Austen Kroll Challenges Craig Conover’s Friendship on Southern Charm
Austen Kroll and Craig Conover. Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
Southern Charm’s Austen Kroll deeply misses spending time with his friend Craig Conover.
In Bravo’s sneak peek of the upcoming episode airing on Thursday, January 2, Austen, 37, meets with his longtime friend to discuss the apparent distance that has grown between them.
“I miss my buddy, and that’s where I’m coming from,” Austen expresses in the clip. “We have our conversations, but when I’m going out for lunch, you’re not on my call list. If I’m grabbing a beer, you’re still not on my call list because your typical response is ‘because I’m gardening.’”
Surprised by the discussion, Craig, 35, quickly defends himself and challenges Austen about the last time he initiated planning a lunch outing.
“That’s on you,” Craig replies. “I’m not a f—ing mind reader. I had no idea this was happening. I thought we were fine. Why don’t we establish a regular tee time?”
From Austen’s viewpoint, sarcasm isn’t the best approach right now. Craig was notably absent from Patricia Altschul’s birthday dinner because he’s been out of the loop with the group.
Austen shares a specific instance when he was set to play golf with Craig on a Sunday. Yet, his friend canceled the evening prior to tend to his garden.
“Yes, because I’d rather not spend five hours playing golf when I’ve got things to get done,” Craig responds. “It was work. … What brings me happiness now is being productive and earning money.”
Austen first made his entrance on Southern Charm in 2017 during season 4. Since then, he has cultivated a friendship with Craig and they recently launched a bar called By The Way. However, he wishes his friend would find more “balance” in his life.
“I wish Craig would create more balance in his life,” Austen told Us Weekly in an exclusive interview earlier this month. “I wish Craig would be more inclined to join me and [my girlfriend] Audrey for dinner. Craig has become somewhat of a hermit.”
While Austen is excited about Craig’s achievements in the business realm with Sewing Down South, Spritz Society, and other ventures, he hopes he won’t be overlooked.
“It might make me seem childish,” Austen joked about future discussions regarding their friendship on Southern Charm. “The message is clear.”
Southern Charm airs on Bravo Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET. You can stream past episodes anytime on Peacock.
