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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Andy Cohen’s near-clash: Joan Rivers, Maksim Chmerkovskiy

FILE - This May 16, 2016 file photo shows Andy Cohen at the NBCUniversal 2016 Upfront Presentation in New York. Cohen appeared at the 2017 Winter Television Critics Association press tour on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif., and answered questions about his Bravo TV talk show, "Watch What Happens Live." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - This May 16, 2016 file photo shows Andy Cohen at the NBCUniversal 2016 Upfront Presentation in New York. Cohen appeared at the 2017 Winter Television Critics Association press tour on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif., and answered questions about his Bravo TV talk show, "Watch What Happens Live." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) – Andy Cohen revels in his free-wheeling talk show, but Joan Rivers’ last appearance on his Bravo series almost led to a clash with another guest.

About six weeks before her death, Rivers and Maksim Chmerkovskiy of “Dancing with the Stars” were to appear together on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” the host told a TV critics’ meeting Tuesday.

But Rivers told Cohen that, after meeting with Chmerkovskiy before going on air, she made it clear that “it wouldn’t be fun for her,” Cohen said, without elaborating.

Despite her reservations, the Ukrainian-born dancer “turned it around” with Rivers, he said. The guests found common ground discussing Israel, series executive producer Deirdre Connolly said.

The 81-year-old comedian died in September 2014, days after she stopped breathing during a routine medical procedure.