I’m ambivalent towards Andy Cohen. Sure, I used to watch a few of the Housewives franchises, and I still occasionally tune in to “Watch What Happens Live” because he sometimes manages to get amazing guests.  It kills me when they are completely irritated by his questions and personality (Debra Winger); non-plussed by him (John Cougar) or a subject of his dismissiveness/quick-move-ons (Ryan O’Connell or any other gay that he doesn’t gush over). Great guests SOMETIMES, but his show is getting painful to watch when it’s filled with “Bravolebrities” taking up air or he has Oscar winning guests like Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Julia Roberts, Whoopi Goldberg, Rita Moreno, etc. but always must insert himself, makes them participate in something stupid that promotes a Bravo show and/or cuts them off from an interesting anecdote.  I know he calls his show “short attention span theater”, but it’s turning into Cringe Channel. 

But I’ve read all his books.  Maybe the books are what make me flicker hot and cold on him; the insights into his personality tend to highlight his propensity towards indulgences such as junk food, booze, social media, name-dropping and clout chasing. At least he is self-aware enough to title one of them “Superficial”. I find it amusing and self-aggrandizing to hear his constant referrals to himself as being a power top on his own show, his sideways glances to his PA (?) off-camera whenever there’s a cute male video caller and commenting to guests about not being a fan of or really understanding monogamy.  None of these things are bad in and of themselves and they’re all part of human nature.  But he has mentioned more than once that gay men (especially those in San Francisco) have never really been his fan base and that they take a disliking towards him.  Having seen him in person (5/19/2023) at The Sydney Goldstein Theater in San Francisco while promoting his book “Daddy Diaries”, I can see why he said that.   

The audience was VASTLY comprised of women, with a handful of gays and the bulk of the questions/discussions were focused on Vanderpump Rules and the Scandoval incident.  During Andy’s interview, there were times when he was charming, abrasive, cute, abrupt, a political proponent, vulnerable, dismissive, and likeable and … not.  I give him vast credit for advancing the Bravosphere and his climbing the ranks.  But I can see how gay fans run hot and cold for him.  Especially since I have heard multiple 1st hand encounters with Andy in person (West Hollywood and San Francisco) that all allegedly have the same theme – he’s perhaps (again, allegedly) more than a little tipsy, dismissive, and rude to some fans, but chasing and fawning after the younger ones.  When I first became aware of Andy Cohen, WAY back in the day, I remember during an early housewife’s reunion, thinking “That guy’s handsome, and I think he's gay”.  Now I just think of the guy on TV that might be a little full of himself, and says he slides into guy’s DM’s with a “fire emoji”. I guess he’s no different than any other person of power who is in pursuit of life’s pleasures. Famous Silver Daddy Privilege. Get it, Andy! 

I have his autograph, because I found 3 of his signed books at Thrift Stores - and “Daddy Diaries” (with pre-signed bookplate) came with the in-person interview.  Since he has mentioned her so much, I asked him during the Q&A “When will Madonna be on WWHL?” Quickly and abruptly, he said “When she says yes”.  OK – that was obvi; I shouldn’t have asked.  This exact topic was brought up few weeks later when he was talking with Howard Stern – and he showed a text screenshot where Madonna said to Andy: “Stop having people trash me on your show”. Very funny, because he is so obsessed with her that he asks people who have any connection to talk about her, and that’s where the “trash” talk comes – if they have something negative to say (e.g. Patti Lupone re: Evita – HA!).  So yes, he DOES elicit it, by hoping to get juicy pieces of good Madonna gossip.  

A long-time female friend was my houseguest and I asked if she wanted to watch something on TV; I assumed and said “You’re a Bravo fan? Maybe Andy Cohen has a good guest on WWHL?”  She made a face and said “No! He’s slimy.”  Oh, so it’s not just me.  And I guess Brandi Glanville thinks so too, since she’s suing him for sexual harassment. 

But I’ll let the actual words of Madonna sum it up.  “If you say one more bad thing about me on your show” (she said to a front-row Andy at her December 2023 concert) ….“Oh yeah, you’re gonna be in so much trouble. You little troublemaking queen!!” 

Mic drop.