Andy Cohen thinks WWHL deserves more respect as a late night show

Andy Cohen is a television staple. He's been a crucial part of Bravo for two decades, and he's been the host of Watch What Happens Live since 2009. Despite his enormous success, however, Cohen is regularly left out of the conversation when it comes to late night hosts.

This something Cohen has been keenly aware of throughout his career, and he discussed it during a recent interview with Deadline. He told the outlet that he was particularly annoyed after being left out of a 2015 Vanity Fair photoshoot depicting late night hosts.

Andy Cohen admits to feeling "salty" over late night exclusion

“I was very conscious that I wanted to be part of the late-night conversation," Cohen explained. He admitted to feeling "salty" about being excluded, and asserted that Watch What Happens Live is a show that deserves more credit than it gets:

"I know what we’re doing; I know what it means to people and I know what it means to me."

When asked why he feels Watch What Happens Live is generally left out of the conversation when it comes to late night TV, Cohen felt that his reputation is to blame. He is an interviewer and a host, and he believes that comedians are taken more seriously (ironically) when they step into a hosting gig.

He claims WWHL benefits from its modern approach

Andy Cohen also pointed out that WWHL has a more contemporary feel than its late night peers, since it started relatively recently. Well, by late night standards, at least. "Watch What Happens Live is very modern late-night talk show," he opined. "We live in an age where everyone is a star because of reality TV."

It's hard to argue with Cohen's assertion. Watch What Happens Live also benefits from addressing, and often times tying in with, events that take place on Bravo reality shows. Cohen is an executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, and as such, he often brings cast members onto the show.

Watch What Happens Live may lack the prestige of The Tonight Show, but its impact and its relevance over the last fifteen years is undeniable.