Amy Sedaris Faces Backlash for New Year’s Eve Joke

Comedian Amy Sedaris triggered a wave of criticism online after a peculiar joke made during CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, leaving co-hosts Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper momentarily speechless.

The 46-year-old star of “Strangers with Candy” appeared as the first guest on the live show and surprised both the hosts and the audience with her unexpected comment when asked where she thought the best place to meet a man in 2026 would be.

“Oh, where’s a good place to meet guys? I’d say the women’s bathroom,” Sedaris quipped, but her remark was greeted with an uncomfortable silence during “New Year’s Eve Live” in Times Square.

She seemed to regret the comment immediately, awkwardly repeating the question, “Maybe Mr. Bergdorf? I don’t know.”

Cohen and Cooper shared puzzled looks, while Sedaris tossed out another joke about a “firehouse” being the right spot.

“Yeah, fire department, that’s it,” Cohen responded with a forced smile, trying to navigate the uneasy moment.

The cringe-worthy moment quickly stirred up mixed reactions on social media. Some users condemned the joke as “transphobic,” while others defended her sense of humor as “dark.”

One user asked, “Does Amy Sedaris hate trans people?” while another inquired, “What was that comment about??” noting it was puzzling even for two openly LGBTQ men.

Some commenters lightened the mood, suggesting she might not get an invitation back to CNN next year because of her comment.

In the midst of the online uproar, a good number of people rallied to defend her, with one user exclaiming, “God forbid a comedian makes a good joke.”

The chaotic broadcast made headlines again later that night when Mayor Bravo, 57, went on a tipsy tirade against former New York City Mayor Eric Adams just minutes after the ball drop in Times Square.

While Cooper appeared to struggle to dampen the chaos, Cohen was animated, saying, “I want to say this while watching Mayor Adams’ chaotic and horrifying end.”

“What I mean is, he got a pardon, he got a pardon,” Cohen began, while Cooper attempted to curtail him.

Cohen continued, clarifying, “He got absolution. He got pardoned. Good, you got absolution, let’s go out into the sunset.”

It’s worth noting that President Trump’s Justice Department dismissed the federal corruption case against Adams rather than granting a formal pardon.

In response, Adams had a snappy comeback on Thursday, relaying to the press, “I have two letters for him: AA,” referencing Alcoholics Anonymous with a chuckle.