Call Her Daddy – “Andy Cohen: The King of Bravo”

Host: Alex Cooper | Guest: Andy Cohen | Date: October 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Call Her Daddy features Bravo’s kingpin Andy Cohen, legendary executive producer, host of “Watch What Happens Live,” and creator of the Real Housewives empire. Alex Cooper dives into Andy’s personal life, his journey to television stardom, behind-the-scenes Bravo drama, and all things Housewives. Candid, fun, and laced with insider tea, it’s a must-listen for Bravo devotees and pop culture lovers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “Daddy” in Sex, Identity, and Power

• Andy opens with a cheeky discussion about the “Daddy” moniker in gay and straight culture.
  • Andy: “Gay guys during sex, sometimes like to call the other guy Daddy. Do straight guys ever call girls mommy during sex, or is that creepy?” (02:17)
  • Alex: “If a man called me mommy in the bedroom…it would be divorce or a breakup.” (03:12)
• Andy shares that he’s been called “Daddy” sexually, but prefers it as a term of respect and authority outside the bedroom:
  • “If your fucking pants are down and your dick is out, I don’t want it. Matt has never called me that and I love that for me.” (04:16)

2. Embracing Change: Andy’s Health Journey & Hair Transformation

• Andy discusses body and hair changes, his decision to grow it out, and recent weight loss:
  • “I have a full head of hair… I usually grow it out every summer because I get into a beach vibe.” (06:00)
  • “This summer, lost weight—when your face is thinner, you can carry off longer hair better.” (06:32)
  • “At the beginning in May, I couldn’t button my suits. I was at an all-time high…I didn’t feel good about myself.” (07:15)

3. Professional Picky vs. Personal Low Maintenance

• Andy claims he’s “the lowest” maintenance in daily life but professionally “very picky” about show quality, production details, and travel comfort.
  • “I’m a man of taste. I’m very picky about things like hotels, how my show is produced.” (08:38)

4. The Art of the Interview & Celebrity Blacklist

• On what it takes to be blacklisted from “Watch What Happens Live”:
  • “There’s a short list…People who’ve not been nice to my staff—that’ll get you on the list.” (10:26)
  • “People who have so many stipulations—like, we’re not gonna do this.” (11:14)

5. Milestones & The Andy Cohen “Daddy” Tagline

• Andy marks 10 years at Sirius XM and shares his “Housewives”–inspired tagline:
  • “I’m a father of two, but a daddy to many.” (09:24)
• On embodying “Daddy” energy: “I take care of people. I am decisive. I’m a little bossy. I’m a top. I’m pretty opinionated. I like to be in control.” (09:37)

6. “Confess or Text” Game (15:41)

Notable Segments:

• Refused to answer how much money he made last year:
  • “I’m in a position in my life where I’m making money that is totally—there’s an incredible, incredible wage inequity… It is not fair.” (15:59)
• Texted Lisa Vanderpump: “We’re going to shake up the Beverly Hills cast. Who do you think I should cut next season? What’s it going to take to get you back on Housewives?” (16:32)
• Reveals he’s never had plastic surgery, a bit of Botox only, and lost 25 pounds this year.
  • “If I do have something done, I’m immediately going to talk about it, because I ask every housewife.” (19:40)

7. Coming Out & BU Years

• Andy shares gay life in the late ‘80s, going to BU to avoid being “found out,” and college in the era of AIDS:
  • “I wanted to be able to disappear in a world…I was super scared of the fraternal system, which I now am understanding is where all of the gay sex happens.” (24:10)
  • On his parents: “They were great… But it was a totally different time. There were not many gay people on TV.” (25:43)
  • Memorable quote:
    • “Mom said, ‘I’m really mourning the loss of the life I wanted for you.’… I said, ‘Well, I could still be a dad.’ And I didn’t believe it when I said it.” (26:00)

8. Early Television Days & Career Pivot

• Started at CBS News, was told he’d “never be on TV” due to “crossed eyes.”
  • “I came up at a time where it was totally legal to say shitty things to everybody to their face… I feel tougher as a result of it.” (29:08)
• Learned TV production (Trio, then Bravo), blogged behind-the-scenes, and parlayed it into on-air roles:
  • “I started emailing my bosses dishy, behind-the-scenes stuff… My blog turned into a show. That’s how Watch What Happens started.” (34:21)

9. Real Housewives: The Origin Story

• Sharing the origin:
  • “Scott Dunlop brought us a tape of the women…Vicki had a grotto in her backyard, but she was an insurance agent…If this goes away, I won’t be so upset. It seemed like it wasn’t going to [happen]. [My boss] was like, let’s do it. Let’s stay with it…Can you imagine? My whole life has been made on this show. I owe these women everything.” (40:23–43:20)

10. Feminists & Housewives

• On Queen Gloria Steinem calling Housewives “a minstrel show for women”:
  • Andy: “I know more feminists who love this show…But that debate with Gloria Steinem? Maybe not my smartest moment.” (44:11)

11. Reunions: Preparation, Patience, and Going Feral

• Prepping today is more chill: “I drop my kids off at school, bring three ties, and go. I’m so ready.” (48:25)
• Sometimes he “loses it” on Housewives: “I don’t like screaming at women. It’s a bad look…But sometimes the only way I can get people to be quiet is to literally go crazy.” (50:03)
• On notorious interrupters: “Lisa Barlow, Teresa [Giudice]… Dr. Simone. Love you, Toya…No disrespect.” (51:17)

