Bravo Renews Andy Cohen’s ‘WWHL’ and Other Hit Shows, Says Misconduct Claims Against Him Are ‘Unsubstantiated’ After Investigation
Before NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation in New York City next week, Bravo has announced that it’s renewing a slew of its shows: 15 in total. Among the renewals is its nightly talk show “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” putting to rest any speculation that the network is looking to cut ties with Cohen after his being named in a lawsuit against the company by former “Real Housewives of New York City” cast member Leah McSweeney. Brandi Glanville, formerly of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” had also made legal threats against Cohen.
Cohen, the face of the Bravo, and an executive producer of the “Real Housewives” franchise, will remain so. A spokesperson for Bravo told Variety: “The outside investigation into the recent allegations made by Brandi Glanville and Leah McSweeney against Andy Cohen has now been completed, and the claims were found to be unsubstantiated.”
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Among Bravo’s other renewals is the hit freshman show “The Valley,” a spinoff of “Vanderpump Rules,” which premiered in March. And “Summer House,” currently airing Season 8 — revolving around the broken engagement of longtime castmates Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke, which the audience knows is coming — has also been renewed, especially since it’s “having its most-watched season in the show’s eight-year history,” according to the press release.
Also renewed — though many of these are foregone conclusions, since they’re either currently in production, are about to be, or recently completed filming — are: “Married to Medicine,” “Top Chef,” “Southern Charm,” “Southern Hospitality,” “Below Deck,” “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” “The Real Housewives of Miami,” “The Real Housewives of New York City,” “The Real Housewives of Potomac” and “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.”
And the upcoming season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” which will begin filming soon, just got more interesting: Longtime cast member Dorit Kemlsey this afternoon announced on Instagram that she and her husband P.K. have “made the mutual and difficult decision to take some time apart.” (Kemsley’s position on the show was thought to be in jeopardy, amid the ever-growing onslaught of tabloid headlines about the state of her marriage.)
Bravo also has ordered two new shows. “Making It in Manhattan,” a working title, is, according to its logline, “an unscripted series that follows a tight-knit group of friends in New York City as they navigate the trials and triumphs of young adulthood.” And “On Safari,” also a working title, “is set in the heart of the South African Bush and explores the spectacular world of the most luxurious safari experiences, and the international group of guides who create once-in-a-lifetime moments for their adventure seeking clientele.”
Peacock, NBCU’s streaming service, has clearly helped bolster Bravo’s dominance in the unscripted space. In an interview with Variety last year, Frances Berwick, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, said that since Bravo’s shows began premiering the next day on Peacock, roughly 90% of their ratings were up year over year.
The NBCU press release confirmed this statistic, stating: “Nearly every Bravo show that has premiered since December 2022 has seen year-over-year growth, and 2023 ranks as Bravo’s best year ever on Peacock, the official streaming home of the network.”
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