Craig Conover on The Toast: Monday, October 14th, 2024
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Welcome back to The Toast. We are thrilled to be joined by kind of Toast superfan, friend of the family...

Spritz investor. Colleague. Reality star. Heartthrob. It's Craig Conover. Thanks, girls. Welcome back to the show. I remember my first time. Well, you know how at SNL you get a jacket if you've done, like, hosted five times, right? Oh, I love that. You might be one of the only people. What is it, like the third time you've been on? Yeah. It gets better every time, but we need to get you a jacket. That would be sweet. I remember Watch What Happens used to have, like, a 10 club. Yeah. What did you get? Nothing.

But it was just like... A big deal. Like, you know. Yeah. You've been on how many times? Watch What Happens Live. It's been a lot. Yeah, you lost count. Yeah, which is...

- Well, we just did Andy's anniversary. And if you had been on over 10 times, I think you were invited. But mine was like, or no, it was like over 15 or something. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. - Wow. - Well, we didn't bring you a jacket, but you brought us a present, which was so nice. - I did, but it was just for you guys to have. - You always bring us presents. - We are sewing down south to number one customers. Our studio is outfitted. We're not customers 'cause we never pay. - I know. - But our studio is outfitted with a ton of your pillows and you brought us a holiday themed pillow.

Hanukkah. So inclusive. Look at the back with the dreidels. Isn't that pretty? It's very pretty. I'm not going to lie. It's hard to make nice looking Hanukkah stuff. The colors aren't the greatest. I love. This is beautiful. Thank you. Well, I just brought it as like gifts, but that was nice of you to bring it out. We love. Oh, I'm so excited. Yeah. I love sending y'all stuff and you've had our pillows for years in the studio. But yeah, now we're partners. Yeah. Big time. You're doing so many things.

You just launched a new can with us of Spritz. I mean, not Spritz. Craig loves Spritz. We went to the Aris tour. We were chugging them down. And you ended up coming on board. And we just released our first flavor with you. It's a lemon iced tea. We also debuted our new cans. We made much bigger cans. They were a little too small. Yeah, they're great. And they stay cold. It was as organic as you can get because...

I don't drink liquor. And so I never can drink the like the ready to drink cans. And so when we were on our way to Taylor Swift, I saw them and then I was like, oh, and they were like, they're wine based. And I was like, oh, my gosh, this is perfect. And then I tasted them and I was like, I love these. And then I found out that they were yours.

and we had a blast at Taylor Swift. I thought I would know way more songs. I was very disappointed. - Let me tell you, going to the Aris tour with Craig was actually sad because all the way there he was so lit up. He's like, "I know so many songs. "This is gonna be amazing." And Paige was like, "I don't think you know that many songs." He's like, "No, no, no, I know so many songs."

Cut to the actual concert. I mean, she plays almost 50 songs, so it's impossible really for you to have known. Yeah. But you didn't know many. No, it was very humbling that I clearly am a mainstream fan. Yeah. Bandwagon. Yeah. Not on purpose. Yeah. How many songs do you think you know? I mean, I guess 10, you know. I would say five. Five. Five. Well. What's your favorite Taylor Swift song? Oh, that's a great question. Um.

I probably, my first love of hers was our song. And it was, I was in freshman or sophomore in college. And I remember,

We had this party room in the fraternity house. It was just like, I guess it was supposed to be a dining room. And the music system was in there. And I would go put on our song and I would get in a fight with the other like older fraternity guys who wanted to listen to like rock. I was like, I do not care what you want to listen to. When I play this song, everyone in here starts dancing and singing like that's who I care about. Where did you go to college? College of Charleston.

- Of course you did. - And that's what brought you to Charleston? - Yes, yes. - Oh right, 'cause you're from Delaware? - Mm-hmm. - You're not native. - No, I grew up on the eastern shore of Delaware, which is funny because when Southern Terms started, one time it was accidentally said somewhere, it's about six people from Charleston, or people thought of it, and it's about six people that lived in Charleston. - Right, so it's a big expose. - Yeah, everyone was like, "He's not even from the South." I was like, "I never said I was from the South, "I just live there." - You never even go here. - Yes, exactly.

- I don't know if I ever really put together that you're not Southern, just because the branding of Southern charm and you act like Southern. - So I'm the-- - And you're like the face of Charleston at this point. - Right. - I'm the resident Yankee on the show. - Oh my God, wait, scandal. - Yes. - Speaking of the show, where is the show? - Yes, we were just talking about that on the way here. You guys have taken a long break between seasons. - It just, it always seems like that.

So I started filming when I was 24. I'm 36 now. Wow. We just filmed our 10th season. Mazel Tov. Thank you. And you've been on every single season. Yeah, me and Shep. That's it now. You and Shep. Yeah, me and Shep are the only OGs left, which is why, I mean, we grew up, like I spent, yeah, like went through my 20s on TV. It's unique. It's crazy. And it's neat because it's opened so many doors and I can connect with so many people that have rooted for me throughout the years. But yeah,

You know, there's a lot of times that I wish weren't filmed because it was like I couldn't watch. But now it allows me to say, hey, like the more open and honest I am about stuff, the more people are like, yeah, I did. Like, yeah, me too. And you're like, oh, cool. We can relate through this and also see that there's like a light at the end of the tunnel. So we just filmed 10th season. It'll come out, you know, soon. I don't think they've officially announced yet.

Because it's like, seriously, my favorite show on Bravo. I've never missed a season. I always say, it's like my comfort show. Even when I'm going through a phase where I'm not like watching all the housewives or whatever it is, like life gets busy. Like I always watch Southern Charm. I love it. She's always rooted for you.

- I always say Craig was on the right side of history. And when you look back at stuff, everything you did as it relates to your cast members aged really well. I feel like you took the right sides in a lot of the disputes. - And they still, they never picked up on it. - No, and they don't give you your credit.

- Full circle moment for you. Another thing, like, I feel like a lot of things over the last couple of years have happened and you've been able to really been like, look, I was right and look, I did it. Look, you passed the bar. And with this recent news coming out about that zoo. - Oh my God. - You've sort of been vindicated. Can you remind me, because I couldn't remember, you had said on the show that like,

Explain it. You were talking about the conspiracy theories. Yeah, so this is what happened. So Paige and I love conspiracy theories, and she's more of a TikTok girlie than I am. I'm always, you know, two weeks late on my reels. That's literally Jackie and me. And it actually bothers Paige. Literally me. It doesn't bother me. Yeah. I'm like, this is great. She's just living in delusion. The thing with TikTok is...

you can disappear for like a couple hours. And so there's a time and a place for it. But sometimes like the worst time is in bed at night because you're like, I was going to go to bed at midnight and now it's two. And you're like, and I'll never remember all this stuff that I actually think it's it's amazing what they've really done. It is. It's great. But your specific TikTok content and your gardening content is really premium. And I think I speak on behalf of everyone. Like we want more. Yeah, we're working on that. Me and my assistant Jack, we're we're setting up

that's the goal is to start to break down the barriers, make all of that stuff approachable. And because I never know what I'm doing, but it's okay to learn and get into it. But, um, so yes. So Paige had told me that, you know, that there was this conspiracy that pandas weren't real. And then it was like, you know, people in suits and stuff because of, and it was just funny enough that like it stuck with me. And so we were on this cast trip to Shep's mountain house and Shep was actually doing it.

to, he was trying to weaponize it against me. And he was like, well, Craig is this big conspiracy guy. Like, why don't you tell us something? And in my head in that moment, I said, what can I think of in this moment that is completely non-political, which is almost impossible to find one that's not. And I said, but like funny enough, like how, what is the perfect thing that,

Just fits that like right down the middle that both sides can appreciate. And so I was like, pandas aren't real, you know, just like threw it out there. And it was just ridiculous enough that people like I still think there's people out there that are like, we aren't sure if Craig actually believes this or not. So it was just ridiculous enough.

And, you know, I was like playing. I was like, yeah, I really wish they were, too. You know, like I was really a fan of theirs. And then they were like, wait, is he kidding or not? And so it allowed us to approach it in a fun way that you would have to really suck at life to get annoyed. Right. You know, there's people out there. They're like, ah, people like that just scare me. And you're like, you know, I can't. Yeah, because the pandas aren't real. Right.

And then it turns out this week, like a zoo actually corroborated your story. I've been sent that. Yeah. Thousands of times. It was literally putting like dogs in the display and painting their eyes black. It was really incredible how things just play out where they're like, everyone thinks Craig is absolutely nuts when he says something. And so a lot, most of the time, if not all the time, it comes true. And so we,

We had a lot of fun with it, or I did, because it got thrown back into, look, I love Shep to death, but he wasn't doing it to be funny. And it turned into this, yes, he was mocking me. He was putting you on the spot a little bit. And so now, and I think he even posted something that wasn't that funny this week when he saw it. He was like, let's not encourage Craig. Oh my God, so lame. I'm sure a million people sent it to him. But yeah, this zoo guy caught painting

as pandas. Like, who would have thought a year later? And so it's been a funny week. So where do you land like on pandas in general? Again, I just I really wished they were real. No, someone like was really upset one day and I finally had to tell him they're like, please, like, I love them so much. Please tell me, you know, they're real. And I was like, yes, of course, I know pandas.

Panda bears are real. They just were never, they haven't been found in history. Like going back 300 years, that's like the first time they appear in history. So there's a lot of questions around panda bears. - That's definitely interesting. - Interesting, sus. - Yeah, there's some sus. And then people would be like, see, I knew he was like. You gotta have fun with stuff, you know? - Never stop asking why. - Yes. - Where, when, how. - I said on the show, or I said somewhere, I said, don't be afraid, but stay informed. I said, don't stay scared, stay informed. - That is nice.

- Put it on a pillow. - You need to put it on a pillow. There's so much going on, by the way, not me getting tagged in a thousand Instagram stories, that Amanda Seyfried went to your, you have a something down south, actual physical retail location in Charleston. Amanda Seyfried was there and she was drinking a spritz 'cause you sell spritz there. Question mark. - How awesome was that? - Was she a fan of the show?

No. Well, I mean, no, that's not why she was there. She has an incredible company called Make It Cute and with her two best friends from childhood. And they got sick of seeing these cardboard forts in their living rooms. But the kids love cardboard. Like, I remember when my parents got a new fridge and I like wouldn't let them throw the box away. And I guess during COVID, they were like,

It was driving them nuts. And so they made cardboard forts. Cute. That is cute. And sustainable and like eco-friendly. Or they're reusable. And so they're like pack in place. You can pack up your cardboard fort now. You need one. And they're really like their patterns are awesome. And so you put it up, they play in it, and you can put it back down. The thing is, is the first thing that the kids want to do is take a nap in there or sleep in there. And they don't have pillows and blankets to go with it.

And so he got us out. Oh, my God. Sleeping on the dreidel pillow in the fort. And so one of her partners lives in Delaware near my parents now. One lives in Charleston. And Amanda has a place in the city. And it was very serendipitous. And so she came down and she had a spritz in her hand. And I was dying because I was like, you know, I'll never force things on people. Of course. Of course. But you just let it happen. And it was one of our – we don't have closed events at the store, but we had to with this. And –

there was like 50 people outside and Amanda was like, does this happen a lot? And I was like, you know, kind of, you know, it's kind of a, it's on the bucket list for a lot of people to come by here. And she's like, well, why don't we go take pictures with everyone? I was like, they're probably hoping that we take a picture. And she was like, well, why don't we? And I was like, yes. Cause like you never know, you know? And I didn't want to like put her in a spot and she was like, well, yeah, like let's go take pictures. And so I grabbed my employee, Gracie. I was like, Gracie, let's do a line photo line outside. And we went out there and,

And also, it's always a relief when you find out like a very famous person is actually cool and nice. And all these girls were coming up and crying because they play her in their like school plays for like Mamma Mia or it helped them in their life. And it was a cool new dynamic that I don't see on like the unscripted side. Yeah. That's so nice to hear. She was wonderful. We did a beach cleanup the next day and now we are –

we're gonna work together, we're gonna do something for the holidays together, make it cute and something down south. - The craziest thing, and I don't think people really understand it unless they've been to a store or purchased your products, you have built the most legitimate business. You're literally well on your way to being a Martha Stewart type, and I'm not saying that as blowing smoke up your ass. You have stores, you have major partners, they sell your shit everywhere. It is so impressive, especially when you think your whole journey on the show, everybody was making fun of you for your sewing and not taking you seriously.

And then you really ended up on top. And I just think it's like really not enough people get how like when Ben learned about your like Sowing Down South business, he was literally jealous. Like he was like, wait, it's so impressive. Because I think a lot of reality stars start companies and they get successful. And there's a lot of smoke before there's substance. But I also think that's probably like a part of your success is like how hard you're working and what you're doing while not drawing so much attention to it so that when the spotlight is on, it's like, wow, we have this big thing. It's insane. It's been really...

I try to tell people, I'm like, look, everyone's just living for the first time that we know of, right? We don't, like no one's done that. Allegedly. Yes, allegedly. No one knows what they're doing. We're all just trying to figure it out. Do you think we're living in a simulation? No, I haven't. At this point, I have no idea. Answer the question, do you? I don't, I, the honest answer to that is I don't know what that means.

- That's a great answer. - Oh my God, that's such a good answer. - When people say that, I don't understand what they're actually saying. - 100%. - What does it mean to live in a simulation? - Yes, it's only like-- - Do you believe in God? - Do I believe in God? I believe in a higher power. - Yeah. - Yeah. - I have a personal relationship

With God. Like, yeah, I mean, I guess for me it's God because I was born, I was raised Catholic. I think organized religion, we all hit that age where, and it's good. Like you start to ask questions and you're like, are there alternative motives here? History is, you know,

I think there's reasons for people to do things and control and stuff. But then you have life experiences where all of a sudden, like, you, like, and, like, you get chills saying it. And, like, my dad has had open-heart surgery twice. So, like, he, it's interesting to talk to him because he's like, I have my own thing. Like, I have, like, you know, when your body is, like, opened up like that, like. Oh, I'm sorry.

He's never really told us what it is, but he has his own relationship with whatever it is. So yes, I believe in something. And I love nature and all of that. That's what we're saying. You can't believe in a simulation if you believe in God or science. I think it's a healthy thing. I enjoy... I will say my prayers at night as almost a form of meditation. I try to remember. So yeah, it's funny because I think it comes in waves. Yeah. I agree. And you...

So that's my. - That's nice, thank you for sharing. - Sorry for the deep question. - Well no, because it's one of those things that I try to be honest about everything now because sometimes we've gotten, like we're so connected through computer devices now that like we've lost a lot of the combos we used to have. - So true. - Yeah, the podcasting is bringing it back, bringing that conversation. - Very old school of us talking IRL. - So that's what I try to tell people. Yes, the company is doing really, really well.

But, you know, for a year I was stuck in my dining room sewing pillows. I didn't know what I was going to do. Like, I didn't know how to scale it. I was like, am I going to have to hire a bunch of retired old women in my community to sew in my garage? Also a nice idea. Yeah. And so, yeah, so we did. And I just, I didn't know there were pillow factories, you know. And so when my partner, Jerry, and his sister-in-law, Amanda, came,

came on board, I tell everyone like get partners. You know, they wanted a third of the company. I grew up watching Shark Tank. You're not supposed to give up half your company. But my dad was like, do you want all of a hundred dollar company or a third of what could become a really big company?

And so with them, we have had a really fun time scaling this. We were just in Missouri at a quilting company called Missouri Star to get into doing fabrics and stuff like that. Oh, wow. Great project runway of you. Yeah, we've got our store in Nashville now.

And the What's Wrong With My Baking line just came out with Kroger. - What's wrong with my baking? That's hysterical. - Yeah, so we have a full kitchen line now at Kroger. So we do their store brand stuff. So sheets, towels, stuff like that. - That's amazing. - But it did take, here's what I have to figure out how to tell people. We're almost in our sixth year.

So it's very easy for people to see what it is now and just be like, oh, he got lucky. Of course. It's because he's on TV. Yes, there are a lot of benefits from that platform that Bravo gave me. But there's not a lot of companies on Bravo because it still takes challenges. And I try to tell people like,

Yes, I had that platform, but there's ways to donate to local charities and like get on the local news and do things. And so I get to go around and like help people with that. Like when you bought a pillow for us in the beginning, we took your money and went and had the pillow made and then we would ship you the pillow. Right.

Right. Like we didn't have to put any money into the company, which I didn't know was real. Right. But also a lot of people who are on TV start companies and they don't thrive. So it's a little bit more than just that. Yeah. It's, it's, I love going around and meeting people and grinding. And for me, it gives me a way to connect, um,

with people but it's funny because I really thought when I got my sewing machine everyone was gonna think it was so cool like I thought I was gonna walk in the room and everyone's gonna be like oh my god I couldn't have been more wrong what kind of sewing machine did you have it was a brother that okay a two-in-one brother oh I have to ask you about this because we're really short and like half the clothes I buy like I have to take to the seamstress and that's like really expensive for

like a pair of jeans. - Well I got paired, so I just wrote the foreword for Sewing for Dummies. - I saw that you posted that on Instagram, did you see? - No. - They're coming out, you know those books Blank for Dummies? - Yes, yes, yes. - They did one for sewing and they asked to correct the foreword. - Brilliant. - Yeah, so I wrote the foreword and everyone tagged Claudia.

And I was like, all right, I got to ask her why. I'm dying to learn how to sew. One, I think it's like a good skill to have. And I know how to sew. Like if my jacket were to rip on the seam, I can like put it back together. But in terms of really like making a hem, I feel like that would be a really money saving, valuable thing. We're in the dressing room when we go on tour. I'm literally like having to sew my dress because I'm so short. The straps are too long. Like I need, I think it's a good life skill to have. And I think it would save me a lot of money. It is. Can you have your own pants? Yes.

And we were just at a wedding in France and I was like, and like Paige was getting ready and I was like hemming my pants. - Do you ever hem her like clothes for her? - She, okay, I'll be honest. I don't think I have yet and so she holds that. Like you've never hemmed my pants. - Honestly, she's so right. If Ben knew how to sew, totally. - Oh my God, it would be over. - So maybe, I know I've done some stuff for her but no, she still has that in her pocket where like I have not hemmed.

The book's great. And I think learning how to hand stitch stuff is a great thing to know. Um,

But with a machine, like my first machine was $200 and embroidered and it sewed. And the embroidery is a great gateway drug into sewing because like it's easy. And like it'll make sewing less intimidating. We're trying to break down that barrier where a lot of people want to get into crafting, but they're like, well, I don't have grandma's huge sewing machine. And it's like you don't need that. Like it's an easier hobby to get into.

People don't have hobbies anymore. Yeah. So true. I just started a personal arts and crafts project just for fun, and it's brought me so much joy. I'm making my own cookbook with recipes that I like and writing them all down. Now I'm getting family recipes and then scanning them and sending them to the rest of them. It's so nice to have hobbies that are wholesome that aren't just doom scrolling. And working with your hands. TikTok. And it's creating. And so I had someone, God forbid they make us talk to a million people

Therapist in reality TV. Uh,

probably for, well, I know for liability purposes. So they're always like, I'm just not great at it. They're like, Craig, what's up? I'm like, are we going to do this? And they're like, are you okay? And I'm like, I'm okay. And they're like, okay, well, but one told me that I have a need to create. That's why I love to cook and garden. And like, so, cause they were like, you really love that joy of creation. And I was like, you're right. Like that is what it. And so I don't think a lot of kids do that right now. Cause they took home back out of schools. They took tech out of schools. Right.

So we donate a lot of sewing machines and it's funny because they're always like, if you had a curriculum to go along with this, it would be better. And I was like, it existed for like 200 years. Right, right. It's like back to basics. It's like you don't have to go forward. You actually just have to go backwards. So like Emeril Lagasse apparently does a gardening program that comes with a curriculum and it's done so you can get credit in schools and it's done really well. Oh, interesting. I'll say Emeril. Yeah, I know. I'll say Emeril.

Shout out to, yeah, throwback to Emeril. What is the tool that you would suggest for people who want to get into embroidery and then sewing? Yeah, I think, so hemming your own pants, you can actually, like I do by hand. And so just like a little sewing kit. But YouTube is how you learn. Like YouTube is how you learn everything. I have to see it. I can't read it. And so like,

seeing someone do it like in france when we were at this wedding i still and i've done it before it had the video my like 65 year old woman that i was watching and like do you have a fave creator no it's funny because there's this one lady who only has like 35 views on her videos and they're all you most of them are me and i need to reach out and tell her for like 10 um and so i would recommend just getting a starter machine because mine still works like right i have a bernina now but

Like my brother, I still have and it works just as well. And it just, I know $200 is a lot of money for some people, but like it's less than a video game system. Right. And there's a time and place for video games too. But when you actually finish making something, it gives you this rush and then you get to gift it to someone. Like homemade gifts. That's like me and my sourdough. I feel like sourdough is next for you. Right? In everything that you're saying. I have...

I really disgrace the sourdough gods because I've had people send me starters and I'm just not home enough. Yeah. That I haven't been able to jump into it. You have to be totally ready. Like you can't foist it on someone. I actually just brought Claudia's starter, but I was like, keep it in your fridge. Like do not start today. Like you're not mentally prepared. I was trying to jump the gun. Jackie will give you hers. Okay. Yeah. Okay, great. Because I...

Would love to page and I pages very supportive of all of that, which is awesome. And so we save like recipes and things to do with it. So we have this pipe dream of getting there one day, but it just seems like I'm in and out of the door too much. It's a full time. Yeah. And yeah, it's like, if you're traveling a lot, which you do, like you kind of need like a sitter for your starter or

You keep it in the fridge when you travel if it's once in a while But if it's like three days here even for today like I actually might need to send my husband directions to feed my starter Or else like it's like a pet. I had to get a beekeeper I love like I love our bees, but I was every ten days. You should check on them They're very self-sufficient, but we were I'm starting to be gone a little more. Yeah. Where do you find a beekeeper? She's amazing so we

I won't break the rules yet, but Paige and I, during the time that we were supposed to start filming, like got into beekeeping. And so there's this like, there's a beekeeping farm north of me, like 30 minutes north of me. And so we went and we took a class and she loved it so much that like if Paige loves something, I'll go all in with it. It's just the frequency that a bee vibrates is like the frequency of like

Or like It's like healthy and calm Yeah they say like If bees were to disappear Like the entire earth Would be done in like a week Yeah everyone should have bees Yeah so true It's crazy So like they're so calming And they don't sting you Like they have no business They don't want to Like it's like having a birdhouse And they're very self sufficient She likes it Because the boys have zero purpose Right Like they mate one time And then they die And if they don't mate The girls kick them out of the hive And they die So a beehive is all girls Yeah And So we brought

we painted beehives in our backyard and she brought us like a queen bee and got us started. Do you follow that lady on TikTok? Yeah. Another day of saving the bees. I still will like, we'll go out there and talk to them. As long as you're not like pulling their...

Like the trays out and stuff. You don't have to be in a suit. But it's funny because we're having the day after my brother's wedding party there next weekend. And he's like, just doesn't understand it. He's like, why do you have bees in your backyard? We're gonna have 170 people in your backyard. And I was like, they're not gonna bother anyone. They don't bite. They're very self-sufficient. Yeah. But I saved one after the hurricane the other day. Like I saw that it was tired and like way too far from the hive. So I like...

I didn't use my hand, I used a piece of computer paper 'cause I wasn't there yet, and then I took 'em back to the hive. - Computer paper. - And I was like, anyway. - Wait, is that gonna be on this season? Is that why you said you don't wanna spoil? - Yeah, I hope it is. - Okay. - Yeah, I hope so too. - It was during that time, and we still have bees. We just had a hornet attack and lost our first million as a thing.

But yeah, you should get bees. Okay. I want chickens really bad. So does Jackie. I want chickens, but my county doesn't allow for them. So it's not. And also I'm like scared of animals. Like low key. Yeah. Like I have a wild. Yeah. I have like a dog that I love, but like, I'm not like. Chickens would be intimidating if you were having to handle them. Yeah. And I guess I eat eggs every morning now. It's part of my routine. And I was like,

Like if we went back into lockdown, me and Paige's life would look very simple. She would fly to Charleston. We would get chickens and do the entire like homestead thing. Then you would start sourdough. Yeah. Because my community doesn't let me, but I wouldn't care. I'd be like, I'm getting chicken. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, we're all just like one week away from a homestead. It's so true. It's like, force me. Yeah, sure. I'm there. Yeah.

We're like one traffic jam away from just throwing it all away. I'm not going to the store anymore. I hate to bring this up, but you did just... You were coming off of Summer. Paige just filmed Summer House. I know you were there. And I know there was some awkwardness. We've put it all to bed. I think we've all sort of moved past it. Spritz drama. But I want to know what that was like being in the house when there had been all this... Was that awkward? Well...

- Yeah, obviously. - Kinda like called you a liar. - Well yeah, I mean, the funny thing is, is because I went and filmed, it does put that wait and see barrier on me. If I hadn't have filmed it, then we could probably talk about it, but I can talk enough about it. I have a long leash, which I have earned, I think. I tried not to ruin it.

I think I was taken back when it all happened because Kyle's one of my favorite people on Bravo. I truly enjoy our friendship and filming with him and when the four of us get to hang out. So I was very taken back that night as a lot of people. And it's just one of those things where I guess everyone is just different. I could not have thought...

about what was happening differently, but I try to be in a calm state and respect that other people do. I mean, I deal with it with my own cast a lot. Austin and I are different in every single way that there is. And the things that he does, I will never understand. But I love him as a person. And I do love Kyle, and I think we had... I didn't... I was more bummed because it took my excitement from going out to the Hamptons away a little bit because I was like, man...

yeah, this is awkward. This is like, I don't get myself in these situations anymore because I'm in my thirties. Yeah. And if I do that, I just will run like I'll ghost the person. Like I can't ghost them. Um,

And so it went as well as you can hope for, and we fleshed it out, and you'll see how it plays out on this season of Summer House. But I think watching boys be awkward is funny. I think so too. I'm very much looking forward to it. I think the drive out there, and you're getting mic'd up, and in my head I'm like, all right, so do I dap him up? Do I give him a hug? Do I pull back? Do I act like nothing's going on?

And so it reminded me of being in like college. But Charleston is such a small town that you run into like exes and stuff. And that's kind of what it felt like. I mean, it felt like we were I was dating his girlfriend. You know, I felt like I was going into a party and being like, I have to like.

I have to like somehow. Like there's drama. Conflict resolution. Yeah, we had seen each other at Andy's Watch What Happens party. Right, that was like directly after. Yeah, and I said hi to him and Amanda, but that was it.

But this was months later. I also, like, I can't stay mad at people. Like, life's so short. Totally. And, like, it's tough to meet people. But you will see that it was not ignored. Like, we completely... Worked through it. We give it our... We give it enough, like... We gave it its time and addressed it. And we did everything that it deserved. Great. Because, like, sometimes... I used to, like, brush things under the carpet. But that...

I that'll eat me up. Like, yeah, yeah, I want to deal with it. But I also like there's a balance of, you know, and I'm sure like the other parties in this feel certain ways. But to me, I felt that I was wronged a little bit. So I was like, I you don't want to let someone like you just want to address it. I didn't want to feel heard.

Yeah, and there's that balance of being like, do I care that much? But I also don't want to let them get away. We live in a weird world. You especially, having to rehash things that happened months before just for entertainment purposes. Even with the reunion, you might have healed from something. Then you sit down and keep talking about it. You get yourself mad again. Oh, yeah. That's kind of what it was like. But it's always fun to go out. I have such a weird relationship with the Hamptons because so many people, to them, it's this like...

this Oasis and like retreat, but I only know the Hamptons through summer house, which I mean, like, you know, but it's like cameras on you. Yeah. Like it's work. It's work. And, um, I mean, I've been out to him on talk a couple of times and had fun. I want to do it with y'all. Yeah. Hopefully one summer, but, um, it's always great to go see them. And, you know, I love that we do the crossover on Bravo. Now I think Paige and I almost forced, um,

their hand a little bit. I don't think that they were actively, you know, avoiding it. I think just it didn't fit inside the fourth wall, like, you know, or the four walls or whatever. And fortunately, those are coming down a lot more because I think the viewer deserves that. And like, it's going to be really fun. Like,

Certain shows are doing more of it. - I love it. - Yeah, like I liked when the Salt Lake City, like the producers were like, you're like, yes, because that's what was going on. It was crazy. - And it's so much more fun for the viewer. - Yeah, someone had to, and you're like, you know, you see a cameraman fall or like the light not lit up and you're like, you know, it's neat to see the behind the scenes. And so Stassi and I were really close.

you know, when the show was first started and like Bo and everything. And I had been on set at Vanderpump Rules and she had been in Charleston before, but they wouldn't like show us because they're like, it doesn't make sense. You're only friends through Bravo. Right. Whatever. It's so fun. Well, am I misremembering? Did they cancel Winterhouse?

I just put it on pause. Yeah. I don't know doing it. Right. We, we didn't do the third season. Yeah. And then there was other people. Yeah. Other people, they got to go out to steamboat, which I was jealous cause we did it in Vermont both times. Um, but that was cool. I mean, that was a catalyst. I think like the road rules, real world challenge would work in Bravo. I know that they have to keep it somewhat structured, but Paige and I kind of, you know, force the hand of being like, Hey, like we're dating. There's no avoiding this now. Um,

Because it's different companies that do it. Have you ever been asked to go on Traders? No. I think you would be good. I would do it. But you're so busy. But you should do it if they ask you. Yeah, I would do it if I was asked. Paige is very excited to one day hopefully do that. She would be amazing. She loves it. And I have a feeling...

and I know nothing about this, but I have a feeling they would probably want us to go at the same time. - Has anyone from your cast? - No. - That's a good call, that would be great. - I asked her, I was like, so would we work together, would you tell me? And she could not have been more like, what? - Absolutely not. - And I was like, well what do you mean? And she was like, no, that's not how the game's played, Craig. - It's true. - And I was like, oh, well, they probably should ask us. - She's kind of like a stickler for the rules. - My employees think I would be on the nice side of things.

People underestimate you. And I was like, but if it was for a game, I could do, or maybe they said, one of them is here. But we had this conversation the other night. One was like, you might get kicked off pretty quick. Oh, because you're very trusting. Or like,

I could lie if I needed to. Oh, yeah. I hate that storyline on Southern Charm because I've actually never lied on TV and I get this rep for being a liar and I was like, Shep said I lied. I just want to say, let's not have a reputation for being a liar. Maybe it feels that way. Focus group over here. I was like,

And people would be like, what are you talking about? That was a storyline. I have never lied on television. No, I would say you're honest to a fault. Like, I don't think that you have a stigma or, like, a reputation for being a liar. Well, how does that – how would that play into traitors? Well, you have to be, like, a little deceptive. Okay. And you have to, like, dead-ass lie to people's faces. But I think because you're not a liar, like, you have that credence. Credibility. People trust you. If there was a – if it was for – I mean, I would love to. And that's – it's funny because I've been asked to do a couple, like –

Of those other All star shows Yeah like There's been some That one was just like Way too much physical Stuff Dancing with the stars Oh no That was always a dream The challenge Force There was like One of them Special forces Special forces Yeah yeah Special unit It was gonna require A lot of like Physical exertion And I was like The Tom Sandoval I would love to play a

It wasn't that one. I'd love to go to a castle in Scotland. But yeah, I was like, but my dreams to play like a special force guy as a role.

Yeah. You're getting there, by the way. You're having a major glow up. Thank you. We were talking about that before we rolled. You look like you've lost significant weight and you look like jacked. Thank you. And that was a journey you went on on purpose? Yeah, I'm going to stay ready for when this call comes. Right. And be like, hey, we need someone to play a Navy SEAL. Who also has experience in reality. Or it's like a director who's a fan of Southern Term. I feel like that happens a lot where they're like, you could be in the truck. Yeah, I got to read for some stuff this year.

That's exciting. We just got to watch it on TV and Paige was like, those were my lines because she had to read with me the whole time and they went with someone way older. What was the show? Can you say? I don't know. I'm not sure if I can. That was like you with Law and Order. I didn't get it. I didn't get it either. It was 10 years ago. I could recite the monologue to a T. She was from Penn

- I'm from Pensacola, that's not much bigger than Maysville. Like literally when the episode comes on, the girl that they cast was really, really ugly looking and that's like the solid side. I don't think I was ugly enough. They needed this like backwoods, like actual like mole woman and I was clearly too beautiful. - That's amazing. - I was too beautiful, yeah. - One of my buddies lives in Charleston, one of the guys from the show lives in Charleston now

So we did this, but we were on like a ski trip. And I remember Paige was like, you should be taking this more seriously. And I was like, I am, this is what I want. But like, we don't have to fly home for me to do this reading. Like I can do it here. And, but she knew all the lines of the other guys. So we watched it on TV the other night and I was, and it sounds, it was like me, it's how I read it. So I felt good. And it was just, it was a bad guy with like red hair and he was balding. And I was like,

Again, you were too beautiful for the role. My friend was like, you are a bad guy. Like, we didn't want you for a bad guy. That totally makes sense. But it was a cool process. And I did a movie last year called Tuesday's Flu. And I got hooked. Like, I did, like, my scenes. And I was like, this is what I want to do. Like, I do think that I want to go into acting. I understand that.

I will say this, if I would have had to take the route of move to LA, start from scratch, no. But if there's opportunities where people are like, you've been on camera for 12 years, so you're comfortable in front of the camera, we've never really, and you don't have to unlearn any bad habits.

