Marc Stamas/WireImage; CNNKathy Griffin paid tribute to "her dear, departed friend," fellow comedienne and late Fashion Police host Joan Rivers during her annual New Year's Eve broadcast with Anderson Cooper.
On Wednesday night's show, the 54-year-old comedienne, who is joining the E! series this month, wore a black fur Dennis Basso coat that she said had belonged to Rivers, who died at age 81 in September.
"It actually is inscribed—it says, 'Joan Rivers,'" Griffin told Cooper, 47. "So in honor of my pal, I am decked out in the Dennis Basso and actual Joan coat and I've been with Joan when she would wear it."
"Why are you wearing real fur?" her co-host asked.
"Because I love Joan and she had it made for her in 1980," Griffin said. "So, you can apologize for that but I won't."
Griffin will make her debut as the new host of the late star's E! series, which is executive produced by daughter Melissa Rivers, when it returns on Jan. 12. The comedienne will be joined by Giuliana Rancic and Kelly Osbourne and newcomer Brad Goreski (watch a promo).
That coat @KathyGriffin is wearing? She says it belonged to @Joan_Rivers and she's wearing it in her honor. http://t.co/ZGfb4JA8b4 #CNNNYE
? CNN (@CNN) January 1, 2015Also during their New Year's Eve broadcast, Griffin took the liberty (pun intended) of dyeing parts of Cooper's famous silver hair red and blue.
First, she had him close his eyes.
"Somebody warn me if something bad is happening," he said.
"They'll warn you, they'll warn you," she replied.
She then colored in parts of his hair with temporary dye. The process took several seconds.
"You've got to be kidding me," he said, looking at the results and giggling his Anderson Cooper Giggle. "Oh my God, what have you done?"
Anyone know how to get red dye out of hair? Thanks @kathygriffin. Does Seacrest have to deal with this kind of thing? pic.twitter.com/MmKh5XtQ1O
? Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) January 1, 2015Join E!'s new Fashion Police on Monday, Jan. 12 at 9pm ET/PT—you can watch the crew take on the Golden Globes!