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Cohen would even argue that Bravo has taken strides in presenting images of gay Americans that isn't tidied up or "straightwashed." "I also love that the gay people that have gotten exposure on Bravo as a result of their various fields of expertise are … not some tough guy who happens to be gay on an episode of Cheers, but actually the kids who maybe got picked on on the playground, and maybe still get picked on on the playground," he said. "Maybe if they see these people excelling and being talented and being who they are, then maybe that's making life easier for kids who are, quote unquote, different."

And Cohen reported that there is no uneasiness around Bravo being perceived as a "gay network. "No," he said. "Love it. I am what I am, and we are what we are. I think that our network is devoted to peeling off the creative process in various parts of … pop culture and the arts, and I think gay people play a major role in those facets of life, and I think that it is only natural that gay people would then play a big part in our programming."

Bravo's programming seems to support this. With the new Top Design and the upcoming Shear Genius, the network is exposing the ins and outs of two more traditionally gay disciplines: interior design and hairstyling.

Asked if gay fans should expect that the sexualities of the contestants will be fully integrated into the programs, Cohen replied, "They should; Top Design is a pretty gay show. Top Design could be gayer than Project Runway. Actually, the other thing that I always loved about Project Runway is that the male, quote, role models on PR are gay — you know, Michael Kors and Tim Gunn. Which I always thought was amazing, and it's so matter-of-fact, and it's not that you know anything about Michael or Tim personally, but they just are. And with Top Design, you have Todd Oldham and Jonathan Adler, and I think that's a very cool thing."

But Cohen isn't as forthcoming about the much-rumored "gay talk show" starring Joan Rivers that was proposed last year. "We did a pilot," he said simply. "It was a lot of fun. I don't, you know — I can't really speak to it. No word yet." Nevertheless, Cohen confirmed that he was on the pilot as one of the hosts, and it sounds as though the project is still alive.

Cohen doesn't, however, see the need to push out a glut of Bravo shows that are centered specifically around being gay, such as a second season of Boy Meets Boy. "We are really gay," Cohen said with a laugh. "We can't get any gayer — what do you want from us?"

So Bravo has had a few runaway hits and has a clear, gay bent in its programming, but what about one of the gay-friendly hits getting picked up by big-brother company NBC? "Look, we want successes on Bravo to stay on Bravo," Cohen said. "I mean, it was a great opportunity when Project Runway aired on NBC last year, when they aired the Miss USA episode. It exposes that show and our shows to a whole different audience, and it happened with Queer Eye and it happened with Top Chef in December. So it's a great way to get different eyeballs on shows. But I think that I want our hit shows on our hit channel."

And what about Cohen, personally? Does Watch What Happens! signal that he's looking for a second career in front of the camera? "No," he answered. "I mean, I love my job. And I love writing the blog. … I love our shows; I love Bravo; and everything that has happened as a result of this has been a beautiful thing. Icing on the cake. So wherever anything leads me, you know, I just want to be happy."

Regardless of where that might take him? "Happy somewhere," he said. "I don't know. Bartending on an island, I don't know. Maybe I'll write an hourly blog."

Regardless of whether he ends up on an island, hosting a show or continuing to ascend the ranks within network TV, one gets the feeling that Cohen will always find a way to warm himself in the spotlight every now and again. And wherever he ends up, there had better be room for his dolls. Especially Miss Diana.

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