Paul W. Downs Reacts to Being Confronted By Andy Cohen Over Hacks Joke

Paul W. Downs is still reeling from his recent Clubhouse showdown.

After Andy Cohen called out the Hacks co-creator on live TV over a joke made at the Watch What Happens Live host’s expense, Downs isn’t pleading the fifth when it comes to their heated—and hilarious—exchange. 

“I can’t believe he went there,” Downs deadpanned during an exclusive interview with E! News at the 28th Television Academy Hall of Fame ceremony Aug. 13. “And all I have to say is my lawyers don’t want me speaking about it because we are taking action.”

The joke in question—written by Downs and fellow Hacks writers Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky—was delivered by series star Jean Smart during a past episode of the Emmy-winning HBO Max comedy.

“The problem with reality shows is you cannot control the narrative,” Smart’s character Deborah Vance quipped. “I mean, that’s why I’ve turned down Andy Cohen more than every twink on Fire Island.”

So, when Downs and costar Meg Stalter were guests on Cohen’s Bravo talk show Aug. 11, the 57-year-old put Downs in the hot seat over the name-check.