Most of the cognizant gay world has known that Anderson Cooper is family for quite some time. He’s been photographed with longtime boyfriend Benjamin Maisani in plain sight and has laughed at himself when called closeted in front of colleagues, but still hasn’t publicly spilled the beans on the cover of People—or posed in his skivvies for Next.
If anonymous sources are to be believed, though, Andy is prepping his unicorn-horn unveiling for his daytime show, Anderson, during the big February sweeps, when networks make even more desperate grabs at ratings.
Gawker’s Brian Moylan published the following tip yesterday:
Daytime talk show “Anderson” is having their first Christmas party [tonight], 15 December [ed’s note: Is this tipster British/Euro? Who else would write the date like that?], at the Russian Tea Room. Anderson Cooper is bringing Benjamin Maisani. And introducing him as his “boyfriend” to the staff. The staff is prepping Anderson’s “coming out” show for the next sweeps. Check the ratings. They’re getting desperate.
Moylan placed a call to the Russian Tea Room and, yes, they are hosting Anderson’s party. The fact that Cooper’s bringing Ben isn’t super-surprising: they kind of live together in a firehouse (and probably have hot power-gay sex in it).
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That he will introduce him as his boyfy is notable, but the CNN anchor probably has been doing so with close friends for a while now. Step in the right direction, at least. And the show’s already been renewed for a second season, so they’re not that desperate for ratings.
Perhaps he heard Amber Beard’s call to stars to come out yesterday and just couldn’t ignore it?
Anyway, any CNN insiders want to take us along as a plus-one so we can do some on-the-scene reporting? Or, just, you know, do the reporting yourself and tip us off.
Photo via CNN
Ben S
Blah, blah, blah queerty….in need of some web hits from the ‘why won’t Anderson come out and validate us’ whiners? LOL
iDavid
@Ben S
Maybe it’s you that needs validation since that’s on your mind. Not so with most.
Most of us think Anderson coming out is more about exponentiation, authenticity, equality in work and home and well, it’s just plain good for the kids who need positive role models.
Kudos to Queerty for keeping us apprised of possible good tidings for us all, even the neg gay resistant few.
Nick
yawn
purple_squirrel
Maybe this is just me being really silly but as a Brit I’ve never written ’15 December’, always ’15th of December’ or ‘December the 15th’.
christopher di spirito
With sinking rating, Anderson Cooper will exploit the deeply personal decision to “come out” publicly during sweeps week? I dislike him even more.
rrr
@christopher di spirito: His ratings aren’t sinking. They have been rising over time. He has the top rated new talk show and as Queerty mentioned it’s already been renewed.
The tip Gawker got was probably bullshit. It looks like a re-working of the rumor Michael Musto started that Anderson Cooper was going to come out during November sweeps. Musto was predicting that to the media and it never happened, now it looks as though the rumor mill adapted it to February sweeps where it will probably again not happen.
Zee
I’ll believe it when I see it, but right now I can’t see this ever happening.
Michael
IF Cooper comes out for ratings he can kiss my ass.
Kergan Edwards-Stout
If 7 year old Danann had the guts to come out as trans on Anderson’s show, I’d hope he’d have the guts to come out as well. But we’ve been waiting a LONG time…
Sanji
Maybe we can get old Lily Tomlin or Spacey to make it official althoug doesn’t do much for us.
mattsy
Hmmmmmm….I doubt he’ll come out during sweeps for a ratings boost. EVERYONE would see right thru that as a desperate move to improve ratings. I think he should do it during NYE with Kathy Griffin.
David Ehrenstein
As far as I’m concerned Anderson came out years ago. He was covering Charles and Camille’s wedding and suddenly squealed something no heterosexual would ever say — “Oh look, it’s Joanna Lumley!”
Wow
Boring. Being gay doesn’t define us. I think we all know he is gay. Move on. Nothing to see.
Samuel
It’s sad that some gays let being gay define who they are. It is actually what we are…it’s his life, live your own people.
kevininbuffalo
@Samuel: Well said; some people seriously need to get a life.
Steven
“[ed’s note: Is this tipster British/Euro? Who else would write the date like that?]”
God forbid someone write dates in another way! Let’s point it out!
WillBFair
I hope he doesn’t come out, just to piss of the self righteous set who’ve been complaining about him lo these many years.
Cam
@Samuel: said…
“It’s sad that some gays let being gay define who they are. It is actually what we are…it’s his life, live your own people.”
