Andy Cohen Reveals Why He Didn’t Want Bethenny Frankel On ‘RHONY,’ She Takes Credit For Lisa Rinna’s Role On ‘RHOBH’ [VIDEO]
Andy Cohen recently taped a special episode of Watch What Happens Live, which featured Bethenny Frankel of The Real Housewives of New York City as the host, while he served as a guest.
During a sneak peek at the episode on May 20 via E! News, Andy Cohen admitted he nearly passed on having Frankel be a part of the cast because she had previously starred on NBC’s The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.
“Initially, when I saw the first casting of New York, I was reticent about you because you had been on The Apprentice.”
Ultimately, Andy Cohen moved forward with Frankel, but when it came to two black women, he claimed their deal fell through. However, during the upcoming eighth season of the show, Cohen said he would like to add some diversity, and Frankel hopes he will.
“We almost had an amazing black woman…Anyway, they fell through, so maybe next season.”
As for the women of other franchises, Andy Cohen said he’s passed on a number of ladies who have gone on to be “big reality names,” one of which Frankel took credit for.
“I take responsibility for Lisa Rinna being on, because you thought you didn’t care for her,” Frankel told Andy Cohen, who admitted he was initially unsure of Rinna’s role on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
“On the first season of Beverly Hills, I thought, ‘I don’t see it.’ It’s weird. It’s not what this show is, but then, last year, I wanted her on.”
According to Frankel, she believed Rinna would be perfect for the show, and at this point, after seeing her interact with the women during season five, Andy Cohen agreed.
Speaking to E! News about her excitement in taking the host seat on Watch What Happens Live, Frankel released the following statement.
“It was so relaxed and comfortable interviewing Andy. I really wanted it to be an impromptu and natural kind of conversation and it turns out, Andy is as equally amazing as a guest as he is a host. How fun it was to be able to have an open and honest conversation with no agenda except curiosity and fun.”
As the Inquisitr previously reported, Rinna was a hit on season five of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but Lisa claims she has yet to hear from Andy Cohen in regard to season six.
“@ThePatrickk: @lisarinna ARE YOU COMING BACK NEXT SEASON?” Haven’t been asked don’t know.
— lisa rinna (@lisarinna) May 19, 2015
For more Andy Cohen, tune into Watch What Happens Live on weeknights at 11 p.m. on Bravo and don’t miss Frankel’s special episode on May 26 at 10 p.m.
[Photo via Twitter]
