Bravo producer Andy Cohen recently shared his thoughts on Lisa Vanderpump’s absence from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion.

In an exclusive video, Cohen says he was disappointed Vanderpump didn’t show up and thought she had a 50/50 chance of appearing. “There was a part of me that just thought she would come and slay the room,” he remarked.

But, “There was a part of me that thought, ‘Well this is the last thing she wants to do.’ She doesn’t love confrontation,” he added. Considering her part of the season was filled with confrontation, it is no wonder she decided to stay home with Giggy. But Cohen has a theory as to why the reunion may have been too overwhelming.

All over a dog adoption

The season began with a bang after rumors flew about a Vanderpump Dogs adoption that went awry. Dorit Kemsley adopted a dog from Vanderpump’s rescue but re-homed the pup after claiming the dog bit her family.

The Vanderpump Dog contract states customers must return dogs to the rescue center and not re-home animals on their own. Which is why, when the dog ended up in a shelter, the entire mess blew up in Kemsley’s face.

While the situation was resolved and the pup was eventually adopted, gossip and finger pointing began. The entire cast was buzzing about the adoption. Until finally, it exploded when a story appeared in Radar Online painting Kemsley in a poor light. The women accused Vanderpump of planting the story and she denied it. The last interaction Vanderpump had with the cast was when she bounced her former best friend, Kyle Richards from her home mid-season.

‘Puppy Gate’ was insane (but not because of the cast)

Fans latched onto the story like a “dog with a bone.” Viewers quickly divided and fiercely took sides, often warring on social media. Vanderpump defenders were fiercely protective of their queen, lashing out at the rest of the cast. Or just about anyone who wrote anything negative about her.

In fact, a reporter from People was threatened by a fan after he criticized Vanderpump for making a transphobic comment during an episode. The reporter simply tweeted that he expected more from Vanderpump. But was met with a death threat from a viewer.

Team Vanderpump fans also demanded viewers to stop watching the show in order to send a message. Unfortunately, that didn’t work as the ratings climbed higher and higher.

Cohen thinks the women could have worked out the issues

Cohen admits he was “bummed” when he learned Vanderpump wasn’t attending the reunion. “I thought it would be a great opportunity for her to address her issues with the other women, and them with her,” he said.

He pauses and then offers this insight. “I don’t think [the issues] are that deep,” he said. “And the further you step away from it and just look on social media, and listen to other people chirping it becomes worse and worse.”

Cohen adds he was hopeful Vanderpump would have shown up and there may have been a resolution. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion airs Tuesday, July 16 at 9/8c.