Andy Cohen reflects on his show's exclusion from a Vanity Fair photo shoot featuring male late-night hosts, highlighting its unique format and impact on the late-night conversation.
When Vanity Fair gathered 10 male late-night TV hosts for a photo shoot in 2015, Andy Cohen, host of "Watch What Happens Live," was noticeably absent. Cohen admitted to feeling "salty" about the omission, believing it discounted his show from the late-night conversation.
"I was very conscious that I wanted to be part of the late-night conversation," Cohen told Deadline, admitting the omission "kind of sucks." He blames the snub on the fact that he's not a comedian.
Despite its shorter duration and unconventional format, "Watch What Happens Live" has a loyal following, featuring a litany of A-list guests and creating headlines with its unscripted moments. Cohen attributes its success to its modern approach, which embraces reality TV stars and fosters conversations between diverse personalities. "I know what we're doing; I know what it means to people and I know what it means to me," Cohen said.
The show's uniqueness extends beyond its format. It has been led by the same host, Cohen, for longer than any of the current late-night talk shows, aside from the ones fronted by Jimmy Kimmel and Bill Maher.
It also has a showrunner, Deirdre Connolly, who has been with the show since its inception, and a director, Rocco Flammia, who has been involved for over ten years. Andy Cohen himself has decades of experience in television production, including as an executive at Bravo and a news producer at CBS.
"Watch What Happens Live" has faced moments of doubt, with Cohen himself contemplating leaving. However, he has found purpose in the show's ability to connect with viewers and provide a unique late-night experience. As the show celebrates its 15th anniversary and looks forward to its first Emmy nomination, Cohen expresses his gratitude for his "dream job" and the special connection it fosters with its audience.
