Gregory Pace/Shutterstock; Mediapunch/Shutterstock
Andy Cohen Seemingly Regrets ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Firings: It Would’ve Been ‘More Interesting’ If They Stayed
He would’ve done things differently. Bravo boss Andy Cohen opened up about the shocking slew of Vanderpump Rules firings in June 2020, which included longtime stars Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute as well as newcomers Brett Caprioni and Max Boyens.
The executive producer, 52, called the firings “decisions for that moment” in a New York Times profile published on Wednesday, December 30. However, the Watch What Happens Live host noted he would have preferred the reality stars to work through their issues and learn their lesson on camera rather than cut short their storylines.
“It’s more interesting to sit in the moment with people that you have a rooting interest in and watch them find their way than it is just turning out the lights and forgetting it existed,” the Bravo star explained to the outlet.
Andy also touched on former cast members Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright‘s wedding, which was surrounded by controversy when it was discovered their chosen pastor had allegedly made controversial remarks regarding the LGBTQ community.
“It didn’t seem so shocking to me that someone’s family pastor in Kentucky was homophobic,” Andy explained. “I’m not condoning homophobia. I’m saying it exists.” He went on to add that the network has “been able to build a big tent” when it comes to housing a variety of points of view — but that it has led to calls for the cancellation of several different shows.
One such series is Southern Charm, which has been a staple for the channel for seven seasons since its debut in 2014. “Why shouldn’t it be on?” the Missouri native asked. “Do we want to cancel the South?”
However, Andy did mention on his SiriusXM radio show “Radio Andy” that he “absolutely” agreed with the network’s decision in the days following the news of the firings, adding it was the “right” thing to do. Stassi, 32, Kristen, 37, Brett, 32 and Max, 27, have all since apologized for their past behaviors and comments.
In August, he opened up about his personal feelings toward the casting cuts, particularly Stassi and Kristen’s departures. “I’m going to miss both of them a lot on the show,” Andy told Us Weekly at the time. “However it ended, you cannot take away how important the two of them have been to that show.”
