Andy Cohen is rolling out the red carpet of nostalgia as he looks back at 15 wild and wacky years of “Watch What Happens Live.”
In a new interview, the 56-year-old TV maestro reminisced about the roller coaster ride that is his career, while popping the champagne for the 15th birthday of his Bravo late-night circus.
Now, grab your popcorn because Andy spilled the tea on one of his “few regrets” – and yes, it involves the queen herself, Oprah Winfrey. Buckle up.
Flashback to 2013: Oprah, a sprightly 70, graced the WWHL set. Andy, ever the cheeky devil, decided to dive straight into the deep end of the lady pond. No, really. He asked Oprah if she’s ever taken a dip in the lady pond. Translation: has she ever had a romantic rendezvous with another woman?
“I really thought I was being classy, asking Oprah a ‘classic’ WWHL question,” Andy confessed to ET, probably while hiding under a table. “But yeah, that’s definitely a top regret.”
Oprah, in all her regal glory, didn’t miss a beat. She looked Andy dead in the eye and said, “No, I have not. Thank you.” And you could practically hear the crickets and Andy’s internal screaming.
“It was such an honor having Oprah on the show,” Andy mused. “And then I go and ask her about lady ponds. Seriously, could I not just enjoy the moment?”
But here’s where it gets juicier. Post-interview, Oprah didn’t unleash a tornado of side-eye or make Andy swim with the fishes. She was cool as a cucumber. However, Oprah’s BFF, the ultimate confidante Gayle King, later spilled that Oprah was a bit flummoxed by Andy’s lady pond lingo.
“Gayle told me Oprah didn’t know what I meant by ‘the lady pond,’” Andy said, probably while doing the facepalm of the century. “I thought I was clear, but hey, I’m just thrilled Oprah even showed up.”
Despite this hiccup, Andy declared that his tête-à-tête with Oprah is still his “favorite episode.” Because really, how can you top making the almighty Oprah Winfrey wonder if you’re talking about swimming lessons or secret sapphic soirees?
So here’s to 15 years of Andy Cohen and his gloriously unpredictable show – may the lady ponds always be murky, the questions always be spicy, and the guests always be legendary.