Aliens Watching Reality TV

The Circle Season 6 Episode 1 Recap

• Aliens Watching Reality TV • Season 11 • Episode 1

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 48:36

We watched The Circle for the first time and I don't know that I liked it but I liked crapping on it. Come crap on The Circle with us!

Subscribe to our Patreon for just $5 a month to get an additional full-length episode every single week! You have found your people. Join us 👽
https://www.patreon.com/AliensWatchingRealityTV

Aliens Watching Reality TV is hosted by Erika Heidewald and Josh Shahryar, two reality show newbies who grew up feeling like aliens (turns out we're just autistic and ADHD) and love analyzing human behavior by watching reality TV dating shows on Netflix.

Find us on social media:

https://www.tiktok.com/@aliensrealitytv

https://www.tiktok.com/@erikaheidewald

https://twitter.com/erikaheidewald

https://www.tiktok.com/@jshahryar

https://twitter.com/JShahryar

https://twitter.com/aliensrealitytv

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5ibZRt1YLPPlw_tGSMnynA

Til Death Do Us Part! Love ya!

#AliensWatchingRealityTV 

Season 1: Perfect Match Season 1

Season 2: Love Is Blind Season 4

Season 3: Love on the Spectrum US Season 1 & 2

Season 4: The Ultimatum: Queer Love

Season 5: The Ultimatum France

Season 6: Too Hot to Handle Season 5 

Season 7: Love Is Blind Season 5

Season 8: The Golden Bachelor season 1

Season 9: The Trust: A Game of Greed

Season 10: Love Is Blind Season 6

Season 11: The Circle Season 6

erika (2)

Hello, welcome back to Aliens Watching Reality TV. I'm one of your hosts, Erika,

josh

And I am Josh, your other host.

erika (2)

and, uh, we're talking today about The Circle, season 6, episode 1. It's our first time talking about The Circle. It was our first time watching The Circle. Um, I will confess,

josh

it's not the first time that we haven't exposed to people who have been on the circle.

erika (2)

that's true, that's true, well and it's not my first time I've been exposed to the circle because I once watched 10 minutes of an episode, and I hated it so much I felt like, this is it. a particular kind of hell constructed just for me. I don't know, I was like, it's been a, couple years, maybe I'm ready to give the circle another chance. Um, and I did, I I did have a better time this time. Did you enjoy

josh

I

erika (2)

your watching?

josh

I mean, I mean, I had a, I had a, an interesting time. I think it was, was, entertaining. Um, I mean, I only watched one episode,

erika (2)

Yes,

josh

but

erika (2)

me too.

josh

give it a solid B. Like, it was, uh, yeah, like, it was, it was good to see a setup like, I mean, yeah, I, I mean, I did not, whatchamacallit, like, the time went by pretty quickly. I was also pretty high. So,

erika (2)

Yeah, I had fun. I watched it with Frida and just like made jokes about it the whole time. I thought it was fun, fun to make fun of. Um. So, basically, the reason the original reason I didn't like The Circle, is because people are being fake on it. I I was never really a fan of reality TV until I found Love is Blind, and Love is Blind is fascinating to me because people are actually being real. They're Well, they're attempting to, because you know, when you're, um, when you have to get to know somebody and have them get to know you well enough to potentially get married, people really are trying to show their true selves. And I found that interesting. And then I was like, okay, Hey, maybe I like reality TV now. Let's try something else. And then the circle was just like, so fake and surfacey. I was like, but, um, I've. I, I, you know, my thoughts have matured a little and I started to think, you know, maybe there's something to be learned from observing fakeness as well. Um, and,

josh

Yeah, I mean, there is something to be learned from observing fakeness. It helps you find fake people in real life.

erika (2)

um, yeah, I mean, I gotta say I'm pretty good at that just because I don't know what to say to them. Like, it's not like I'm like, Ooh, I'm so, so amazing at peering into another person's heart, but it's really just like fake people. There's a, like. I don't know how to talk to them. And so like, that's usually how I figured it out. Cause like, there's just a, well, I think it's also, they figure out how to be appealing to like neurotypical me and my schtick isn't working on them. So, um, but yeah, it, yeah.

josh

kind of it's basically, it's basically digital survival.

erika (2)

Okay, yeah, I've never watched Survivor, but, um,

josh

It's kind of like digital survivor. Yeah, that's what I'll call

erika (2)

I feel like it's a, Survivor is enough of a cultural entity that I feel like I understand what it is well enough, you know. Um, so, yeah, basically on the Circle, everybody is, um, alone, confined to their own windowless hotel rooms that they pretend are they're not. Um, on, um, The internet, uh, like trying to impress each other on social media. And I will say the cast was very different than I thought they were going to be. Um, I guess From my memory of like watching it last time and then, um, the people from the circle who we saw on Perfect Match, I just thought it was going to be more of like a neurotypical kind of crowd, but it is not. This is a group of weirdos. Um, And

josh

Yeah, I think I think there's gotta be half of the people are neurodivergent.

erika (2)

yes, this is a way more neurodivergent group than I expected. Um, I mean, honestly, Kyle might be the only one who's, who's solidly neurotypical, like,

josh

yeah, I think Kyle is the only Kyle rubs me as somebody who's neurotypical.

erika (2)

one

josh

we'll get to the

erika (2)

hundred.

josh

to why, I think that,

erika (2)

Okay.

josh

Yeah,

erika (2)

So, um, yeah, I was, I was thinking, should we just go through, um, the, the, the people, you know, in the order we get introduced to them, because then we can start talking about Kyle. Cause we actually meet him first.

josh

yeah, yeah, let's do that. Yeah, I think that's, that'll be a good way to do it. I think we are, um, yeah, that'll be the best way. We are introduced to a building in Atlanta, which is very funky and, you know, I don't know, modern from the colors of it, but basically it's an apartment complex, there are

erika (2)

you notice that all of the decor is circle themed? Because I didn't notice until Frida pointed it out.

josh

I did not, I did not. I have to look at that.

erika (2)

Everything is a circle. It's all like donuts and stuff. I was like, oh my god, you're right.

josh

that is horrible. That is horrible.

erika (2)

I love that you didn't notice it either.

josh

the colors. Yeah, I noticed the colors, but there were no pictures. That's what kind of weirded me out.

erika (2)

I just thought it was weird. First of all, no windows. I don't like that. And also just not that good, like, not that nice of a place, but they've made everybody go, ooh, wow, what a nice place. I'm like, just, it's not that nice. Don't draw attention to it. That's weird.

josh

the people there, one of the people there has two kids and her fiance has three, so she has to take care of all five and she was extremely happy to not be around any children for the length of the time that she was going to be on the circle. So

erika (2)

That's true. Maybe she's like, ah, windowless room away from my children. This is fantastic.

josh

Yeah, yeah, yeah, work. She was she talked about how she loved going to the bathroom alone because we know children just simply do not care about privacy.

erika (2)

Um, I, I will say for my, I always let my mom go to the bathroom alone because I was, um, a distant child, but my brother is the one who wouldn't let my mom pee alone. So, um, I was the child you had to worry about walking away from you in public, but I wouldn't want you to pee. You know, we, um,

josh

Oh my

erika (2)

We've all got our pros and cons. Um,

josh

I was a problem

erika (2)

you're a, you're a P Watcher. I get that. I can see that. I'm just kidding. Well, yeah, cause that's like when

josh

that. But um,

erika (2)

you're like 2. I mean, some people remember being 2, but I'm not one of those people.

josh

god, why are we talking about

erika (2)

You're right. Let's get back to Kyle. So,

josh

people pee.

erika (2)

Kyle,

josh

Oh my

erika (2)

31. Pro basketball player. Hates losing. Um, Okay. He says there is a to being a pro basketball player. So he's going to pretend to be a basketball trainer instead. Um, I'm not sure he knows what

josh

Let

erika (2)

a stigma is.

josh

so let me let me explain this to all of the people many people Many people who are not huge fans of basketball are unaware of That outside of the United States, there are other countries that play basketball too, and they also have their, some of them also have their own leagues. Now, of course, those leagues don't pay as much as in the NBA, but they still pay some money, right? So, pro basketball players that do not make it into the NBA, Go to those places. So, um, I actually once watched a movie about an American, uh, British, sorry, American Virgin Islander, um, going to Iran to play basketball in Iran. Like it was incredible to watch that. So, uh, he's that kind of a pro basketball player as in, you know, he,

erika (2)

You know,

josh

abroad.

erika (2)

usually don't feel the need to do one up stories, but I actually have one. You mind? Um, I have a friend who started, uh, the. Football League in China, the professional football. He moved to China to start a professional football league for them after, um, after he left the NFL. That's pretty cool.

josh

Oh, wait, wait, wow. That's incredible.

erika (2)

He was the biggest, strongest person I've ever met. Um, and he was in the NFL. And he just, like, didn't last very long because in the NFL, he was just like, a little too small, which is so wild. Um, that's, that's the like, alternate universe of the NFL.

