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CNN Live Event/Special
New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen; Celebrating New Year's in Texas, the Bahamas, Mississippi, Arizona, Florida. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired January 01, 2026 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[00:00:00]
(COUNTDOWN TO NEW YEARS - MUSIC)
[00:04:36]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAM ELLIOTT: As the year turns 2026, America turns 250. Turn to your left. Turn to your right. Embrace this moment. 350 million Americans celebrating 250 years of turning together to rise above, to revel, to remember.
[00:05:01]
We've turned fortitude into freedom. Launches into landings. Teamwork into triumph. And now it's our turn to show up for our country to help write the next great American chapter together.
Happy birthday, America. Here's to the next 250.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY COHEN, CNN ANCHOR: Wow.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Wow.
COHEN: That was amazing.
COOPER: That was incredible. That's incredible. I know -- I think, this is your first time in Times Square during New Year's Eve, right?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's really of -- sorry.
COOPER: I think -- I think that -- that window from like 10 to midnight and 10 minutes after is incredible.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It makes you really love America. I mean, you see the Coca Cola billboards and you see all the people and you hear the music and you're having this great tequila and it's really special. Thank you very much for bringing me out. It's once in a lifetime or --
[00:10:17] COHEN: It really is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nine times in a lifetime.
COOPER: It's funny because --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it's really special.
COOPER: Because I'm a lifelong New Yorker. I'd never been here until I started working. And most New Yorkers never would come here. But that window is just -- and I think through the television, really like -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean the whole world watches it. It's like a thing. The ball drops. I mean, that is a famous worldwide thing. And it really is -- it's a real thing. I saw with my own eyes, guys. I like them.
COHEN: I would say watching the final moments of Mayor Adams. Chaotic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are we going on a de Blasio style?
COHEN: Oh, no.
COOPER: Oh, no.
COHEN: I just know --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible) Anderson?
COHEN: Oh, no.
COHEN: I just want to say.
COOPER: Don't --
COHEN: I mean, he got his pardons. He's --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Andy, Andy, got to cut you off. I've seen this happen.
COHEN: No, I'm just saying. Great. You got your Martens. Go off into sunset.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's after midnight. It's after midnight.
COHEN: We'll -- we'll --
COOPER: Sweetie.
COHEN: -- fiddle with what we have. With what you've left us with.
COOPER: This is the thing when you and mayors, man.
COHEN: Right. Go dance away. We'll see you at all the parties.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He can't help himself. COHEN: Or lead your way through 40 years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will see you at zero bonds --
COHEN: And you've got -- yes, we'll see you at --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 12:35. Don't be late.
COHEN: All the -- all the clubs. We'll see you there. You got the pardon.
COOPER: Okay. Is this how we're entering 2026?
COHEN: No, I just want to say.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
COHEN: Goodbye, Mayor Adams.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He did a good job with the rats, right?
COHEN: You -- you did it. You did it. You did it, didn't you? Honestly.
COOPER: Wow.
COHEN: But I will say this. I think he may be dented the rat population.
COOPER: Oh, no. He done with --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Enough with the rats.
COHEN: You know what I'm saying?
COOPER: I love -- I love how quickly you turn like.
COHEN: No, I will say.
COOPER: But he did do great work on rats.
COHEN: I think he got rid of some of the rats.
COOPER: No, no. The rat population has --
COHEN: Yes.
COOPER: A lot of it has to do with the --
COHEN: But isn't that a metaphor of sorts?
COOPER: God.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is --
COHEN: I mean, let's call it as it is. COOPER: Oh, my gosh.
COHEN: Honestly. But anyway, there may be less.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: After midnight.
COHEN: Well, guess what? It is 2026 and there are less rats.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fewer.
COHEN: What is going on with you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fewer rats.
COHEN: Anyway, that was awesome.
COOPER: I'm so glad that you experienced this for the first time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It really is great. I hope you guys do it forever.
COOPER: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Me too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's really great.
COOPER: Me too. I'm not sure with this one. I don't know.
COHEN: Well, we'll see. CNN has to come back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The thoughts that you guys have. If you love --
COOPER: Every -- by the way, every year at the end of this, we get in a vehicle and like to leave and I -- we have to look at social media to see has Andy destroyed himself or not.
COHEN: I'm not on Twitter. I mean, it's --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah. This is your outlet.
COOPER: Yeah.
COHEN: Yeah. No, it's all good.
COOPER: It's good that you pent it up all year and then you feel.
COHEN: Yes, well, you know, what? Listen. But in truth.
COOPER: Oh, no, don't -- don't get more (inaudible).
COHEN: No, no, no. I'm saying. No, no, no, no. Being a New Yorker, you always rage on the mayor of New York.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Part of fun.
COHEN: Yes. Part of the fun.
COOPER: Oh, don't get it -- COHEN: Yes, you're in New York.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got to get into that.
COOPER: Don't get him started on Abeam (ph), please.
COHEN: Oh, Abeam.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't even.
COHEN: So we've been drinking.
COHEN: You probably don't even know who Abeam was.
COHEN: Be quiet.
COOPER: You were in Camp Nebagamon, while I was here in the 70s in New York.
COHEN: Anderson and I had a wonderful hug at midnight.
COOPER: We did. It was very sweet.
