Alan Cumming may technically be a reality star now, but he has not always been a fan of the TV genre.
Speaking with The New Yorker staff writer Emily Nussbaum at the 25th Annual New Yorker Festival on Friday night (Oct. 25), The Traitors host admitted he had “zero” perspective on reality TV ahead of landing his esteemed hosting gig, even admitting that he “was a bit judgy” of the genre.
“The thing I don’t like about a lot of those shows is that they laud, and then therefore encourage, bad behavior and lack of kindness,” he explained.
Cumming, who co-owns the New York City nightclub Club Cumming, likened the behavior of reality contestants to that of drag queens.
“I mean, I think all these people on these shows are basically like drag queens and I don’t like a mean drag queen,” he added. “I think you don’t have to be a mean drag queen. You can be commanding and you can be a star and you can be fascinating without having to be mean.”
Nonetheless, he noted that “the great thing” about the Emmy award-winning reality series is that “it doesn’t do that.”
“It makes people have to work together,” he continued. “Of course, they’re do[ing] terrible things to each other and they’re treacherous, but it’s not — it’s about the game aspect rather than just being, you know, a meanie and just flinging wine at each other and stuff like that.”
Set at a castle in Scotland — which Cumming assured festival goers on Friday night is “not” actually his — The Traitors puts reality TV stars up against each other in a murder mystery game. Cumming, who described hosting the show as “a complete left field, hilarious turn in [his] life and career,” said that he “love[s] it.”
“It’s such fun,” he shared. “And also, it has brought me many great things. You know, other things have happened because of the success of this.”
Season 2 of The Traitors concluded in March, and boasted a cast featuring Tamra Judge (The Real Housewives of Orange County), Peter Weber (The Bachelor), Phaedra Parks (Married to Medicine) and Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio (The Challenge). The show was renewed for a third season back in February, with Cumming set to return as host. In June, Peacock announced that Selling Sunset‘s Chrishell Stause, The Real Housewives of Dubai star Chanel Ayan, Bachelor in Paradise bartender Wells Adams, and Vanderpump Rules‘ very own Tom Sandoval will be among those competing next season.
While Cumming noted that he’s become “quite chummy” with some of the contestants, he confessed that he does not watch their shows.
“I don’t have time. I don’t know,” he added. “I don’t — it just doesn’t interest me to — oh, so I know I’m going to get a huge dose of it when I go to Scotland every year.”
Seasons 1 and 2 of The Traitors are now streaming on Peacock. A Season 3 premiere date has not yet been announced.