Andy Cohen says Vanderpump Rules firings were 'decisions for that moment'

He famously fired a slew of Vanderpump Rules stars, including Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute, after their racially insensitive pasts were brought to light last year.

But Andy Cohen appeared to voice some regret over the sudden sackings, calling them ‘decisions for that moment’ in a recent interview with the New York Times.

The executive producer, 52, also suggested that it would have been ‘more interesting’ for audiences at home to see the stars address their controversies on the show.  

‘It’s more interesting to sit in the moment with people that you have a rooting interest in and watch them find their way than it is just turning out the lights and forgetting it existed,’ he explained.

In June of 2020, Bravo announced that two of Vanderpump Rules’ original cast members, Schroeder and Doute, would not being returning to the show, as per Variety.

Their firing came after former co-star Faith Stowers exposed the pair for once ‘reporting her to the police for a crime she’d had nothing to do with.’

Two of Vanderpump Rules’ newer stars, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni, were also sacked from the series for publishing ‘racist’ tweets in the past.

‘Bravo and Evolution Media confirmed today that Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni will not be returning to Vanderpump Rules,’ read the network’s official statement.

A more recent firing occurred last month when it was revealed that the series’ most controversial character Jax Taylor, as well as his wife Brittany Cartwright, would be bidding farewell to Vanderpump Rules.

During his interview with the New York Times, Andy also took a moment to discuss the controversy regarding the ‘homophobic’ pastor Jax and Brittany had originally chosen to officiate 2019 wedding.

‘It didn’t seem so shocking to me that someone’s family pastor in Kentucky was homophobic,’ he recalled. ‘I’m not condoning homophobia. I’m saying it exists.’ 

After the pastor’s past disparaging remarks about the LGBTQ community were unearthed, Jax and Brittany used NSYNC alum Lance Bass as their minister.

Cohen explained that Bravo has ‘been able to build a big tent’ on their network because they do not shy away from showing differing viewpoints/lifestyles/etc. on their reality series’.

This prompted the Watch What Happens Live host to bring up the recent controversy surrounding the Bravo show Southern Charm and the backlash it has received from fans. 

‘Why shouldn’t it be on? Do we want to cancel the South?’ he asked rhetorically.

Vanderpump Rules premiered on Bravo in 2013 and follows the drama-filled workplace that it Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.

And with eight seasons under their belt, the remaining cast members of Vanderpump Rules are eager to start filming season nine.

But series star Scheana Shay confirmed that the ninth season of Vanderpump Rules has yet to begin filming due to COVID-19 related restaurant closures in Los Angeles.