COHEN: Yes, it was very sweet. I will say, PJ interviewing you while Diana Ross was doing it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know --
COHEN: -- a medley of her greatest hits behind us. It was --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a real challenge.
COHEN: Really trying to stay in the moment. And it was happening right there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know.
COHEN: And yes, she ain't coming up here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's kind of a nightmare.
COHEN: I knew the end of that story.
COOPER: I believe that's in metaphor for 2026.
COHEN: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But that's a real friendship test. If you can -- if you can keep eye contact talking to me --
COHEN: Yes. I was -- I tried.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- while Diana Ross performs a few feet behind you.
COHEN: I lost it a couple years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's how you know it's a good friend.
COHEN: I'm hearing and it was like a mega mix medley.
COOPER: Yes, yes. You did. I'm so proud of you.
COHEN: It's very challenging.
COOPER: We're going to take a quick break. We'll have more to come. We'll be right back.
COHEN: Be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is the new year here in New York and the central time zone is up next. I'm going to go -- well, shall we -- are we staying here in Times Square? We should stay here.
Well, thank you so much. We're with Cleopatra. We have to. How are you?
RICHARD QUEST, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, you know, only for you gentlemen would I robe myself.
COHEN: Yes. You must be freezing.
QUEST: Freezing my bits off.
COOPER: Because those bangles are not heated.
QUEST: Well, you don't really want to know what's going on under there.
COOPER: No, not.
QUEST: Happy New Year. What a great show. What a great evening.
COHEN: Happy New Year. It's a great night.
QUEST: Are you still standing?
COHEN: Yes, I'm thrilled.
COOPER: Yes. He's raving.
COHEN: I'll stay for the rest of the night.
COOPER: Yes, yes, I'm sure you would. Central time zone, Western time zone, whatever.
COHEN: Yes. Should we go back to Randi Kaye and see what she's up to.
COOPER: Sure. Let's talk to Randi. Randi, how are you doing in New Orleans?
QUEST: I've got my own snake. RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are doing great in New Orleans. We
have about 45 minutes to New Year's Eve here. Although we've already celebrated midnight on the east coast, we've been celebrating all night long, right? I think we need to celebrate a little more.
We are at the Blue Nile Flow Tribe. Is the band here tonight? They have been keeping this crowd wild. Okay, let's pour the champaign. Okay. Let's pour.
Well, you know, we're going to celebrate a little more and toast to you guys back there in New York where it's already midnight, but we are still counting down are we?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're counting down, right.
KAYE: So you got a little something for New Year's to -- all right, you take it away. Cheers. Cheers.
COOPER: All right, Randi, we wish you the best. Happy New Year and everybody in New Orleans, the city I love. Happy New Year. Wow. That's --
COHEN: Wow.
COOPER: Yeah. It's another year down.
[00:20:01]
COHEN: It's another year down. Are we wrapping out, darling?
COOPER: I mean, I don't know. Are we? Are we?
COHEN: I think we are.
COOPER: Yeah, we are. All right, well, thank you all for joining us. I hope -- I hope you've had a really great night and, yeah, don't wake up with too many regrets.
COHEN: Yes. As I have no regrets.
COOPER: As I may.
COHEN: No regrets. No regrets. Are you kidding me?
COOPER: I'm kidding. I'm kidding.
COHEN: This was a great night. I want to thank CNN for having me back again this year. You have me back again. This has been great.
COOPER: Next year, by the way, would be our 10th anniversary.
COHEN: Yes, that's true.
COOPER: Incredible.
COHEN: Amazing. And there's talk of -- QUEST: Can I come back next year?
COHEN: Yes.
COOPER: Yes, of course. Every year.
COHEN: There's talk of a ball drop on July --
QUEST: July the 4th, the ball -- that ball, which is now red, white, and blue, will drop because of the 250th anniversary.
COHEN: Wow. That's very --
COOPER: Wow and maybe -- maybe a July, New Year's --
QUEST: Shorts and T-shirts.
COHEN: July in Times Square.
COOPER: I mean, yes.
COHEN: That's fun.
COOPER: I could -- I could get down with that. Yeah.
COHEN: You could get down with that?
QUEST: Yes. Celebrating the 250th.
COHEN: Hell, yes. Yeah. Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Well, we'll see. We'll see what -- what the -- yes, we'll see.
COHEN: Wow. This is quiet as I've ever seen.
COOPER: Yeah. I know. I'm just reflecting on what's been and what will be.
COHEN: Yes.
COOPER: Coming up next, Sara Sidner and Cari Champion are live in Texas to count down the central time zone.
COHEN: But first, another performance by Robyn and with their new song Dopamine. Thanks, everybody. Happy New Year.
COOPER: Thanks for joining us. Happy new year.
COHEN: Happy 2026.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:28:17]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From the heart, it's CNN's New Year's Eve Live. Counting down to the Central time zone celebration. Flavor Flav, Shakira, Bryan Adams, Florence and the Machine, Robyn, Vince Gill, and more surprises.
And now your hosts, Sara Sidner and Cari Champion.
SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello to you and to this great crowd. We love you. We love you. This is awesome.
CARI CHAMPION, CNN ANCHOR: They get to have the moment because the moment is theirs. We are excited to bring in the New year Central Standard Time. I'm with my good buddy here, Sara Sidner. What we got going on, friend?
