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Andy Cohen is unleashing more thoughts on Tom Sandoval’s controversial interview with Howie Mandel, calling it a “missed opportunity.” The host also suggested Tom was “completely unchallenged,” and neither he nor Howie “did themselves any favors.”
Around the same time, Howie clapped back after Andy accused him of not doing his ‘homework,’ addressed the “vitriol” from Vanderpump Rules fans, and revealed he’s on social media “lockdown.”
On his SiriusXM Radio Andy show, shared by @bravosnarkside on Instagram, Andy addressed the controversial interview.
“With Howie Mandel of all people,” said the host, indicating that “one would think” Sandoval was placed on an interview embargo until the reunion.
Andy claimed he did a “great interview” with Tom for the reunion, and he’s “still looking forward” to viewers hearing “[Tom’s] perspective up against Raquel and Ariana,” which was “fascinating.”
Andy revealed that he learned of the interview last week, and he was “annoyed … on Bravo’s behalf [and] on the viewers’ behalf.”
The exec said he was “surprised” Tom was interviewed by “someone who doesn’t seem familiar with the show or watch the show on any level.”
“[Howie was] like, ‘I don’t understand why this is a big deal,'” said Andy, who suggested Tom wanted an interview where he’s “completely unchallenged.”
“I mean, from the clips I saw, neither Tom nor Howie did themselves any favors,” continued Andy, calling the interview a “missed opportunity.”
“Tom’s drummer’s wife is the producer of the podcast, so there you go,” he added.
Meanwhile, Howie himself clapped back after Bravo fans accused him of defending Tom amid the cheating scandal.
“They hate me,” said Howie on Extra, in a clip shared by @bravobygays on Instagram. The comedian claimed he’s getting “killed” for allegedly not doing his “homework.”
“I don’t need to do homework,” he explained. “I know who he is. I know what show he’s on. My question and my angle is: why [do people] think this [affair] is so big? … I still don’t understand why that is big international news.”
Howie admitted that he doesn’t “condone” Tom’s actions, but he wanted to give Tom a platform to “spew” his side, and he seemingly “commend[ed]” Tom for being “vulnerable” about his mental health and struggles.
Reacting to Andy’s “jackhole” diss, Howie called it an “honor.”
Since the backlash, Howie has avoided his phone. According to the host, his Twitter feed is a “mess,” and he said he doesn’t want to “engage anybody in a fight … This is the first time in two years that I haven’t posted a TikTok. I haven’t posted on Instagram. I haven’t posted a tweet. Yes, I’m on lockdown. I’ve never felt this kind of vitriol.”
He claimed he poked the “Bravo bear,” and he is about to get attacked. Based on his interactions with the star, Howie believes Tom is a “sweet guy” who’s going through a “real rough time right now.”
Recently, Andy also addressed a rumor that Bravo is set to produce The Real Housewives of New Orleans, The Real Housewives of Las Vegas, and The Real Housewives of Scottsdale.
“I mean, I think we’re good,” said the host on Andy Cohen Live after being asked about the potential new installments. “We’re not developing any.”
He first “debunk[ed]” the report about Real Housewives of Las Vegas, which began to surface as another rumor swirled: BravoCon 2023 in Las Vegas.
“People are really excited about BravoCon in Vegas, getting so many questions about it. And I just wanna nip something in the bud right now because there is a rumor that is building online that I need to address so that we can move on,” he explained. “There is a train of thought that, of thinking we will be announcing at BravoCon in Vegas, the Real Housewives of Las Vegas. And I am here to tell you, we are not, no, just we are not.”
“There is no Housewives of Vegas. We are not announcing a Housewives of Vegas. So just stand down,” Andy added. “That’s not happening.”
He explained that certain production companies will instigate their own casting for potential new shows.
“There was just a rumor about Real Housewives of New Orleans and I happen to know that there is a production company who we work with all the time, who was just casting women in New Orleans to see if there was a show to be done in New Orleans,” he shared. “I think they are pitching it to Bravo. This wasn’t Bravo seeking out.”
“A lot of times there will be, a lot of times someone will, people will start DMing me saying, ‘I know you’re doing Scottsdale. I want to be on the casting’, whatever,” Andy went on. “Sometimes there are production companies that are just fishing around, not even at the behest of Bravo, but just because they are looking for women and they’re gonna bring them to Bravo and try to pitch Bravo on the idea. So that’s my rumor debunk today.”
Vanderpump Rules season 10 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.