Andy Cohen Admits He Was 'Surprised' Bethenny Frankel Launched 'Real Housewives' Podcast

KEY POINTS

Andy Cohen said Bethenny Frankel's "Rewives" podcast was good for her and the "Real Housewives" franchise
The host said he believes that the more "Housewives" podcasts "the better"
Frankel's former co-stars were not supportive and accused her of trashing her former castmates

Andy Cohen is sharing his feelings about Bethenny Frankel's new "Real Housewives" podcast.

Despite being vocal about her disdain for the franchise, the former "Real Housewives of New York City" star recently launched a new podcast called "Rewives."

Cohen admitted that he was "surprised" to hear about it but suggested that he would not turn down publicity that would benefit the Bravo series.

"I was a little surprised," Cohen told Page Six at the Humane Society gala last week, "but again I was like, 'Oh, this is good, good for you.' The more 'Housewives' podcasts the better."

Frankel has been on and off of "RHONY" since it premiered in 2008. She left the show for good in 2019.

While Cohen was supportive of Frankel's move, some of her former colleagues were not.

Earlier this month, Luann de Lesseps called her out for her podcast and accused Frankel of "sh--ting on the show."

"It's pretty sad and pathetic," the cabaret singer said on "Everything Iconic." "She has to resort to 'Housewives' because of all her failed pivots since the 'Housewives.' It's a pretty desperate scenario."

Carole Radziwill echoed the same sentiment, claiming that Frankel was cashing in on them by "trashing" her former castmates.

"Oh lordy...how original," Radziwill — who starred on "RHONY" from 2012 to 2018 — tweeted when a fan asked her for her thoughts about Frankel's podcast. "But she did build her brand by trashing and mocking women, specifically the [Housewives] and Bethenny always returns to what she does best. I mean right out the gate she trash talks the other 'HW' podcasts. Lol. Good luck to her. Some things will never change."

There were rumors that Frankel left the franchise due to a salary dispute. But in a recent video on TikTok, she explained that money was not the factor that led to her departure.

"People thought I left the 'Housewives' because of money," Frankel explained. "If I stayed, it would have been because of the money. I left because I wanted to leave. I was ready to leave, and I used a technicality deal point as my excuse."

"I had just lost someone very close to me, and I went to work when the show came back. I didn't want to. Pros play hurt. I'm a professional. I show up on time, I deliver. That's my reputation in business," she added.