SIDNER: We've got so much going on. We've had so much fun already in Austin. You know me. When I come to a city, I want to do all the things as quickly as possible. I've been eating my behind off. That's number one.
The food here, unmatched. It's so good. But we had a little fun. I got you a little something.
CHAMPION: Okay. Okay.
SIDNER: Because I also, as you may well know.
CHAMPION: I may well know.
SIDNER: I would like to do a little dibble and dabbling in the shops, you know.
CHAMPION: And the shopping. Okay. So for anyone who has not been to Austin, Texas, they have the best shopping. Sara is a bonafide, a bonafide shopper. You're verified.
She has a blue check next to her name for shopping. As we get ready to bring in the new year, tell me what you shop for, dear friend.
SIDNER: We went to this iconic boot shop because I was like, we're in Austin. They got great boots and great crowds. Look at all the colors. This is Alan's boots. This has been around since 1977.
CHAMPION: Wow.
SIDNER: Same family owns it. Handmade.
[00:30:05]
CHAMPION: Wow.
SIDNER: They are made of all sorts of critters, by the way. Like, we're talking ostrich. We're talking crocs.
CHAMPION: Oh, no!
SIDNER: We're talking lizards.
CHAMPION: Is that OK?
SIDNER: I mean, apparently. I mean, look, they've been --
CHAMPION: Are we allowed?
SIDNER: You're allowed. And by the way, the boots can last a lifetime, as long as you take care of them. You have to lotion them, like we lotion our skin.
CHAMPION: Like we lotion our skin. And lotion is a verb, ladies and gentlemen. If you get a lotion. Wait, are we going to show everybody what we were able to walk away with.
SIDNER: OK.
CHAMPION: And shout out to Marike Eric (ph), who said --
SIDNER: I don't know --
CHAMPION: Have boots, ladies.
SIDNER: I mean, OK. So, these are the ones I got.
CHAMPION: Take a look.
SIDNER: Can you see these?
CHAMPION: Is there a camera to show the lady's boots?
SIDNER: Yes, girl.
CHAMPION: OK, those are --
SIDNER: These boots were made for walking.
CHAMPION: That's right.
SIDNER: And that's just what I -- OK.
CHAMPION: OK.
SIDNER: The ones that I picked up for you. Let's show yours.
CHAMPION: OK. Take a look.
SIDNER: I mean, those are fly.
CHAMPION: I feel them.
SIDNER: I like them. I feel them for your outfit.
CHAMPION: Are they? OK. Here we go. Right. Just a little bit.
SIDNER: Allen's Boots does not play.
CHAMPION: A little that and a little that. But by the way, it goes with the whole theme in the burgundy jacket and the red and the red suit, friend.
SIDNER: Come through.
CHAMPION: OK, so I think it's really interesting, because in the New Year, we always think, like, what do we want to do? Our New Year's resolutions.
This year we decided that we wanted you to get to know what we've been up to in a very intimate way. So, the last 24 hours to 48 hours, or perhaps even the last week.
SIDNER: This is crazy, where she's been.
CHAMPION: OK, so Sara also, like, that's what you did. You went shopping.
SIDNER: I did.
CHAMPION: I flew in today from Dubai. I was doing something called the World Sports Summit, and I had an opportunity to interview one of my dearest friends. If you guys are huge tennis fans, like I am, Novak Djokovic was there. So, I had an opportunity to interview him on a world stage to talk about all the wonderful things that he's up to.
He was, like, I am now leaving here and also flying back across the country to enjoy his New Year.
But if you go to Dubai, what do you do? If you go to Dubai, what do you do?
SIDNER: I do a lot of things.
CHAMPION: What would you do?
SIDNER: OK. I do like animals. I also like roller coasters. I also like the shopping. There's just a lot of things to do in Dubai.
CHAMPION: I love all the things, too. Have you ever been on a camel?
SIDNER: Shockingly, I have.
CHAMPION: You have? Oh, my God. Are you joking? Are you kidding? OK, well --
SIDNER: I lived in India for many years.
CHAMPION: Well, did you put on a full dress? Because I wasn't ready. I had on a dress.
SIDNER: Look at you.
CHAMPION: But look how the camel loads you up. Like, you know how they load you up, right? You've got to -- you have to hold on. You've got to lean back.
SIDNER: Yes. No. When they get up, it's -- it's high. You are way off the ground.
CHAMPION: It's high.
SIDNER: No, it's a whole thing. Look at that.
CHAMPION: You've got to -- and, yes. And you get a little bit of whiplash. And then you go out, and you ride for approximately --
SIDNER: You kind of look like a princess, though, on there. I mean, that's --
CHAMPION: Thank you.
SIDNER: That's -- that's --
CHAMPION: Thank you.
SIDNER: That's good.
CHAMPION: I did -- I do. The camel has a good gait, a good strut. And so, I -- I can relate to a good gait.
SIDNER: Camels have swag. People don't know that. But they're also really smart animals. Don't -- don't mess with them, because they remember.
CHAMPION: They do remember. And so, it's interesting, because after I did the two-minute ride around the desert, because I could only do two minutes, I thought to myself, it's time to immediately get back to Sara in Austin. Because I've done what I came to do.
It's a lifetime bucket list.
SIDNER: Peace out.
CHAMPION: And so, one -- I go into the New Year doing something I've always wanted to do, and that's ride a camel. Highly suggest it for everyone.
