Kathy Griffin expressed her belief that some “Housewives” are fearful of Andy Cohen because he wields significant power over their careers within the Bravo franchise. On the “Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel” podcast, Griffin mentioned that many of the women on the show have faced legal troubles like DUIs and prison time, which may add to their fear of Cohen.
Amid a lawsuit from former “Real Housewives of New York City” star Leah McSweeney, who accused Cohen of taking advantage of her alcoholism, Griffin stated that she believes reality TV producers push stars to consume alcohol heavily. While she doesn’t think Cohen personally serves the drinks, Griffin feels that encouraging the consumption of alcohol wouldn’t be surprising given the dramatic nature of the show.
Griffin noted that the pressure for “Housewives” to create drama in order to keep their positions on the show can lead to excessive drinking. She mentioned that not engaging in dramatic behavior could result in being fired, which may explain why some cast members feel compelled to manufacture drama in their interactions.
The crafted drama produced for reality TV has had serious consequences for many “Housewives,” according to Griffin. The lawsuit from McSweeney, who alleged that Cohen and the network attempted to trigger a relapse and destabilize her mentally for the cameras, showcases the negative impact that the pressure to perform on the show can have on the stars.
McSweeney’s lawsuit claims also include accusations of Cohen engaging in drug use, specifically cocaine, with some of his favorite “Housewives.” A representative for Cohen refuted these claims as entirely false. Griffin herself had previously accused Cohen of offering her cocaine prior to appearing on his show, “Watch What Happens Live,” suggesting a pattern of behavior involving substance use within the Bravo network.
Overall, Griffin’s comments shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics within the Bravo reality TV franchise, including the potentially toxic nature of the pressure on “Housewives” to create drama and the alleged role of producers and Cohen in encouraging behavior that may not always be in the best interest of the stars. The lawsuit from McSweeney and the accusations made by Griffin highlight the challenges faced by reality TV personalities and the potential risks of participating in such high-pressure environments.
