whose loved one is in the hospital right now and don't know what the next year holds and I, you know, I think for both Andy and I, we are thinking about you on this night and this is a place where first responders are and people who have been on the front lines of this pandemic.
And so, you know, I know there are a lot of people watching who may feel alone tonight and I want you to know we are thinking of you and we are with you and we hope this is your best year yet and we wish you peace and strength in the days ahead.
We have a lot more tonight. We have about another 37 minutes before the New Year. Let's hope it is a healthy and happy New Year. And the best year yet.
Coming up next --
COHEN: Mariah Carey.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:26:12]
COHEN: Okay. All right.
COOPER: Let's get down to the nitty-gritty.
COHEN: We had a good cry there I have to say. We had a little bit of a cry.
COOPER: John Mayer was excellent.
COHEN: Now we're back.
We love you, John. That was a beautiful tribute. We just had to, you know what? It's not New Year's Eve until someone cries all right?
COOPER: Yeah, and someone breaks their heel. Can't find a cab.
COHEN: I know.
Now, let's go back to Bill Weir for a tattoo update. We want to see the final product.
Oh, my God, look at him. There he is. COOPER: Wow!
COHEN: He's all splayed out.
COOPER: Bill, how's it going?
COHEN: Wow.
BILL WEIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm not going to show you the final -- I'm not going to show you the result until we're completely done. It would be disrespectful to our artist Trudy who is -- are you seeing us?
COHEN: Is your newborn baby running the camera? Is this newborn running the camera?
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: Does it hurt?
WEIR: It does hurt. It does hurt.
It does sting a little bit. But she has such a gentle bed side manner. What is amazing about it and Anderson knows this because he is obsessed with Bang Bang. This shop is the coolest tattoo shop in the world hands down. Bang Bang, the founder did Rihanna before she blew up and as a result everything you see on Justin Bieber was done in this shop, and Tracy was recruited from Austria. She has a masters in arts history.
TRUDY LINES, TATTOO ARTIST AT BANG BANG TATTOO: Yes.
WEIR: And was lured to New York to do this kind of work so I have the best of the best working on something special that we're going to reveal in just a second.
But how is the pandemic for you? I mean, this business is one of those that you can't really socially distance.
LINES: Not really. Our shop was closed for about five months. Then we slowly opened when we could make sure we could keep a distance, have all the safety measurements.
WEIR: Keep it safe.
LINES: Correct. We were closed for a couple months but I think our team did a pretty good job keeping everybody safe. Keeping our clients safe.
WEIR: They were telling me that everybody because they were stuck at home they were flooding their inbox with their tattoo ideas. People were like I want to get this tattoo so when things finally open up and they get people in here, it is not -- I didn't go with the Gloria Borger full back tattoo. I think that is obvious. COOPER: All right. Yeah. Okay.
COHEN: It's the steely in the running.
COOPER: We'll check in with you after the New Year and see the finished product.
COHEN: Can't wait. You look very calm. I think the Xanax is working.
Coming up next, the icon, the global superstar the queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey joins us live. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:32:17]
COOPER: And welcome back. We are live in New York's Times Square. Twenty-eight minutes, 27 minutes now and 57 seconds.
COHEN: Wow. That is specific. We are lubricated.
COOPER: Until the New Year.
COHEN: Yeah. We'll take one final check on the puppies and Randi Kaye before midnight 2020 is almost over and we are jacked about it.
Randi, you're getting mauled by puppies.
COOPER: So cute.
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Never enough puppies and champagne. Look how cute these guys are.
We are doing a close to midnight fashion show at the big dog range rescue. That is BDRR.org, if you want to donate or adopt.
So check out, look at this. This is Winston. Look at the little outfit. How adorable. Winston is available for adoption.
(CROSSTALK)
COOPER: I've already gotten a couple DMs on Instagram from people asking about specific dogs. Anybody who wants to adopt a dog should go to BDRR.org.
COHEN: That's going on in your DMs.
COOPER: Yeah, people, I've been reading some.
KAYE: Look how cute they are.
COOPER: You think my DMs should be more exciting?
COHEN: I think they are more exciting.
COOPER: No. COHEN: Right. Oh, my god the dogs look so cute in their outfits.
KAYE: Look at this one. They're getting tired and the puppies need to go to bed. So we'll do a doggie drop early. We'll drop a little early from you guys in Times Square.
COOPER: Okay.
KAYE: Here comes the crystal ball drop
COHEN: I did a drop on watch what happens years ago and now we have a dog drop. There is a dog on a disco ball being lowered in Palm Beach County.
COOPER: That is not an actual dog.
COHEN: Oh, my.
KAYE: I am on overload.
COOPER: Oh my gosh, look at those puppies.
KAYE: As the ball comes down it is this cuteness overload. We are waking them up. They are sound asleep here.
I mean, if you don't want to take these guys home, I don't know. Happy New Year little fellows.
COOPER: Thank you so much. Happy New Year. We hope they all get adopted. Bdrr.org if you want to adopt one of them. So cute.
COHEN: Thank you so much.
And now it's the tradition for our New Year's Eve show.
COOPER: Mariah Carey is coming up, by the way.
COHEN: Yes, one even the coronavirus cannot disrupt.
Good night 2020. Anderson?
COOPER: Yes.
COHEN: Let's do this.
COOPER: Good night 2020 presidential election, the less said the better.
[23:35:01]
Good night listening to Taylor's folklore wrapped in a cardigan's sweater.
COHEN: Good night, Fauci. Good night, Birx. Good night. Now please wear a mask. It works.
COOPER: True.
Good night, vaccines, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer. Good night hoarding of TP, wipes, and sanitizer.
COHEN: Good night, Four Seasons Total Landscaping. Good night, sour dough, we're anxiously baking.
COOPER: Good night to a year living in sweats. Good night to Joe exotic and his terrifying pets.
COHEN: Good night, Ina Gardens Giant Cosmo. Good night, Chris and Andrew Cuomo.
COOPER: All right.
Good. Good night Quibi. Oh, gone too soon.
COHEN: I had a show on Quibi.
COOPER: Yeah. Didn't see it.
COHEN: No one did.
COOPER: Good night singing song time on Zoom.
COHEN: Good night canceled plans. Good night stadium with cardboard fans.
COOPER: Good night top a break-neck news cycle both uplifting and dire, and good night 2020, you total dumpster fire.
COHEN: Amen. Isn't that the truth? Wow.
COOPER: I loved good night by the way. It's fascinating.
COHEN: The colors are great.
COOPER: It's surreal. What I imagine an acid trip to be like.
COHEN: What you imagine. Have you ever done acid?
COOPER: No.
COHEN: Really?
COOPER: No.
COHEN: Well, it's time. We're doing it tonight.
COOPER: Oh, please.
COHEN: Yes, we are. You're coming over after the show.
COOPER: I don't --
COHEN: No, you are coming over after the show. COOPER: Yes, I'm coming over --
COHEN: Again, we're going to drop some food.
I'm just kidding.
Okay. Since we can't be in Key West, Sushi, who joined every year, has something to say -- Sushi.
SUSHI: Happy New Year's, Anderson and Andy. From Key West 2020 to 2021. It's been a year but you know what? We are surviving and it's flawless down here. I love you.
COOPER: Sushi looks flawless and wearing a facemask.
COHEN: A visor.
COOPER: A visor.
COHEN: The housewives, some of the housewives love a visor because it doesn't futz with the makeup.
COOPER: Oh, makes sense.
COHEN: Yeah.
COOPER: Let's go back to Richard Quest who, by the way, got married in Vegas this year. I did not -- I didn't realize that.
Congratulations, Richard. I didn't know that.
COHEN: Well, outfit change. Costume change.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look at us. How's that for you?
COOPER: You look great.
QUEST: Thank you.
We are here on the street and with me is Sandra. This nurse has the distinction of being the first person vaccinated in the country.
How are you feeling?
SANDRA: Fantastic. Thank you.
QUEST: It all went well. Have you had the second vaccination?
SANDRA: Not yet. I'll have it next week and I look forward to it.
QUEST: Wow. Congratulations.
SANDRA: Thank you.
QUEST: You're here tonight.
SANDRA: I'm here tonight celebrating.
QUEST: What's your message tonight?
SANDRA: My message is that, you know, 2020 was a really challenging year. We were hit hard but we're going to come back stronger. And I wish for the world a healthy and strong New Year.
QUEST: Look straight into there and tell us anybody who is thinking about or doubts about being vaccinated.
SANDRA: Follow the signs. Let the signs be your guide. Use me as a testament that, you know, the vaccine is safe. I wish you all a happy New Year.
QUEST: Thank you. Thank you.
SANDRA: Thank you.
QUEST: The whole place, guys. In fact, I'm behind you. You can't see me but I am behind you now. The whole place is full of first responders.
Congratulations. Good to see you.
Midnight is on its way. We will be here at midnight to sing "Auld Lang Syne".
COOPER: Yes.
COHEN: Absolutely.
Thank you, Richard. It's so great.
COOPER: Yeah.
COHEN: We have to heed her words by the way. Listen to what she says. She knows what she is talking about.
Our next guest is the bestselling female artist of all time with 19 number one singles, 18 of which she co-wrote by the way, more than any solo artist in history. In 2020, she became a number one "New York Times" bestselling author with her memoir and audio book "The Meaning of Mariah Carey" and she just released the most widely watched Apple TV event around the world, "Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special", which was number one --
COOPER: Wow.
COHEN: -- in more than a hundred countries.
Her classic, this is amazing, her classic "All I Want for Christmas is You" returned to number one on Billboard's Hot 100, claimed a new number one peak on the billboard global chart. It also just became Spotify's most streamed song in one day ever, breaking her own Guinness World Records. She has the most Billboard weeks at number one not just Christmas but her entire career, more than the Beatles, Rihanna, Madonna.
And we are joined now live from Aspen, Colorado, global superstar Mariah Carey.
[23:40:04]
COOPER: Wow.
COHEN: Wow, check her out!
COOPER: Mariah Carey!
MARIAH CAREY, SINGER: Hi, guys.
COHEN: Mariah, you're on fire!
(LAUGHTER)
COHEN: Mariah --
CAREY: How you guys feel?
COHEN: -- you had a huge -- we feel good. We're lubricated.
COOPER: We're so happy you're here.
COHEN: Yeah, you had a huge year. I mean, all of those accomplishments.
Do you have a personal highlight from the year?
CAREY: Well, first of all it's great to be here with you, guys.
The year as we all know has been challenging to say the least. But I was really happy to be able to connect with -- as I call them the lamily, they call themselves, and obviously the book having the success and the critical acclaim that it's had.
It's been my whole life's journey to actually write the book, be able to share my weird life story with everybody, and I think it brought just in terms of like me as an artist closer to a lot of people who maybe didn't get me or didn't understand, you know, my dysfunctional upbringing and how that transcended things for me as a kid -- a broke little biracial girl who grew up with nothing and then being able to have the type of things you're talking about with this year.
But, obviously, the highlight is now because we're leaving 2020 and hopefully having a better experience for us all. You know?
And, Anderson, I feel like I saw you every day because all I did was watch CNN this entire time.
COHEN: Ooh.
COOPER: Oh, wow. I'm thrilled by that. I read your book, and I got to say, I mean, it's so -- I'm friends
with Michael Angela Davis, and I just -- it was so well-written and your story is so incredible, and it was just -- it was a beautiful, it was such a good, powerful book. It wasn't -- I didn't know what to expect and I was blown away by it.
Reviewers were as well. And it's number one bestseller. So, congratulations on that. It's such a huge accomplishment.
