Andy Cohen talks about ‘difficult’ guests on Watch What Happens Live

Andy Cohen is often called the “King of Reality TV” and although he has interviewed plenty of stars over his impressive career, he said Newsweek that some were “difficult”.

Cohen is an Emmy Award-winning host, producer, and author, best known as host and executive producer. Look What’s happening live with Andy Cohen (WWHL), Bravo’s late-night interactive talk show.

Over the years it has had stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Mariah Carey and Snoop Dogg. WWHL— and some were easier to interview than others.

When asked if he found some guests difficult, Cohen replied: Newsweek: “Well, of course. Yes, all the time. Um… I mean, not all the time, but I mean yes and no. Everyone who comes to the show is there because they want to be there. I mean, some people are better suited for talk shows than others, but that’s okay.”

Cohen often makes headlines with bold interviews, and while he remains tight-lipped about who comes to mind, he talks about interviewing as an art form. “You’re going fishing,” he said.

The media personality is also a host and executive producer. Real Housewives a franchise that has become a cultural phenomenon. He developed a reputation for his straightforward, often humorous approach to interviews, especially during the band’s reunion specials. Housewives show where he mediates discussions and intense confrontations between the cast.

He has also played a significant role in the success of other Bravo reality shows such as Below Deck, Vanderpump Rules, Summer House And Southern Charm. Although he is not involved in the day-to-day production of these shows, Cohen is influential in shaping the network’s brand. He also often hosts special reunion events for these shows, where he gathers the cast to discuss the highs, lows and conflicts of the season.

Cohen explained that reunions are most effective when the cast is willing to air their grievances but also happy to move on once a resolution is reached.

“I think you know this is when reunions are at their best. There are people looking for ways to get together,” he explained.

“For the last couple of years, I’ve been setting intentions at the beginning of reunions, trying to see what other people want to get out of the day, and it feels good to be able to help people move in that direction.”

However, if any of the actors think they can hide from the drama, Cohen doesn’t let that happen, saying, “I don’t give them a choice not to address (anything). If this happened, they will treat it the way they address it, that’s their business.”

While he’s proud of all the shows he’s been a part of, the TV host admitted that he enjoys some reunions more than others. Shows where he’s not an executive producer make him feel a little more relaxed.

“I have to say Southern Charm And Summer House really fun because I kind of get into a mess that I don’t do with Housewives. I’m more confident and yes, it’s fun. But I mean that’s all Housewives (shows) I love, I just, I love drama, and that’s why they’re great. I love being there, I love being a part of it, I love provoking it,” he explained, before adding about Summer House reunion: “I feel like, no—I’m not the producer of the show, so I’m just watching it as a fan. My bets are less certain, I’m just a fan.”

While Cohen may have encounters that he enjoys the most, it is almost impossible for him to pick a favorite when it comes to Housewives franchise. He explained that they all hold a special place in his heart.

“They’re all really like asking, you know, I mean Orange County this is the first one New York was always the funniest thing to me, and now we’ve relaunched it with so much care and love, and it means something different,” he explained.

“We just rebooted Atlanta and it’s so great, this is the 16th season and, you know, I want them all to win and be successful, and I’m like I’m reaching for them all and just want to do everything in my power to make sure they win.

“I’m just looking at Housewives and we go so hard. There are currently 10 series on air, and they all resonate with people in different and very strong ways. I’m absolutely, you know, very optimistic about Housewives“

One of the reasons Cohen is so passionate about the shows he works on is not only the people who appear on them, but also the fact that these popular reality shows resemble a sociological study.

Despite the stigma associated with reality television, it can bring out the best and worst of society and show real people reacting to real situations. After all, these actors allow their lives to be seen by the public.

“I think that’s one of the reasons why (reality TV) still exists. People like to judge human behavior,” he said. Newsweek.

“And you know, it doesn’t make you feel guilty. It’s like not throwing a friend away. It’s like someone on television that you can love, love to hate, agree, disagree, be angry, be happy with. Because hatred. So there is a play factor, and I think that’s where sociology comes in.”

The sociological factor and the influence of parasocial relationships were incredibly evident when the Scandal broke out. For those who don’t Vanderpump Rules fans, Scandalous is the name given to the reality TV scandal when the cameras rolled again after Ariana Madix discovered that her boyfriend of nine years, Tom Sandoval, was having an affair with one of her best friends; Raquel Leviss.

The story broke the Internet and dominated the news cycle for months as viewers—and those affected—try to make sense of what happened.

“These are real people with real lives, real mistakes, and look as a TV producer, when something like this happens and you have cameras, yeah, of course you go, ‘Oh my God, this is incredibly dramatic, this is shocking!’ the docuseries is about everything you know,” Cohen explained.

“It was a scandal that had everything, and I think the most important thing is that people who weren’t watching said, ‘Why is this resonating?’ but these are people that we knew, you know, we watched the whole Tom and Arianna relationship from the very beginning, so you saw them being together for many, many years.

“It was like something you thought had strangely happened to your friends and you just couldn’t believe it.”

Andy Cohen came to London for the first time in history. Hayu FanFestwhich will take place on Saturday, October 26th. All panel discussions and fireside chats from Hayu FanFest will be recorded and released to subscribers on Hayu later.

Season 21 broadcast Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Hayu.