Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper spent NYE debating which Heated Rivalry characters they would be
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper debate Heated Rivalry characters. (Craig T Fruchtman/Getty/HBO Max)
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper debate Heated Rivalry characters. (Craig T Fruchtman/Getty/HBO Max)
The Heated Rivalry craze has even got to The Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen and political commentator Anderson Cooper, who took the time to debate the gay hockey show during their New Year’s Eve Special.
The tipsy, gay hosts discussed their love for the show during the CNN New Year’s Eve Live broadcast in Times Square. Heated Rivalry has become a late breakout of 2025, soaring to popularity with its steamy story of two rival hockey players falling into a lust-filled situationship.
Jacob Tierney‘s show follows the fortunes of Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya (Connor Storrie), two men who fall for each other despite their apparent differences.
During the show, Cooper admitted that he had slept in Cohen’s bed that was given to him. “Just the bed frame. I didn’t give you the mattress,” Cohen clarified. “I thought it made us closer, like better brothers.”
The longtime friends then began to discuss the implications. “This isn’t Heated Rivalry,” Cooper replied.
‘You’re Ilya and I’m Shane.’
“Ohhh Heated Rivalry,” Cohen laughed, before petting Cooper’s coat and crooning “Ilya.” He then broached the topic of which of the two central characters they would be.
“Out of the two of us… you’re Ilya and I’m Shane,” Cohen declared.
Cooper, however, was shocked at the casting. “What?” he gasped at Cohen’s decision. “I’m not either of them. I’m Kip.”
Late in the night, the topic of Heated Rivalry came up again when chatting with Grammy-winning musician Brandi Carlile.
Cohen asked the “The Story” hitmaker: “Do lesbians give a damn about the Canadian hockey gay romance series, Heated Rivalry?”
“It’s all I can think about,” Carlile responded. “I can’t even sleep at night without thinking about [the show].” The intensity of her response has Cooper cracking up and nearly falling over from his laughter.
Also, during a call with Stephen Colbert, the late night host joked he was a “bossy bottom” in his relationship.
That seemed to break Cooper, who began questioning if Heated Rivalry had made “everyone insane.” “Is this a Heated Rivalry effect,” Cooper asked. “What is going on?”
Heated Rivalry cast and creator reacts to Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper
Following the frequent and continuous mention of Heated Rivalry on the broadcast, the show’s cast and crew reacted.
Author Rachel Reid, author of the Game Changers series on which the show is based, responded to Cohen and Cooper’s broadcast.
On Instagram, she wrote: “I keep thinking nothing can surprise me at this point, but…” Her story was posted alongside a slideshow of Cohen and Cooper discussing if they’d be Shane or Ilya.
Then actor Robbie G.K, who plays Kip, also reacted to his mention on the show. In a comment, tagging Cooper, he wrote: “right answer king.”
