WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.560 I gotta be honest, after my brief stint as a 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:05.580 viral sensation, it felt really good to crawl 00:00:05.580 --> 00:00:07.900 back into my recording booth and pretend the 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:12.240 internet didn't exist. What a week. One minute 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:14.539 I'm excited to go to a work conference and read 00:00:14.539 --> 00:00:17.339 horny werepanther scenes to my adoring smutty 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:20.219 lit fans, and the next, Jake Fisher is knocking 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:23.519 on my hotel room door. Then my voice becomes 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:27.120 trending audio on TikTok. Then that audio gets 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:30.780 remixed into a club banger. Then the remix hits 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:33.280 the Spotify top 10 and somehow I end up on the 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:36.320 Today Show sitting next to Jake Fisher and two 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:39.119 guys in bucket hats who turned my live read into 00:00:39.119 --> 00:00:43.799 a thirst trap anthem. And it just kept getting 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:46.960 better. Jake Fisher was in talks with the movie 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:49.299 people about being in the film version of Midnight 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:52.100 Darkness. My contract with the author was extended. 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:55.719 Everything was coming up Shannon. Even if I was 00:00:55.719 --> 00:00:58.399 a D -list celebrity now, I would never forget 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:01.700 about my favorite project, My Sister's Love Live. 00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:04.260 Time to turn my attention back to Claire and 00:01:04.260 --> 00:01:06.700 Tony and see what Brian and I could cook up to 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:09.379 get these two crazy kids together. This will 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:16.810 -they -won't -they thing was killing me. Tony. 00:01:19.170 --> 00:01:24.189 One more. Yes. Feel it, Claire. That was tough. 00:01:25.609 --> 00:01:28.890 But you did it. Maybe burpees were too ambitious. 00:01:29.370 --> 00:01:31.689 Well, you do grunt like a tennis player when 00:01:31.689 --> 00:01:34.090 you're working out. I can't believe I let you 00:01:34.090 --> 00:01:36.250 talk me into a workout the day after I got the 00:01:36.250 --> 00:01:39.590 boot off my foot. That was brutal. Hey, listen, 00:01:39.709 --> 00:01:41.670 I was just coming home from my run. You're the 00:01:41.670 --> 00:01:43.950 one who was stalking my house at 6 .30 a .m. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:46.700 I was just dropping the kids off at the bus stop. 00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:50.280 Mm -hmm. So Shannon and Brian are both back today? 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:54.500 Yep. Camp Claire is closed for business. Samantha 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:57.299 and Jonathan are the best kids ever, but damn, 00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:00.140 taking care of kids is exhausting. Not to mention 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:02.180 all the late nights I've spent working this week. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:04.340 Well, Claire, most of us don't try to do it all 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:06.640 at once. Have you ever heard of work -life balance? 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:09.400 Work what? Balance? Want to help me with that 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:12.599 today? You know, I'd love to hang out, but it's 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:14.780 my last full day with Dom, so she deserves my 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:16.740 full attention. Are you kicking me out of your 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:19.379 home gym? Don't make it weird. Can I see the 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:23.020 rest of your house? Um, no. But I thought we 00:02:23.020 --> 00:02:25.099 were going to have breakfast together and you 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:28.099 would introduce me to your parents. Okay, you're 00:02:28.099 --> 00:02:30.719 making it weird. And later, I'll meet you in 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:33.080 front of a flower arch wearing a white dress. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:37.580 Bye, Claire. Okay, fine. Have fun with Dom today. 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:42.090 She's a great kid. Yeah, she really is. Bye. 00:02:46.689 --> 00:02:50.030 Babe, I'm home! Brian! Oh my god, I missed you 00:02:50.030 --> 00:02:53.150 so much. Oh, I missed you too. It's good to be 00:02:53.150 --> 00:02:56.930 home. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed and 00:02:56.930 --> 00:02:59.389 have you rub my feet. How was your work stuff 00:02:59.389 --> 00:03:04.789 in Vegas? Uh, boring, but also crazy. It's like... 00:03:05.129 --> 00:03:08.250 awkward corporate bonding and process methodologies 00:03:08.250 --> 00:03:11.210 by day and then gambling and drinking with a 00:03:11.210 --> 00:03:13.969 bunch of CPAs by night. It was a lot. Sounds 00:03:13.969 --> 00:03:16.810 like those nerds know how to let loose. Yeah, 00:03:16.810 --> 00:03:20.330 yeah, but tell me more about your week. The Today 00:03:20.330 --> 00:03:24.810 Show clip was amazing. You looked so hot, which, 00:03:24.930 --> 00:03:27.050 let's be honest, is pretty impressive sitting 00:03:27.050 --> 00:03:30.110 next to Jake Fisher. Does he really look like 00:03:30.110 --> 00:03:32.889 that in real life? Yeah, it's like he's a living 00:03:32.889 --> 00:03:35.789 cologne ad. Still not totally convinced he's 00:03:35.789 --> 00:03:39.129 a real human being. But he's also very performative. 