If you’re a fan of Watch What Happens Live, you’re in luck because Bravo has just announced the show will air five nights a week!
Yes – that’s right – five nights of Andy Cohen! Senor Cohen the quirky, silly, master manipulator Executive Vice President of Programming who is behind the Housewives franchises and shows such as, Top Chef will be expanding his late-night variety show to air Sunday through Thursday starting this January.
“It’s a new world and a whole lot of people are doing a lot of things at once,” Andy excitedly described the decision to expand. He was so excited he announced the new programming on last night’s show as his Mazel!
So why did Bravo decide to amp up WWHL’s air-time? According to data, Cohen et al garners more viewers than other late-night cable shows — including Chelsea Handler and Conan O’Brien! In fact, for female viewers aged 18-to-49, Andy’s show has “among the strongest ratings for late-night cable shows,” averaging about 1.2 million viewers with 720,000 being in the 18-49 year-old-age group. What is significant about those numbers is viewers in that group attract “the most advertising money.”
“The dynamics of where late night is now are changing,” says executive producer, Michael Davies. With the addition of social media and online videos, plus audience interaction, WWHL was among the first to incorporate those elements into TV. “Andy comes at this not from a background in comedy but from a background in broadcasting,” Mr. Davies explains. Adding that Andy’s talent for conversation skills, along with the inclusion of cocktails gives the show a whole different dynamic than other late-night shows!
As a result of his new job, Andy will be “giving up his executive vice president title, though he will remain in charge of program and talent development for the network.” Oh no!!! I wonder if that means he’ll no longer be hosting the reunions. One could only hope…
WWHL will air Sunday-Thursday starting January 2 at 11PM.
We do have to wonder if the show will be able to survive five nights a week without having the Housewives series leading into it. Plus will viewers continue to tune in to the episodes without Bravolebrities? Guess we shall see.
[Photo Credit: Peter Kramer/Bravo]
THOUGHTS ON THE NEWS? ARE YOU EXCITED TO WATCH WWHL FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK? DO YOU THINK THE 5 NIGHTS FORMAT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL?
