Pop quiz: What was your favorite Bravo TV show in 1995? Okay, 2000. Drawing a blank? Me too. The network synonymous with hit reality shows would have gone down in history for introducing James Lipton’s beard were it not for five guys with a passion for food, fashion, beauty, design and pop culture.

“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was a big game changer for Bravo,” said Andy Cohen, senior VP of original programming and development. “That really helped us to define and grow, and we were able to then go in there with so many shows that have wound up being great water cooler, buzzy, big hits for us.”

And, while Bravo is often labeled gay-friendly, Cohen says its focus actually leans more towards the center. “We’re bi. You don’t know who we’re gonna go home with at the end of the night.”

Part 1: Bravo’s Andy Cohen to Reality TV Hopefuls: ‘Good Luck’

Part 3: Andy Cohen Answers to Bravo’s Critics, Gets Real about ‘Reality’ TV

Media Beat is mediabistro.com’s interview series with the movers and shakers of the media world. View all past episodes at MediaBeat.com.