00:03:39.409 --> 00:03:42.569 Like he's playing the part of Jake Fisher, sexy 00:03:42.569 --> 00:03:45.870 celebrity. But in normal conversation, I don't 00:03:45.870 --> 00:03:47.930 know, sometimes it's a little off -putting. Yeah, 00:03:47.930 --> 00:03:51.349 so is he gonna make the movie version of Midnight 00:03:51.349 --> 00:03:55.169 Darkness happen? No idea. That's all studio politics. 00:03:55.449 --> 00:03:59.810 I'm just the book narrator. So, you know this 00:03:59.810 --> 00:04:02.210 song that went viral with my voice? It turns 00:04:02.210 --> 00:04:04.580 out... We're going to make some actual money 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:07.699 on that. I mean, probably not a ton, but since 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:10.159 it's my voice, I get a portion of the earnings 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:12.039 along with the guys who created the song. Oh, 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:17.439 my God. Just like that corn kid. Huh? Yeah, that 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:21.139 It's Corn song from a few years ago where that 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:24.319 little boy's comments about his love for corn 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:28.660 mixed to music went viral. That kid made a shitload 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:30.600 of money. So you're saying we're going to be 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:34.600 corn kid rich. You tell me. I don't know about 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:37.660 this stuff. I guess I better call my agent. Oh, 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:40.819 yes. My house husband dreams might become a reality. 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:44.560 I know you're joking, but you might be right. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:48.399 Holy shit. Anyway, we have something even more 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:51.139 important to discuss. The love story of Claire 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:54.050 and Tony. The protagonists being forced to spend 00:04:54.050 --> 00:04:56.550 time together for a common goal is a classic 00:04:56.550 --> 00:04:59.209 rom -com trope. But I don't think it worked. 00:04:59.470 --> 00:05:03.310 Seriously, how could it not work? Hon, you are 00:05:03.310 --> 00:05:06.310 insufferable. Come here. I need a weighted blanket. 00:05:06.810 --> 00:05:13.410 Cuddles, zero eye contact. Oh yeah, now that's 00:05:13.410 --> 00:05:17.529 what I'm talking about. When was the last time 00:05:17.529 --> 00:05:19.629 we just took a nap in the middle of the day? 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:26.680 So, we tried the forced proximity trope. Mm -hmm, 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:29.660 yeah. The whole Camp Claire thing really sounded 00:05:29.660 --> 00:05:33.139 like it had potential. Have you talked to Claire? 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:36.120 Do you know if she's even interested in Tony? 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:40.420 Talk to her? No. If I push too hard, she'll shut 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:43.459 it down. It has to seem like it's her idea. Okay, 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:46.439 then. What about some other tried -and -true 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:49.040 rom -com plot devices? Can we make them band 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:52.279 together to save a, I don't know, historic gazebo 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:57.300 or something? A road trip gone wrong. A fake 00:05:57.300 --> 00:06:01.120 engagement. Ooh, a dance competition, but there's 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:04.860 only one room at the inn. Babe, you are so hot 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:13.759 right now. Morning, Dad. Morning, Dom. Sorry, 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:18.410 was my dad rock too loud? Ugh, cringe. They say 00:06:18.410 --> 00:06:21.689 you used to be cool. Uh, Grandma thinks I'm cool. 00:06:22.170 --> 00:06:25.930 Yeah, exactly. No, I was actually just lying 00:06:25.930 --> 00:06:29.970 there for a while. I have this... this tune stuck 00:06:29.970 --> 00:06:33.870 in my head. Does this keyboard work? Yeah, yeah. 00:06:33.930 --> 00:06:50.910 Just plug it in. So, it's like... Hmm. Okay. 00:06:51.649 --> 00:06:56.129 Kind of an emo breakup vibe? I was thinking more 00:06:56.129 --> 00:06:59.230 like the end credits of some show my friends 00:06:59.230 --> 00:07:02.149 and I would be obsessed with. Yeah, that's the 00:07:02.149 --> 00:07:07.949 same thing. Minor key? Yeah. A minor for the 00:07:07.949 --> 00:07:12.129 verse, and maybe F for the chorus. It kind of 00:07:12.129 --> 00:07:16.750 lifts it, but it still feels messy. Yeah, good. 00:07:16.930 --> 00:07:23.240 F feels like, um... Unresolved hope. Okay, try 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:25.939 making that last line climb. Like, lean into 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:28.060 the melody like you're barely holding it together. 00:07:31.980 --> 00:07:37.120 Oh. Oh, yeah. So, we should start a band together. 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:40.279 We could play at your school's talent show. Uh, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:44.180 respectfully, hard pass. No, no, no. Seriously. 