Hoping to meet Andy again for a better photo op… (and a job..pick me Andy, pick me!)
On Friday November 14th Bravo fans flocked to the 92nd Street Y on New York’s swanky UES (that’s Upper East Side for you out of towners). The crowd, like so many I have been a part of, was there to meet a Bravoleb but this was no ordinary Bravolebrity, and it wasn’t even an ordinary meet and greet. This was the pen-ultimate Bravolebrity appearance. The fairy godfather of the Housewives himself, Andy Cohen,was taking to the stage to share a few laughs and promote his new book The Andy Cohen Diaries , with…wait for it…Anderson Cooper.
Dandy Andy and The Silver Fox (as I’ve heard the other AC is called in some circles). Thank The Lord for my guardian former intern That Housewife Guy (Brent Osborne) who knows by now that half the time I’m so buried in my to-do list that I miss these opportunities unless they are placed right in front of my face. This was one ticket that I didn’t mind buying. Let’s face it, I’m not “comped by Andy Cohen” successful…yet. The $70 ticket got me entry to the event and the book. It also got me seated in the balcony next to some cackling battle-axe who smelled like offensive old lady perfume and shushed me when I arrived (late as usual). (Go ahead and flame me folks, but I stand by that I’m not mean, I’m honest!)
Due to traffic that made our last mile to 92nd street take 25 minutes, we missed the grand intro and entrance, but luckily our books, all copies were sold out, were still waiting for us. So was a lot of fun and gossip. Andy and Anderson will probably hate me for saying this, but their chemistry is amazing. They know each other so well and it’s tough not to wonder why they aren’t together in THAT way. They talk a lot about their adventures with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. (Seriously…can we be sure they aren’t in some best kept entertainment industry secret love connection?)
Anywho Andy divulged much from his Shallow Year that is outlined in the book. His audience question answers, however aren’t. So I took some notes:
*********************ENTER OUR LATEST GIVEAWAY AND SAVE ON SOME OF MY FAVE PRODUCTS! **************************************
If Andy could do an all-star Housewives cast it would include Nene (Leakes), Vicki (Gunvalson), Teresa (Giudice), Lisa Vanderpump, and Bethenny (Frankel). Speaking of Bethenny, she initially came back to Bravo trying to pitch a new show. It took some time, but Andy planted the seed that eventually brought her back to RHONY. Though Andy likes to showcase large personalities on TV, he himself would never do a reality show, though he loves doing Watch What Happens Live, and knew he had made-it when the show was picked up for 5 nights a week. Somebody you will never see on WWHL is Howard Stern. Apparently they have tried and Stern thinks he is too big for The Clubhouse. However, Andy still aims high even after his Oprahcalypse. His wish list includes Madonna (who he once was on the same plane with) and Michele Obama who said she may do it late second term.
I tried to get a question about Housewife divorces delivered, but that bad breathed old hen next to me made it impossible for me to get my index card to the usher. It didn’t matter however, because I got my moment. After the show Andy agreed to sign all the books in the audience. I wonder if he had known how many books there were if he would have still done that. Alas, a benefit to being stuck in the way back of the balcony next to Madame le Stench, those front rowers were screwed! We got a decent spot in line, and though there wasn’t much time to take a decent picture, Mr. Cohen did stop mid signature while reading my post it. “Are you on Twitter he asked?”
“Yes, I’m The Bravo Blonde, I have a blog where I write about your shows.”
“I know you! I know you from Twitter,” Andy exclaimed, excited to see somebody he sort of recognized in that crazy sea of fandom.
“Yes, and you know my Miami writer, Lesley Rousso, Mommy Rou.”
“She came to my show!”
Then I was shooed off by a guard but not before I was able to say, “My goal is to work for you!”
See Andy, I can dream big too!
TBB Reality 