That Anderson Cooper, the newly muscular and somewhat openly closeted CNN anchor and “60 Minutes” contributor, would get topped by an Olympic athlete isn’t much of a surprise. But that it was Michael Phelps and it unfolded on TV last night in a pool with both in bathing suits and shirtless, provided a nice perk to CBS’ aging and often stodgy newsmagazine.
Cooper interviewed Phelps for a lengthy profile that aired Sunday, a nice sports-oriented package to draw in the NFL fans who just finished watching the late game. The piece provided the first indepth look at Phelps since Beijing and provided a few insights — having to dig deep to win his seventh gold medal, how Milorad Cavic’s mistake in the 100-meter butterfly allowed him to tie Mark Spitz, turning down a $5 million endorsement deal and buying a $1.5 million condo in hometown Baltimore.
Phelps returns to the pool and his fulltime training regime in January, but he did don a skimpy suit to meet a challenge by Cooper to race a length in the pool. Cooper also went shirtless but wore a more conservative suit before Phelps easily outpaced him without even using his arms. The two side-by-side, shirtless and muscular, added a nice bit of eye candy to an interesting profile of Phelps.
Cooper may not be an Olympic swimmer, but he looks pretty good shirtless, even with his hairless chest.
Watch the 13-minute video.
Matt Hennie blogs on Atlanta’s gay sports scene at Project Q Atlanta.
on Dec 1st, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Anderson Cooper is my boyfriend, he does’t know it though
And when we get married he’ll be Anderson Anderson
on Dec 1st, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Don’t THINK that I didn’t watch this last night! Thank you for adding the clip here because I was too caught off-guard to record it myself!
on Dec 1st, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Phelps is just a sweet guy. Man would I like to see him hit the gym once he retires from swimming and get some arms. Geez, I hate chicken wings. This kid will grow into his looks and fill out some. He will be a hot middle aged man
When Clooney hits 60 this kid will be 40.
Ol’ AC is looking fine. Helps to have a trainer, chef, housekeepers and never have to drive, pump your own gas or ever even run a vacuum or mow a lawn. I need wealth so I can afford staff. Jealousy is ugly.
on Dec 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Seeing Anderson Cooper shirtless almost made me throw up in my mouth! Stick to the clothing and reporting, you’re great at that.