Guest Andy Cohen discusses his idyllic childhood in St. Louis, MO and how his love of soap operas prepared him for his career with Bravo. He also shares about his extensive career in journalism, his personal challenges as an openly gay man in the industry, and becoming a father through surrogacy. The hosts also discuss their own experiences and memories, including their admiration for Andy and upcoming celebrations of queer icons.
Andy Cohen's love of soap operas unknowingly prepared him for his role in creating the Real Housewives franchise.
Andy Cohen's journey to self-acceptance as an openly gay man shaped his perspective and the inclusivity of his media endeavors.
Andy Cohen's early career at CBS News laid the foundation for his success and sense of purpose in the entertainment industry.
Deep dives
The Birth of Real Housewives and Andy Cohen's Role
Andy Cohen, already a Bravo insider, starts blogging for the network and gets involved in the pop culture commentary. He suggests doing a live web show after Top Chef, which becomes Watch What Happens Live. Meanwhile, he takes a chance on a new reality show called Real Housewives, initially called Behind the Gates, which features women from a gated community in Orange County. With some initial struggles and creative adjustments, the show premieres to mixed reviews, but gains a dedicated following and becomes a cultural phenomenon.
Andy Cohen's Life and Struggles as a Closeted Gay Man
Growing up in St. Louis, Andy Cohen knew he was gay, but kept his sexuality a secret due to fear of rejection. He had limited exposure to the LGBTQ+ community and struggled with the connection between being gay and the AIDS crisis. He eventually came out to close friends and began exploring gay bars while studying abroad in London. Andy's journey to self-acceptance and living authentically shaped his perspective and drive to create a more inclusive media space.
From Behind the Camera to In Front of the Camera
Andy Cohen starts his career at CBS News, but feels emotionally disconnected from the stories he covers. He transitions to running programming at Bravo, where he starts as a blogger and gains a following. The opportunity to host a web show after Top Chef leads to the creation of Watch What Happens Live. Andy's engaging and gossipy style resonates with viewers, propelling him into the spotlight as a pop culture commentator and eventually as the iconic host of many Bravo shows.
Andy Cohen's Journey: From CBS to Bravo
Andy Cohen started his career at CBS, where he worked as a producer and had dreams of working for the CBS Evening News in New York. However, he ended up being assigned to CBS this morning and the consumer unit, which initially disappointed him. Despite his initial reservations, he quickly fell in love with the job and the people he worked with. He felt a sense of accomplishment and purpose in his work, and his experiences at CBS laid the foundation for his future career.
The Birth of Watch What Happens Live and the Real Housewives
After hosting the TV version of the Real Housewives of Orange County reunion, Andy Cohen was encouraged to host a show full time. This led to the creation of Watch What Happens Live, a late-night talk show that became a huge hit. Andy's involvement with the Real Housewives franchise also expanded, as he became more involved in casting and production. Today, Andy continues to host Watch What Happens Live, tour with Anderson Cooper, and serve as an executive producer for Bravo. His journey has been marked by passion, dedication, and the ability to connect with both celebrities and Bravo fans alike.
RE-RELEASE EPISODE: We're kicking off pride month with the king of Bravo and the king of our hearts, Andy Cohen. We know Andy as the father of the Real Housewives but in this episode we find out about his idyllic childhood in St. Louis, MO and how his love of soap operas were unknowingly prepping him for all things Housewives. We talk about Andy's extensive career as a producer/journalist at CBS before rising the ranks at Bravo and we delve into the personal life of Andy Cohen and the challenges he has faced along the way. From navigating his identity as an openly gay man in the media industry to becoming a father through surrogacy, we explore the impact of his personal experiences on his career and the broader cultural landscape. This is Andy Cohen.
Created and produced by Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo
