Andy Cohen Announces Plans to Reboot 'Real Housewives of New York City'

Andy Cohen is announcing some major news about Real Housewives of New York City.

In an interview with Variety on Wednesday (March 23), the 53-year-old talk show host revealed Bravo would be rebooting the long-running franchise and launching a spinoff show starring the existing cast members.

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The network’s two-part strategy “takes into account everything that our passionate audience has really been telling us over the last year,” Andy said, and involves “rebooting and recasting” the series, most likely from scratch, and creating a second RHONY series featuring former stars.

“You know that we’re at a crossroads for RHONY,” he continued. “We’ve spent a lot of time figuring out where to go. And the plan that we’ve come up with, I think, is a real gift to the fans.”

Season 13 of RHONY made headlines for its low ratings, with Bravo opting to cancel a difficult-to-schedule reunion amid the disappointing viewership. Andy said that he was looking forward to fixing the show, explaining that there are “thousands of stories to tell” within the city.

“This is the most multicultural, diverse, and energetic and exciting city in America: We are searching for a multicultural group of friends who really best reflect the most exciting city in the country. We’re looking for a group of women who are real friends, and who are of diverse backgrounds, races and religions,” he noted.

There’s no definite title planned for the spinoff yet, but the Watch What Happens Live host said it’s been called RHONY: Throwback or RHONY: Legacy internally. He also didn’t say who’d be on the show, but expected that Jill Zarin may be one of the first alums he hears from.

“Jill is gonna be, like, ‘Am I getting my apple back?’” he joked, adding that the RHONY reboot is being developed for Bravo, but it’s a “question mark” where the throwback will air.

Variety noted that two of the strongest franchises, Real Housewives of Atlanta and Real Housewives of Potomac, feature entirely Black casts. However, Andy said that likely wouldn’t be the direction taken for the new RHONY.

“I think it will be the rainbow that is New York City. That’s the goal,” he said.

As for what viewers could expected from the spinoff featuring former cast members, Andy explained that it would take into account the response fans have had to shows like Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

“Our loyal fans have spoken as to what they want to see and what they don’t want to see — and we’ve taken that all into account,” he shared. “And this is a series where you’re going to expect to see fan-favorites from the show’s great history.

“It’s organic, you know?” Andy continued. “They were in each other’s lives, and they are in each other’s lives.” He also noted that casting hadn’t yet begun but the team were looking for “people who are beloved by fans” and hinted that he would be open to having Bethenny Frankel return.

“I’ve got to tell you that in my almost 20 years working with Bravo, to me, this is the most exciting casting proposition that I’ve been involved with,” he said of the rebooted RHONY. “We are quite literally looking for who will be the new Real Housewives of New York City! And I think this represents a tremendous opportunity for a rebirth of the show. What we’re looking for is everything that makes a great Housewife: fun, opinionated, successful, aspirational women who represent a side of New York that we want to see more of.”

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