The longtime friends return to Times Square in July for an Independence Day Eve special.

Andy Cohen crashes ‘Gemini stud’ Anderson Cooper’s broadcast with birthday cake and balloons

The longtime friends return to Times Square in July for an Independence Day Eve special.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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June 4, 2026 1:01 p.m. ET

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Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on 'Anderson Cooper 360'. Credit:

- Andy Cohen crashed Anderson Cooper's Wednesday night broadcast to wish his longtime friend a happy birthday on air.

- Cooper and Cohen, who brought cake and balloons, chatted about their upcoming July 3 ball-drop special, along with how they celebrated their respective birthdays.

- *Independence Eve Live With Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250 *airs on Friday, July 3 on CNN 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper are friendship goals.

Cohen surprised his longtime friend during Cooper's Wednesday evening broadcast of *Anderson Cooper 360* for his birthday, complete with balloons and and a birthday cake. While reporting on the California primaries, the camera cut from Cooper to the *Watch What Happens Live *host, wishing the "Gemini stud" a happy birthday.

Cooper told Cohen, whose birthday was the day before, he texted him during a commercial break, but that didn't stop Cohen from dropping by the CNN studios for a birthday surprise.

"Forget about these L.A. elections," Cohen said, as he got mic'ed up and Cooper shut his laptop, derailing the remainder of his segment. "Enough! We've heard it all. My man, it's your birthday!"

Cooper on 'Anderson Cooper 360'.

Cooper noted that Cohen dressed up for his special appearance, while the Bravo personality mentioned that he loves the CNN newsroom. Cooper then blew out his candles and bantered with Cohen for the remainder of the broadcast.

Cohen mentioned that Cooper's colleague Kaitlin Collins appeared on *Watch What Happens Live** *on Tuesday to chat *Summer House*, which Cohen quipped that Cooper surely covered on the news.

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The pair also spoke about their upcoming special, celebrating the night before Independence Day with a countdown in Times Square, complete with a ball drop, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed.

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"Andy does not allow me in any of the meetings because I really don't contribute to anything," Cooper said, while Cohen filled in the blanks. "We're doing a summer ball drop, which sounds outstanding. And here's breaking news: Anderson, we will be drinking beer... all night long! And I'm told we have access to a potty for the first time, which is great."

"But anyway, we've got a lot of fun surprises coming. We're going to be counting down, and most importantly... we're going to be celebrating this country that we love so much in so many ways," added Cohen.

The duo have previously hosted New Year's Eve together in Times Square for CNN, complete with video calls from other celebrities and the occasional shot of tequila.

Cooper and Cohen on 'Anderson Cooper 360'.

Towards the end of Cohen's surprise visit, Cooper asked the million-dollar question: "so what is this *Summer House *thing?" Cohen glanced at his watch, chiding Cooper, "Oh sweetie, we have one minute left. You want me to explain this?"

Seems like Cohen will have to stop by another time to chat *Summer House*.

*Independence Eve Live With Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250 *airs on Friday, July 3 on CNN 8 p.m. ET/PT through 12:30 a.m. ET/PT.

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