Like maybe we'll try you out here or there. You're open. I'm open to that. And you said you're open to dancing with the stars. That's a dream. Yeah. Well, that seems like a no brainer. They don't have a lot of Bravo people on. They do their own like ABC Bachelor type thing. Like that I think was the golden. Yeah. Like I thought that was the golden ticket. Well, Phaedra's on right now. Oh, is she? How's she doing? Really good. And Ariana was just on. Yeah, that's true. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's right. By the way, put it out into the universe. Someone who works for Dancing with the Stars. I just feel like you would get in the best shape.

Yeah, that's really – that's a great motivator. I mean, you get in the best shape. And, I mean, that's – honestly, that's kind of what happened to me. Like a year and a half ago, I just – I got a trainer, and I started to work out in the morning because I can't hold myself accountable. Like I acknowledge that to myself. Right. But, like, all of a sudden I started to work out, and I went to, like –

That like glass of wine at night seemed like a waste. I was like, maybe I'll have a soda water. You know, or spritz. But no, it's like, it just snow in my life. And I think a lot of people is everything snowballs. Like you're either going in the right direction or the wrong direction. And hopefully you're doing enough right stuff that if you have to take a couple of steps back, it's okay. Like you're not going to fall off the horse. Yeah. And like,

I don't know. I, I want to be like a good family man eventually. And I think in my head, I just thought that that happened. Like when you just got married, you just like flip a switch and you just are that, but no, you like grow into it. Yeah. And I think that's what like dating page helped me realize just like,

She didn't have to be forceful about anything, but I was just like, oh, like I'm a fun boyfriend, but I don't know if like I can be seen as like a responsible husband. I mean, I guess you've gotten to see that on TV, but it's been fun to grow up a little bit. I just would have never thought I would like earlier. Craig would have been like, no way would you ever say that? But I'm having fun like growing up a little bit. That's such a great message. I find also that it's like hard because the people that you that you're surrounded by

buy on the show at least like notoriously notoriously don't grow up like that's the thing and it seems to be the culture in Charleston where like the men it's like Peter Pan Sin German they don't grow up like I feel like you actually are up against greater odds yeah I think you'll see I think you'll see that um this season there's definitely some conversations about that uh I just like

Yeah, I think I guess we are getting into the season, which is fine. But you your values and priorities change in life. And I think there's some individualistic priorities. Like, I'm such a team sport guy. I grew up playing team sports like I grew up like, like when I started to make money in TV, like I would pay like I wanted all my friends to come out with me like I always been surrounded. But sometimes like,

You get to these, like, crossroads in life where you're, like, there's only room for, like, a single file line. But, like, you can bring other people, but everyone has to kind of fit, like, be aligned and stuff. You got to go it alone. Yeah, and you can't force people to, like, want certain things. And so I think there's been, like, some things over the last few years where, like, I've had that challenge of, like, do you...

you know, you sometimes you just, especially to grow a business, like you got to be lonely for a little bit. So true. And like, you're gonna feel lonely because your business has to be your, your buddy. And like, there's some fun in that because you know that you're doing the right thing all of a sudden, but there's just challenges that I've never faced before that are, you know, starting to happen in my life now.

Yeah. I know that's a whole bunch of circling around. I have one show question to ask you as a fan of the show. Like, who do you think is Austin's OTP? Who's he supposed to end up with? Every season, he's like with a new person. I'm like, this and Austin. She's the one. Him and Austin. Her and Austin. Chelsea, Olivia. And like, last season, I was really feeling like it was Taylor until it wasn't. Who do you think it is? Who's the one that got away? I think last year, um,

I think, I don't know if I, I mean, I hope I said it, but I think that it would have made sense for him and Taylor to date, even though that sounds so weird and messed up. I think that unfortunately there was too much chaos around it. Yeah. But they clicked. Yeah. Yeah. They clicked.

It's funny because him and Madison get along so well now, but as friends, but it's fun to watch them now in a friend relationship because she's so tough on him. And she has like a blast, you know, doing it. And he, he, you know, he, uh, reacts well to, you know, the, the back and forth. Um, he's, he's dating a wonderful girl. So I guess like she's next. Yeah. So like he's dating a wonderful girl now. Um,

Yeah, I can't wait to... I know that Austin wants to... Like, if he was to choose, I believe that Austin would choose the relationship life. I think he wants a special... Like, I think he likes having a partner. Okay. Yeah. I don't think he...

Don't think he would ever choose to be single. I think he wants like the happy ever after I think he's just trying to figure out how to achieve get there understood. Okay. Well, thanks Well, thanks for stopping by I know you have busy because you're like low-key the new face of Cracker Barrel and you have an event to go to which is why you look so spiffy So we will let you go you can get you are Craig lemon iced tea Sprit Society obviously It's for society calm shop sewing down south follow Craig on Instagram all of read his forward in so any book if you are Craig

Listen to his podcast. Why don't we do Toast 20 too for Sewing Down South 20% off. Oh, wow. Don't say we never gave you anything. Do you guys do custom cushions? We don't. But for you, we could figure something out. Okay, sweet. I have a bench that needs cushioning. Go Toast 20 at Sewing Down South. Thank you for stopping by. Thank you guys for listening and we will see you on the next one. Love ya. Bye.