In a matter of moments, we get to kick 2024 to the trash bins and usher in a fresh new start via 2025. A lot has happened this year, in and out of reality television. Therefore, it is natural we are reflecting on all that transpired while hoping that the new year treats us with even softer gloves. But we do have to admit, when we think of New Year’s Eve celebrations, Bravo always springs to our minds.
Why? Because several Real Housewives cities have given us iconic New Year’s Eve-themed moments. Does “Give me pizza, you old troll” ring any bells?
Likewise, Andy Cohen is the face of Bravo. And this man rings in every ball drop live from Times Square with his buddy, Anderson Copper. While this special technically airs on CNN, clips of each year’s festivities often arrive back on Bravo, proving that all roads lead back to this network at some point or another.
This year, our daddies are likely to drink their juice. So, three cheers for a good time. And all the cheers to these top five(ish) New Year’s Eve celebrations on Bravo.
WWHL New Year’s Eve Spectacular
In 2010, Andy hosted a two-hour-long New Year’s Eve Spectacular special on Watch What Happens Live. It was wild. Stars like NeNe Leakes, Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Lisa Vanderpump, Dina Manzo, Tamra Judge, Jeff Lewis, Jenni Pulos, Sandra Bernhard, and Meghan McCain attended, and the chaos was next level.
Jenni performed an original rap as NeNe blooped and bopped in the background. Meanwhile, Jeff provided the snark while Lisa and Dina presented their pets for a wedding, courtesy of Giggy and Grandma Wrinkles. RIP to you both, sweet fur babies.
A wig drop brought these chaos carriers into 2011, where Andy and Tamra shared a semi-passionate kiss in front of her then-boyfriend, who cared little. Then, as the lights dimmed on the year 2010, Kim embraced the microphone, throwing her heart and wig-loving soul into a rousing performance of her cult classic, Tardy for the Party.
This special presented like a fever dream. And we loved every second.
Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 3’s Auld Lang Syne For an Eye
During Season 3 of Real Housewives of New Jersey, this hot-tempered cast prepared to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Their getting ready sequence about took me out.
First, Milania Giudice made us choke back all our laughs as she snarled, “Gimme pizza, you old troll,” at her dad. Joe Guidice complied.
Across town, Jacqueline Laurita was teasing her hair, trying to get a Jersey-inspired bumpit in place without using an actual bumpit.
In another corner of New Jersey, Melissa Gorga giggled as her gay makeup artist flirted with her husband, Joe Gorga, who sported a muscle shirt that read “WELL-EQUIPPED.” I could hear the crunch of her heavily sprayed curls as she pursed her lips to apply a dark, heavy swipe of lipliner. It was cinema and its finest.
Once ready, the cast of RHONJ headed to The Brownstone, where cattiness and dancing ensued. Cue Rich Wakile stressing, “New Year, same assholes,” as the credits rolled on RHONJ Season 3, Auld Lang Syne For an Eye.
Perfection. No notes.
Real Housewives of New York Season 9’s A Countess No More
In Season 9 of Real Housewives of New York, Countess Luann de Lesseps followed her heart. It did not work out, but we love her love of love.
On New Year’s Eve in Palm Beach, Florida, Luann said yes to Tom D’Agostino. Their marriage lasted seven months. Her friends tried to warn her. But her heart wanted Tom, the seemingly only available man on the Upper East Side.
As these two tied the knot, the rest of the cast of RHONY was back in NYC. Bethenny Frankel was hosting a party, but Ramona Singer failed to snag an invite. She stayed home instead and got advice about handling conflicts from her daughter.
Several beats later, everyone gathered to attend a party for Luann and Tom. So many comedic moments ensued, like a monologue about the range of Ice Cream flavors and a messy toast by Dorinda Medley, who reminded half the room that Luann did not invite them to her ceremony.
Cue Bethnenny, quipping, “I hope this is the last celebration I attend for a wedding [that] I wasn’t invited to, but I did call her a whore last year, so it’s no less than I deserve.”
And a happy new year to us all, courtesy of RHONY Season 9, A Countess No More.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 11’s New Year, Old Grudges
Crystal Kung Minkoff threw a Chinese New Year’s party at her house during Season 11 of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She wanted to bring her cast into her world for a night. But, of course, nothing went as planned (mostly).
The music and dancing characters startled Kyle Richards. In contrast, a wigged Lisa Rinna applauded and cheered them on.
This finale episode held many ridiculous, campy moments. Like Sutton Stracke, who performed a Tom Petty-inspired talking head. And Erika Jayne, who added additional details to her burglary, glaucoma, and rolling cars narrative, which is now hand-stamped on every Bravo-themed ETSY store in sight. And, of course, Lisa, who shared a flashback of Elliot Mintz, laughing over the irony of this being the year of the rabbit, her ill-chosen gift from a prior season.
Crystal tried to teach these ladies some culture. But bless their hearts, I am not sure it all landed. Please come back, Crystal. Nevertheless, this was a solid New Year’s Eve moment on Bravo, courtesy of RHOBH Season 11, New Year, Old Grudges.
Andy Cohen’s Craziest NYE Moments
Again, Andy and Anderson are the giggly mainstay hosts for the ball drop in NYC on CNN. No, this channel is not Bravo. But Andy is Bravo, so we are including this here. Be well.
As for our favorite moments, in 2020, this duo played a game with Snoop Dog, joking about all the places one can get high. In 2021, Andy comically (and drunkenly) slammed Ryan Seacrest, joking, “If you look behind me, you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s group of losers performing. I’m sorry, but if you’re watching ABC, you’re watching nothing.”
After Andy made this joke, he put his then-mayor, Bill de Blasio, on blast. His rant stressed, “Watching Mayor de Blasio do his ‘victory lap dance’ after four years of the crappiest term as the mayor of New York, the only thing that Democrats and Republicans can agree on is what a horrible mayor he has been. So, sayonara sucka!”
In 2022, the boys started hosting while dry. Being wet has provided them with far too many unhinged moments. So, stay tuned to see how they present this year as the ball drops to usher in 2025. And to all of our readers, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Don’t forget to watch Andy and Anderson on CNN!
TELL US – DO YOU REMEMBER THESE ICONIC NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS ON BRAVO? WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE?