All the Wives 'Do Well for Themselves,' Says Bravo Exec Andy Cohen

By Rob Shuter Posted Sep 2nd 2010 10:00AM

Andy Cohen, the adorable Bravo exec who gave himself his own talk show ('Watch What Happens: Live'), sat down with me to answer some of my burning questions about his uber-hot 'Housewives' franchise. Find out what secrets he reveals about part two of the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' reunion show, airing Monday. He's the brave host. Plus, learn why the ladies should NOT need a pay increase any time soon and why Bravo passed on doing a gay version of the franchise.

What can we expect on Monday night ... come on Andy, give us a tease!
More engaging dialogue, Kim G., a show-and-tell from Danielle, a surprising plea for forgiveness and a shocking conclusion.

[Sources tell me one of the ladies leaves the show FOREVER.]

Why do you think the 'Jersey' show is the most popular?
I think people love the women, the drama and the family dynamic.

Who is your favorite housewife. Who do you hang out with?
I really don't have a favorite. I love them all and see them all out and about.

How do you decide whom to invite back. Is it all focus groups?
It is dictated usually by what they have going on in their lives and with each other.

The 'Housewives of DC' doesn't seem to have the same buzz as the others. What's your honest take on it?
I am so excited about the 'DC Housewives.' It surprises me every week because it touches on issues previously unseen in the franchise -- race, politics, genealogy, DC society and hierarchy. There's a really compelling and surprising debate about gay marriage coming up.

Some people complain there are too many 'Housewife' franchises out there, and that Bravo is diluting the brand. What would you say?
Actually, the brand has never been more popular, and we are very careful about where and how we expand it.

Why did Bravo pass on the gay housewife idea that another network (Logo) has picked up on?
It didn't interest us.

Which housewife calls you to complain the most?
I take the fifth.

Are you team Jill or Bethenny?
I am team everybody. They're both amazing.

Which housewife do you think leaks the most stories to the press?
I think the New York women run the leakiest ship in town, but they live and breathe in the center of the media universe, so they're way more exposed to the press on a daily basis.

Do all the housewives earn the same? How much?
They all do well for themselves.

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Tags: Andy Cohen, real housewives

Comments

(72)

Thursday 02 September

By Pat

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I do watch the Housewives of New York, NJ and Betthany getting married. This year I was very offended by the nonsense going on on the NJ show. In fact, my sister and I do not plan on watching next year. For us Teresa is as vicious and crude as Danielle. After watching the first part of the reunion it is apparent she and Jacqueline talk about Danielle a good deal. Kim G is a waste and a housewife wannabe (hope that doesn't happen) and Ashley was giving way more time then she deserved (she is not a wife and one fresh kid).

By Nina

Pat, I totally agree with you regarding Teresa and Ashley. I also feel that Teresa is responsible for what happened at the fashion show. When she drags her bratty kids around and especially when she doesn't think she is a stage mother to Gia it is hysterical. I think she is a parody of herself. She is loud and ignorant, has a husband who doesn't seem to care about anything and she is playing the part of a wife/mother whose life is great when in reality it is all a sham. She tries too hard to believe that her life is wonderful, she will have a long way down. I sometimes feel sorry for Danielle as she is crying out for everything she didn't get as a child. Even her birth mother didn't want her and she seeks that long lost love from people who are really alien to her and strangers. I admit watching the show as a break from my reality.

By dugandob

I'd bet money that you end up watching it.

By Maria

Pat I agree with you all that you said but that Ashley is a kid. She is not a kid, she is an adult (18 or 19 y old). I can't stand her behavior, she is a brat, the reflexion of her mom.
Next season will be soooo boring without Danielle. I don't know what they are going to talk about.

By kalfromcal

I agree, and I don't think Caroline is a saint either. She skillfully nurtures the trash talk against Danielle under the guise of "protecting her (extended) family." She's no matriarch, and neither are the others. & they all spend money in a brash manner, and act as if the rest of the country isn't in a financial slump. Nothing about any of them impresses me, especially the fact they never talk about having read a good book, seen an interesting movie, having any opinions other than who's "in" or who's "out" with their crowd. It's sad, it's very high school, and it's an insult to REAL house wives who are enduring many more serious,and delightful, relationships. If they changed the title to The Narcissistic Rich Housewives of New Jersey, that would make them a bit more forgivable. But not much. I'm so done with these fake housewife shows. This one put me off all of them.

By kbarlow98

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I love this show & can't wait for it to resume. It's going to be a great season. I'm especially looking forward to seeing Kurt Warner!

By Linda

Wash, Rinse & Repeat -Nothing new here!! Andy never answers the questions--just evades and avoids.
So Danielle is leaving for good?? Yippie Skippy!!

By jes3791

I heard rumor that the Danielle leaving rumor is a smoke screen for Caroline leaving. I hope hope hope that it is Danielle leaving the show. So done with her.

By nancy

I hope Danielle is leaving the show. She is nothing but a drama queen. I think Children Services should step in and take her children away from her.

By sat3urn

I agree with you Linda! He does evade the questions....but I love the way he asks alot of questions on the reunion shows and basically won't go on until they answer!

By cindy

Love Bethany and the NY wives.

DO NOT LIKE D.C wives at all.
Stacie is a racist the rest are too dumb to believe are real anything.

By DiamondMom

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Why do say "Stacie is a racist...?"

By Mary

The "Brit" basher on D.C. needs to pack her crap and move back to the other side of the pond. How DARE you badmouth our president and Tyra. It was great fun to watch the Whitehouse crashers phoney grape stomp exposed. Don't you think that's pretty much what they are made of? Phoney baloney?

I love the ATL show, but can see room for a Detroit version also.

By Jackie Kaiser

Yes, Stacie is a racist. Mary needs someone to donate a brain. Anyone can criticize our president, but who is Cat to say - "I know you're American, but manners, manners." She's sorely lacking in manners to say that. Lynda is the villain and Michaele is..........is............I guess that's it - just a blank.

Friday 03 September

By Alexis

How can Stacie be racist if she is biracial?

By kim

r u crazy!! Stacie is not a racist, I guess u don't know the definition of racist..u moron!! Let get it right she has never showed or express any racial emotions r feeling towards n e body, I believe u r a racist because u don't like her b cos she's the only black on the show!! haha get over it..u dumb person!

By fiona

Most, not all, of these so-called 'housewives' are the town sycophants and truly give a bad name to all the wonderful women out there who make a home for their families with dignity and respectability.

By Joanna

Fiona, honey, as a real....genuine....housewife in New Jersey, I couldn't agree with you more!

By ladiejb

Housewives of NY started me over the edge and NJ has finished the job. There is life beyond Bravo TV and the Housewive's franchise. No NJ or DC for me, thank you very much.

By Bob

What a lame interview. It tells you nothing!

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