josh

that they expect there.

erika (2)

Yeah, I mean, he's like, you know. I don't know. I don't even want to guess as to weights and heights and stuff, but like, like, I don't know, 6'4 230 pounds, like not a small person, but like just a little too small once he got to the NFL. Um,

josh

Yeah. Yeah. No, no, this is not,

erika (2)

yeah.

josh

it's completely not exaggeration.

erika (2)

So yeah, I mean, it's totally, if you, um, are good enough to play your sport professionally, just at a level that's, you know, slightly less competitive than the most. Insanely competitive markets like in the world like well, of course, why wouldn't you do that? Um, I I think,

josh

Yeah.

erika (2)

just think, I think most people think being a professional athlete is like, a cool thing. Even, even Kyle was like, yeah, there's stigma, people are like, oh, you must be rich. I'm like, okay, there's also not a stigma against being rich. Like, um, kind of reminds me of,

josh

mean, there is no stigma against it, but I guess kind of doesn't want to get into that situation,

erika (2)

used the word stigma. That's why I can't let go of it.

josh

It's true. I mean, what he doesn't want to get What he doesn't want to happen is for people to go, Oh, you actually do not deserve this money at all. Cause you know? you're rich. I, we get to kick you out immediately, you

erika (2)

Ha ha ha. But yeah, or just, I mean, I get like, you don't necessarily want that to, uh, end up becoming the thing about you. Like. I've, I've experienced that where there's something about me that I just don't end up telling people because I know it's unusual enough for them that it's the only thing that everyone will talk about. And I don't want to do that, you know? Um, like,

josh

yeah, yeah, totally understood.

erika (2)

um, like why I actually don't like telling people I'm vegan unless I absolutely have to, because then people won't stop talking about it. Um, so. I, I, I do get it, but I thought it was just like a little, I don't know, uh, it makes me, uh, roll my eyes at, you know, when people pretend like being cool and rich is the new oppression. Um,

josh

So he's going to pretend to be. He's gonna, he shows us his abs and he's gonna pretend to be not a pro basketball player, but a basketball trainer. Um, he also has a partner

erika (2)

Wife.

josh

he is engaged

erika (2)

No, he got married. He's fine.

josh

wife, wife, married, married, I apologize. He is married to his partner, but they have decided that he's gonna play As a single

erika (2)

I like that he, uh, He specified which honestly, I respect that. Like, you know, um, he wants to make clear, like, I'm not here to do anything behind my wife's back. She and I talked about this strategy. It's maybe the one thing I liked about Kyle.

josh

Yeah. What, what did you think about him? let's, let's move on to the

erika (2)

In general, Kyle is one of my least favorite people on television. Um, but yeah, let's move on. Next up, Lauren, nerd, games 10 hours a day, has been to, What, a BronyCon? Or a, yeah, I think that's, um, I believe, I believe that's what she said. So, um, you love Lauren, right? Lauren's your favorite.

josh

Uh, I think Lauren is my favorite. I was so Brony Con, for those of you who do not know, is a convention for the fans of My Little Pony friendship is magic.

erika (2)

Um, which, gosh, who wouldn't know that? You know? That's,

josh

I don't know people who are not Brownies.

erika (2)

Well, I'm a diehard brony, so I can't even imagine putting myself in those shoes. I'm just kidding. I'm not a brony. I just know what it is.

josh

Oh yeah. You think friendship isn't magic? Wow.

erika (2)

uh, gosh, that is way too philosophical of a question for this part of the podcast. Um, is friendship magic? Oof. Anyways, Lauren, Lauren is when I started to realize like, oh, they have to. Cast people with big enough personalities that they're going to be interesting. Just like speaking their tweets out loud to themselves, like the entire time. Uh, like, cause she's, she's got a very big chip of personality. And then I was like, uh, And then I started to realize, like, oh yeah, you'd have to have, like, I started to understand this is going to have a different cast than I expected because normal people would be really boring on this show because, um, I mean the, the basic conceit of the show is just like, watch people sit there alone and be on social media. It's incredibly boring. You would have to be somebody very animated, uh, by yourself, which she is. Probably

josh

I mean,

erika (2)

a streamer skill.

josh

be, I mean, you can't have introverts be in the show, like, especially shy introverts, because you need people to have some personality, like you said, and people who can talk, like, they cannot be thinking about what they're going to say. They have to say it out loud. Um, you kind of

erika (2)

Well, they have to,

josh

their life

erika (2)

well,

josh

they go.

erika (2)

I mean, they're all thinking through what to say, but yeah, but they have to explain their thought process out loud. Which I think, that's where the, like, Interest in the show comes in, you know, that's like why I was like, okay, this is the show has some value because they are having to say out loud, sort of what their strategy is and why they're doing, saying what they're saying. Um, which normally, you know, that's, that's not how reality TV works. So, um, that's sort of the, like the thing about this show that makes it kind of real and genuine is that people are, are, um, Talking you through their thought process, which is interesting. Um, and yeah, Lauren is, uh, she's like, she's likable, but also like, not necessarily to me, but in a way that makes me feel like I feel bad. I'm like, there's absolutely nothing wrong with her. I think just sometimes those kinds of personalities, I tend to be a little bit like, whoa, whoa. Oh boy. Um, And then I'm like, God, I'm a mean person. Erika, don't be a bitch. But I just get overwhelmed by really enthusiastic people, I guess. I'm, it's the deadness inside of me, I think, probably, that's all. Um, so, on to the third, third person, Miles. What do you think of Miles?

josh

Um, kind of. Yeah. I mean, I would say somewhere in the middle, not a horrible person, but also not the greatest person.

erika (2)

For the first, like, third of the show, I was convinced that Miles was my least favorite person on the show. Um, that ended up changing with, over time. Um, which is, A little surprising, but here, here's my thing with Miles. And this is something I like, I, I know I've talked about on the podcast before, because I've noticed it in every season of Love is Blind is I think Miles is a neurodivergent person with a mask who has created a mask that I don't like. He's probably fine. Like when he, like the moments where he is more thoughtfully Explaining his opinions. Is it like, I liked that person, but like the personality he has invented for himself that he pretends to have, I don't like it. Um, and I know that's, you know, I'm kind of going out on a limb by saying I think his personality is fake, but whatever. I think his personality is fake. That's why I don't, I don't, you know, he kind of, he bugs me because I'm, it's just like, he tried really hard to create a cool self and to, he tried too hard.

josh

he's just, he's trying to create a cool self, and in there, he kind of loses himself, so you can't really tell what kind of person he is, um, and that's the problem of masking, because you, in your mind, you think that you have created this perfect persona, and it totally works, but really, on the outside, it doesn't look very perfect. Looks kind of patchy, but it kind of, I mean, it works and people will go with it, but it's not the, the mirror. It's not the perfection, the image of perfection that you think in your mind that it is. It's, it's not.

erika (2)

If anything,

josh

that's what's

erika (2)

I have found that like, I love autistic people. I do not love autistic people who are masking like the personality we create because we think it's better than our own. I don't, I like it. I don't like that one. And So this is just something I've come to expect on reality TV. Like, um, I won't necessarily be able to, uh, trust my like, first instinct, you know, of whether I like people or not in the first episode, because, um, the neurodivergent people are just going to be showing their mask and a lot of their masks I won't like. And then when I get to meet the actual personality later, I will like them. So I might end up liking Miles more over the course of the season. I can see that happening. Um, Cause like, yeah, when he actually revealed more of himself by like talking through his answers to the questions and stuff, like, I was like, okay, so there you are, you know, but the, I don't know, just like overly, I found, I went on Urban Dictionary and looked up what are the top 100, uh, Gen Z slang terms and learned to incorporate all of them into my daily speech. It just, like, comes off weird to me.

josh

Yeah. That's kind of a thing that I've, something that I've been lately thinking about. How our language is already dead, because the way that we speak, the kids are not speaking like that anymore.

erika (2)

Our language is dead?

josh

and our language is dead, as in

erika (2)

Who?

josh

kids are

erika (2)

Whose are?

josh

the language, the way that you and I speak, the way that we speak, that is kind of very, uh, whatchamacallit, um,

erika (2)

folk y ish.

josh

characterized by media in the past 20, 30 years. You know, um, that speech pattern is like slowly disappearing, uh, thanks partly because of all of the new words that are entering the lexicon, um, and all of the new grammatical constructions that people are making, just making shit up, um. it's becoming part of the standard language. So like in 20, 30 years, we're going to sound very old

erika (2)

But we already have. That's the thing. Autistic people, we have always sounded old timey because we are not on the front lines of slang. Like, that's just So, like, that's part of why we have a hard time in, like, middle school, is because everyone else somehow immediately feels comfortable, um, constantly using the word that they just heard for the first time yesterday that now is cool. And like, we don't necessarily feel comfortable using a word unless we're like, we really know definitely what it means and how to use it in a sentence. You know? And so like, cause definitely my vocabulary changes over time. And sometimes like, I like the, you know, if I find a new way of expressing something, um, or just like, Like a lot of Gen Z slang is fun. Um, but a lot of it, I mean, is like AAVE, which I just, I am not comfortable, I think for good reason, appropriating. Um, and, uh. And also just like, autistic people, we always sound kind of formal and like, old. Like, we all sound like undercover cops when we're 16, you know?

josh

Yeah. All right. So we move from Miles. I

erika (2)

To Brandon, who, it seemed, we only very, very briefly talked to him before we started recording. It seemed like we had pretty divergent opinions on Brandon. You don't like him?

josh

just, I, it's not that I don't like him. It's rather, I would say the, the level of what you might call it. Too muchness, you know, like there's just too much personality.

erika (2)

That's funny. I adore Brandon. Brandon is my favorite. Brandon makes me laugh so much. So Brandon is catfishing as his friend Olivia. He's experiencing being pretty, um, and being treated, you know, experiencing pretty privilege for the first time, which, you know, good for him. There's this moment where he's like pretending to throw his hair and he's coaching himself, you're Olivia, you're Olivia. Um, and then he thinks like really, really hard about everything he writes. And, um, clearly thinks like, okay, yes, I, I made that very sweet and effusive. And so, and then it comes across actually a very like, kind of cold, um, And, uh, maybe that's one reason I like him, because I, I feel like, that's, I think, like, how I read my texts, they sound way nicer than, like, how other people read them, and it's taken me a really long time to be able to see that. Or, like, has, has anyone ever told you that you text like a serial killer? Cause, like, I used to get that a lot. And I,

josh

Uh, no, no. I've been told that I have a serial killer gaze.

erika (2)

yeah, yeah, that's, that's the, uh, yes. Uh, isn't it lovely how people just, they recognize autism and they go, the serial killer, um, even though I feel like we're probably underrepresented in that group, TBH. I didn't used to, like, like, use emojis and stuff, and so people would think I was mad at them, and, um, Frida, like, taught me to start texting using emojis just so people would know that, like, I like them. Um, and so, like, Brandon isn't, like, using enough of that kind of stuff in his, in his messages. And so, um, he can't, he can't see that, like, it's not reading the way he thinks it is. And I just, um, I don't know. I think that's funny. Yeah, I also just, like, every I think it's hilarious that every time they pan back to Brandon, his face is anxiety stricken, so stressed. Um, like, what have I done coming here? Um, yeah, I, I find it, I find it very endearing.

josh

All right. So, um, next. Oh

erika (2)

Alright, next, I um, that's where I stopped taking notes, so I don't necessarily remember the names of the next ones, but there's the girl who's um, catfishing as her brother. I'm pretty sure she comes next. Um,

josh

my gosh,

erika (2)

what?

josh

she's part of, uh, uh, the, the new blood that comes in.

erika (2)

Yeah, so, I originally thought, hey, good move. You know? Um, it is easier to be a man. And, Like, I looked around, you know, the cafeteria in middle school and I was like, dang, there are like three rules to being cool if you're a guy. And there are like 3000 of them for a being a girl. Um, but she, she whiffs it. Um, and I think it's because she's too, uh, like conservative And so it doesn't, she doesn't, uh, she doesn't come off very well. And yeah, I feel like they should have maybe a, a phone a friend option so she could like actually call her brother and be like, what would you actually say? Cause uh, I don't think she has, uh, figured out how to embody the the 26 year old male spirit. Not that I'm, you know, an expert on it.

josh

yeah, yeah, no, it's so weird. Like, I, I mean, of the things that I, um, that was really funny was that people pretty quickly caught on there were two people that might be catfishing, um, but Whereas, whatchamacallit, whereas I feel like, um, Brandon playing Olivia gets the benefit of the doubt for being a blonde girl. Um, I do not think that the other Catfisher gets the benefit of the doubt, because they're not a blonde girl,

erika (2)

Well, I, I,

josh

male.

erika (2)

oh, I think it's, it's um, different reasons. So, um, I think, yes, Olivia, even though everybody is sort of like, wow, she's so basic, she might be a catfish. Um, yes, that is pretty privileged. Like pretty girls don't, aren't required to have a personality. So it doesn't end up working against her that she's just some bland sweetness. Um, but then the, the girl playing her brother, she like says a couple of things that like bother people because she ends up like. Answering some questions in some ways that make her seem, uh, you know, I think she's like a conservative Christian, Southern kind of girl. And then when that comes through, instead of like, fun, laid back, young guy, people are like, ugh, you know?

josh

Yeah, I mean, one of the instances that it happened, um, was she starts talking to Lauren

erika (2)

Yeah,

josh

after they're done talking, Lauren is like, you don't sound like a 26 or 27 year old guy. You sound like his dad. Like, not obviously to her, but like, just to him. Yeah,

erika (2)

Yeah, I'm trying to think. It's because she had some like conservative answer to a dating question. Maybe it was like, I don't, wouldn't date somebody with an OnlyFans? Was that it? I don't know. Um, but just,

josh

yeah, yeah. OnlyFans was the question. Yeah, would you date somebody who had an OnlyFan?

erika (2)

yeah, and like,

josh

I love how, I love how Miles was like, yeah, I have several. Same. Same, baby. Same.

erika (2)

yeah, I think that was, that was the moment where I was like, okay, so Kyle is my least favorite and Miles is not my least favorite for now. Um, But then that's when, yeah, the sister bro started to falter. Cause at first I was on, I thought that was going to go well, but honestly, I think she just, she can't let go of her own, like, beliefs enough to actually act like a 26 year old guy. So like, it's not working. And, you know, I don't really support conservatism, so, I don't feel bad. Yeah, you should've said, you should've said, I would be lucky to date an OnlyFans hoe, I wish. But would one date me? That's the real question.

josh

Yeah, no, I was

erika (2)

No, I, I

josh

totally not

erika (2)

hate fuckin whore phobia, slut shamey people. Honestly, I hate the whole fuckin question. Would you date somebody with an OnlyFans? Like, uh,

josh

I think

erika (2)

You think that's up to you?

josh

figure out, I think that's, kind of wanted to figure out who was going to be, you know, the conservative

erika (2)

Yeah. Yeah, it was sort of a weed yourself out question. And, um, she, she accidentally weeded herself out. She thought that was gonna go over way better. Um, cause a lot of times people who are like, conservative, they like truly believe that everyone is, so. They're like, come on, nobody wants a whore for a girlfriend, right? Come on, right? Um,

josh

next person that we're going to put on the chopping block?

erika (2)

okay, so, yeah, the mom. The mom who's just enjoying peace and quiet away from her children. Um, yeah, I don't know. She was, she's like, just a southern mom. She was a little much for me.

josh

You're talking about Cassie?

erika (2)

I don't know. The blonde one who's hiding from her children. Yeah, there's only got to be one of those, right?

josh

Yeah, that's Cassie. And she's from Kentucky and she has two kids and she has a boyfriend. Well, uh, she has a fiance who also has three kids, so she's hiding from them.

erika (2)

Which I respect. Um. I hide from my dogs sometimes, which makes me feel a little bad, but like sometimes they're just being a little loud. And I'm like, honestly, I can't handle it. Um, I'm gonna just close myself in my room.

josh

dogs can be

erika (2)

Let you go.

josh

love dogs, but they can be a lot.

erika (2)

Yeah, but like, they're just like absentmindedly barking at, you know, whatever's outside. And I'm like, oh, mommy's got a headache. Um, so yeah, I don't know. I think I'm having the same probably reaction to her as I did to Lauren, which is just like peppy people. I don't know. I just don't like enjoy that energy that much, but then I don't have any good reason for it. And I'm like, it's probably because I'm a bad person. That's a, yeah.

josh

Yeah. I think for me and Cassie, it was just, uh, weird, strange. Um, was going to play herself and Yeah. I I felt like,

erika (2)

Didn't you?

josh

Yeah, she was one of the middle people for me. Yeah.

erika (2)

Yeah,

josh

Yeah, Cassidy's playing herself. Yeah.

erika (2)

Um, and then we Meet the like, psychic tarot card reader who is, um, getting some astral assists from the spirit of her grandma with this game, but she's not letting people know that part yet. Steffi, um, which, yeah, when you're already a character, why catfish? Like, I don't know. She's, she's, she's an interesting addition. I, I hope, I want to know exactly how her grandma's helping. Like, was her grandma good at social media? I'm, you know, um, I'd like to know more about that

josh

Yeah. Yeah. I'd like to know more about that too.

erika (2)

Also, this is just a little alphabetic, but why do they all have to use hashtags all the time? Like, that, are they contractually obligated to use a hashtag? In every line, like in ways that hashtags are not used in real life, like un unironically using hashtags in a way that they are only ever used. Ironically, that bothers me. you know, like I might go hashtag blessed at the end of the tweet in an ironic way, but then they're actually like, ha they ha have to talk like that.

josh

I mean, she was very, very, um, was very, very into her, um, whatchamacallit, um, southerness. But, um, again, it was a little bit over the top, kind of like Brandon. Um, And

erika (2)

How dare you

josh

I

erika (2)

associate

josh

I know, I'm

erika (2)

and Brandon?

josh

I'm sorry!

erika (2)

My fun, gay, catfish full of anxiety with this bland, blonde mother. Um, honestly, I don't remember that much about Cassie. I watched this a couple weeks ago. Um, but I just meant like the hashtags, like everybody has to use them all the time. Um, Which,

josh

Yeah, and I'll just hashtag and then just talking about like, oh, I want this specific kind of emoji, and I'm like,

erika (2)

Yeah, and then Frida pointed something out, which I just hadn't thought about, made me laugh so much, is that like, there's definitely like a PA, or something like, sitting off camera, who has to type this. Um, cause it's not like their voice detects it so amazing that they're actually talking and having it go to the screen. There's like somebody sitting behind it, like, typing it up, so that they, like, So that their messages go up and I was like, oh my god, that's so funny to imagine.

josh

they

erika (2)

Yeah, but there's definitely somebody just like typing that off camera and it's really funny to picture that.

erika

So after we're introduced to everybody, um, it's question time where they have to answer Um, questions without any further context or explanation, and then judge each other for their answers. Um, which, whew, uh, this, uh, every, every single one was like, It depends! It depends on how you answer any of these questions! Like, so, um, yeah, I figured, Let's get to know each other and answer the questions ourselves. Josh, would you unfriend someone who is cancelled?

josh

Depends on what they're cancelled for.

erika

Right?

josh

I mean, if somebody Yeah, I mean, if they're a fascist, fuck them. Hehehehe.

erika

I was like, how do you, you can't answer this question without that variable. But apparently, a lot of these people are like, yeah, doesn't matter what they're cancelled for, my answer would be this. Like that, just wild. Um, because like, would I? Abandon a friend who did nothing wrong just because everybody else is telling me to? Um, no, I wouldn't even abandon an enemy who did nothing wrong just because everyone else is telling me to and believe me I've been there. Um, but like I'm not gonna get bullied up into, you know, Joining the hate mob when somebody has not done anything wrong, but like if a friend Has gotten canceled for a good fucking reason because they've you know Revealed some horrifying immoral part of their personality, which also fucking happens then like You know, peace, goodbye. We're not friends anymore. Like, duh. Um, I feel like Miles is the only one who like, he didn't get to explain that in his answer to everyone, but like, he said that out loud basically, where he's like, yeah, if somebody's cancelled for a good reason, like, there's a bad, if they're a bad person, then I would unfriend them. And that was, that was the moment my, my icy heart started to Warm, slightly, to Miles Earling. Okay, you, you have a brain in there that isn't annoying. Okay.

josh

Yeah,

erika

But it was not a popular answer.

josh

move to the next question.

erika

Would you date someone who has an OnlyFans?

josh

Yeah, I've already dated people who have OnlyFans. Yeah.

erika

Um, and I guess I prefer if they would You know, want to do a collab. Um, so yeah, I guess in many ways it would be ideal. Um, but anyone who wants to date me has to be thrilled to date someone who has an OnlyFans. Um, yeah. So of course, as, as a creator myself, um, anybody who answers no. Is just, uh, immediately not my friend, I'm judging you, I don't like you anymore, um, get, get over yourself, so yeah, um, I think this is really where, where Pulse sunk himself, um, and, I, I mean, I already knew that I didn't like Kyle, and then, Kyle was so disappointed in Miles for answering that he would date someone with OnlyFans, so yeah, I think this is really where, where Pulse sunk himself, um, and then, Kyle was so disappointed in Miles for answering that he would date someone with OnlyFans, Uh, Sorry that not everybody is a slut shamer. Okay, Kyle? You're actually in the minority being the neurotypical on this show. So watch yourself., Third question. If your friend confessed to you, they were cheating. Would you keep their secret?

josh

Again, depends on

erika

Right.

josh

I mean It really depends on

erika

friend with their partner? Like, are they?

josh

Yeah. Yeah. That's very different. I mean, imagine two people are married and I'm married to, I mean, I'm married to both. Two people are married and I'm friends with both. And one of them tells me that they're cheating on the other. And it's one of those extremely bad cheating incidents where they are supposedly totally, totally in love, but like one partner is cheating and doesn't love the other partner. And which case I'm

erika

They're doing some bullshit. Oh, I can't just stay away from them. I'm like, yes, you can. Link, but also. Do I think it's my job to announce it to everybody, you know, am I the cheating police? No, I don't even believe in monogamy. So like the How you how can you answer these questions? Without more details and context so annoying also like if i'm friends with one person I'm, probably friends with their partner too. So Like am I going to? Keep that secret from my also friend. No, i'm honestly probably You Actually, I have one time had a friend confess to me that well, like she wasn't actually doing like she was seeing a guy who had a girlfriend and She definitely expected me to be more like I don't know just like girl talk supportive or something uh, I was, I'm not fun to confess those kind of things to, because I was like, no, that's wrong, like, you can stay away from him, and you shouldn't, like, she's a real person, you need to think about her, and, yeah. So don't confess things like that to me. If you want me to be chill and fun about it. Oh,

josh

Yeah, yeah,

erika

Next one. Would you break up with someone over text?

josh

uh I've broken I've been broken up with over text and Let's see. Yeah. No, I've been broken up with over text. So

erika

But would you

josh

would I do it? Um, it really depends. It really depends on the situation. How long have we been dating? You know, if I've been dating you for a month or two, I don't know, text doesn't sound like a horrible thing. If I've been dating you for six months, eight months, then that sounds horrible.

erika

think

josh

But like one or

erika

you my partner of eight years and you text me that our life is over?

josh

Exactly.

erika

terrible. But like, um, If we're just like dating, I would, I would much rather you text me than like, come over to break up with me to my face, or especially like, I think we're gonna hang out, and like, have fun, and we're actually just hanging out so that you can tell me you don't like me anymore, like, I don't wanna do that, um, also, I like to have my big feelings by myself. So actually, I don't agree that like, text, you know, break up, breaking up with, by text is necessarily insensitive or bad. Like, especially for those of us who are, uh, you know, private with our emotions and like to cry alone.

josh

Yeah. Yeah. So we both agree on that one as well.

erika

Yeah,

josh

Are there other questions?

erika

No, I think that's it. So then they get like blah blah blah the rest of it They're like talking to each other one on one a little bit and then at the end they have to Kind of vote like okay popularity contest time. Who's your favorite? and I Honestly love love the results of this because Everybody thought that Olivia was a catfish and yet still liked her the most because she's unoffensive and pretty and that's all you have to be.

josh

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Yeah.

erika

Ah. Um,

josh

so weird. It's so, so weird.

erika

and. Paul, Paul, people, people aren't digging it, cause it turns out being a conservative 37 year old woman in a 26 year old man's body isn't actually like the ultimate, um, prize. Um, Kyle was like firmly in the middle of the pack, I think he should be lower, um, I don't like him. Oh yeah, I guess the Kentucky girl, she's pretty low too. We'll watch the next episode. I am a little curious and I feel like as the season goes on, we'll get to see even more about like, you know, strategy. Also just like. I would feel so weird like catfishing, and so I'm kind of fascinated by watching, like, watching people do it, you know?

josh

Yeah. I kinda, um, I really want to understand. Yeah. How, how these people, how they think about this while they're going at it, even though they're talking about it. I, I feel like we'll learn more as we go forward.

erika

Yeah, like one time a few years ago Um somebody somebody I didn't know just somebody who like followed me online Um tweeted at me or messaged me or something and asked if she could use my pictures To catfish creepy men to get money out of them and I said sure Um, you know I appreciated that she asked me and I just thought, gosh, I wish I knew how to do that. Like, my pictures are good enough to catfish money out of people, but like, I would have no idea how to do that. but I really hope she did well.

josh

My accidental, catfishing is because I mask as an autistic person, so sometimes I come across not as who I am because, you know, I have a mask on.

erika

You and Miles need to learn to take those masks off, let your freak flags fly, um, I actually have never seen you mask. I don't know what that's like. I only know you as you. Um, yeah. So, yeah, this was a good time. Um, Uh, yeah, thanks for talking about Circle V. I feel like

josh

Thanks for joining

erika

learning how to recap this. It's so different from, like, Love is Wine, but

josh

like it though, I

erika

Good, yeah, me too. And, um, I'm glad, I'm glad to be back. Josh had a very busy end of semester, and, um, I just had a busy, like, constantly being sick, and, um, too tired to, like, speak and podcast, so. Um, I'm excited for some, for some summer podcastin with you, my dear friend. Josh.

josh

Alright, and until then, we will,

erika

I feel like, do we need a different sign off for the circle? Until then, popularity first and all. Having a great time! Hashtag

josh

then,

erika

Until then, hashtag blessed.

josh

in there with a smiley face and three exclamation points, and then send.

erika

Perfect.

josh

Alright, we'll see you next time, bye!