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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

New Year's Celebration

Aired December 31, 2008 - 00:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(THIS HALF HOUR ACTUALLY AIRED AT MIDNIGHT DEC 31/JAN 1)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: You going to count down?

KATHY GRIFFIN. COMEDIAN: Yes -- it's your show.

COOPER: Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.

GRIFFIN: Happy New Year.

COOPER: Happy New Year.

GRIFFIN: Happy New Year, Andy.

COOPER: I hope you have a great New Year.

GRIFFIN: I hope you have a great New Year. Happy New Year (INAUDIBLE).

COOPER: There really is no place like New York in this moment.

GRIFFIN: I love it. I wouldn't be any where else. I love it. I do.

COOPER: And to hear Frank Sinatra, New York, New York. To hear Frank Sinatra, it's great.

GRIFFIN: I know, old blue eyes.

COOPER: You would probably like Celine Dion though.

GRIFFIN: I love her.

COOPER: I know, but you would probably want her to be performing.

GRIFFIN: Yes. I would watch her fold laundry. I worship her and make fun of her at the same time.

COOPER: We're also going to be bringing you celebrations from Key West, Florida show you that as well as some celebrations from around the world, and also listen to the crowd as they sing America The Beautiful. That should be coming up in just a few minutes.

GRIFFIN: And then later, they're the ones that are fighting.

COOPER: Now, I know you wish you were down in the crowd with the people, Kathy Griffin, don't you? GRIFFIN: Oh, yes.

COOPER: Because you're a people person. I know that about you. And there you see the scene in the Underground in Atlanta, as well as here right in New York here live in Times Square. They say there may be as many as a million people here. It's a very warm night, so it's really good.

GRIFFIN: I want to see one person hurl, at least one person.

COOPER: You want to see what?

GRIFFIN: Hurl. At least one person hurl.

COOPER: No. No. No. Not while Ray Charles is singing. Let's listen to Ray Charles.

GRIFFIN: Oh, you and your Ray Charles fixation.

COOPER: And there it is, Ray Charles, New York, New York. Still some confetti drifting in the air.

GRIFFIN: The look of the people being dazed and confused. The coldness, it's just settling in. My balls are freezing. I'm just going to tell you right to your face. It's cold out here, Andy.

COOPER: It's a little cold, but we have some warmers and some eggnog I'm sure in the truck, we'll bring to you.

GRIFFIN: Well, I've got to watch my figure. I'm not like you. I might as well put that eggnog right on my hips.

COOPER: Don't worry, I'm not watching your figure either. Thank you very much. I'll be here all week. Try the veal. It is now officially 2008. You know what that means? Kathy's New Year's Resolution is fewer carbs.

GRIFFIN: Eat more carbs.

COOPER: Eat more carbs?

GRIFFIN: Yes, I'm going against the grain, Andy.

COOPER: Apparently so.

GRIFFIN: What's your resolution?

COOPER: No pun intended. To blog more often on the "360" blog.

GRIFFIN: And spell check, please.

COOPER: And Erica Hill, what's your New Year's Resolution?

ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, gosh, you know what's terrible? I haven't even thought of one yet, but I do have some people who have some resolutions. My resolution is to get a resolution.

Debbie, what's your New Year's Resolution?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hope that me and him will get married this year.

HILL: Congratulations. What's your New Year's Resolution?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have more fun.

HILL: What's your New Year's Resolution?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. Having a good time.

HILL: Having a good time is a good way to go. What's your resolution?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to read the Bible every day.

HILL: That's a good one. What's your New Year's Resolution?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Be happy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: World peace.

HILL: World peace, also a good one. Not quite eat more carbs, but it's close. What's your New Year's Resolution?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have no idea.

HILL: I didn't have one either. Don't worry. You're in good company. What's your New Year's Resolution?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. Happy New Year.

HILL: Anderson, that's the thing. There's so much excitement here in Times Square. You don't need to worry about what you're doing in 2008. You need to enjoy the fact that you're ringing in the New Year right here in Times Square, the biggest and best party in the world, Anderson.

COOPER: All right, Erica. We've been showing you around, how they've been celebrating New Year's Eve around the world and around the United States. Check back in with John Zarrella in Key West, where they have a very different tradition. A drag queen named Sushi is lowered in a giant red pump from the roof of a builing.