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:46.620 I wish we could play music together like that 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:51.389 more. That would be cool. What if you spent the 00:07:51.389 --> 00:07:54.689 summer with me? I don't know if my moms would 00:07:54.689 --> 00:07:57.529 go for that. I've got that summer piano intensive. 00:07:58.110 --> 00:08:01.069 Yeah, I know. I just wish you didn't have to 00:08:01.069 --> 00:08:08.370 go back. Hey, fam. Thanks for picking me up. 00:08:08.670 --> 00:08:11.089 Hey, we're going to need to make a stop on the 00:08:11.089 --> 00:08:13.509 way. I almost forgot mom's etiquette protocol 00:08:13.509 --> 00:08:16.009 of never arriving to a dinner empty -handed. 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:18.819 Ha, perfect. Because I'm supposed to be bringing 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:21.639 dessert. Ugh, fine. We'll stop at the grocery 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:24.579 store. But you know how I hate being late. Babe, 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:26.939 you know Mom loves you. She'll blame Claire. 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:30.319 It's fine. Hey! Can we please have strawberry 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:33.460 shortcake for dessert? Mmm, that's a great idea. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:35.360 Better than the random pie I was going to grab. 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:38.080 Okay, Claire and Shannon, your mission is to 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.019 get in and out of the grocery store in under 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:42.750 five minutes. The kids and I will be timing you. 00:08:42.809 --> 00:08:46.629 So if you fail this mission, Jonathan gets to 00:08:46.629 --> 00:08:49.370 stick a wet finger in your ear. Close. Come on. 00:08:49.950 --> 00:08:58.389 Sweet. You snooze, you lose, Claire. This is 00:08:58.389 --> 00:09:00.330 so not fair. I have to go to three different 00:09:00.330 --> 00:09:02.210 departments to get my ingredients. You only have 00:09:02.210 --> 00:09:07.850 one. Sucks to be you. Okay. Strawberries, check. 00:09:08.610 --> 00:09:11.940 Angel food cake, check. Gosh, where do they keep 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:16.019 the Cool Whip? Um, by the ice cream, maybe? Oh, 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:18.980 there's a store employee. Hi, where can I find... 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:24.360 Oh, never mind. Tony, hey! Fancy meeting you 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:28.080 in the ice cream aisle. Uh, hey, Claire. Um, 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:32.460 hi. Oh, sorry. Is that emotional support ice 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:35.200 cream you're holding? Mm -hmm, maybe. You caught 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:38.720 me being a sad sack. Dominique left today. She's 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:42.159 gone back to Nashville. Oh, gosh. Well, you know, 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:44.440 I'm sure Ben and Jerry created this silent cry 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:47.960 -ice cream flavor just for this occasion. Is 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:49.860 eating ice cream straight out of the carton the 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.799 most cliche thing ever when you're depressed? 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:54.259 Only if you do it while watching The Notebook 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:58.179 and drinking boxed wine. Ah, okay. See, the dude 00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:00.919 version of that is The Godfather and those little 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:04.299 frozen pizza bagels. Yes, we love healthy coping. 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:07.480 Meanwhile, Shannon and I are off to get lovingly 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:11.169 roasted by our mother. Wish us luck. Hmm, okay. 00:10:11.350 --> 00:10:13.809 Well, tell Shannon and Brian I said hello, and 00:10:13.809 --> 00:10:17.090 if I die from lactose sensitivity, avenge me! 00:10:17.690 --> 00:10:21.409 Oh my god, that sounds really messy. Oh, sorry. 00:10:21.809 --> 00:10:25.330 Damn it, time's up. Um, I gotta run. Maybe I'll 00:10:25.330 --> 00:10:27.509 see you in Shannon's backyard this week. Bye! 00:10:27.830 --> 00:10:34.789 Yeah, bye. Shannon, tell me all about your fancy 00:10:34.789 --> 00:10:38.600 Today Show experience. Well... It was great. 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:42.159 Oh, and now remind me, what do you have to do 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:46.080 with this song? Okay, so my voice was used in 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:49.320 a TikTok that went viral. And then these guys 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:51.820 made a song out of the trending audio, and then 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:55.879 that went viral. Okay, they did what now? Dad, 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:57.279 it's kind of like what happened with that It's 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:00.600 Korn song. Oh, you lost me again. Someone made 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:03.320 a song about Korn? Don't worry about it. You 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:06.409 haven't heard the best news. Shannon is going 00:11:06.409 --> 00:11:08.929 to get some serious money from the song. Not 00:11:08.929 --> 00:11:10.710 to mention the royalties bump from the Midnight 00:11:10.710 --> 00:11:13.730 Darkness audiobook. Shannon is a rising star, 00:11:13.929 --> 00:11:17.269 even more than she already was. Oh, of course, 00:11:17.309 --> 00:11:20.889 honey. But this tacky romance genre, is that 00:11:20.889 --> 00:11:22.929 really what you want to be known for? Wouldn't 00:11:22.929 --> 00:11:26.049 you rather have a legacy for narrating a great 00:11:26.049 --> 00:11:30.269 American novel? Legitimate literature. Mom, fantasy 00:11:30.269 --> 00:11:33.529 is legitimate literature. Romance is my niche. 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:36.919 I'm at the height of my career here, and it's 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:39.960 fun. But can't you, you know, at least work for 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:43.039 a company and get benefits in retirement? I work 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:46.200 for myself. I create my own benefits in retirement. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:50.320 Well, Shannon, you're lucky that your husband's 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:53.080 more traditional career allows you to have so 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:56.080 much fun. Here we go again. Mom, what is your 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:58.519 hang -up with freelancing? I'm freelancing. It's 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:01.799 going great so far. Oh, Claire, I'm delighted 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:04.120 to hear that you got a lucky break, really. But 00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:07.460 you can't count on that. You need a consistent 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:10.759 income and benefits. Honey, you don't have a 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:14.220 husband like Brian to support you. Mom, once 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:17.139 again, I'm so sorry to have disappointed you. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.820 I know my single adulthood has been really hard 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:22.879 on you. Oh, dear, I never. You know, Mom, Brian 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:25.980 supports me in that he's a doting husband and 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:29.159 father. But he doesn't support me financially. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:32.299 I don't know if we really want to get into numbers. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:35.120 Mom, I've been the primary earner in our household 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:38.039 for years now. So much so that we're thinking 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:40.659 about having Brian retire and help support my 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:42.960 business. Really? Oh my gosh, that's so cool. 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:46.580 In this economy? Are you sure about this, Shannon? 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:49.879 Oh, it seems awfully risky. What about the children? 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:53.399 Actually, I've run the numbers, and if I can 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:55.179 help Shannon with some of her admin stuff and 00:12:55.179 --> 00:12:57.419 give her more time in the booth while I run the 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:59.720 kids around to their activities, she could be 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:02.919 making 30 to 40 percent more per quarter. Oh, 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:06.559 you millennials, with your modern careers and 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:09.519 your eccentric liberal gender roles, it's definitely 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.379 different from our generation. Mom, just because 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:14.620 it's unfamiliar to you doesn't mean it's wrong. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:18.759 Now, Claire, she just wants, um, that is, we 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:21.600 just want you girls to make smart decisions. 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:25.399 Oh, our neighbor June's daughter is living in 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:28.440 their basement. They're calling it the boomerang 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:31.080 generation. God, this is such a tired conversation. 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:34.519 You know why this happens? Because your generation 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:36.419 didn't have to deal with the same cost of living 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:38.720 and student loan debt that we have to live with. 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:42.779 We've been through this a thousand times. You 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:45.919 don't have student loan debt. I paid for your 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:48.320 education. Yes, I acknowledge that I'm speaking 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.899 from a place of privilege, but we're talking 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:51.759 about the difference between our generations, 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:55.340 not our individual experiences. Oh, I thought 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:58.399 we were talking about your individual careers. 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:02.100 How about some dessert? Who's ready for strawberry 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:07.649 shortcake? Dessert! Dessert! Dessert! And wet 00:14:07.649 --> 00:14:13.909 willy time. Oh, man, Jonathan. You are so gross. 00:14:14.549 --> 00:14:22.370 I got you good. Oh, that's my boy. Good morning, 00:14:22.529 --> 00:14:25.730 my audio goddess. Morning, trophy husband. Coffee? 00:14:25.870 --> 00:14:30.100 Yes, please. You know, the possibility of quitting 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:32.279 my job and getting to spend more time with the 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:35.360 kids makes the thought of work a real drag. Oh, 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:39.059 do you have a case of the Mondays? It's the Monday 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:42.700 -est of all Mondays. It's a big decision. Yeah. 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:45.960 Oh, there's Tony. He's getting an early start 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:48.240 today. Yeah, looks like he's almost done with 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:51.159 the treehouse. So, what's next on the Claire 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:53.440 -Tony agenda? Well, I think we've established 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:56.159 this is going to be a slow burn. It's not an 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.960 enemies -to -lovers because they were already 00:14:57.960 --> 00:15:00.940 getting along so well. So it's a friends -to 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:04.000 -lovers? Yeah, it's dangerous territory for Claire. 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:07.240 Once she's friend -zoned a guy, there's no coming 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:10.360 back. Yeah, poor Jay. I thought they had a good 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:12.340 thing going last year before she got the ick. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.679 Never really stood a chance with that utility 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:18.200 kilt. No one stands a chance in a utility kilt. 00:15:18.669 --> 00:15:21.309 Claire's problem is she plays it cool for too 00:15:21.309 --> 00:15:25.009 long. She doesn't want to open up. Okay, so it 00:15:25.009 --> 00:15:28.070 could be a slow burn, but we need to amp up the 00:15:28.070 --> 00:15:30.789 burn. Too bad it isn't Christmas. There's so 00:15:30.789 --> 00:15:32.990 much we could do with that. Your obsession with 00:15:32.990 --> 00:15:36.289 Christmas never ceases to amaze me. Okay, but 00:15:36.289 --> 00:15:39.230 what can we do with spring holidays? Flowers 00:15:39.230 --> 00:15:41.870 are blooming. You know, I've always wanted to 00:15:41.870 --> 00:15:44.850 do a slow motion run through the field of wildflowers 00:15:44.850 --> 00:15:47.559 toward you, the woman I love. and then lift you 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.659 into my arms while spinning around cinematically. 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:53.620 Okay, A, this is about Claire and Tony, not us, 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:56.340 and B, you would throw your back out. But if 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:58.340 you really want to, we can absolutely make that 00:15:58.340 --> 00:16:00.539 happen. We could run through the wildflowers 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:03.179 and the median along the highway any time. See 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:05.200 all the things we could do if I was home more? 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:09.500 God, I want to quit my job. Anyway, stay on task. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:13.419 I don't know, could there be a shadow daddy who 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:16.950 comes in and casts... Shannon, wrong genre. Also, 00:16:16.990 --> 00:16:18.889 let's try to keep things within the realm of 00:16:18.889 --> 00:16:24.509 possibility. Right. Huh. How about a love triangle? 00:16:25.029 --> 00:16:29.789 Or, oh, the ex returns. I like where you're going 00:16:29.789 --> 00:16:32.370 with this, but I don't think there's any chance 00:16:32.370 --> 00:16:35.470 Tony's ex is coming back into the picture. Tony! 00:16:35.870 --> 00:16:41.750 Hey! Come on in! Morning, y 'all. Coffee? Uh, 00:16:41.889 --> 00:16:44.879 yeah, sure. Thanks. So, I'm almost done with 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:46.740 the treehouse. Just need to add another coat 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:49.419 of paint and then I'll be out of your hair. About 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:53.460 the paint. I'm not feeling the color. Uh, okay. 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:56.539 Well, it's not too late to change it. Do you 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:59.940 know who's great with color? Claire. Right, Brian? 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:04.819 Yes, Claire. She has such a good eye for paint. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:08.220 And colors. Yeah, I think I actually still have 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:10.359 the paint swatch book in my truck. I'll be right 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:13.880 back. You were gonna have them pick out paint 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:16.140 together? You think that's gonna turn up the 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:19.720 heat? I don't know. They're both creative. You 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:22.059 never know what might get them going. Alright, 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:25.059 I gotta get to work. Go make us some money with 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:28.759 that sexy voice of yours. I'll try. Love you, 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:40.500 Brian. Oh, Claire. Hey. Tony, what the heck are 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:43.029 you doing here? I'm picking up paint for the 00:17:43.029 --> 00:17:45.569 treehouse. What are you doing here? Oh, Shannon 00:17:45.569 --> 00:17:48.950 sent me here to pick out a new blue. She already 00:17:48.950 --> 00:17:52.430 settled on Celtic Breeze Blue. Hmm, suspicious. 