Andy Cohen to host Miss USA 2011

Andy Cohen sharp dressed for Made in NY awards

I could have sat down for a 5 hour brainstorming session and not have come up with a more perfect host for Miss USA 2011 than Watch What Happens Live’s Andy Cohen.

The executive producer from Bravo and the driving creative force behind the mega-popular Real Housewives franchise has been selected by Bravo’s parent company NBC to host the event that is set to air on June 19. It’s as if his endless encounters with the Ramonacoaster, The Countess, Bethenny Frankel, Mama Elsa Patton, Vicki Gunvalson and of course ATL’s Nene Leakes has prepared him solely for this mission.

I am not of the pageant universe but passionate hardcore fans of that great American tradition should rest easy as their premier night is in the hands of a very capable man. If Cohen’s Twitter is any indication he’s getting amped for the big show in which he will appear alongside E’s Giuliana Rancic.

“Psyched to play w/ u Giuliana! RT @GiulianaRancic: So excited to be hosting Miss USA with @BravoAndy on Sunday, June 19 in Vegas on @NBC! We r gonna have a blast!”

Perhaps Andy will hand out a mazel to one of the finalists and ask Countess LuAnn De Lesseps to serenade the winner with her hit single “Money Can’t Buy You Class.”  And we all know that Ramona Singer will provide some Pinot for backstage followed by some runway and swimsuit advice for the girls!

You can count me in for Miss USA 2011 just to see how the best late night host on TV handles the gig. Oh, and if you’re more of a swimsuit portion type of guy here’s a batch of H-O-T swimsuit pics from Miss America’s 2011 preliminaries and a bikini fest pool party featuring 2010 Miss USA winner Rima Fakih.

Photo: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com