Andy Cohen is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to the questions he asks the women of the Real Housewives franchise. For years, one particular query has caused a stir: “What work have you had done?” But is it time for Andy to finally retire this question, or does it still belong in the Housewives reunion lineup?
It all came to a head after the Real Housewives of New York (RHONY) reunion, when a viewer on Twitter voiced frustration. The account Dodger Blue called out Andy, writing, “@Andy the millions of women who watch these franchises are tired of you asking women ‘what work they had done.’ This isn’t 2009 anymore, and women can do whatever they want to their face/bodies. It’s time to retire this question. It’s rude and does 0 for the viewers #RHONY.”
Andy, ever the quick-witted host, fired back, defending his approach. “What work have you done?” Cohen responded, revealing that this question is an integral part of the Housewives franchise. “It remains at the top of the list of viewer questions every season, every franchise. The HWs have unabashedly let us into their beauty regimes since day one; it’s a big part of the series DNA.”
And this isn’t the first time Cohen has faced criticism for this line of questioning. It’s a repeated theme: each reunion, fans sound off on social media, expressing their concerns over his persistent questioning of cosmetic procedures, particularly in a world where personal choices around beauty are highly charged. Some feel it can reinforce harmful stereotypes or make the women feel uncomfortable or objectified.
In fact, after Andy Cohen’s tweet, fans quickly pointed out the selective nature of his questioning. One Twitter user pointed out, “So why didn’t you go down the line and ask EVERY SINGLE WOMAN? Erin is sitting right there with a face full of filler.”
On the flip side, some defended Cohen, arguing that he is merely a conduit for the audience’s curiosity. One person wrote, “People always try to make it seem like you are asking these questions personally when clearly you ask the fans every time on Twitter what are the questions y’all want to know.” Others echoed this, thanking Cohen for doing “the Lord’s work” in asking the tough questions.
So, should Andy Cohen step away from asking this question? His defense centers around the notion that these women, by being part of a reality TV franchise, have willingly opened the door to questions about their lives—cosmetic procedures included. The audience, it seems, is just as invested in the women’s beauty regimens as they are in the drama of their lives.