SIDNER: It's -- it is really, really, really cool.
CHAMPION: You know. With my cowboy boots.
SIDNER: I know that when -- you're right. I like to ride horses, and riding a camel, like, when you come off that bad boy.
CHAMPION: It's not even a --
SIDNER: You. Yes, you're a little bow-legged.
CHAMPION: It's not the same. It's not the same.
SIDNER: But we've got a great show for you guys.
CHAMPION: We do.
SIDNER: We cannot wait till you get to see some of our guests. I will just give a hint. One of them says this phrase that we all know.
CHAMPION: All we do is win, win, win, no matter what.
SIDNER: And yes, boy!
All right. We're going to get to that in a minute. But let's go to the Bahamas and Atlantis, Paradise Island's royal -- party like a royal. And I know who's always partying and down like a royal.
CHAMPION: She has the best (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SIDNER: Oh, my God. Stephanie Elam. Is that the real D.J. Khaled?
CHAMPION: All we do is win, win, win, no matter what.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, listen. Listen, listen, listen. First of all, happy New Year to my friends Sara and Cari.
CHAMPION: Happy New Year.
ELAM: Love you guys. But by proximity, by proximity, we the best.
D.J. KHALED, D.J./RECORD PRODUCER: That's right.
ELAM: OK? By proximity.
KHALED: Happy New Year. 2026, let's go.
ELAM: OK. D.J. Khaled just got off stage. How was it out there? How was the crowd?
KHALED: Man, the energy was so beautiful. Everybody from around the world in one place with one love, celebrating 2026 live from Nassau, Bahamas, at the beautiful Atlantis. My two boys, my wife in the building. Shout out to Miami. Allah, my God (ph) coming soon, 2026.
[00:05:02]
ELAM: OK, so you told me you were excited when Atlantis called.
KHALED: Yes.
ELAM: Why? Why were you excited for New Year's?
KHALED: Because it's a family place, and I wanted to bring my family. I love being with my family for the New Year's, so I don't take too many gigs on New Year's Eve unless it's something that's going to be representing family.
And I said, you know what? Atlantis called? We came. We came a few days earlier.
ELAM: Nice.
KHALED: We had a good time. We swam with the dolphins. We ate at Nobu's (ph). We gained a little weight. You know what I'm saying? ELAM: Yes.
KHALED: We're having a good --
ELAM: It's the New Year. You're supposed to gain a little weight.
KHALED: We're having a good time.
ELAM: We're having a good time. And also, this is my first time watching your whole entire performance live.
KHALED: Yes, yes.
ELAM: Like, that was an aerobic workout.
KHALED: Yes, yes, I definitely --
ELAM: That's a lot of arm movement, like, and, like, legs up. Like, I felt like there was some, like, soreness that should be occurring.
KHALED: I've been doing -- speaking of workout, I've been working out every morning. I get up at nine in the morning.
ELAM: OK.
KHALED: I walk and golf. I get my 10 to 15,000 steps. But I knew I had the show tonight. So, now, I think I got at least 20,000 steps in today.
ELAM: Hey, that counts.
KHALED: You know what I'm saying? That's right. That's right.
ELAM: You're going go to bed already winning.
KHALED: That's right. That's right.
ELAM: That's what we do.
KHALED: All we do is win.
ELAM: That's what we do.
KHALED: That's right, that's right.
ELAM: All we do is win.
Now, your boys being here and being able to go onstage with you, what does that mean to you?
KHALED: I mean that's -- that's the best feeling in the world, to see my boys bring in the New Year, to see the -- all the fans. It's just a beautiful thing to -- to bring them, to show them how hard Daddy works.
And of course, my queen, my wife, the mother of my beautiful boys. She works so hard and makes sure we all happy.
ELAM: She's so awesome. She just helped my curls go into place.
KHALED: Yes, yes, yes, yes.
ELAM: I just need you to know that's how awesome --
KHALED: Yes.
ELAM: -- wifey is.
KHALED: Can I give a shout out to the U.?
ELAM: Of course.
KHALED: University of Miami. Congratulations on the big win. The U. You see, Malachi, I see you. Another one.
ELAM: Another one.
KHALED: That's right.
ELAM: Another one. Hey, I'm just going to tell you, it was so much fun watching the party.
KHALED: Yes.
ELAM: Just continue to rock --
KHALED: Yes.
ELAM: -- with D.J. Khaled. You guys, we've been having a ball here in Atlantis.
KHALED: That's right. That's right.
ELAM: Like the party like the royal. Here's the other thing.
SIDNER: Oh, wait. Don't go away.
ELAM: It was a secret that he was going to perform
KHALED: It was hard -- it was hard to keep it secret.
SIDNER: We've got another one. Another one.
KHALED: We got another one, Stephanie. Another one. Another question.
SIDNER: Can I just give a shout out to the University of Florida? Because if he's going to shout out the U.
KHALED: We the best. 2026, God bless all y'all. Happy New Year. SIDNER: We the best.
KHALED: Live from Nassau, Bahamas.
SIDNER: OK. We're going to have a battle here.
KHALED: We the best.
ELAM: We the best. I guess you're right.
SIDNER: All you do is win.
ELAM: You've got a little gator situation on your hands. You've got a gator situation. Sara -- Sara --
SIDNER: You better let him know.
KHALED: I got love for Florida. But you know, state, county, Miami all the way.