John, how did it go this year, any technical problems this year?

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No flaws. At one point the shoe got hung up for a minute or two, Anderson. But true to form, Sushi and the red stiletto made it down. They counted down here. We had about 20,000 people cramming the streets. You can hear that countdown. Was a beautiful, beautiful drop. Once again, for their eleventh straight year. Sushi descending in the red stiletto, and it was another wonderful evening here. How was it tonight? It was great, got any New Year's Resolutions?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought it was fabulous. Best year yet.

ZARRELLA: Best year yet. We had a terrific night, Anderson, here. You know, you're always talking about my wife and who's watching over me. She's right there, with my son.

COOPER: The whole family.

ZARRELLA: So it's a family affair tonight.

COOPER: That's nice.

ZARRELLA: Happy New Year, Anderson.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Happy New Year.

COOPER: Happy New Year, that's nice.

GRIFFIN: Is there anything sweeter than a happy drag queen?

COOPER: What?

GRIFFIN: Is there anything God's green earth sweeter than a happy drag queen?

COOPER: You're getting a little teary eyed.

GRIFFIN: I am. I'm emotional.

COOPER: John -- well he's gone, but I'm sure they'll appreciate the fact that you were getting a little (INAUDIBLE).

GRIFFIN: Yes, it's wonderful down there how the drag queens put up with the humidity is beyond me. I respect them.

COOPER: A lot of drag queens are big fans of yours.

GRIFFIN: This year on My Life on the D-List we're actually taking a drag queen flight from San Francisco to Sydney, and I'm performing on the plane.

COOPER: Are you serious, really?

GRIFFIN: Yes, I'm performing on the plane.

COOPER: An entire plane, wow.

GRIFFIN: Yes.

COOPER: That's a long flight.

GRIFFIN: You know what? Chris Rock doesn't have to do that. Just me. Dane Cook doesn't have to do that, but I do.

COOPER: I don't think Dane Cook could do that.

GRIFFIN: Oh, please. Hey, I'm going to be at the Garden at the end of the month, come see me.

COOPER: At the what?

GRIFFIN: I got three shows sold out at Madison Square Garden.

COOPER: Are you kidding?

GRIFFIN: I'm not -- why would I kid you, I'm on the news ...

COOPER: No, I mean -- it's not that I'm ...

GRIFFIN: ...I'm a news anchor.

COOPER: ...surprised that you can actually fill a stadium or anything but, I mean ...

GRIFFIN: You know what, you were so much nicer in 2007. Now you're just handsome and hurtful.

COOPER: Are you really playing at the Garden? I would totally come.

GRIFFIN: Yes, three nights.

COOPER: Would I have to -- I'd have to, like, I'll pay, I mean I ...

GRIFFIN: Oh yes.

COOPER: ...but I could I get a ticket?

GRIFFIN: I mean, it's not (INAUDIBLE) ...

COOPER: No, no, I would never.

GRIFFIN: I'll get good seats, but not com.

COOPER: Oh OK, yes, of course not.

GRIFFIN: Now, when can we talk politics because I want to deal with the hard news issues now.

COOPER: OK, tell me about politics.

GRIFFIN: All right, what Cabinet member do you think Chuck Norris is going to have with President Huckabee?

COOPER: What Cabinet position, what ...

GRIFFIN: I just -- I like to say President Huckabee.

COOPER: He'll be the Secretary of Defense someday, you know.

GRIFFIN: Wouldn't that be the greatest contender ever, that nutbag Huckabee, right?

COOPER: I don't know what you're ...

GRIFFIN: Now, of the current administration, I know you have to be impartial.

COOPER: Right.

GRIFFIN: Of the current administration, who would you most like to waterboard?

COOPER: Oh, that's not even funny. That's not, that crosses the line, Kathy Griffin.

GRIFFIN: It's not even -- that's what I'm here to do. I'm here to move it, and then cross it. Have I got you fired yet?

COOPER: Not yet, no.

GRIFFIN: How much time do I have?

COOPER: Well, not much more -- about 15 more minutes.

But first, let's check in again with "AMERICAN MORNING's" Kiran Chetry over at the Hard Rock Cafe with more of some of the i-Parties traditions (ph) -- Kiran.

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: How about it? Well, we're here on the balcony and so, along with the confetti, unfortunately, came some beer. But hey, nothing says the New Year's Eve like getting beer dumped on your head.

Let's look at some of the pictures (ph). Anderson, this one, this 10-year-old girl is a huge fan. She says she met you at a book signing, Maria Zaoutis (ph). She wants to be a reporter. She's very excited to be on CNN and she's partying with her parents in an "AC 360" t-shirt. So, Maria, good luck to you.

Also, how about this one. This is Delray Beach, Florida. Two el pacas, BB King (ph) and Hugs. Every year, these two el pacas lead the parade. They're really adorable, they were born at the end of 2006 and grew up around people. So apparently, they're used to crowds, as well as reindeer ears.

And this one we just got in a few minutes ago. It's the Didomenico (ph) family out of Youngstown, Ohio. Kids playing band with their "AC 360" Rocks" t-shirts on. And Anderson, I don't know if you can see, but there you are in the background on TV. It's Michael, Zoe and Robby.

COOPER: Oh yes.

CHETRY: Eleven, nine and seven. And they're staying up to watch us tonight. So Happy New Year to the Domenico family.

COOPER: Oh, that's cool. Thank you very much.

It was always so upsetting ...

GRIFFIN: You know what, I think there's a lot of people who have met you at a book signing in Korea. Is that code? It's all very suspicious. Everybody on the show just has signs with your name on it.

COOPER: Well, I like to send them out when I can.

GRIFFIN: You're like a dictator. I'm scared I'm going to get like assassinated on the way home or shot.

COOPER: When you were a kid ...

GRIFFIN: Yes.

COOPER: ...did you like to stay up late for New Year's Eve?

GRIFFIN: Oh, I loved it.

COOPER: Yes, it was very exciting.

GRIFFIN: All night, yes.

COOPER: So, those kids were staying up late. This is our first, you know ...

GRIFFIN: But I didn't make t-shirts with your name on them.

COOPER: Well you know, when you're playing at the Garden, you're going to have plenty of people with t-shirts ...

GRIFFIN: You're darn right I am, that's right.

COOPER: Three nights in a row, eh?

GRIFFIN: Yes, three night.

COOPER: Wow, sold out already?

GRIFFIN: Yes, I'll get you in.

COOPER: Wow.

GRIFFIN: I know people.

COOPER: All friends and family?

GRIFFIN: Yes.

COOPER: Yes, well, you have a lot of friends and family.

Tonight in the Venetian Las Vegas, Earth, Wind and Fire helped bring in 2008. Their music is part of our New Year's Eve showcase. Let's check in with some of them.

(SINGING)

COOPER: That is Earth, Wind and Fire performing in Las Vegas tonight. CNN's Gary Tuchman has been ...

GRIFFIN: Wait a minute. OK, I'm not buying this one at all.

COOPER: You're not?

GRIFFIN: The guy who says he's running and he just stands there and shouts.

COOPER: No, no, no, the run started at the stroke of midnight.

GRIFFIN: He's not even sweating.

COOPER: Well no, no, that's Earth, Wind and Fire. See look, there's Gary Tuchman and he is running. Gary, how's it's going? How's the run going?

GRIFFIN: All right, he's running.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, can you and Kathy hear me OK?

COOPER: We hear you.

TUCHMAN: Can you guys hear me? All right, good, I just wanted to make sure you can hear me.

GRIFFIN: Yes.

TUCHMAN: We're about half-way through this four-mile road race right now. More than 5,000 runners. My main goal was to see if I can talk and run at the same time. And so far, I'm surviving. I think what I'm going to do (ph), people are in their costumes, wearing their Statue of Liberty headgear.

Where are you guys from? Where are you from?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.

TUCHMAN: Where are you from?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cleveland.

TUCHMAN: Welcome to New York. Enjoying the run?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely, no place like it.

TUCHMAN: People here are from all over the world, all over the country. I'm going to run backwards, I'll be talking to people.

Where are you from?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

TUCHMAN: All right, Pennsylvania. Where are you from?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bear Sprint (ph), New York.

TUCHMAN: Why are you running? Why aren't you out drinking in Times Square with millions of other people?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because I'm trying to be a better person.

TUCHMAN: A better person.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's why this is so much fun.

