Andy Cohen was put in a spot after “Hacks” creator Paul W. Downs made a sharp joke involving him. On Watch What Happens Live, Cohen confronted Downs, who was stunned by a reference used on the show.
Paul W. Downs admits he wanted ‘Hacks’ to use someone else’s name instead of Andy Cohen
Downs appeared on the show alongside Hacks star Meg Stalter to discuss the HBO Max comedy’s recent ending. According to OK! Magazine, Cohen brought up a moment from the show that made a jab at him. “Paul, as co-creator and showrunner, you were in charge at Hacks. So, I have a question about this particular moment in season 5,” Cohen said before playing the clip.
In the clip, Deborah Vance’s character blasts reality TV culture and says, “The problem with reality shows is you cannot control the narrative. I mean, that’s why I’ve turned down Andy Cohen more than every twink on Fire Island.”
Back in the studio, Cohen appeared visibly stunned, with his jaw dropping, immediately followed by audience laughter. Stalter quickly came to Downs’s defense, saying, “I told him not to put it in.” Downs admitted that he had misgivings about the scene and had said, “Use someone else’s name.”
When Cohen continued questioning how the line made it through edits, Downs shifted the blame to series star Jean Smart. He said, “I have to tell you something: Jean Smart is an improviser. She improvises like crazy. We can never rein her in. I don’t know why she did that.”
The lighthearted exchange points to industry friendships that are deep enough to be on joking terms. Downs not only plays Jimmy, Deborah’s manager, on Hacks but also serves as one of the show’s creative leaders.
The exchange has since been widely shared online, with the clip circulating across social media and entertainment outlets.
Hacks is HBO Max’s Emmy-winning comedy about legendary comic Deborah Vance and her complicated partnership with a younger writer.
DID YOU NOTICE THIS COMMENT ON HACKS?
Originally reported by Sreemanti Sengupta for Reality Tea
