Andy Cohen Reportedly Felt Anderson Cooper Was ‘Being Squeezed Out’ at CBS Amid ‘60 Minutes’ Exit

Fans were shocked to learn that Anderson Cooper was leaving 60 Minutes, but a new report revealed that his best friend Andy Cohen may have played a role in his decision.

Cohen, 57, reportedly urged Cooper, 58, to exit his position on the long-running news show, according to Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice Substack on Monday, February 23.

“Andy felt Anderson was being squeezed out,” a media source told the outlet. “Segments were micromanaged. His judgment was second-guessed. It became untenable.”

Another source said, “Anderson wasn’t treated with the respect he’d earned over decades. Andy saw it clearly and told him to protect his legacy.”

Cohen hasn’t held back regarding his feelings on CBS as of late and in January, he slammed the network in a comment on Instagram.

Anchor Tony Dokoupil and CBS shared a video via Instagram on January 1, and he told viewers that in the past, news reporters had “put too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites, and not enough on you.”

The Bravo star replied, “Listening too much to experts? Wtf.”

Dokoupil didn’t let Cohen’s comment go unnoticed.

“Andy, I love ya. But can you really not think of any examples where academic advice turned out narrow or bad?” Dokoupil replied. “I basically gave you a multiple-choice list. It’s possible you were living outside or above the issues I mention.”

While CBS has framed Cooper’s exit as routine, a third source told Naughty But Nice that wasn’t the case.

“He didn’t just quit,” the source explained. “He was pushed — and Andy helped him see he deserved better.”