_____________________-
No, what it is is cowardice and fear. How do we make videos saying “It Gets Better” when every single day of Anderson Coopers life he’s proving that even if you are rich, famous and live in New York you still have to be ashamed of who you are and hide.
Sean
If Michael Savage or Rush Limbough called Anderson Cooper the “Gray Lady” we’d all be denouncing them as homophobes, but the assholes here at queerty apparently think homophobia on their part is snarky and cute. It’s not. Time to grow up.
CBRad
@Sean: Really. The “Gray Lady” (which usually refers to the N Y Times, for those who don’t know) is really nasty, and- yeah- homophobic.
Dr. Dick
Jeez, some people are so combative! Is Gray Lady really that offensive? And all the “get a life” posts are too funny, is the irony lost on y’all while furiously typing these repudiations? Lol sounds like a great “life” you’ve got there. And I’m not saying that the weekly Silverfox stories are doing a lil too much, I just don’t get people who want to be upset/offended by every little thing on this site. If you hate it here so much don’t come! Or don’t click on puff-pieces. All this negativity is depressing and unhealthy. People go out of their way to dislike things, it’s ire ill-spent….
Dr. Dick
*aren’t doing too much,
which is to say, Yeah, they are. But complaining hasn’t stopped them yet so why bother
😡
WillBFair
@Sean: Gray Lady is another type of gender bending, a gay tradition going back a long way, which is another part of camp, or gay humor, one of our greatest inventions, next to logic, democracy, and brunch.
Calling a man lady isn’t in the least homophobic. It’s a way of reminding us all not to take gender too seriously.
Chadboy
He might have the highest ratings for a new talk show, but that isn’t saying much. There weren’t many new talk shows that premiered this Fall. He is far behind DR. PHIL, DR. OZ, THE VIEW, LIVE WITH KELLY!, THE TALK, ELLEN and even RACHEAL RAY which isn’t doing well. Just because he was renewed for a 2nd season means squat. NATE BERKUS made it to season 2 but there won’t be a 3rd one. The reason ANDERSON made it to a season 2 is because there is nothing to replace his show with. Next year when Katie Couric, Jeff Probst, Steve Harvey, Marie Osmond and Ricki Lake premiere their chat-fests we will see if Anderson is still around.
Samuel
@Cam: Oh Cam, your usual canned response. Why would Anderson Cooper need to be cowardly? He doesn’t need to work, he leads that perfect gay NYC life. I thinking he is not coming out to irritate you and the other career homosexuals who constantly piss and moan about the same group of celebs who actually live quite out of the closet. Maybe our focus should be on the closet lifers like Lily Tomlin, Kevin Spacey as mentioned above in the thread? Anderson lives his life way outside the closet, however his making a tacky People announcement like others forced into announcements would not prevent one bullying or suicide event.
Interesting
@Samuel: < From the Book of How to Be a Troll: Don't use phrases like "canned response" that tell lets us know you are posting under different screen names.
CBRad
@Dr. Dick: Well what if we kept referring to you as Dr. Vagina just because you’re gay ? It IS a big deal, in the long run. Wasn’t it important, not long ago, telling young gay guys that being gay doesn’t mean you’re a girl in a man’s body, that you’re still a guy- you just like other guys.
Evan Mulvihill
@WillBFair: I kind of just meant “Gray Lady” as a pun on the other name for the New York Times, playing on the fact that he’s known as a “silver fox.”
Lazyrockett
@WillBFair:
I totally agree, in this day and age, Anderson coming out isn’t going to stop bullying or help a kid deal with his sexuality. No matter how people think that a out celebrity is going to help change the world it doesn’t work that way. A young gay kid needs the support of family, friends, schools, and communities to feel comfortable in his/her skin. While it may get loads of media attention an out celebrity doesn’t help a kid alone in the dark crying for help.
Jeff
Cooper is pathetic and knowing him yes he probably will come out if he ever does, just to boost ratings on his show that nobody cares about or watches. It’s obvious he’s the bottom bitch in his relationship. 😉
Reed
I’m confused, if everyone already knows he’s gay, then he’s already out. If he’s being photgraphed with his boyfriend then he’s out. He doesn’t need to make another announcement on his show. Thats ridiculous.
