It's Andy Cohen's Reality at Bravo

Sitting in his 46th-floor office at 30 Rock, Andy Cohen—producer, reality TV auteur, camp icon—is previewing his latest creation, the fourth season of . "The reactions are off!" Cohen complains over the phone to one of his producers. The series, which follows a gaggle of nouveau riche damsels as they bicker, go shopping, and talk about their ultrafabulous lives, has become a ratings sensation for Bravo. And though the new season is scheduled to debut in weeks, Cohen knows more work is needed. "It's very ... talky," he complains of one protracted party scene. After hearing a catty barb unleashed moments later by one character, Cohen homes in on the problem: Cast member and countess-by-marriage Luann de Lesseps, he says, "has to be more offended!" Cohen swiftly orders a close-up of her horrified visage and—crisis averted—moves to the next scene.

As Bravo executive vice-president, Cohen has made his Manhattan office a mini-shrine to his burgeoning reality fiefdom. Scattered throughout are framed posters, pictures, and tchotchkes immortalizing a number of his greatest hits—including , , and . Outside his door is a picture of Cohen interviewing Jerry Seinfeld on his talk show, , which averages 1.6 million viewers and regularly beats . Among the cubicles is a faux Warhol painting of cast. In February, the last episode of the reality show's third season attracted 4.4 million viewers—over a million more than the most recent finale. This month the New York branch returns.