How do you celebrate New Year's Eve? Is it a moment?
CAREY: I mean, typically, it's a moment. I just want to speak to the fact, yay, Michaela Angela Davis, and I'm glad you brought that up. I know you guys used to work together for a minute.
COOPER: Yeah.
CAREY: She is amazing, and we had the best creative experience working on this book.
I'm kind of like, OK, always for New Year's Eve, yes, it's a moment. We've had good moments, we've had bad moments, we've had moments, but they are what they are.
This year, I think it's all about we're here, just me and my family, very, very close family unit. We've been together this whole time during COVID just figuring it out how to exist and be festive during these times.
So here we are. I hope you guys like it, what we created for you. You know, just making it fun.
We can't be with you. We didn't leave New York for like five months, me and the kids.
COOPER: Yeah.
CAREY: So, I kind of feel a little bit detached from my roots, but I always love being here in Aspen, especially for Christmas. By the way, I have not let Christmas die yet. Everybody wants to kill me because the Christmas music is still on 24/7.
COHEN: Nor should it.
CAREY: As it snows, I'm listening -- I'm listening to Nat King Cole as it snow and I feel like I got a bonus this year, you know, extended Christmas.
COHEN: I got to -- I got to -- I got to ask you about "All I Want for Christmas is You" because it broke -- it keeps breaking so many records and so many records in the Spotify thing, the most streamed song ever in a day on Spotify.
When you recorded "All I Want for Christmas is You", did you have a sense it was going to live for so long? Because it's one of those songs that you listen to and it still sounds like a brand-new song. It's as fresh every time you listen to it as the first time.
CAREY: Thank you. Well, first of all, I hate to always say this, but as a writer, I wrote that song and when I think about it --
COHEN: I know.
CAREY: Yeah, but, you know, you said recorded, so I had to clarify that for the folks at home.
COHEN: Oh.
(LAUGHTER)
COOPER: As you should.
CAREY: Andy, you know.
No, but I'm really proud of it in terms of that. Really, it's because when I first wrote it, I was like I just want to write about whatever makes me feel like what I wanted to hear as a little kid when I wanted my Christmases to be fun and festive, and they weren't necessarily. You know what I mean?
So that's when I -- as I've grown -- I feel like I've grown up with it, too, you know? I was kind of little when I first wrote it, littler in many ways. But, yeah. I just -- I've grown to love it more and more I think because I've experienced life with it as a listener but also as someone that it's really my -- I put everything into it.
So, I never knew it was going to be this big but I'm thankful. I know that much.
COOPER: Yeah. You released the rarities from your vault. Tell us about it.
(CROSSTALK)
CAREY: Okay. So --
[23:45:02]
COHEN: Yeah. We got J-Lo behind us actually.
I want to hear about Ariana Grande. She said in her new Netflix documentary she got so emotional talking about what an influence you were for her and how she learned to sing by mimicking you.
You know, now, you came out with a song with her. That -- it was so great seeing the two of you together on your Christmas special. Talk to me about that.
CAREY: So, that was amazing. The Christmas special was an incredible moment working with Apple, working with all the folks who -- who were there. I loved working with Ariana and J-Hud. I wrote the song called "Oh, Santa" and thought it would be cute as a girl thing. So, I rearranged it and figured out how it was going to go, and then we filmed it.
By the way, yay, Apple, Apple TV Plus, because just getting through like we had the concept to do the special in February. I had it a year before and then being able to do it during COVID, film it, we all had to be tested every day. Everybody was on set like who could be wearing heels and masks and everything.
As you guys know, and for the people at home, the only reason I don't have a mask on right now is because my shield is right over there. I asked for it but they didn't give it to me. Everybody else has their mask, their shields, all of that.
So, I would just say thank you to everybody who participated in the special because we made it through the rain, and like so glad for the success of that, and looking forward to more to come and just hopeful for a way better 2021 for the world. You know what I mean?
