Andy Cohen regrets asking Oprah Winfrey inappropriate question on air

Cohen recalled an awkward question he asked Oprah Winfrey on 'Watch What Happens Live.'

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Andy Cohen looked back on his career, sharing some memorable moments and a few regrets. 

Among them, the TV host, 56, recalled an awkward question he asked Oprah Winfrey during a 2013 episode of his talk show 'Watch What Happens Live.'

Cohen, known for his candid interview style, asked Winfrey, now 70, if she had ever "taken a dip in the lady pond," a euphemism for having had a sexual encounter with a woman. 

Reflecting on this moment, Cohen said, "That's probably one of my few regrets." He added that the question was a standard one on his Bravo show, but he still feels it was inappropriate in that context.

The incident occurred towards the end of what Cohen described as a successful interview. 

He recalled, "We're about to end the show, it's gone brilliantly and I turn around and ask her if she's ever had sex with a woman." In the video clip shared by ET, Winfrey responded directly, "No, I have not. Thank you."

Cohen emphasized how much it meant to him that Winfrey appeared on his show, despite the uncomfortable question. He noted that Winfrey did not make him feel awkward after the cameras stopped rolling. 

However, he later learned from Winfrey's best friend, Gayle King, that Winfrey was confused by the phrase "the lady pond."

"Gayle King told me later that week that Oprah didn't know what I meant by 'the lady pond,'" Cohen said. "I thought I explained it pretty well there, but listen, I was so grateful that Oprah did the show and I still am."

Despite this misstep, Cohen fondly remembers the interview with Winfrey. "That remains, I think, my favorite episode [of WWHL]," he said. ET interviewed Cohen as part of the celebrations for the 15th anniversary of 'Watch What Happens Live,' which takes place in June.