ELAM: OK. All right. But you got love, Sara. You got love.
KHALED: She's -- she's -- she's -- She represent Florida. Of course, I love everybody. Right? But the U. Congratulations, Malachi. Another one.
CHAMPION: Congratulations to the U.
KHALED: -- to you.
ELAM: Another one. I think we're going to say that. I think we're all going to say, "another one."
CHAMPION: Stephanie. Wait, Stephanie. Can --
ELAM: We're going to wake up in night's sleep and say, "Another one."
KHALED: Speaking of -- speaking of University of Miami.
CHAMPION: I want you to ask him a question. OK? We love Miami.
ELAM: OK. I'm going to him a question for you.
CHAMPION: Can you ask him this question, though? We need him to give us another one. Can he freestyle for the ladies right now? Just something about New Year, the ladies doing it. Like, can he give us something? Because we are here for an anthem. What's our anthem?
ELAM: Oh, you need an anthem for the ladies right now.
SIDNER: For 2026, for the ladies.
ELAM: What you want, you want what the title to ladies' anthem is? It's 2026. What's the ladies anthem? That's what the ladies want to know.
KHALED: What's the ladies' anthem for 2026? Man, I mean --
ELAM: Cari Champion just put you on --
KHALED: There's so many. But the latest anthem, or just -- just an anthem?
ELAM: Yes.
KHALED: All right. If -- I would say, "All I Do is Win."
ELAM: "All I Do is Win." You know what? I like that.
KHALED: "All I Do is Win."
ELAM: "All I Do is Win."
KHALED: Because all we do is win. You know what I'm saying?
ELAM: No matter what.
KHALED: Shout out to all the ladies out there, all the mothers out there, all the queens out there. Winners.
ELAM: Winners.
KHALED: That's right.
KHALED: That's right.
ELAM: There you go. There you go, ladies.
KHALED: Winners!
ELAM: I like it.
KHALED: There you go. Stephanie, that's the anthem. We'll take the winners.
ELAM: I'm going to take winning into the new year. Let's do it, collectively.
KHALED: We're taking winning into the New Year. Stephanie, you look beautiful. Amazing.
KHALED: And so much. Happy New Year's.
KHALED: You have the best assignment. We love you. Happy New Year.
ELAM: Happy New Year! To all of the Khaleds and our girl, Stephanie.
We've got someone else that has been having a ball.
CHAMPION: Who?
SIDNER: Omar Jimenez.
CHAMPION: What is he doing?
SIDNER: He's ringing in the New Year at Morgan Freeman's club -- blues bar in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He's been jamming out all night.
What are you getting into right now? What's happening?
CHAMPION: Omar, this hat is amazing. You look amazing.
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look -- look, we are saying goodbye to 2025. We're done with 2025. That's it, that's it. It's done and over with. We are looking ahead.
And we are doing so in the birthplace of blues here in Clarksdale, Mississippi. And when you talk about the birthplace of blues, you of course, need blues music. And that's what's happening onstage right now.
Not only is it happening onstage, this is what's been going on all night. If you talk about spending a New Year's Eve, there is nothing better.
And then you look at the crowd. Everybody is lined up right at the stage. You can't get your eyes away from this.
[00:40:06]
This is the vibe. You see the signatures all over the wall. You've got the flags hanging down from places all over the world, as well.
And then I want to show you something, too, because we've got something going on right at midnight here. We've got Mr. Morgan Freeman over there in the corner right there.
Say hi, Mr. Morgan. Right there. He's getting ready. He's getting ready. He's getting his mind right, right now. He's getting his mind right, ready to roll.
Because at midnight, what he's going to be doing is he's going to be getting on this stage to try and ring in the New Year with everybody here.
So, you know what? That is what -- that's the vibe here. That's how we roll. Everybody here is cool. And everybody -- everybody's coming from all over the world, and the country, to hang out in a place like this -- Sara and Cari.
CHAMPION: Omar, that looks like you're having the best time. And when you say Morgan is getting his mind right, I'd say he's there.
SIDNER: We're wondering --
CHAMPION: I think he might already be there.
JIMENEZ: He's getting his mind right. He's getting his mind right.
SIDNER: Getting his mind right.
JIMENEZ: Getting his mind right.
CHAMPION: And getting a little lit and getting his mind right.
JIMENEZ: Yes.
SIDNER: I got to talk to Morgan Freeman earlier this year.
JIMENEZ: Sometimes they're one and the same.
SIDNER: He had a movie coming out.
JIMENEZ: Yes.
SIDNER: Like, it's amazing to see him just hanging out. Just -- just hanging out at his blues club.
JIMENEZ: I know.
SIDNER: Just enjoying life.
CHAMPION: He's a good. Yes, he's a legend.
SIDNER: I asked him if he had any regrets.
JIMENEZ: Now you see me, now you don't.
SIDNER: He was, like, no. No.
CHAMPION: No?
SIDNER: He's like, no, I've got no regrets. I'm like, I love that.
JIMENEZ: By the way, this is the reason --
CHAMPION: Omar, thank you so much.
JIMENEZ: -- he doesn't have any regrets. Because he's 88, just hanging out here.
CHAMPION: Because he's doing it and doing what he needs to do.
JIMENEZ: How can you have any regrets with that?
CHAMPION: You are right. You are right.
SIDNER: Please give him our best.
CHAMPION: We love him, Omar.
SIDNER: Thank you. Thank you for hanging out and letting you have the best time.
JIMENEZ: Love you guys.
CHAMPION: That's right.
SIDNER: WE should be hanging with you a little bit. Love you.
JIMENEZ: Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
CHAMPION: Love you, Omar.
SIDNER: Happy New Year.
JIMENEZ: See you.
CHAMPION: I know we're supposed to go to Harry --
SIDNER: Yes. because he's in Prescott, Arizona, for the ball drop, and they are behind us, right?
SIDNER: Yes.
CHAMPION: We're in Central Standard Time. But take a look at these people behind us. Can we show them all some love?
SIDNER: What a great crowd. Like --
CHAMPION: Y'all ready? They're ready for the New Year.
SIDNER: You know what?
CHAMPION: We recently (ph) paid every single person here about $5 each to have a good time.
SIDNER: This crowd, they've exploded. Like this -- this was a little bit smaller two years ago. Then it got bigger.
CHAMPION: So much older (ph).
SIDNER: And now it's exploded. There are tens of thousands of people. And oh, we've got fireworks somewhere.
CHAMPION: They're starting it early.
SIDNER: False alarm.
CHAMPION: Going -- CNN's Harry Enten is in -- partying in Prescott.
SIDNER: Yes.
CHAMPION: Is that correct?
SIDNER: In Prescott, Arizona.
CHAMPION: You know where Prescott, Arizona, is?
SIDNER: Whiskey Row Boot Drop.
CHAMPION: I don't see him.
SIDNER: He's hiding. Is he behind the -- Where is Harry?
Harry, where is he?
HARRY ENTEN, CNN POLITICS SENIOR WRITER AND ANALYST: I'm right here. I'm right here. SIDNER: Oh, my God.
ENTEN: I'm right here.
SIDNER: Oh, there he is.
ENTEN: Now, I like you like this.
SIDNER: I should have been able to see that darn Bills hat.
ENTEN: Look. Look at this.
CHAMPION: At what? What -- what is this?
SIDNER: Are you about to --
CHAMPION: What are we looking at?
ENTEN: Buffalo Bill. Look at this.
SIDNER: What's going on? Oh.
ENTEN: Look at that.
CHAMPION: Oh, no. Oh! OK.
ENTEN: I've got the chaps on.
SIDNER: Oh, Harry.
ENTEN: I've got -- I'm looking like I am in Prescott, Arizona, baby. I'm in the oldest saloon in the great state of Arizona where it's everybody's hometown. And I felt like I needed to dress the part.
I had never been in Arizona before -- I don't know -- about 36 hours ago. And I decided, you know what? It's time for this New York Jew to get a little bit of Western in him.
And so, I am in the oldest saloon. They used to practice prostitution here, Sara Sidner. And since occasionally, I --
SIDNER: Why did you say my name?
CHAMPION: Yes, exactly. Highlighting you.
ENTEN: I think that I just associate myself with prostitution, occasionally. I prostitute myself out to the numbers, baby. And now --
CHAMPION: Oh, my God.
ENTEN: Here at the bar --
CHAMPION: Your outfit is insane. Like, look at this outfit. It's insane.
SIDNER: Are you OK with that whole situation? ENTEN: Look at this.
CHAMPION: Oh, my gosh.
ENTEN: I've got myself some booze here. I've got some whiskey, and I'm going to -- Rachel, come over here. Rachel, come over here.
I want you to note that I have, of course, the guns on me. But, Rachel, I think you've got a pretty impressive -- look at this. This is what we do here. I have never been anywhere near a gun in my life, except for seeing it on cops in New York. But when you're in Arizona and you're in the Wild, Wild West, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday.
But they got nothing on this Buffalo Bill fan. And now I'm calling myself Buffalo Bill.
CHAMPION: Most importantly.
ENTEN: We're here. Of course. Now let's pour some whiskey for ourselves. Look at this. We got Madame Martha Whiskey since 1877, my dear friends.
And we're going to pour a little in one cup. And then I want to try and see if I can pour a little bit. I've never poured whiskey myself. Let's see. My hand is shaking.
Oh, I was able to do it. OK, there we go. Thank you, Rachel.
SIDNER: OK, but --
[00:45:00]
ENTEN: Now, who wants to have -- Yes, go ahead, Sidner. What do you want to say?
SIDNER: You know what helps with the hands shaking, if there are nerves or something, is just take a sip.
CHAMPION: Just don't, like -- Or a shot.
SIDNER: Or shots.
ENTEN: Hold on. Who wants to have a little? You want to have a little? All right, hold on. We're going to --
CHAMPION: OK.
ENTEN: We're going to share it.
CHAMPION: Oh, boy.
ENTEN: And this is my first shot of whiskey --
CHAMPION: Oh, boy.
ENTEN: In I don't know how long. Let's see if I can get it down. Here we go.
SIDNER: I'm aware.
ENTEN: Here we go.
SIDNER: Uh-huh, uh-huh.
CHAMPION: Uh-oh.
SIDNER: Oh, my word.
CHAMPION: You have to make sure that gun is empty.
SIDNER: Woo!
CHAMPION: What?
ENTEN: I think the gun is empty.
SIDNER: He can't breathe.
CHAMPION: He can't breathe.
