America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel was recently a guest on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM radio show, where he discussed his podcast interview with Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval. Cohen previously labeled Mandel a “jackhole” for the interview.
Howie Mandel Talks to Andy Cohen About Tom Sandoval Interview
In April 2023, Mandel welcomed Sandoval onto his podcast Howie Mandel Does Stuff at the height of the reality star’s cheating scandal. Mandel was criticized by some for not familiarizing himself with the show before chatting with Sandoval. That includes Bravo host Andy Cohen, who labeled Mandel a “jackhole.”
In his recent conversation with Cohen, Mandel admitted that he started watching Vanderpump Rules after his interview with Sandoval, and he noticed inconsistencies with what the star told him. Mandel compared it to “having a deposition and then watching the courtroom.”
Mandel also shared that his daughter and podcast co-host, Jackelyn Shultz, was “kicking me under the table” during the interview whenever Sandoval “said something that she disagreed with.” When she tried to challenge him, Mandel kicked her back.
Cohen questioned why he got “so much hate” for “allowing a guy to have a platform” and ultimately “bury himself.” He asked Cohen, “Don’t you respect me for that? Why am I a jackhole?”
Cohen admitted that Mandel’s explanation of his Sandoval interview was “really interesting,” adding that giving him an “open mic” worked out for Cohen in the long run. Sandoval was able to be “grilled” before the Vanderpump Rules reunion.
“So it actually, as it turns out, maybe I should give you the mazel instead, because we do a jackhole and a mazel,” Cohen said, referring to his show Watch What Happens Live on Bravo.
Since the last season of Vanderpump Rules, Sandoval has appeared on both The Masked Singer and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. Meanwhile, his ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix reached the Finals of Dancing with the Stars Season 32.
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Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit