I suppose if you've never bitten your nails, there isn't any way to explain the habit. It's not enjoyable, really, but there is a certain satisfaction - pride in a job well done.

Describing the experience Cooper wrote "Africa was a place to forget and be forgotten in. Anderson cites Carter's suicide for sparking his interest in journalism. On September 8 2003 he was made anchor of Anderson Cooper 360°.

As of September 2011 he also serves as host of his own eponymous syndicated daytime talk show Anderson Live which will be cancelled at the end of the second season. The program is normally broadcast live from a New York City studio; however Cooper often broadcasts live on location for breaking news stories.