Andy Cohen tests positive for coronavirus, puts talk show's 'at home' episode on hold
Radio and television talk show host Andy Cohen announced on March 20 that he has tested positive for coronavirus, making him the latest celebrity to be diagnosed with the virus.
The writer-producer made the announcement via Instagram, stating that he had been in self-quarantine and was not feeling too great. He also added that the upcoming episodes of 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen' that were meant to be hosted from home would not go on as planned.
Only a few hours before he revealed his diagnosis, Cohen tweeted that the show would return on March 22 with special 'at home' episodes. The upcoming episode would have featured Nene Leakes, Ramona Singer and Jerry O'Connell, who were set to join in via video chat. Cohen asked for fans and viewers to send in their questions via tweets.
Bravo also put out a press release stating the same, adding that the episode would include "special games, at-home show-and-tells and surprises". Cohen himself was quite on-board with the idea of at-home episodes, as he felt like it was a perfectly natural progression for the laid back show. He stated, "Our show is arguably the most lo-tech show in late night in its current form. So the idea of taking it down even further a few notches is just ironic and hilarious."
He continued, "I mean, we’re the show that I still can’t believe gets a live signal out of a very small clubhouse in Soho. So we will now be from my own clubhouse in the West Village. My show has always been something of a little coffee klatch, party-line type show. And this seemed like a very natural extension of not only the show, but obviously the times that we’re in right now."
But despite his enthusiasm for the at-home version of his show, on March 20, Cohen posted a selfie of himself looking rather glum with a caption that read, "After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus. As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we're putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better."
While many who have tested positive for coronavirus have stated they experienced little to no symptoms, some have reported feeling flu-like symptoms including cough, fever, tiredness and in severe cases, difficulty breathing.
Cohen concluded his statement by saying, "I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves."