Coffee Table News
Exclusive Interview: What’s Next for Best Friend Bill from ‘The Circle’
Netflix has swiped right on reality television.
In recent months, the streaming giant has deepened their connection with audiences with the addition of some addicting reality TV offerings including dating series Love Is Blind and The Circle.
For those unfamiliar with Netflix’s The Circle, the series is described as Big Brother meets Catfish, where contestants all move into the same apartment building but never meet face-to-face as they’re all confined to their own apartment.
Instead, they get to know each other exclusively through their profiles on the Circle social media app.
CraveYouTV had the chance to catch up with Bill Cranley, also known as “Best Friend Bill” from Chicago, Illinois, who entered the game during episode 6.
Not only did he gives us the scoop about his time on the series, but he also talked about his recent guest appearance on Chicago PD and disclosed what’s next for Best Friend Bill!
The Circle… that was one hell of an adventure, right?
Such a wild experience! The show did a great job at keeping all the contestants “in the dark” with how the entire process worked. Coming in, I had no idea what to expect or even how to work the Circle app!
How did that casting process work?
The casting process was very long, spanning over 6 months. They first held an in-person interview in Chicago just discussing who I was, what I did for a living, and what strategy I would use to become the winner of The Circle. About 5 Skype interviews later they flew us all out to LA for a final interview which consisted of a trial version of The Circle and chatting with other “contestants” via voice chat.
What do you wish went differently/ what would you do differently?
Honestly, I wish I was brought on to the show from the very beginning. Getting brought on so late I could tell that there was a slight disconnect from me to the other players, compared to what they had with each other. I didn’t get the opportunities to chat with the players that I wanted to and my time spent on the show went by so quickly. My strategy to be “authentic” didn’t play out because I didn’t get to truly build any type of relationship in that short of time.
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What was your favorite part about being on the show?
I loved having my own apartment! They stocked my fridge with all of the groceries I asked for and was a nice break from the real life.
What did you learn about reality TV?
I learned that even if you’re building real relationships with others, when you’re on TV it’s all one big competition.
What do you want to say to your fans?
All of you have been awesome! For real so many people have reached out understanding my strategy and where I am coming from, and even though my time in the show was short-lived, all my fans have been so cool. I’ve already hung out with a few fans in Chicago!
At the same time, you were gaining exposure from The Circle, you appeared on Chicago PD. How was that gig?
Unreal! Chicago PD is very different from the circle and reality tv in general. Just as fun though.
How did you land the role?
I act in Chicago and go to auditions! I was asked by my agency to audition, and it turns out I’m really good at getting shot to death 😀
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What’s it like being an actor in Chicago? What are the steps to getting a speaking role on a TV show like Chicago PD?
Being an actor in Chicago is so much fun with little pressure to fight against other actors for a spot. All of my actor and model friends are always so supportive of each other, talking about different ways to get booked or ways to become a better actor. From what I hear it’s not as cutthroat as LA, and always happy to help out a fellow actor.
The steps to land a speaking role is all about the hustle! It’s going to 10 auditions in a week not landing a gig, and then having the strength to do it all over again the next week! You get used to hearing “no,” and that’s not a bad thing. I see it as motivation to keep going and getting better at what you do.
What’s next for Best Friend Bill?
Good question! I’m still pursuing acting and modeling in Chicago and hope to land more roles over this next year. I definitely want to travel more this year as well and start up a fun project of documenting the most interesting people, places, and things; hopefully checking off a few things on my bucket list!
If you’re reading this and you have a unique/interesting hobby or lifestyle, hit me up; would love to experience it with you!
You can find Bill on Instagram @BillCranley!
Mandy Moore has plenty of experience being a mom on This Is Us, but now she’ll be able to put those skills to the test in real life.
The actress, who plays Rebecca Pearson on the hit NBC series, announced that she is pregnant and expecting her first child with Taylor Goldsmith.
Not only that but the 36-year-old revealed that the couple is expecting a baby boy!
“Baby Boy Goldsmith coming early 2021,” she captioned an Instagram slideshow of Goldsmith cradling her adorable bump.
The couple tied the knot in November 2018.
Congrats!
Coffee Table News
Hallmark Channel Reveals Holiday Movie Schedule for 2020 Including First LGBTQ-Friendly Movie
Hallmark is gearing up for the holidays because, let’s be honest, it’s the only thing to look forward to for the rest of 2020.
The annual “Countdown to Christmas” will kick off on October 23 with a ton of original films that have been revealed in the full lineup.
Some of your favorites are returning to the Hallmark Channel to bring Christmas cheer including Robert Buckley, Bethany Joy Lenz, Lacey Chabert, Ben Savage, Tamera Mowry-Housley… and of course, the Queen of Christmas, Candace Cameron Bure!
Pre-Order Your Hallmark Channel Wines Inspired by Christmas Movies
A pandemic may have stopped production on plenty of movie and TV sets, but Hallmark somehow managed to pull off its 40 movie slate.
Due to a lot of pushback from the public, Hallmark is even adding its first LGBTQ-focused film about a married gay couple starring Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder.
In short, there’s something for anyone who is looking for a little Christmas magic.
Check out the list of movies coming your way!
HALLMARK CHANNEL’S “COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS”
All premieres are at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Jingle Bell Bride
Starring: Julie Gonzalo and Ronnie Rowe Jr.
Premieres: Saturday, Oct. 24 (Watch ET’s exclusive promo above.)
Wedding planner Jessica Perez (Gonzalo) travels to a remote town in Alaska to find a rare flower for a celebrity client and is charmed by the small town during Christmas, as well as the handsome local (Rowe Jr.) helping her.
Chateau Christmas
Starring: Merritt Patterson and Luke Macfarlane
Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 25 (Watch ET’s exclusive promo above.)
Margot (Patterson), a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Newhaus to spend the holidays with her family and is reunited with an ex (Macfarlane) who helps her rediscover her passion for music.
Christmas With the Darlings
Starring: Katrina Law and Carlo Marks
Premieres: Saturday, Oct. 31
Just before the holidays Jessica Lew (Law) is ending her tenure as the assistant to her wealthy boss to use her recently earned law degree within his company, but offers to help his charming, younger brother (Marks) as he looks after his orphaned nieces and nephew over Christmas.
One Royal Holiday
Starring: Laura Osnes, Aaron Tveit, Krystal Joy Brown, Victoria Clark and Tom McGowan
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 1
When Anna (Osnes) offers a stranded mother (Clark) and son (Tveit) shelter in a blizzard, she learns that they are the Royal Family of Galwick. Anna shows the Prince how they do Christmas
in her hometown, encouraging him to open his heart and be true to himself.
Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater
Starring: Ashley Williams and Niall Matter
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 7
Single mom Maggie (Williams) is facing Christmas alone until Lucas (Matter) crashes into her life and becomes an unexpected houseguest. Together they overcome Christmas while finding
comfort in their growing bond.
On the 12th Date of Christmas
Starring: Mallory Jansen and Tyler Hynes
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 8
Two seemingly incompatible game designers team up to create a romantic, city-wide scavenger hunt themed for the “12 Days of Christmas.”
Christmas in Vienna
Starring: Sarah Drew and Brennan Elliott
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 14
Jess (Drew), a concert violinist whose heart just isn’t in it anymore, goes to Vienna for a performance. While there, she finds the inspiration she has been missing, and a new love.
A Timeless Christmas
Starring: Ryan Paevey and Erin Cahill
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 15
Charles Whitley (Paevey) travels from 1903 to 2020 where he meets Megan Turner (Cahill), a tour guide at his historic mansion, and experiences a 21st Century Christmas.
A Nashville Christmas Carol
Starring: Jessy Schram, Wes Brown, Wynonna Judd, Sara Evans, RaeLynn, Kix Brooks and Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 21
Vivienne Wake (Schram), a workaholic television producer in charge of a country music Christmas special showcasing newcomer Alexis (Raelynn), never lets personal feelings get in the way of business. On the verge of accepting a job in LA, and with the return of Gavin Chase (Brown), her childhood sweetheart and manager to the special’s headliner, Belinda (Evans), she receives a visit from the ghost of her recently deceased mentor, Marilyn (Judd). Her mentor warns her current path leads to a dark future and has recruited both the Spirit of Christmas Past (Brooks) and the Spirit of Christmas Present (Williams-Paisley) to help her get back on track. The Spirits’ time-jumping adventures force Vivienne to take hold of her life.
The Christmas House
Starring: Robert Buckley, Jonathan Bennett, Ana Ayora, Treat Williams, Sharon Lawrence and Brad Harder
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 22
Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis (Lawrence) and patriarch Bill (Williams), have summoned their two grown sons — TV star, Mike Mitchell (Buckley) and Brandon Mitchell (Bennett) — home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house, will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake (Harder) make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi (Ayora), his high school sweetheart.
New Movie to Be Announced
Starring: TBA
Premieres: Monday, Nov. 23
A Christmas Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Starring: Rochelle Aytes and Mark Taylor
Premieres: Tuesday, Nov. 24
Erin (Aytes) is planning the town’s Christmas celebration and must win over firefighter Kevin (Taylor) in order to obtain the beautiful spruce tree from his property for the celebration.
A Bright and Merry Christmas
Starring: Alison Sweeney and Marc Blucas
Premieres: Wednesday, Nov. 25
Two competing TV hosts (Sweeney and Blucas) are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearances, they discover that there’s more to
each other than they thought.
Five Star Christmas
Starring: Bethany Joy Lenz and Victor Webster
Premieres: Thursday, Nov. 26
After moving back to her hometown, Lisa (Lenz) plots with her siblings and grandparents to help her father’s new bed and breakfast get a five-star review from an incognito travel critic (Webster), but ends up falling for him, not knowing he is the real critic.
Christmas by Starlight
Starring: Kimberley Sustad and Paul Campbell
Premieres: Friday, Nov. 27
Annie (Sustad), a lawyer, must help her loved ones this holiday season. Her family’s restaurant, The Starlight Café, is slated for demolition. The heir to the development firm responsible, William (Campbell), makes her an unlikely proposition: he’ll spare the café if Annie spends the week “appearing” as the legal counsel his father is demanding he hire in the wake of some costly mistakes.
Christmas Waltz
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Will Kemp and JT Church
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 28
After Avery’s (Chabert) storybook Christmas wedding is canceled unexpectedly, dance instructor Roman (Kemp) helps her rebuild her dreams.
If I Only Had Christmas
Starring: Candace Cameron Bure and Warren Christie
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 29
At Christmas, a cheerful publicist (Bure) teams up with a cynical business owner (Christie) and his team to help a charity in need.
Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing
Starring: Holly Robinson Peete, Colin Lawrence, Rukiya Bernard, Antonio Cayonne and Barbara Niven
Premieres: Saturday, Dec. 5
As Michelle’s (Peete) wedding approaches, Hannah (Bernard) steps up to help finish the launch of the new Evergreen museum while questioning her relationship and future with Elliot (Cayonne).
Christmas She Wrote
Starring: Danica McKellar and Dylan Neal
Premieres: Sunday, Dec. 6
When Kayleigh (McKellar), a romance writer, has her column cancelled right before Christmas, she heads home to reconnect with her family. Kayleigh gets an unexpected visit from the man (Neal) who cancelled her column who fights not only to bring her back to the publisher but also for her heart.
Cross Country Christmas
Starring: Rachael Leigh Cook and Greyston Holt
Premieres: Saturday, Dec. 12
Former classmates Lina (Cook) and Max (Holt) are traveling home for the holidays, until a storm hits and they have to work together to make it home in time, no matter the mode of
transportation.
Christmas Carnival
Starring: Tamera Mowry-Housley and Michael Xavier
Premieres: Sunday, Dec. 13
Emily (Mowry-Housley) is a top newscaster who has achieved her career dreams but still has regrets about the guy (Xavier) who got away five years earlier. When the Christmas carnival comes to town, a ride around the carousel takes her magically back in time to the carnival five years before…giving her a second chance at love before she must return to Christmas present.
Christmas Carousel
Starring: Rachel Boston and Neal Bledsoe
Premieres: Saturday, Dec. 19
When Lila (Boston) is hired by the Royal Family of Marcadia to repair a carousel, she must work with the Prince (Bledsoe) to complete it by Christmas.
Love, Lights, Hanukkah!
Starring: Mia Kirshner, Ben Savage and Marilu Henner
Premieres: Sunday, Dec. 20
As Christina (Kirshner) prepares her restaurant for its busiest time of year, she gets back a DNA test revealing that she’s Jewish. The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights.
HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES’ “MIRACLES OF CHRISTMAS”
All premieres are at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Christmas Tree Lane
Starring: Alicia Witt, Andrew Walker, Drake Hogestyn and Briana Price
Premieres: Saturday, Oct. 24
Music store owner Meg (Witt) spearheads the community effort to save the Christmas Tree Lane shopping district from demolition. As she finds herself falling for Nate (Walker), a recent acquaintance, she’s thrown when she learns his surprising tie to the developer.
Deliver by Christmas
Starring: Alvina August and Eion Bailey
Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 25
Bakery owner Molly (August) meets Josh (Bailey), a widower who recently moved to town with his young son, but she is also charmed by a mysterious client whom she’s never met in person and she doesn’t realize that they’re the same man.
Cranberry Christmas
Starring: Nikki DeLoach and Benjamin Ayres
Premieres: Saturday, Oct. 31
A separated couple (DeLoach and Ayres) feign marital bliss on national television to help their town’s Christmas festival — and their business. But what will the future hold for them when rekindled love is complicated by new opportunities?
Holly & Ivy
Starring: Janel Parrish, Jeremy Jordan and Marisol Nichols
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 1 (Watch ET’s exclusive promo above.)
When Melody’s (Parrish) neighbor, Nina (Nichols), learns that her illness has returned, Melody promises to keep Nina’s kids, Holly & Ivy, together. To adopt the children, she must renovate her new fixer-upper, which she does with the help of contractor, Adam (Jordan).
The Christmas Ring
Starring: Nazneen Contractor and David Alpay
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 7
A reporter (Contractor) searches for the love story behind an antique engagement ring. With the help of the ring’s owner’s grandson (Alpay), they learn the legacy his grandparent’s left behind.
The Christmas Bow
Starring: Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 8
When an accident puts her music dreams on hold, a gifted violinist (Micarelli) reconnects with an old family friend (Rady), who helps her heal and find love during the holidays.
Meet Me at Christmas (working title)
Starring: Catherine Bell and Mark Deklin
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 14
When Joan’s (Bell) son’s wedding planner unexpectedly quits, she must coordinate his Christmas Eve wedding with the help of Beau (Deklin), the bride’s uncle. As they work alongside each other they discover their fates and pasts are intertwined.
The Christmas Doctor
Starring: Holly Robinson Peete and Adrian Holmes
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 15
A week before Christmas, Dr. Alicia Wright (Peete) is offered an assignment away from home. A mysterious man (Holmes) from her past journeys to find her before Christmas and brings with him a revelation that could change Alicia’s life forever.
A Little Christmas Charm (working title)
Starring: Ashley Greene and Brendan Penny
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 21
Holly (Greene), a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg (Penny) in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve.
The Angel Tree
Starring: Jill Wagner and Lucas Bryant
Premieres: Sunday, Nov. 22
A writer (Wagner) seeks the identity of the person who helps grant wishes that are placed upon the angel tree, and in the process, reconnects with her childhood friend (Bryant).
USS Christmas
Starring: Jen Lilley, Trevor Donovan and Barbara Niven
Premieres: Saturday, Nov. 28
Maddie (Lilley), a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks on a Tiger Cruise during Christmastime where she meets a handsome naval officer (Donovan) and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship’s archive room.
Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas
Starring: Lacey Chabert and Stephen Huszar
Executive producer: Blake Shelton
Premieres: Saturday, Dec. 5
Five guests are mysteriously invited to an inn to celebrate Christmas. With the help of the owner Ben (Huszar), Sarah (Chabert) discovers that an event from the past may connect them and change their lives forever.
A Godwink Christmas: First Loves, Second Chances
Starring: Brooke D’Orsay and Sam Page
Premieres: Sunday, Dec. 6
After 15 years, Pat (Page) moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie (D’Orsay), at Christmas.
A Glenbrooke Christmas
Starring: Autumn Reeser and Antonio Cupo
Premieres: Saturday, Dec. 12
As Christmas nears, heiress Jessica Morgan (Reeser) seizes what seems like her last chance to experience a relaxed Christmas and heads off to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she
meets a handsome fireman (Cupo).
Christmas Homecoming (working title)
Starring: Taylor Cole and Steve Lund
Premieres: Sunday, Dec. 13
When a mysterious key and a holiday riddle arrive on their doorsteps, Kate (Cole) and Kevin (Lund) embark on a Christmas romance adventure they’ll never forget.
Swept Up by Christmas (working title)
Starring: TBA
Premieres: Saturday, Dec. 19
An antique seller and a cleaner clash over how to downsize a magnificent estate right before Christmas. As the two uncover the house’s treasures, they find a way to reconnect the reclusive owner with his own Christmases past.
Project Christmas Wish
Starring: TBA
Premieres: Sunday, Dec. 20
For years Lucy has played Santa to her small town’s community by making their holiday wishes come true. But when Lucy grants a little girl’s wish for a Christmas like she used to have with her mom, she unexpectedly finds her own wishes coming true in life and love.
Supergirl is taking her final bow.
The sixth season of The CW series will be its last. The season is set to premiere in 2021 due to delays following the COVID-19 pandemic and Melissa Benoist’s pregnancy.
Per Deadline, the series is set to begin filming in Vancouver starting next week pending a deal with local unions and SAG.
Reportedly, the series would film around Benoist, who would join later.
The outlet notes that the sixth and final season is expected to have 20 episodes.
Supergirl marks the second Arrowverse show to come to an end as Arrow ended its eight-year run earlier this year. It also comes after the drama surrounding Batwoman, which replaced its titular actress Ruby Rose with a new masked vigilante to be played by Javicia Leslie in the upcoming sophomore season.
Supergirl first debuted in October 2015 on CBS before switching over to The CW for season 2 and beyond.
Benoist took to Instagram to comment on the final season news stating: “To say it has been an honor portraying this iconic character would be a massive understatement. Seeing the incredible impact the show has had on young girls around the world has always left me humbled and speechless.
She’s had that impact on me, too. She’s taught me strength I didn’t know I had, to find hope in the darkest of places, and that we are stronger when we’re united. What she stands for pushes all of us to be better. She has changed my life for the better, and I’m forever grateful.
I’m so excited that we get to plan our conclusion to this amazing journey, and I cannot wait for you to see what we have in store. I promise we’re going to make it one helluva final season. ♥️ el mayarah 💪 @supergirlcw”
We can’t wait to see what the final season featuring our favorite female heroine holds.
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