Andy Cohen on RHOBH, Rebecca Minkoff Scientology, Reality Reckoning

Andy Cohen isn’t bothered by it.

In a hidden conference room above the lounge of London’s Langham Hotel, I find the Emmy-winning executive producer of Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise and the host of “Watch What Happens Live” casually drawing on a notepad. Despite Cohen’s nonchalant demeanor, taking a seat at the long, wooden table feels like I’m about to hear the state of the union from an important elected official. In a sense, this is not far from the truth.

Cohen is undoubtedly the president of “The Real Housewives,” for which he has produced — and hosted reunion specials — since its inception in 2006 with the “Orange County” franchise. It has since become an international phenomenon with a passionate fanbase, spawning 11 different series in the US and 21 around the world. Cohen will be in London on Saturday for the first-ever Hayu FanFest, held by NBCUniversal’s all-reality SVOD service that allows viewers in 45 global markets to stream their favorite shows on the same day they premiere in the US.

“I just love that we have such enthusiastic and passionate fans across the pond,” says Cohen Variety. “The story in the United States is the passion of our fandom, and to come here and be stopped all over town by people who share the same feelings, it speaks to the success of the brand.”

But leading one of the biggest reality franchises to ever exist hasn’t been without its challenges. Early last year, Bravo, parent company NBCUniversal and Cohen faced a so-called “reality reckoning,” resulting in lawsuits from former Housewives amid allegations of sexism, drug and alcohol abuse and racism on set, as well as a phone call from one- It becomes time for ‘New York City’ star Bethenny Frankel to unite reality stars. Bravo and NBCUniversal conducted an outside investigation into misconduct claims against Cohen, and he was exonerated. Although all the legal drama remains unresolved, Cohen says these days he “doesn’t really think about it.”

“My work has always been focused on making the shows I produce – and as I said a year ago, and I’ll say it again now – I’m so proud to work with incredible production companies,” he says. “I’m proud of the systems we had in place a year ago, and I’m proud of the systems we have in place now, which are built to look after people’s mental health and also produce absolutely fantastic television that educates people about the can see the whole world. Love.”

Below, Cohen shares more of his thoughts on the Reality Reckoning, teases the upcoming season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (premiering Nov. 19), responds to comments about new “New York” star Rebecca Minkoff is a Scientologist and more.

With four “Real Housewives” shows currently airing – “Orange County,” “Potomac,” “Salt Lake City” and “New York City” – which season is your favorite so far?

I don’t have a favorite. Honestly, the show I’m really loving right now is “Atlanta,” which I have six episodes into the new season. So mostly I’m looking ahead, but I’m also very excited. The trailer for “Beverly Hills” dropped yesterday and it is a very good season. People’s lives have changed in some pretty dramatic ways.

You quickly renewed ‘Potomac’ for this season following the departures of Robyn Dixon and Candiace Dillard Bassett – how do you think it’s going?

Great. I feel like the platelets have shifted the way we needed them to. We just had to shake the group up a bit so they could move forward, which is the whole point of these shows. So I’m really happy, not only with how good the episodes are, but how much fans are enjoying them and how the ratings are going up.

It has opened the doors to forming new friendships, including… possibly Gizelle Bryant and Wendy Osefo?

It’s so good to see Gizelle and Wendy. I spoke to them both yesterday. Gizelle said, “Oh, I have to call Wendy about something.” I like hearing this.

There were Monica Garcia stans who thought ‘Salt Lake City’ would flop without her this season. They have been proven wrong. What do you think about that?

I think the whole point of these shows is that they are ensemble shows and no one is really bigger than the group. Absolutely, last season was incredible and this season is incredible in a completely new way. You have to trust the process a little bit, and we had great casting this season. I mean, Bronwyn [Newport] is just a great addition to the mix. And I think from that first episode you’re like, “Oh wow, this is moving forward.” We see a different Mary [Cosby] this season. By the way, we are still in the early stages of this season, so people will be very happy.

Mary really seems to have turned a new leaf this season, I think she is more vulnerable than ever.

Me, too. And there’s a really interesting personal story coming up with Mary that I think will really move people to see.

And you have some new faces in “New York,” including Rebecca Minkoff. What is your reaction to the backlash she gets for being a Scientologist?

I can’t really judge people’s reactions to Scientology, but I will say she’s a well-known New Yorker and fun to have around. And Rachel [Chevremont] is just absolutely mind-blowing, she’s got a really good personal story coming up too. But she’s so ambitious and fashionable and I’m so happy to have someone in the show who is such a vibrant part of the arts community, a place I think we always wanted to go. I feel like the group seems closer and they’ve been hanging out a lot over the years, so this is some kind of unity.

Do you find it strange that none of the other women are grilling Rebecca about Scientology anymore, or is that still to come?

It’s a recurring thing in the show, and I think she made it clear the first time how far she really wanted to go – it doesn’t seem like she came on the show to preach about Scientology. So we’ll see how that develops.

How are you feeling now that it’s been over a year since the start of the Reality Reckoning? Has it changed the way you do things at all?

I don’t really think about it. My work has always been focused on making the shows I produce – and as I said a year ago, and I’ll say it again now – I’m so proud to work with incredible production companies. I’m proud of the systems we had in place a year ago, and I’m proud of the systems we have in place today, which are built to look after people’s mental health and also produce absolutely fantastic television that people all over the world world to love. . Most specifically, I love the women who make up the Housewives and our partnerships with them. There was just one incredible article in the LA Times where Heather Gay talked about how much the show changed her life, and why she thinks it’s important for women and why it’s a feminist show – and it really reiterates for me everything that’s important to me about this show, and it drowns out the nonsense that can be a byproduct of it.

Bethenny Frankel was definitely one of the loudest voices during the Reality Reckoning. Have you heard from her at all?

I don’t really pay attention. She is very active on TikTok; I’m not on TikTok.

You were recently on Doug Emhoff’s TikTok with Ben Stiller as part of Girl Dads for Harris. Why was it important to you to campaign for her?

These are the most important elections of our time. I know this is said every four years, but I think so. I am a gay American father who loves my country and I am also the son of a woman who taught me to always stand up for what I believe and express my opinions. And I have a platform and if people want to pay attention to what I have to say, that’s great, and if they don’t, I totally respect that too. In two weeks the elections will be over and we will all go back to our regular programming and everyone can calm down and relax.

You also went viral last week for a video of yours rocking out to the Grateful Dead. What was your reaction to that?

My first reaction was to be concerned because the internet is such a cesspool and I thought, wait a minute, I really hope that this private moment of intense joy at a concert is only received as such. And I’m happy to say that it has restored my faith in humanity. It was a happy moment and I hope it made people as happy as I was at that moment.

Will we see you again this year as host of “New Year’s Eve Live” with Anderson Cooper? And are you going to drink?

Yes! You bet. After what Anderson did during that hurricane, I’m not just giving him tequila, I’m throwing it at him.

This interview has been edited and condensed.