Andy Cohen leads hoards of critics tearing into Bill de Blasio for dancing during NYE

Andy Cohen blasted Bill de Blasio in a drunken on-air rant on New Year’s Eve after the embattled mayor was seen dancing and celebrating in New York City as he bid farewell to a tumultuous year for the Big Apple. 

Cohen joined CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday night in hosting the network’s live coverage of the annual ball drop in Times Square, where only a handful of guests were invited this year due to the pandemic. 

Just before the clock struck at midnight, de Blasio was seen pushing the button to start the crystal ball’s descent as his wife, Chirlane McCray stood by his side. The pair were then seen onstage dancing into the new year.

But the mayor’s celebratory dance didn’t sit well with Cohen, who knocked back tequila shots with Cooper before slamming de Blasio over his leadership.  

‘That’s how I felt when I saw Mayor de Blasio dancing just now,’ Cohen said as Cooper grimaced from the shot. ‘I did not need to see that at the beginning of 2021.’

He then addressed de Blasio directly on television, shouting: ‘Do something with this city! Honestly, get it together!’

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It comes as New York authorities have been struggling to combat a surge in crime in the city amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Crime stats from the four weeks between November 30 – December 27 showed violent crime in the Big Apple is far higher than it was at the same time last year.  

In the 28 days to December 27 2020 there were 21 murders – an increase of 61.5 percent when compared with the same dates in 2019. There was also a 4.2 percent increase in rapes, and a staggering 122.4 percent surge in shootings.   

Violent crime began spiking following a $1 billion cut to the NYPD’s budget which was approved this past summer following passionate protests to defund the police.

Officials have failed to take responsibility for the surge in crime, instead shifting blame. 

After midnight, de Blasio took to Twitter to wish his residents a happy new year and praised their resilience during such a year. 

‘As a city, as a community, we have been through so much this year. We showed our resolve and proved New York City will come back stronger than ever,’ he tweeted.   

But the tweet quickly drew criticism from angry New Yorkers who accused the mayor of ruining the city. 

‘After you and Cuomo destroyed NYC give it about 20-30 years to come back you useless a**h***,’ one person said in an expletive-laced tweet.

‘2020 was just another year during which [de Blasio] destroyed the city,’ added another.

‘Failure mayor,’ another replied. ‘Way to ruin NYE in NYC. You should be ashamed of yourself,’ one user added.  

Times Square is usually at the center of the world’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, with tens of thousands of people packing in to the commercial hub every December 31st to watch the ball drop at midnight. 

But, this year, the time-honored tradition was modified amid the ongoing pandemic, with members of the public prohibited from gathering in the area for the first time since the ball-drop began back in 1907. 

However, a few dozen people did gather near Times Square Thursday night wearing colorful hats and 2021 glasses. Many appeared to be wearing masks as others took the opportunity to pose for photos near the area.  

Earlier on Thursday, de Blasio told reporters ‘It’s going to be actually, arguably, the most special, the most poignant, the most moving New Year’s Eve.’

‘In 2021, we’re going to show people what it looks like to recover, to come back,’ the mayor added. 

Shortly after the ball dropped, TV host Andy Cohen slammed de Blasio for how he’s handled issues in the city. 

‘I just don’t need to see that at the beginning of 2021,’ Cohen said, referring to de Blasio and his wife dancing. ‘Do something with this city!’ Cohen said as CNN’s Anderson Cooper laughed. 

‘Honestly get it together,’ Cohen yelled. 

Others also took to social media to slam de Blasio for his leadership over the Big Apple. 

‘@NYCMayor way to ruin NYE in NYC. You should be ashamed of yourself,’ one person wrote. 

Another shared: ‘2020 was just another year during which @NYCMayor destroyed NYC.’

On Thursday afternoon Times Square was eerily empty, with the area cordoned off to the public and police patrolling nearby sidewalks to enforce social distancing. 

The Big Apple is battling against a second wave of COVID-19 infections, as well as soaring rates of violent crime, an uptick in closing businesses, and a drastic drop in revenue. 

Hopes for a brighter 2021 have been dampened by news of a dismally slow roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine, with a paltry 29.7 per cent of available doses administered across New York as of Wednesday. 

New Year’s Eve celebrations first began in Times Square back in 1907, and people have gathered there every year since. 

Even in 2001, less than four months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, crowds converged upon the commercial strip to celebrate the start of a New Year. 

But this year, officials have officially barred the public from moving in. The only people allowed into the area are media and invited first responders who have been hailed as the ‘Heroes of 2020’. 

However, the ball drop will still go ahead and people are encouraged to watch the event virtually. Performances will also still take place, albeit without an audience. 

Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus and Megan Thee Stallion took the stage as part of the festivities. 

However, for many weary New Yorkers, there does not seem much to celebrate. 

On Wednesday, The Big Apple reported its highest ever daily increase in coronavirus cases, with nearly 6,000 new infections confirmed across the five boroughs. 

Hospitalizations and deaths are also increasing at an alarming rate. Gov Andrew Cuomo is now preparing to reopen the Javits Center field hospital, designed to treat an influx of COVID cases. 

Festivities in Newry, Maine, began promptly at 9pm and consisted of fireworks at the Sunday River resort. 

In Florida, female impersonator Gary Marion, known as Sushi, performed Thursday night during the New Year’s Eve Shoe Drop. 

Normally held on Duval Street at midnight, the event was moved behind Key West’s Bourbon St Pub and occurred several hours early to comply with a mandatory 10pm curfew that Key West city officials ordered to reduce the potential spread of the coronavirus.