Andy Cohenhas built one of the strongest reputations in entertainment.Aside from Ryan Seacrest, no one has been the face more for producing and managing multiple successfulreality shows.Ryan was the blueprint with his monster hit,Keeping Up With the Kardashians, but Andy has made a name for himself producing numerous lifestyle-driven shows with theReal Housewivesfranchiseand its subsequent spinoffs, such asVanderpump Rules. Not only does Andy host the reunions for each of his shows, but his weekly after-show,Watch What Happens Live,recaps Bravo’s memorable weekly moments and allows two guests to join him for a gossip session in front of a LIVE audience.Andy’s relationships with the cast members are a delicate balance between a doting friend and the boss with the ability to hire and fire, an interesting dynamic to watch.And one of his former employees,Carlos King, is following in his footsteps.
Carlos Kingcut his production teethexecutive producing four seasons ofReal Housewives of Atlanta, and several other reality-based shows before establishing hisKingdom Reign Entertainmentproduction company. Like Andy, Carlos is witty, has great relationships with the cast (sansKandi Burruss), and has a keen eye for making great TV. After starting his own production company, Carlos createdtheLove & Marriagefranchise, a similar concept toReal Housewivesexcept the focus is on couples instead of the “wife.“Carlos scored a deal with theOprah Winfrey Network, giving him instant credibility with the African American audience, which serves as his target audience.He has watched Andy’s example and has upped the ante considerably. He hosts the reunions for his cast, and does multiple recaps on his shows and other reality shows, includingThe Real Housewivesfranchise.To the observant eye, it appears, Carlos King has observed Andy’s Bravo domination and created a new and improved business model, guaranteeing him reality television domination without boundaries.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
A reality series focusing on the personal and professional lives of several women in Atlanta’s high society. The show documents their interactions, from lavish parties and business ventures to intimate moments with family and friends. The cast members navigate complex relationships, intense rivalries, and significant life events, providing a mix of drama, entertainment, and insight into the pressures and privileges of their status. Each episode highlights the evolving dynamics within the group, showcasing the highs and lows of their interconnected lives.
Carlos King Positions Himself as the Alpha and Omega of Reality TV
There is an urban myth suggesting people of color have to do everything above and beyond what their counterparts do to receive the same recognition. Myth or not, Carlos has applied this belief to creating his empire, exponentially multiplying Andy’s contributions toBravoonOWNand his ownYouTubechannel. By owninghis ownYouTubechannel, hisReality with the Kingpodcast, Carlos can interview not onlyBravostars and ex-stars likeNene LeakesandQuad Webb,buthe also includes conversations with stars fromVH1, MTVlikeBrittish WilliamsfromBasketball Wives, and, of course, theOWNreality stars he created. He doesn’t stop with his productions onOWN, he’s also interviewed reality dating favorites fromWill Packer’shit dating series,Ready to Love.His interview withNene Leakesearlier this year produced record numbers and set the tone for some of the biggest conversations with reality stars in pop culture. His current interview with shunnedMarried to MedicinestarQuad Webbhas social media headlines buzzing.
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As if the mega interviews weren’t enough to solidify his kingdom, Carlos recently added another show to his roster airing onWe Tv.Bold & Bougiestars several ex-wives of high-profile superstars, and is guaranteed to be a conversation starter on social media once these ladies start dropping tea. In the last week alone, Carlos announced he is taking his Reality with the King podcast on tour around the country to connect intimately with the fans he affectionately refers to as ‘Reigndrops’.
Unlike Andy Cohen, Carlos King Blurs the Line Between Boss and Employee
PerhapsAndy Cohenran so that Carlos King could fly, butCarlos seems to have his sights set on something even bigger than Andy’s empire.Andy is comfortable in his leadership role, and although he enjoys the cast of his shows spilling tea with him, there is a tangible barrier that he doesn’t cross.This dynamic works to keep him immune from backlash or being viewed as biased by various reality stars. Carlos' approach is much different.
Instead of remaining high, when his guests go low, Carlos is known to get down in the dirt with them and share his own opinions.After his recent viral interview with Quad,Dr. Heavenly Kimesaccused him of being biased during the interview. Ironically, Carlos co-hosts a show with Dr. Heavenly, which touches on all thingsMarried to Medicineand beyond. This is a perfect example of the differences between Carlos and Andy. Andy allows the women of several of his shows to do an after show together where they recap theBravoshows, but the separation between employee and employer is very distinct.Carlos, on the other hand, puts himself in a peer position with his starlets, so audiences are often confused by his title. Is he production or talent? The lines are often so blurry, it could be assumed Carlos wants to be viewed as both.
Both Andy and Carlos have similar talents when it comes to creating larger-than-life shows based on the lifestyle of fabulous characters.It’s worth noting, that Carlos can make chicken salad, from chicken stuff, when he took middle-class couples from Huntsville, Alabama withLove & Marriage Huntsvilleand turned the show into a viral success.Critics were doubtful at the show’s inception that Huntsville, Alabama would garner interest from a television audience used to vying for the lifestyles of people in Beverly Hills, Miami, or even Atlanta. Carlos proved his raw talent could take ordinary couples with mediocre storylines and a lot of drama and add twists and turns to create trending topics that would catapult the show to enviable ratings for seven seasons.
Carlos King Produces Unlikely Stars Just as Andy Cohen
If Andy Cohen is the grandfather of reality television,Carlos King would qualify as being the fairy godfather, with the ability to wave his magic wand and make Huntsville, AL, Detroit, MI, and Washington D.C. interesting destinations with memorable real people.Still, one can’t mention Andy or Carlos without acknowledging the originator of reality television that connected with a pop culture audience, Ryan Seacrest. Out of all three creators, Carlos is the one most connected with the culture and also the one who is fiercely chasing his legacy. In five years, he could eclipse his predecessors completely. All hail the King!
All episodes of the Love & Marriage franchise can be streamed on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
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