ENTEN: But my stomach is --
CHAMPION: Your gun is definitely empty, friend.
ENTEN: Oh, my God, my stomach is full of fire. And you know what? I --
CHAMPION: Um -- oh.
ENTEN: I don't know what -- what year is it right now? Is it still 2025?
SIDNER: It's still 2025 where we are, yes. And where you are? Yes.
CHAMPION: What is your stomach full of, Harry?
SIDNER: I was afraid that something was going to happen.
ENTEN: It's full of fire. It's full of fire. But I guess sometimes you have to have a little bit of whiskey if you're going to enjoy a little bit of prostitution.
And so, that's why I think you're down here in the West. Everybody's hometown, Prescott, Arizona. Sidner, Champion, I'm a new man for 2025.
CHAMPION: You're a new man.
ENTEN: Going, and in 2026.
SIDNER: I'm going to see how you're doing in the morning, because I'm a little -- I'm a little concerned.
CHAMPION: A little.
SIDNER: And I'll call your mother and tell her that you're going to be fine, even though your belly is full of fire, as you put it.
I did want to quickly ask you: that outfit you have on. What's underneath all the -- all the gunslinging gun belt situation? What's going on under that? Is that like a "Blues Clues" outfit or like a "Bluey," or what is under there?
ENTEN: It is -- it is -- it is "Bluey." Hold on. Let's see. I got "Bluey" underneath my chaps.
SIDNER: It's "Bluey."
CHAMPION: I don't -- No.
ENTEN: It is "Bluey."
SIDNER: Inappropriate.
ENTEN: It is "Bluey." No, no, no.
SIDNER: Oh, my gosh.
ENTEN: Prescott, Arizona.
SIDNER: Please, kids, do not do this at home.
ENTEN: Strictly for Reddit (ph).
SIDNER: Harry, you are the --
CHAMPION: I get it.
SIDNER: You're a mensch on a bench. You are a gunslinger in Prescott, now.
CHAMPION: Prescott.
SIDNER: You have played so many roles.
CHAMPION: As in --
SIDNER: So many roles. We'll check back in with you.
ENTEN: You know what?
CHAMPION: Harry, we love you.
SIDNER: That was your last drink, though.
ENTEN: Love you, too. Go, Bills.
CHAMPION: We love you, Harry. No more drinking. We love you. Go, Bills.
Meanwhile, guys, we are back here where we belong in Austin. I didn't know we could drink. I thought we were --
SIDNER: Oh, yes. No, you can. You can drink as much as you want.
CHAMPION: You're not going to have any whiskey. I'm not going to have any whiskey.
SIDNER: No, but -- OK, well, we could make we could -- we could.
CHAMPION: We could. Tequila. Can you bring me the tequila, snap?
Meanwhile, the party rolls on. Countdown to midnight here in the Central Time Zone, including who? Say it.
SIDNER: Flava Flav.
CHAMPION: Flava Flav. And who else?
SIDNER: Flo Rida.
CHAMPION: And Flo Rida.
SIDNER: Flo Rida.
CHAMPION: Take a look at Austin, Texas. It's 11:47 p.m.
SIDNER: Look at the rides go.
CHAMPION: We're counting down to the New Year, 2026.
This crowd behind us is ready to go as we head into commercial break. We'll be right back in just a few moments from Austin, Texas, folks.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:50:32]
SIDNER: Welcome back. Two of the biggest names in music are celebrating 2026 in South Florida while we celebrate here in Austin, Texas, with a fantabulous crowd behind us.
CHAMPION: Thank you guys for being here. Thank you guys for being here.
SIDNER: But we are now going to Flava Flav and Flo Rida, joining us now from the 305, from Miami. What's up, y'all. You look good.
FLAVA FLAV, RAPPER: Yo, can I tell you what's up?
SIDNER: You look good.
FLAV; Let me tell you what's up. What's up: the sky and the ceiling. So, how is your feeling? Yes.
Yo, happy New Year, everybody. What up?
FLO RIDA, RAPPER: 2026.
FLAV: 2026. We still in the mix. You know what I'm saying? Word up. CNN, CNN. Over and over, again and again. Yes, boy.
CHAMPION: Hype us up. Hype us up.
FLAV: How you guys doing?
RIDA: Happy New Year.
CHAMPION: Hype us up, Flav. Hype us up.
SIDNER: Hi. Happy New Year. You know what, Flav? Like you came on our show in the morning with me, John Berman, and Kate Bolduan, and you had us cracking up.
So, we decided we're going to where -- we're going to wear what you wear. We got our -- we got our watches. We got our necklaces ready for you.
FLAV: You got your clocks on.
SIDNER: But you are doing some incredible stuff.
FLAV: Oh, wow.
SIDNER: Yes. See, I mean, they're not as good as yours. Yours has got some sparkle to it.
FLAV: I should say so.
SIDNER: But I remember one of my first concerts was seeing Public Enemy in Florida; was one of my first concerts.
So, I want to ask you a quick question.
FLAV: Wow, legendary.
SIDNER: What you been up to?
FLAV: OK.
SIDNER: Because you're not just performing. You're also bobsledding now? What's -- what's going on?
FLAV: Oh, yes. Yes, yes. No doubt, no doubt.
Well, you know, right now, you know, I'm a sponsor now of the -- of the United States Olympic bobsled skeleton team. You know what I'm saying?
And also, I joined the team, too. So, I'm going to go back up to Park City, Utah, and I'm going to work out. And -- and if I get good, I'm going to try to compete, and I'm going to try to compete in the Olympics in two years.
RIDA: Are you going to win?
FLAV: And I'm going to win. CHAMPION: Wait -- wait a second.
FLAV: I'm right here with my boy, the -- the legendary --
CHAMPION: Yes.
FLAV: I'm right here with the legendary, one and only -- one and only Flo Rida right here, y'all. Yes, boy. Apple bottom jeans, boots with your fur. What? Hey.
SIDNER: With the fur.
CHAMPION: Wait a second.
FLAV: And yo, my boy just had a show at Bayfront Park. He just had a show at Bayfront Park. Show was sensational.
SIDNER: I love Bayfront.
CHAMPION: Wait a second. So, if he's competing -- and this is a question for Flava Flav. If he's competing -- if you're competing in the Olympics, you mean to tell me you might take home a gold medal?
So, you're going to have a real one of these, right, Flav? Is that what you're telling us? It's a real one?
FLAV: Honestly. Honestly, to tell you the truth, I am going to shoot for it.
But you know what? Even if I don't win a medal, I just want to be able to have the opportunity to say that I got to compete, you know?
CHAMPION: That's right. You made it, yes.
FLAV: And, you know, at 66 years old, you know what I'm saying? This is another thing that's on my bucket list that I just want to knock off. So, keep your fingers crossed.
CHAMPION: I want to say, "Sixty-six, where?"
FLAV: I think I -- I think I could win a medal.
CHAMPION: You look 26. Sixty-six, where?
FLAV: I think I could win the medal.
SIDNER: I mean --
CHAMPION: Where's 66? Where?
SIDNER: We think you can, too.
FLAV: Thank you.
SIDNER: Flo Rida. Flo Rida, you are the epitome of the 305. Like, we so appreciate you, because you have been a soundtrack to many of our, well, debauchery.
But anyway, the point is, we're so happy to see you. Give us some sense of what you're going to be doing in 2026, like what's coming forward.
RIDA: Oh, man. Definitely, man. Just always want to thank God for health, you know? But definitely, man. We got some real estate. We got some more music. You know new albums coming out, you know, new artists out. You know, shout out to the IMG (ph) all-stars, you know, who performed with us on stage tonight.
You know, Flav came out there and blessed me with his iconic hit record. So, I mean -- I mean, a lot more to come. You guys just stay tuned.
SIDNER: Are we going to see a collab between y'all? Like, what's going on? I would love a new collab.
CHAMPION: Wait, is there one already in the works? Do you guys already have a collab in the works?
FLAV: Hey. Hey, hey, hey. It will be coming. It will be coming. Don't worry, don't worry. When -- y'all going to get -- y'all going to get a Flo Rida/Flava Flav.
RIDA: F and F.
FLAV: That's right. FNF, flow and Flav. Y'all going to get that collaboration coming soon.
CHAMPION: OK. So --
FLAV: Strap on your seatbelt.
CHAMPION: Flava Flav, before we let you go. Before we let you go I need you to do one thing for me and Sara. I need you and Flo Rida to go hard on one last --
[00:55:05]
RIDA: What's that?
CHAMPION: -- "Yes, boy" as we go into the commercial break.
SIDNER: Give us a "yes, boy!" Hype us up.
CHAMPION: We need a "Yes, boy." We need you to hype us up.
FLAV: For real?
SIDNER: Yes, for real.
FLAV: All right. You ready for this? Y'all better not cut me off. If y'all cut me off -- if y'all cut me off, I'm calling the cops. All right? You asked for this.
CHAMPION: We promise.
FLAV: Be careful what you ask for. Because for Flava Flav, you're going to get it. Are y'all ready?
SIDNER: Let's get it. Yes.
FLAV: Yes, boy!
RIDE: Yes, boy!
FLAV: Don't cut me off. Happy New Year, everybody. I love you.
SIDNER: You're amazing. Flo Rida, Flava Flav, Happy New Year to you. Thank you.
CHAMPION: Happy New Year.
SIDNER: Yes, boy! We really appreciate you.
CHAMPION: A minute. He gave us a full minute.
FLAV: Thank -- thank you for having us, guys. Thank you for having us.
SIDNER: Have a great New Year.
CHAMPION: Flo Rida, we love you. Flava Flav, we love you.
Thank you, guys, for joining us.
So, coming up next, what do we have? We're just a few minutes away from midnight right here in the Central Time Zone. The crowd is ready.
SIDNER: Yes, they are.
CHAMPION: They're giving us what we want. We cue them up, they talk to us now. What they --
SIDNER: There they go! We've got five minutes. And then, it's go time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SIDNER; We're back. We are live here in Austin, Texas, and it is so close to midnight. We are just about 45 seconds away. So, we've got our stuff on. We've got our champagne ready. This was Leon, one of our photographers --
CHAMPION: OK.
SIDNER: -- picked this out specifically.
CHAMPION: I will also say --
SIDNER: It's the good stuff.
CHAMPION: But can you see the champagne through our 2026 glasses?
SIDNER: No, the glasses won't allow that.
CHAMPION: OK, but we are going to have --
SIDNER: But we can still clink.
CHAMPION: We're going to have a clink. We're going to count down with the crowd here. We are so, so --
