Cooper left '' The Mole '' after its second season to return to broadcast news . In 2001 , he joined CNN , commenting , " Two seasons was enough , and 9/11 happened , and I thought I needed to be getting back to news . " His first position at CNN was to anchor alongside Paula Zahn on '' American Morning '' . In 2002 , he became CNN 's weekend prime-time anchor . Since 2002 , he has hosted CNN 's New Year 's Eve special from Times Square
9/11
September 11 attacks
Anderson Cooper