Andy Cohen Explains Why Real Housewives Don't Return

Housewives have come and gone over the years. And the process of who comes back for another season and who doesn't return has remained a mystery for Bravo fans — until now. 

Andy Cohen, who serves as an executive producer on all of The Real Housewives franchises explained why the casts may change from season to season during the Tribeca TV Festival's Tribeca Talks: Ten Years with The Real Housewives of New York City event on September 23. "It's a simple answer, actually. At the end of every season, we talk to the women about what they have coming up, whether they want to come back, what they see for the future," Andy explained. "And then we also look at the show and say, 'How do we want to change the show?'"

Andy also underscored the importance of finding the right group dynamic every season. "I think part of the reason the entire franchise is successful is about the group of women, but it is an ensemble show," he said. "And it's always about what's best for the group, what's best for the ensemble, how's it gonna be different, do we want to continue this conversation, do we want to pivot into a new conversation?" 

Mystery solved.