00:17:53.930 --> 00:17:57.089 What's that? Oh, nothing. I just, I think my 00:17:57.089 --> 00:18:00.849 meddling sister is up to something. Okay, so 00:18:00.849 --> 00:18:03.809 just to be clear, you're not stalking me? No. 00:18:04.089 --> 00:18:08.069 Well, that's unfortunate. Whatever. I got your 00:18:08.069 --> 00:18:10.809 Instagram follow request. Actually, I shouldn't 00:18:10.809 --> 00:18:13.230 be admitting this, but I noticed your old beard 00:18:13.230 --> 00:18:16.130 oil influencer posts. Oh, did you now? Because 00:18:16.130 --> 00:18:18.529 you would have had to do a deep dive to see those. 00:18:18.690 --> 00:18:21.410 That was several years ago. Okay, Mr. Man Bun. 00:18:21.549 --> 00:18:26.029 Mr. Anti -social media. I see you. Hey, the man 00:18:26.029 --> 00:18:28.509 bun was because of pandemic hair, okay? And I 00:18:28.509 --> 00:18:30.390 was helping my buddy launch his beard oil side 00:18:30.390 --> 00:18:32.789 hustle, so I did a little content creation for 00:18:32.789 --> 00:18:36.089 him at the time. And I like to smell nice. So 00:18:36.089 --> 00:18:37.730 that's why you always smell like a Christmas 00:18:37.730 --> 00:18:40.160 tree farm. I thought it was just your inherent 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:43.420 lumberjack essence. So you've been noticing how 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:47.519 I smell and you like it? Okay, Mr. Influencer. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:50.819 Fresh pine is totally a universally good smell. 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:53.720 Mm -hmm. So what are you up to this afternoon? 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:57.339 Oh, there's a classic horror movie series playing 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:59.960 at the plaza. I'm meeting some friends to see 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:02.079 Silence of the Lambs. It's like my favorite horror 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:04.579 movie from the 90s. And there's a drag show beforehand. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:07.380 People dress up like the characters. It's a whole 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:10.839 thing. Wow, sounds fun. So, you got time to grab 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:13.039 lunch before you go? I was about to go and visit 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:15.200 my buddy over at the pub across the street. You 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.640 ever been to the Stag's Hollow? Yeah, they have 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:20.039 that cool wood and ironwork design around the 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:23.359 bar, right? Yeah, that's mine. Thanks. The bar? 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:26.099 No, no, the wood and iron artwork. I made it. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:29.819 Oh, wait, really? That's so cool. I didn't realize 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:32.099 that was the type of art you did. Yeah, I do 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:34.119 a lot of custom stuff for restaurants and bars. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:36.160 That was actually one of the first big ones I 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:44.710 did. Hmm. Multifaceted. Wow, Tony, your artwork 00:19:44.710 --> 00:19:48.630 is amazing. I love all the subtleties with color 00:19:48.630 --> 00:19:50.490 and texture between the wood and metal work. 00:19:50.910 --> 00:19:53.470 It really does make the whole place so unique. 00:19:53.769 --> 00:19:55.930 Oh, thanks. Yeah, I like how it changes over 00:19:55.930 --> 00:19:58.049 time depending on the conditions of where the 00:19:58.049 --> 00:20:00.670 work is placed, like where it has direct sunlight 00:20:00.670 --> 00:20:03.869 hitting it right here, or how some spots are 00:20:03.869 --> 00:20:05.470 more weathered when it gets touched more often. 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:08.279 Eh, I'm not sure if anyone else would notice. 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:12.720 Gosh, I hope they do. So, what's good to eat 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:15.200 here? Oh, well, depends on what you like. Today, 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:19.960 I think the brisket sandwich. My brain is telling 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:22.720 me to eat a vegetable, but my heart is telling 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:25.039 me I need more cheese dip in my life. In the 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:27.779 words of Roxette, listen to your heart when he's 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:34.420 calling for you. Um, Roxette? You don't like 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:37.069 80s music? Look, I don't know where you're going, 00:20:37.150 --> 00:20:41.390 and I don't know why. Okay, phew, you got me 00:20:41.390 --> 00:20:43.210 sweating there for a minute. Quoting Roxette 00:20:43.210 --> 00:20:47.130 right back at me. I like it. So, cheese dip then? 00:20:47.490 --> 00:20:50.609 Or, wild card, I could get a salad and cheese 00:20:50.609 --> 00:20:53.549 dip. Best of both worlds. Yeah, see, you don't 00:20:53.549 --> 00:20:56.369 play by the rules. You do what you want. Let 00:20:56.369 --> 00:20:59.490 them say we're crazy. What do they know? And 00:20:59.490 --> 00:21:01.890 another Roxette reference to bring it on home. 