Andy Cohen got candid about how the production of the Real Housewives franchise has changed drastically over the years.
The Bravo boss, 55, who was named in an explosive lawsuit against the network by RHONY alum Leah McSweeney, said that since they launched the franchise more than 15 years ago, the creators have had to quickly adapt to the changing cultural panorama.
“Producing a show about politically incorrect women in 2024 is different than producing a show about politically incorrect women in 2009,” the TV host said. The Hollywood Reporter in a wide-ranging interview published Wednesday.
“We now live in a culture of outrage and everyone has had to adapt to it,” he continued.
Cohen added that the “sensitivity” of viewers has been heightened and attributes this change to the widespread influence of social media.
Andy Cohen was candid about how the production of the Real Housewives franchise has changed drastically over the years; seen in 2022
The Bravo boss, 55, said that since the franchise launched more than 15 years ago, creators have had to quickly adapt to the changing cultural landscape; seen with Housewives in 2018
‘Sensitivities have changed over the years. Social networks have a great impact. “Nowadays there is not much room for nuances,” he added.
When asked about criticism that Bravo has been slow to adapt, such as diversifying its casts, Andy expressed pride in the network’s efforts to ensure shows accurately reflect the country’s demographics.
He even acknowledged the death of George Floyd in 2020 as a catalyst for change.
“George Floyd was a major cultural shift that forced us to look at all of our programming,” he said, noting that he is no longer in charge of programming.
‘Bravo set out to diversify his shows. I mean, they had a show, Summer House, that was like a group of white people in the Hamptons. Southern Charm was a group of whites who hunted cats in Charleston. They thought, ‘Why are many programs so segregated?’
‘They decided that there needed to be more representation across the dial. And they did.’
Cohen was also asked about McSweeney’s lawsuit alleging that he and the entire network fostered a “rotten” work culture and that he and other producers constantly encouraged them to drink alcohol while filming.
A representative for Cohen previously told Dailymail.com that “the allegations against Andy are completely false.”
“Producing a show about politically incorrect women in 2024 is different than producing a show about politically incorrect women in 2009,” the TV host told The Hollywood Reporter in a wide-ranging interview published Wednesday; seen in 2009
“We now live in a culture of outrage and everyone has had to adapt to it,” he continued; seen in 2016
‘Sensitivities have changed over the years. Social networks have a great impact. Nowadays there is not much room for nuances », he added; seen at RHOBH reunion in 2023
In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Andy said his lawyers advised him not to respond to certain allegations. However, he emphasized that no one is forced to consume alcohol during production.
“What I will say about alcohol is that we have a lot of sober people and people who have become sober on the show, like Countess Luann (de Lesseps),” he explained.
‘We have people who have never drunk during the whole show. Jill Zarin. Kandi Burris. Heather Dubrow will only have a glass of champagne once in a while. So there are surely people who drink. There are many people who never drink.
‘We don’t force anyone to do anything. But no one secretly hides liquor bottles on set. That’s ridiculous. “We have been very supportive of people’s sobriety.”
Amid these recent allegations against Bravo, including sexual harassment allegations from former Housewives Brandi Glanville and Caroline Manzo, Bethenny Frankel continues to criticize the network for fostering a toxic environment for women.
Leah McSweeney’s lawsuit alleges that Andy and the entire network fostered a “rotten” work culture and that he and other producers constantly encouraged them to drink alcohol while filming; Leah and Andy spotted in 2021
Andy called the criticism, including the attack from Bethenny Frankel (pictured), “hurtful” and stated that he has no regrets about the way he has handled himself during his tenure at Bravo.
Andy called the criticism “hurtful” and stated that he has no regrets about the way he has behaved during his years on Bravo.
‘I am incredibly proud of the close relationships I have built in my 20 years at the network. I am very proud of what we have built and everyone who has been a part of it. “I think most of the people involved in these programs have been very grateful to the platform, but there will always be some who complain,” he stated.
‘Obviously, it’s no fun being a target. So yes, it is painful. But I don’t regret the way I’ve handled anything. I believe that everything that happens in your life informs the next thing that happens in your life.
‘That’s how I see all of this. I know what the truth is and I know how I have behaved, and I stand firm in that sense every day.’