COOPER: Yeah. What is your wish for everybody out there? I mean, a lot of folks have had a really tough year. It's going to be a tough year for a long time this year. There's obviously a vaccine coming. Hope is on the horizon.
What's your hope for the New Year?
CAREY: Well, I think it's everybody's. I mean, I would imagine it's everybody's hope -- healing for our country, for the world, unity. We've seen so much despair this past year which has always been sort of there -- always been there under the surface.
COOPER: Yeah.
CAREY: And I was grateful to be able to release my memoir, which dealt with so many issues of race and identity and, you know, just classism, and just things that I have gone through as a human being and then, of course, as a celebrity, whatever that means. And I think, you know, all of us have kind of come together a little bit more this year.
And my hope or wish is that we continue to do so. Obviously, we all are ready for a new moment in terms of being hopeful about the vaccine and being hopeful for all of those and really thinking about and wishing just the best of everything for those who have been affected by -- by COVID, those who went through so much pain and who are still going through so much pain.
We're celebrating. We're festive. But I think we're hopeful for better times.
COHEN: You know, you mentioned the memoir.
CAREY: Is that the ball dropping? Am I saying that?
(CROSSTALK)
COHEN: No, no, no, the ball is not dropping yet.
I have to ask you, what is -- what was some -- you know, you were so revealing in the memoir and people thought that they knew so much about you. What -- was there one thing that you think people took away from the memoir that they didn't know about you or were surprised about you?
CAREY: I don't know that there is one thing. I think there are many things, Andy.
COHEN: It was a lot. Yeah.
CAREY: Again, I put so much into it and then the world turned upside down and we were dealing with these very timely issues that people were like oh, why are you suddenly talking about this now?
But as you know, this has been a labor of love. We worked on the book for a good two and a half, three years prior to it coming out.
And then it was just, all of a sudden, this kind of relief, but also, I didn't want people to be like oh, now she wants to jump on this bandwagon or talk about that or whatever. No, it's just hard to encapsulate a lifetime in a ten-minute interview or when we are on "Watch What Happens Live" cherishing, we're not sitting here talking about, you know, serious issues because nobody wants to be, you don't want to be Debbie Downer. It's bad enough I'm not even having a splash with you guys right now.
COHEN: Well, you need to have a splash with us right now. What is going to happen for the rest of the night?
CAREY: Can I splash somebody?
COHEN: Yes. Get the girl a splash. Get the icon a splash.
CAREY: Andy, I can't talk to you without splashes.
COHEN: I know.
CAREY: They're all looking around trying to figure it out
COHEN: I need you to have a splash.
Tell me what will happen for the rest of the night for you, Mariah. How will you ring in the New Year in Aspen?
[23:50:01]
CAREY: Well, there is a 10:00 p.m. curfew I just got an alert on my phone about.
COHEN: Oh!
COOPER: Oh my gosh! Wow.
CAREY: We're here. Yeah, yeah, no, it's pretty surreal here.
COOPER: Wow.
CAREY: I've never seen it so empty in the streets and stuff. But yeah, I only care about -- oh, splash coming in, yay.
COOPER: We'll get a splash, too, here.
CAREY: Yeah, don't act like you didn't have one, sitting around.
(LAUGHTER)
COHEN: We got plenty, we got plenty.
CAREY: We're going to -- and I've been waiting for you guys. I had, like, three coffees. I was like, let me be alert. And I'm sorry because it's always so hard to not cut everybody off and to, you know, to have a communicative moment. I've been -- I've fallen victim to that, many times.
But anyway, for tonight, we're going to just ring in the New Year here. Small group, just family, and super close, people that are close to us. And again, it's been a year of kind of isolation.
COOPER: Yeah.
COHEN: When this is all over, are you -- are you thinking, God, I'd love to go back on some huge, world tour? I would love to go back to Vegas? I know, it's so in your blood to perform.
Is there one performance moment that you're looking forward to?