12. Love Island Reunion & Dealing with Intense Fandom

• On hosting Love Island’s reunion and the difference from Bravo’s crowd:
  • “People were upset that I was asking Huda about her dating life. You were just on a reality show about your dating life! If anything’s fair game, it’s me asking who you’re dating now.” (53:19–56:39)
  • He confirms: “I watched every fucking episode. Not gonna host something as important as the Love Island reunion and not watch the season… I take my job seriously.” (57:36–58:03)

13. Relationships, Dating, and Friendships

• Ongoing friendship rumors with John Mayer:
  • “We always sit on the same side of the booth…We love each other deeply. …If I could find a gay guy that was him, it would be magic. But I’m so grateful for the love we have.” (64:20–65:15)
• Anderson Cooper:
  • “I made the fatal mistake—I was like, ‘So Gloria Vanderbilt is your mom?’…We wound up becoming really good friends.” (66:05)
• On the apps: “I’m on every app. I’ve gotten kicked off Grindr …for impersonating myself.” (67:29–68:02)
• Type: “It’s about a vibe. …I like strong, independent, smart, has their own thing going. …Interesting—I’ve hooked up with people who don’t watch Housewives.” (70:58–71:44)
• Longest relationship: “Three years, I’m embarrassed to say. …I like being single, and having kids later in life was the greatest thing I’ve ever done.” (71:51–72:17)

14. Iconic Housewives & Bravo Questions

Rapid Fire (59:03–62:00):

• Hottest current Househusband: “Angel, new Potomac housewife’s husband, former NFL player.” (59:03)
• Cast member he couldn't get: “Erica [Reid], L.A. Reid's wife, was the one who got away for Roni for years.” (59:45)
• Biggest Bravo douchebag: “Me.” (60:56)
• Most iconic Bravo moment: “We got the yacht!” (61:16)
• Best Housewives song: “Candace Dillard Bassett’s ‘Drive Back’—but I love Good as Gold, don’t come for Good as Gold!” (61:22–61:41)

15. Plead the Fifth & Word Associations

• Thirstiest celebrity: “I mean this with total love—and I love her—Brittany on Salt Lake City.” (74:05)
• Which Housewives couple is headed for divorce: “I have no idea…I’m still getting over Kyle and Mauricio.” (74:23)
• Who should replace Andy: “I always kind of thought either Jerry O’Connell or Jeff Lewis—but I’m not going anywhere.” (74:44–75:15)
• Word associations:
  • Nicole Kidman: “Living.”
  • Bad Bunny: “Yes. Yes. He’s an American, you fucking idiots. Puerto Rico is in America.” (72:43)
  • Ketamine: “Never done it…I am the only gay man on the planet that has never done [ketamine]… Well, Amy Sedaris and I did nasal ketamine once before the Polo Bar…” (73:20)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On his unique career path:
  • “Not getting that [Logo] job saved my life. I wouldn’t be calling you Daddy if I got that job, dude.” (33:36)
  • “I wasn’t so full of myself to believe—I wasn’t getting high on my own fumes.” (36:02)
• On reality TV’s impact:
  • “I owe these women everything and this show. …My whole life has been made on this show.” (43:20)
• On being a father:
  • “Having kids later in life was like, the greatest thing I’ve ever done.” (72:06)
• Lisa Vanderpump’s reply:
  • Andy texts Lisa: “Shaking up BH cast—who should we part ways with?” Lisa: “All of them.” (76:47)

Episode Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:17] – The “Daddy” discussion: sex, power, and gendered language
• [06:00] – Andy’s hair/health journey
• [10:26] – Blacklisting celebrities from Watch What Happens Live
• [15:41] – “Confess or Text” game
• [24:10] – Coming out and college years
• [34:21] – How Andy got on camera at Bravo
• [40:23] – Real Housewives origin story
• [44:11] – Gloria Steinem, feminism, and Housewives
• [48:25] – Reunions: preparation and patience tested
• [51:17] – Who interrupts most at reunions
• [53:19] – Hosting Love Island Reunions, fan reaction
• [57:36] – Andy confirms he watched all of Love Island
• [59:03] – Bravo rapid fire: husbands, feuds, and more
• [64:20] – John Mayer friendship rumors
• [67:29] – Andy’s dating app experiences
• [70:58] – Andy’s “type” and dating philosophy
• [74:05] – “Plead the Fifth” (thirstiest celeb, divorcing couple, possible successors)
• [76:47] – Lisa Vanderpump texts back: “All of them.”

Tone & Closing

The energy is open, hilarious, and unfiltered—exactly what the Daddy Gang expects. Andy Cohen is as transparent, witty, and self-deprecating as ever, offering a blend of humble life lessons and Bravo kingdom secrets. The conversation is playful (“Do you think you’re secretly in love with John Mayer?”), but also laced with moving reflections on coming out and career resilience. Alex wraps the episode with admiration and a promise to have Andy back for a future “Call Her Mommy” parenting installment.

This summary captures the heart, humor, and headline-making moments of Andy Cohen’s sit-down on “Call Her Daddy”—perfect for Bravo fans, aspiring TV execs, and anyone who loves a smart, spicy deep-dive.