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:05.640 You know, I can see what you're saying about 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:08.180 the colors of the wood changing where it gets 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:11.299 more sunlight. It seems like some artists might 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:13.579 be more precious about it and want it to be better 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:15.980 protected from the elements. No, no, that's what 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:18.519 I love about working with wood and stains. And 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:20.920 I use a lot of reclaimed stuff, too. It has more 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:24.579 character. It has evidence of humanity in it. 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:28.480 I'm envious of you getting to explore your arts 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:31.519 on your own terms. so different from the projects 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:33.579 I work on where I'm coming up with ideas that 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:35.680 serve my clients in their brand voice and not 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:38.759 my own. Yeah, well, when I do commissions, it's 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.980 still serving my clients. I don't get to do exactly 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:44.099 what I want. I have to operate within the confines 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:46.319 of the space and so many of the pieces are custom. 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:48.940 Sometimes the limitations have actually forced 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:51.160 me to be more creative and find different ways 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:53.980 of doing things. That's true. I find that in 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:56.579 creative campaigns as well. Half the time, brand 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:59.640 guidelines kill your idea. So you panic, pivot, 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:03.380 and accidentally make something better. Yes. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:05.240 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Same thing for music, really. 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:07.640 You have to keep pushing at an idea, and then 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:09.400 you come up with something new. It's kind of 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:12.519 exhilarating. When you find that perfect solution, 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:17.599 lights a fire in you. Yeah. Do you still play? 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:21.519 Sometimes. Not enough. Actually, my friend Mark 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:23.500 asked me to fill in for his bassist at a show 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:26.140 at Eddie's Attic next weekend. I haven't played 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:27.640 in front of an audience in a couple of years, 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:31.000 so that'll be fun. Oh, good for you. That's exciting. 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:34.660 Yeah, yeah. You got plans? I mentioned it to 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:37.380 Brian the other day. Shannon said you love Eddie's 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:41.019 Attic. Hmm, I've only been there once. I think 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:43.019 I'm free in the evening, though. I'll be there. 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:47.539 Awesome. Great. Just don't heckle me. Assuming 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:51.140 it's a rock set cover band, I won't. Hey, let's 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:53.059 scrap the waitress. I have to head out soon. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:55.700 Yeah, yeah, I'm starving. Plus, that treehouse 00:22:55.700 --> 00:23:04.519 isn't going to finish painting itself. Oh, hey, 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:06.819 Brian. I just put the finishing touches on the 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:09.759 treehouse. Tony, this is the coolest treehouse 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:13.740 ever. The other dads are going to be so jealous. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:17.549 Dads? You mean the other neighborhood kids, right? 00:23:17.730 --> 00:23:22.049 Uh, yeah. Yeah, I guess the kids too. So how's 00:23:22.049 --> 00:23:25.809 your week going? Well, you know how it is. Work 00:23:25.809 --> 00:23:29.710 sucks. I'm actually thinking about quitting to 00:23:29.710 --> 00:23:32.410 spend more time with the kids and do more to 00:23:32.410 --> 00:23:34.910 help Shannon with her career. She's actually 00:23:34.910 --> 00:23:37.250 really blowing up. Wow, that's awesome. You know, 00:23:37.269 --> 00:23:39.170 I'd love to spend more time with Dominique. Having 00:23:39.170 --> 00:23:41.069 her here last week really made me realize how 00:23:41.069 --> 00:23:43.029 much I'm missing by living so far away from her. 00:23:43.430 --> 00:23:45.819 Yeah, I can imagine. Have you ever thought about 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:47.880 moving to Nashville? Yeah, yeah, it's definitely 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:52.859 on my mind. Tony! Hey, buddy. I didn't realize 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:55.559 you were still here. The treehouse looks amazing. 