EXCLUSIVE: Renowned television host Andy Cohen recently transported his popular Watch What Happens Live club to the vibrant city of Miami for the highly-anticipated Bravo Fan Fest. Deadline seized the opportunity to chat with him and uncover the latest developments within the beloved The Real Housewives franchise.
It has been reported that The Real Housewives of Dubai has been officially placed on hold after two engaging seasons. This begs the question: is this hiatus a brief interlude or a more permanent state of affairs?
“I mean, a pause is a pause is a pause is a pause. But look, I love Dubai. I love what we built there,” Cohen remarked during his conversation with Deadline. “We’re looking at what we’re doing with Jersey. We had this Housewives drought [over the] summer, [which] everyone was complaining about, and I think it’s about getting the rollout so that it’s a steady stream and there’s the right amount [of shows].”
Cohen explained that The Real Housewives of New Jersey also faced a temporary stoppage following a season filled with dramatic tensions that led to a clear division among the cast—distinguishing Team Teresa Giudice from Team Melissa Gorga. Candidly, he stated that there’s no urgency in determining the future of RHONJ at this moment.
“We are taking our time. We are in no rush. We’re really gratified with what’s on the slate for next year,” Cohen elaborated. “For instance, the new Atlanta, which I’m seven episodes in of watching, it’s outstanding. I’m so excited for people to see this, and they’re going to see it early next year.”
He continued enthusiastically, “Miami is in the middle of shooting an absolute blow-away season. We’re coming off of one of the most popular seasons of Orange County that we’ve ever had. I think that’s 16 or 17 years into that series. So things are really good in Housewives world. We’re just being extra careful because we want everything to succeed.”
Cohen expressed optimism about the new New York cast, noting, “I think there are a lot of interesting personal stories with the women in the new New York. I think the group dynamic is a little bit of a challenge this season. I think the rap on the group in Season 1 was, ‘Oh, there’s not a lot of history there.’ The interesting thing about them this season is they hang out a lot and they are a cohesive group.”
“One of the growth areas is that a lot happens off camera, and that’s for a housewife show, you need everything to happen on camera,” he elucidated. He affirmed, “I really believe in this group of women. I think they’re very aspirational. I think they’re fun to watch. I think the clothes and the window into a different kind of New York is all what we wanted it to be.”
Cohen candidly acknowledged his fondness for the original RHONY, stating, “We had 13 great seasons, plus a girls trip with that group of women, which is an incredible accomplishment. A lot changed, a lot shifted in [their] world and in life—[for instance], Sonja [Morgan] is now living in Florida, Ramona [Singer] basically lives in Florida. Things have shifted.”
“So with this group of RHONY, we’re kind of looking to the future with them. I loved the original, but this is a new group,” Cohen emphasized regarding the fresh cast.
Addressing the choice to rebrand the new RHONY and restart from Season 1 instead of continuing with Season 14, Cohen explained, “I think you have a really great IP, and it is The Real Housewives of New York. None of that was ever a consideration. We just felt like, ‘Okay, well, this is the Real Housewives of New York.’”
This week, Deadline reported that Comcast has opted to spin off several of its cable networks, making an exception for Bravo. This shift signals a notable endorsement of Bravo’s strong brand presence and its broad appeal, which have paved the way for successful events like BravoCon and Bravo Fan Fest in Miami.
“That’s exactly how I viewed it. I was like, ‘What a tremendous vote of confidence in something that we built.’ And I think it makes really good sense,” he articulated. “We have an incredible partnership with Peacock, and it seems like Peacock is a very sticky home for our programming. It makes sense, given the passion for the Bravo brand that there is a streamer like Peacock that they can feed each other, basically, and so I think that makes great sense. I’m relieved because I think the Peacock-Bravo partnership is really strong. So I’m relieved in that sense, and I’m also gratified that the overlords felt that this was worth being in this portfolio.”
With the rise of streaming as the dominant platform for TV consumption, Cohen noted that the metrics used to gauge success have dramatically changed since the inception of The Real Housewives franchise. He addressed the fervor surrounding overnight ratings among dedicated fans on social media, questioning their relevance to the network as a whole.
“So funny that you say that – I was just fishing around Twitter, and there were fans posting about the overnights for the shows,” Cohen remarked. “Let me put it to you this way – anytime I ask the folks at Bravo, ‘Hey, let’s talk about those overnights,’ [Bravo will] say, ‘Let’s wait because this is not what we’re measured by at this point.’ I think it’s important to look at the bigger picture, which is that the viewership for this portfolio of shows is really big. They’re just watching it differently.”
**What are the potential future plans for The Real Housewives of Dubai?**
**Interview with Andy Cohen: The Future of the Real Housewives Franchise**
*Deadline: Andy, thank you for joining us today! You’ve recently moved your Watch What Happens Live club to Miami for Bravo Fan Fest. What can you tell us about the energy surrounding the event this year?*
**Andy Cohen:** It’s absolutely electric! The fans are eager and excited, and it’s great to celebrate our shows and the community that’s formed around them. Miami has a unique vibe that matches the enthusiasm of our audience, so it’s been a blast.
*Deadline: Recently, it has been reported that The Real Housewives of Dubai has been placed on hold after two seasons. Is this a permanent decision or just a temporary hiatus?*
**Andy Cohen:** A pause is a pause! I really loved what we built in Dubai and I’m hopeful about the future. We’re just reevaluating where we want to focus our energies. With all the buzz and creativity surrounding our franchises, we’re looking to ensure a steady stream of quality content, which is essential.
*Deadline: Speaking of other franchises, there’s been a noticeable shift in The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Can you explain what led to this decision?*
**Andy Cohen:** Sure! RHONJ had a turbulent season with clear divisions among the cast, which impacted the overall dynamic. Right now, we’re taking our time to figure out the best approach for the future. There’s no urgency; we want to make sure we get it right.
*Deadline: You mentioned the new season of RHONY. What’s different about this cast compared to the original?*
**Andy Cohen:** This new group brings fresh stories and experiences to the table. They hang out together a lot, and their cohesion is really starting to show. It’s a challenge, sure, but that’s the essence of any Housewives show. We want the drama to unfold on camera, and I believe this group has the potential to pull it off.
*Deadline: Many fans have nostalgic feelings for the original RHONY. How do you balance that connection while also introducing this new cast?*
**Andy Cohen:** The original RHONY was foundational, and I cherish those seasons deeply. But this new group represents the future. We’re moving forward while acknowledging the incredible legacy of the show. It’s exciting to explore new dynamics while still delivering the essence of what fans love about the franchise.
*Deadline: Bravo has been making headlines lately with Comcast’s recent decision to not spin it off. What does this say about Bravo’s brand and its future?*
**Andy Cohen:** It’s a strong endorsement! Bravo has built a solid brand presence and shown broad appeal. Events like BravoCon reflect that connection with our audience. We’re committed to creating content that resonates with viewers, and this decision only solidifies our place in the industry.
*Deadline: what’s next for you and the Housewives franchise?*
**Andy Cohen:** We have a lot to look forward to—exciting new seasons, captivating stories, and, of course, delivering the entertainment that fans crave. I’m particularly excited about the new season of Atlanta—I’ve seen seven episodes, and it’s outstanding! We’re just being extra careful; we want to ensure everything we release succeeds.
*Deadline: Thank you, Andy! We can’t wait to see what’s in store for Bravo and the Real Housewives franchise!*
**Andy Cohen:** Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to share what’s coming up. Stay tuned!