Andy Cohen reflects on his journey as a late-night TV host and the challenges he faced along the way.

Cohen, now 56, celebrates 15 years of Watch What Happens Live, acknowledging past feelings of exclusion from the traditional late-night TV discourse. He recalls a Vanity Fair photoshoot in 2015 that featured prominent late-night talk show hosts like Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Conan O’Brien, and Trevor Noah, but notably excluded him.

In an interview with Deadline, Cohen expresses his awareness of the unique value WWHL brings to viewers and his desire to be recognized within the late-night TV sphere. “I know what we’re doing. I know what it means to people and I know what it means to me,” he asserts.

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Cohen attributes his exclusion to his distinct role as an interviewer rather than a comedian, which sets him apart from his late-night contemporaries. Despite this, WWHL has attracted notable guests such as Hillary Clinton and Jennifer Lawrence.

As Cohen reflects on 15 years of the show, he expresses gratitude for the intimate connection he shares with his viewers. “Late-night [TV] is a very intimate thing,” he says, acknowledging the special bond formed with his audience. He also reveals a personal challenge he faced around the sixth year of hosting WWHL, feeling like he was “ticking a box.” However, he quickly snapped out of it, recognizing the privilege of hosting his dream show, and hasn’t looked back since.

Cohen’s journey with Watch What Happens Live serves as a testament to his dedication and passion for his craft. Despite initial feelings of exclusion, he persevered and found fulfillment in connecting with his audience.