CAREY: You know what's been --
(CROSSTALK)
COHEN: Super Bowl halftime show, maybe?
CAREY: What I was going to say is I -- of course, I miss seeing my fans and being close. That's one of the things I talk about in the memoir as well, just my relationship with my fans.
A lot of people talk that talk, but for me, the chapter is called a family and that's what they've become for me, because it's not just here I am, you know -- you know, listen to my records. Look at me on the video, whatever. It's really that they kind of validated my existence because I was really that little kid that didn't feel like I belonged anywhere.
So, I guess, the -- what -- what was the exact question? What -- what do I miss going on tour? Of course.
COHEN: No. No. No. Like, are you going to tour? Are you going to tour? Yeah.
CAREY: Nobody knows who's touring, what's happening. Like, I'm thankful that I wrote, you know, was able to put out the book next year, this coming year, in ten minutes from now, the New Year.
We are talking about the film adaptation of the memoir. You know, whatever it ends up being, been having really great -- yes, darling -- conversations about that with some exciting, talented, talented people, and getting into all of that because, for me, I love that. I do love the behind-the-scenes stuff.
But I -- I miss my fans, like, the proximity to my fans that I had before, when I was able to tour or whatever. But we all do. So, we're going to the all be banded together, and hope for a better 2021.
You know, hope for the best for all of us. And if any of my lambs are watching, I love you guys, I miss you so much. Thanks for having an historic Christmas with me, this year. And now, it's New Year's, honey, and we're raring to go with some fresh energy and healing moments.
COHEN: Amen. Well, Mariah, thank you. That was actually kind of a great benediction into 2021.
You had an incredible year, well-deserved. An iconic year, for an iconic performer. Thank you so much, Mariah Carey.
COOPER: Toast to you. Cheers.
COHEN: Cheers to you and to 2021.
COOPER: We hope you have a very happy and healthy New Year, Mariah.
COHEN: Thank you.
CAREY: Thank you. Same, you guys. Happy New Year.
COOPER: Happy New Year.
Take care.
COHEN: Thank you so much.
Wow, well, coming up --
COOPER: Seven minutes to go.
COHEN: Seven minutes to go.
COOPER: The end of 2020.
COHEN: You know, I have to say, when I walked into Times Square tonight, I thought it was so odd that there were so few people here. But there, weirdly, is -- there's --
COOPER: There's -- there's an intimacy and an energy to it that is unique.
COHEN: Sweetie, now, you got to wipe your nose. Remember, when you were on me about it? Yeah, well, now I'm giving it back to you.
COOPER: OK.
COHEN: Yeah, there's an intimacy, and an energy, as you just said around here.
COOPER: Does Ryan Seacrest say to anybody, you got to wipe your nose, sweetie? Probably not. Probably not. All right, well --
COHEN: OK, yeah, right, we see -- we do this for each other.
COOPER: No. But it's -- it is unique and incredibly appropriate that it's first responders, that it's nurses and doctors and health-care workers who are here, and they're here with their families. It's nice.
COHEN: Yeah. How are your heating apparatus that you're wearing --
COOPER: I could not be happier.
COHEN: Really? Because I just caught a major chill. Anyway, just to -- you know what? We went from the macro to the micro. Yes.
COOPER: We got about almost five minutes left. Little bit more than five minutes left.
Let's, quickly, check in with Richard Quest, who is down in the crowd.
Richard, how many -- how many people do you think there are here?
[23:55:01]
Actual, first responders and their families?
QUEST: About 300. About 300, in total. Anderson, I'm at your 7:00.
COOPER: I see you there, sir.
COHEN: Yes, we see you.
QUEST: Yeah, Lennon and --
COHEN: All right. Let's listen to "Imagine" actually. It's happening right now. We are ramping up to 2021.
COOPER: Let's listen in.
(ANDRA DAY SINGING "IMAGINE")
ANDRA DAY, SINGER: Happy New Year.
(INAUDIBLE)
(CLOCK TICKING SOUND)
