Andy Cohen's Lessons from 'Getting Burned': Scaling Back 'Personal' Interview Questions
Andy Cohen reveals how he has fine-tuned his interview style on 'Watch What Happens Live' after facing backlash from celebrities, leading him to scale back on personal questions Gain insights into his journey of learning and adapting in this revealing article
Andy Cohen isn't shy about asking the hard questions on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.
"I think that sometimes when you do or say something that gets picked up everywhere, it's initially very jarring," Cohen, 55, told Today for its latest cover story published on Wednesday, November 29. "It's scary. So, I think I've gotten way better at knowing what the line is. And I think it's from sometimes getting burned."
Since 2009, Cohen has been the host of WWHL on Bravo, where he has interviewed a wide range of guests, from Bravolebrities to A-listers such as Jennifer Lopez.
"I've been asking Real Housewives incredibly personal and direct questions for years," he joked. "I feel like that was my training ground for then turning to J. Lo and asking, 'Why were you texting on your phone during Mariah Carey's performance?' The show is known for being a place for unfiltered, unexpected fun."
If Cohen ever takes a line of questioning too far, both the audience and WWHL will not hesitate to call him out. "I've had guests turn on me during the show," he remembered. "It's authentic and makes for interesting TV, and I think that's why people enjoy the show. I've had guests get really angry with me, but I've also had many Kardashians say, 'I'm glad we discussed that.'"
Andy Cohen. Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
Cohen faced backlash after praising The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania for her weight loss using Ozempic. Social media users criticized him for endorsing the controversial weight loss drug. Cohen later clarified that he has been careful to avoid praising weight loss, emphasizing that he believes true beauty should not be defined by thinness.
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Cohen has also applied the lessons from his interviews to his role as an emcee on Bravo’s reality TV reunion specials. “I believe I have become more at ease and outspoken in the past few years, honestly, sharing my thoughts and opinions,” he said in an interview with Today. He mentioned that he doesn’t see many other hosts who could step into his shoes. “There are a few people that I think would do really well, but some of them have very strong opinions. And if the Housewives shows are still running, you have to find a way to be somewhat independent if you’re going to be sitting down with Housewives that you’ve been very vocal about not liking.”