TUCHMAN: Do you have the New Year's resolution to stay in shape? This is the ultimate way to start it. Get this race started at the stroke of midnight. Anderson ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some of my friends bring Irish booze (ph).

TUCHMAN: You know, I've been talking about how no one drinks here. I'm not so sure about that. Back to you.

COOPER: So Gary, how much more do you have? How many more miles?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I quit drinking in May. This is my first sober New Year.

COOPER: I don't know if Gary can hear ...

GRIFFIN: Can I tell you, even that footage makes Lou Dobbs nervous. Like, just seeing people running ...

COOPER: Yes?

GRIFFIN: ...makes Lou Dobbs nervous. What's wrong with him? He just talks -- why does he want to send the Mexicans back? Why can't they stay here?

COOPER: Well you know, Lou ...

GRIFFIN: They like it here.

COOPER: I'm not going to -- Lou would have a long answer for you.

GRIFFIN: I'm sure he would.

COOPER: Yes, and if you want, if you give me your number, I'll have him call you after the show.

GRIFFIN: I'm too famous. My assistant fading (ph). Hey look, have you ever worked so hard that you actually had to spend the night in "THE SITUATION ROOM?" What happens there? Is there ever an actual situation? COOPER: You can't sleep in "THE SITUATION ROOM" because information is coming in every minute from the -- from all different sources.

GRIFFIN: Did Blitzer just go to the White House one day and like discover the actual situation? It's very different in the actual one.

COOPER: Oh yes?

GRIFFIN: There's like buttons ...

COOPER: Wow.

GRIFFIN: ...that decides the future of countries.

COOPER: I've never been -- I haven't been there.

We're going to have more from Kathy Griffin in a moment. Also, the most compelling pictures of 2007 when our CNN New Year's celebration continues live from Times Square and around the world. Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: That's looking out on the scene from our camera on top of the Marriott Marquis, that's a shot of where we're broadcasting to you from, here in Times Square. Thank you to the folks at Marriott for that. Now, let's look back at 2007, the images that defined it.

The year in pictures. What are some of the big events that stand out to you?

GRIFFIN: A lot of those are shocking photos. And this has obviously been a big year, so I'm just going to go right there. And you know, I think outside the box, I push the envelope.

COOPER: Sure, that's what we love about you.

GRIFFIN: Are you Jamie Lynn's baby daddy? What's going on?

COOPER: Who? Oh, Jamie Lynn...

GRIFFIN: Spears, wake up, grandpa. What's up with the news here? So we've got Britney at the VMA's.

COOPER: Yes. What did she -- oh I was away for that. I was in Iraq for that. But I --

GRIFFIN: I'm sorry. You want to say that again?

COOPER: I was in Iraq for that.

GRIFFIN: Could you be more full of yourself?

COOPER: No, no. But I want to say, you ...

GRIFFIN: And don't touch me. All right, so ...

COOPER: You were in Iraq and Afghanistan.

GRIFFIN: Yes, I was, Anderson Cooper.

COOPER: And I think it's so great that you went and brought...

GRIFFIN: It was my honor.

COOPER: ...your comedy stylings to the troops.

GRIFFIN: Stylings, that's right. It was a true honor to perform for our men and women over there. And, I visit many soldiers at my show. In fact, they'll be at the Garden. And, yes it's great when you go. You know how it is. It's awesome. There's nothing like it.

COOPER: And they're so appreciative of the fact you're there.

GRIFFIN: And I'm the most beautiful woman there. Because I think it's truly a captive audience. And, I -- it was very, very excited there. But, they would love Britney though. Although, I don't know, like, is she still hot to guys? Or...

COOPER: I don't think -- well ...

GRIFFIN: And now Jamie Lynn, with child.

COOPER: With child.

GRIFFIN: Can't you adopt like, legally adopt, one of the Spears?

COOPER: Is her -- is the father in doubt? I thought it was that guy.

GRIFFIN: Yes. Now it's in doubt. There's a question.

COOPER: I didn't know that. I've got to brush up on my news.

GRIFFIN: When is the last time you had to take a DNA test? Like, who has accused you of being the baby daddy -- anybody?

COOPER: So far, no one that I know of.

GRIFFIN: Maybe somebody...

COOPER: Maybe.

GRIFFIN: ...out there.

COOPER: We can hope in 2008.

GRIFFIN: Maybe somebody will do an i-Report about it or you can put it in your i-Blog or your i-News.

COOPER: We're going to go take a quick break...

GRIFFIN: Maybe somebody from Boise has a picture.

COOPER: We'll have more with Kathy, maybe, when we come back. Man, this is the last time I agree to this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: And welcome back. An estimated million people, some of them slowly making their way home.

GRIFFIN: Hi, guys!

COOPER: And a lot of people sticking around.

GRIFFIN: That's got to hurt.

COOPER: What?

GRIFFIN: The, "We love you, Kathy. Oh, hi, Anderson." That's got to hurt.

COOPER: So when the crowd was yelling...

GRIFFIN: Several, several thousands -- a million people, frankly, were yelling.

COOPER: I don't see any.

GRIFFIN: Well, they were.

COOPER: Isn't that your assistant?

GRIFFIN: You know what?

COOPER: Her assistant is there yelling her name.

GRIFFIN: OK, fine.

COOPER: That's kind of sad.

GRIFFIN: Twenty bucks, best 20 bucks ever spent.

COOPER: Let's check in with Erica Hill, who is down in the crowd. I think with someone...

GRIFFIN: What's your home address and phone number?

COOPER: ...other than Kathy Griffin's assistant.

Erica, is anyone there who's not employed by Kathy Griffin?

GRIFFIN: Why can't I have your home address? What's the big deal?

HILL: I believe none of these people are employed by Kathy Griffin. So I think we're in the clear. Karen and John here, I want you to meet, they're a really special couple. They're celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary here, in New York. They're here from California. You guys have a really interesting resolution this year.

Karen, what is it?

KAREN, MEMBER OF TIMES SQUARE CROWD: We just want to make sure that our son comes home safe from overseas.

HILL: He is in Kuwait now, serving and...

JOHN, MEMBER OF TIMES SQUARE CROWD: In the Marine Corps.

HILL: And you talked to him this morning?

JOHN: We talked to him this morning. He said everything is OK...

HILL: You never know.

JOHN: ...but we never know.

HILL: Well, we wish that he is here with you next year to celebrate. So many wonderful people here celebrating in Times Square, Anderson as you know. Come on, you guys, I know you're not done yet. Give us a big whoop it up. All right, we've even got a 9-month-old with us here. And I know she's kind of stealing your show, Anderson, but I have actually have a little something for Kathy Griffin.

We were doing some trivia before, because we are the most trusted name in news. Name that news-maker. I thought she might want her very own Anderson Cooper and perhaps her very own Wolf Blitzer on a popsicle stick. I'm out of Lou Dobbs, Kathy. I'm sorry.

COOPER: Wow.

GRIFFIN: Who doesn't?

HILL: Happy New Year.

GRIFFIN: I'm aroused. I'm aroused. I'm not going to lie. Now, let me ask you...

HILL: Not the reaction I was going for, but ...

COOPER: Are you going to ask Erica a question?

GRIFFIN: Erica, yes. Or, I call her Kiran Chetry, but she answers to Erica.

Erica Hill...

HILL: It's me, Kathy I'm on par, Kathy Griffin.

GRIFFIN: Who do you think would win in a cage match, Blitzer, Cooper?

HILL: Oh, that's a tough one. You really put me on the spot here. All right, Anderson's been working out. And I have to say...

COOPER: I could so take Blitzer. We are out of time.

GRIFFIN: She wasn't supposed to stall. She was supposed to say Anderson, of course.

COOPER: Believe me, that's the last time we're going to work with her.

Erica Hill, thank you very much. Kiran Chetry, we appreciate you...

CHETRY: Happy New Year.

COOPER: ...showing us your i-Party pictures all night long. We'll see you tomorrow on -- with John Roberts, hosting "AMERICAN MORNING" at 6:00 a.m. Eastern time. Thanks to Kiran who stayed up late for us.

And Kathy, what can I say? I mean, it was OK, it was adequate.

GRIFFIN: It was a night on the "D List" for you too. I'm taking you down the rabbit hole with me.

COOPER: Because, I called, I said I'd like Seigfried and Roy. They said no, not available.

GRIFFIN: They passed.

COOPER: Kathy Lee Gifford, I specified Gifford. Somehow it got to Griffin.

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