Mike
Why do some of you think that Lily Tomlin is not out? I have read about her and her long time partner, Jane Wagner, as being openly gay for years. Check it out – http://gaytoday.com/garchive/people/011501pe.htm
TheInsider
The Nate Berkus show lasted two seasons and it was gone. Same with Cooper. It’s a way of the network saving face. swallowing costs and pride for one more season before admitting total defeat, and at the same time hoping for some ratings miracle. Like… coming out of the closet? NOT.
WillBFair
@Evan Mulvihill: I understand, and that’s cool. I was just trying to explain a bit of gay culture to Sean.
WillBFair
@Lazyrockett: You articulate it perfectly. Local support is exactly what kids need.
I think the people who say everyone has to come out yesterday just want to pretend by coming out that they have done a great thing for gay rights. Of course, they probably never lift a finger caring for aids people, or befriending the unattractive, or volunteering for our lobbyists.
CBRad
@WillBFair: Thanks for explaining, Wilhelmina Bea. (Mmm..I feel so culturally gay now).
Cam
@Samuel:
The desperation that you use to defend anybody who wants to be a closet case, combined with your repeating phrases used by other trolls on here pretty much shows that you are the same troll.
Does Cooper’s publicist give you a few bucks an hour to come on here and defend hiding in the closet?
Robert in NYC
@purple_squirrel: It matters not. What does matter is that gawker Brian Moylan isn’t very well informed. The rest of the world writes the date by putting the day first. It’s only the U.S. that puts the month first, so it’s not a British or Euro thing but simply an international preference.
Wow
Some of us are taking other people’s business too personally. Speaking from my experience, when i take something too personally, there is usually some underlying (unaddressed) issue. Hate is rarely created from nothing.
Kim
Don’t discuss your lovelife AC I’ve stop watching Rosie because of the constant comments about anything and everything Gay. I know several people who no longer watch Don Lemon on CNN since he wrote that book. As for teens they need people in their lives to be mentors/ role models not some middle aged guy in NYC. Keep living your life, Andy
ewe
I don’t think he will publicly say he is gay for the sake of saying he is gay. That seems to very unlike him.
Dr. Dick
@CBRad: I totally get what you’re saying, I think you missed my original point. If using feminine terminology for ourselves/each other is your issue, than you have a lloonngg uphill battle that does Not start on a queerty article callingThe Silver Fox a Gray Lady…..
And umm, outta curiosity, how did you come to the conclusion I was gay? When you make radical assumptions (read: foundationless conjecture) you greatly reduce your own credibility AND inadvertantly mimic the haphazard-fact-inventing of the GOP & their ilk……
Jennifer
I think this is just fine that he’s came out I realy enjoy watching him eye candy and even though he came out dosent matter he’s a great reporter I realy like him and I wish him the best of luck in all he does.. Congrats!!! who your in a relationship dosent change how I look and you or how you report the news THANK YOU VERY MUCH ENJOY….
Dan
Well, Anderson had his Christmas party for his CNN show at the firehouse where he and Ben lives the following Saturday, so it’s pretty clear that his staff needs no introduction to Ben as they already know him quite well. He’s attended many CNN events since he started dating AC more than three years ago. I think for all purposes, Anderson and Ben live a very open life as gay men in a LTR. Just because they’re protective of their privacy and refuse to discuss their relationship with the media doesn’t mean that they’re in the closet.
Carol
@Dr. Dick: gee how do we assume you’re gay? your name is dr. dick. Dick.
carrey
i just stumbled upon this website when i was looking up something on anderson cooper. i am a married woman, and i admire AC for his business savvy and being an excellent reporter. i think the reason he wont officially come out has nothing to do with ratings etc. he is the son of a wealthy family (gloria vanderbuilt is his mom). he has never wanted to be known for his family, but rather himself. he didnt want any of his families wealth, he wanted to pave his own way. i think that very much has to do with his sexual orientation too. he wants to be known for himself and what he does. that is why i think he will never come out. its just not an issue he feels is relevant. whehter he is gay or straight is not important. it doesnt make a person-which is true for everyone.
Oreo
I honestly don’t care if he’s gay. He’s still a nice guy.
Xgay Greg
I used to be addicted to men, but, 7 years ago Jesus set me FREE! (YouTube video) I am now free from the sin of homosexuality. Marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman according to the King James Bible (Genesis 2:24) December 19, 2010 I married a beautiful woman of God. FREE AT LAST FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I’M FREE AT LAST!!!! JESUS IS LORD!!