Andy Cohen Admits Cast Changes for 'RHOC' Season 16 Were Necessary

Andy Cohen was responding to questions from Housewives fans throughout the country. The 15-year-old brand had seen a setback in the last year, primarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, the show's executive producer claimed that "powers that be" have changed their tune. The return of Heather Dubrow to "The Real Housewives of Orange County" is proof of this.

After she left the franchise in 2016, Bravo revealed that the RHOC veteran was due to return.

"Real Housewives of Orange County" season 16 premiere is underway, and Cohen, Bravo's front-man, assured it would be "amazing." After a poor season 15, the RHOC executive producer stated that cast changes were necessary in a recent interview. They "understood the assignment," according to Cohen.

One of the most significant decisions made by the team was to bring back an OG of the show. Cohen told Entertainment Tonight that it was the "perfect time" to bring Dubrow, fondly called "fancy pants," back after a four-season hiatus.

"I believe it was the ideal time, not only because the fans requested it, but also because it's always wonderful to have an old friend." Cohen stated he's "highly enthusiastic about Dubrow's return.

Another incident that got the cast shook was Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson's exit from the show after seasons 12 and 15. Plus, Elizabeth was fired after only one season. Bravo also fired Kelly Dodd and Braunwyn Windham-Burke.

For RHOC season 16, Dubrow will join Shannon Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson in the main cast. Noella Bergener and Jennifer Armstrong, two newcomers, would also be added to the mix.

Dubrow was left with Beador, Simpson, and Kirschenheiter as her co-stars following the cast purge. Fan accounts quickly began to post memes in light of the news.

Most of them couldn't figure out how Dubrow (named "fancy pants") and Kirschenheiter (who used to live in a studio "casita" on the show) would get along.

Heather built a friendship with Gina; according to Cohen, the audience would be "pleasantly shocked" by their bond.

Before the new season premiere, presumably late this year or early in 2022, Bravo is expected to announce more casting. Some fans hope that Tamra Judge would appear as a "friend of" the core cast. After declining a deal to return for the 15th season, Judge left RHOC in early 2020.

At one point, almost every day saw a new article report that a different cast member was being fired. Or that specific co-stars were to blame for season 13-15 low ratings and audience response.

There had also been reports of unexplained troubles with the filming of the 13th reunion, and the production of season 14 was delayed. All these reports were "completely incorrect," according to Cohen.

He guaranteed that viewers would not be bored after it was announced that Bravo would renew "'Real Housewives of Orange County for the second season."

He then told ET that cast adjustments were necessary ahead of season 16, and he believed viewers would not be disappointed. "OC is back, and we've got the job!" We knew exactly what we needed to do. We were successful," Cohen preached.

Dubrow discussed her return to RHOC after a four-season hiatus during Bravo's Chat Room appearance in August.

When asked about whom she was hanging out with in season 16, she wouldn't divulge too much information, but the reality star did claim she didn't "need backup."

"We're about to go on a trip, and it appears like there may be a little shake-up — a little narrative twist — on this trip," Heather told Gizelle Bryant and Porsha Williams. "All I can say is that it'll be a lot of fun," remarked the sassy actress.

Many fans were expecting Judge's comeback after all of the cast changes leading up to season 16. The proprietor of CUT Fitness, on the other hand, had stated that she has no plans to return to the Bravo show and shouldn't be expected any time soon.