Andy Cohen is opening up about the decision-making that goes into the casting of the Real Housewives shows.
During a new interview, the Watch What Happens Live host revealed why certain “housewives” get fired before revealing what it takes to maintain a full-time role on the show. He also explained his “complicated” relationships with the many women of his hit franchise.
“If they become a turn-off to viewers, for whatever reason—they appear too fake, they’re not interesting, they’re not entertaining—[then they’re no longer a fit],” Andy told Paper magazine of why someone would get booted from their show. “When people cross the line and it becomes unreal, that’s when they are out,” he added.
As for the ideal “housewife,” Andy said she has to be “funny,” “unique,” and “interesting to watch.”
“Someone who has something to say, and is different, surprising and just watchable,” he continued. “There’s a fine line between people who are desperate to be on reality television, and people who you want to watch on reality television. The Venn diagram of desperation and watchable, it’s a very slim thing in the middle where it overlaps, and you’re like, ‘That’s the bullseye, that’s NeNe Leakes, that’s [Vicki Gunvalson], that’s [Bethenny Frankel].’”
While Andy, the executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, has gotten tons of support from his cast members since welcoming his son, Benjamin, earlier this year, he admitted that his relationship with the ladies can be “complicated” at times.
“I’m a boss, I’m a friend… I’m an adversary, I’m a button pusher,” he explained. “I’ve become legitimately friends with many of them. I care about them. So it’s nuanced. And sometimes it’s great and sometimes it’s not great. It’s an emotional relationship.”
Watch What Happens Live airs Sundays through Thursdays at 11 p.m. on Bravo TV.
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