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:59.240 The kids are excited. I'm glad you like it. Hey, 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:02.519 may I use your restroom real quick? Yeah, of 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:07.240 course. You know where it is. Oh, Shannon, I 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:11.119 am onto you, lady. Hey, Claire. Not much? Oh, 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:14.200 whatever. You know I have a key. Brian, there 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:17.720 is a bee in Claire's bonnet. Oh, is there? Do 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:20.440 tell. I see what you're doing. I'm onto you. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:23.059 You are rom -comming me and Tony. You are meddling 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:25.960 and I'm onto your little scheme. Why, whatever 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:30.640 do you mean? We would never. You? Brian, you're 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:33.640 in on this too? I expected more from you. I trusted 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:38.359 you. Um, newsflash, we already made out in the 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:41.440 treehouse anyway. Oh my god! What? Tony, why 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.599 are you here? And why did you tell them that? 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:46.980 Shannon, I'm sorry I just spit beer all over 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:50.019 you. This is awesome! I didn't know it was a 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:53.619 secret. I'm... No! No! You guys are completely 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:56.319 off script. The slow burn is supposed to start 00:24:56.319 --> 00:25:00.200 now. A slow burn? Script? I mean, we had our 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:02.619 first date today, so that's happening. That was 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:04.660 our first date? I thought next Saturday at the 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:07.680 show was our first date. So that's our second 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:10.720 date? Second date? Oh, man. I'm not prepared 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:14.240 for this. I need to sit down. Babe, babe, come 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:18.220 on, hold on. This is a good thing. Your scheme 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:22.299 is working. See? Scheming. So, are you guys, 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:28.019 like, dating? Uh... Yeah, I can't actually tell 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:30.140 if this is supposed to be really awkward or not. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:33.019 It doesn't matter, man. Come on, bring it in. 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:36.980 We're all hugging it out. I wish you could see 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:40.910 my face right now. It is smug. After I got over 00:25:40.910 --> 00:25:43.269 the initial shock of completely missing the fact 00:25:43.269 --> 00:25:45.490 that Claire and Tony had already gotten together, 00:25:45.769 --> 00:25:48.369 I realized that everything I'd done was working 00:25:48.369 --> 00:25:51.269 better than I thought it would. The rom -com 00:25:51.269 --> 00:25:54.730 formula was working. They had a meet -cute with 00:25:54.730 --> 00:25:57.170 an awkward first encounter. There was the forced 00:25:57.170 --> 00:25:59.670 proximity trope with washing the dishes and then 00:25:59.670 --> 00:26:02.470 Camp Claire. There were the happy coincidences 00:26:02.470 --> 00:26:04.950 when they accidentally, and not so accidentally, 00:26:05.190 --> 00:26:08.029 ran into each other around town. Then there was 00:26:08.029 --> 00:26:11.750 the all -important first kiss, a classic friends 00:26:11.750 --> 00:26:15.009 -to -lovers scenario. The chemistry was undeniable. 00:26:15.250 --> 00:26:17.789 And then to find out that they not only went 00:26:17.789 --> 00:26:21.430 on one date, but possibly two? Damn, I'm good. 00:26:22.289 --> 00:26:24.150 I'm sure Claire will find it in her heart to 00:26:24.150 --> 00:26:28.150 forgive me. Now I knew I had to face the hardest 00:26:28.150 --> 00:26:30.750 part, getting them to overcome an inevitable 00:26:30.750 --> 00:26:33.829 challenge. It never works out perfectly for our 00:26:33.829 --> 00:26:36.130 hero couple. There had to be something that would 00:26:36.130 --> 00:26:38.910 force them apart at some point. I just had to 00:26:38.910 --> 00:26:40.910 lay the groundwork to make sure their relationship 00:26:40.910 --> 00:26:43.410 was solid enough to withstand whatever trouble 00:26:43.410 --> 00:27:05.950 was headed their way. Joined in this episode 00:27:05.950 --> 00:27:09.009 by an ensemble cast that includes Francisco Almenara 00:27:09.009 --> 00:27:12.369 as Brian, Trevor Johns as Mom, John Gardner as 00:27:12.369 --> 00:27:15.549 Dad, Alexis Campbell as Dominique, Matilda Cooper 00:27:15.549 --> 00:27:18.230 as Samantha, and Oliver Clearfield as Jonathan. 00:27:18.990 --> 00:27:21.789 Series edited by Doug Lehman with post -production 00:27:21.789 --> 00:27:25.130 provided by Rosebank Picture and Sound. If this 00:27:25.130 --> 00:27:27.349 episode of the Rom -Com Formula swept you off 00:27:27.349 --> 00:27:29.809 your feet, please like and subscribe. Leave us 00:27:29.809 --> 00:27:32.240 a review. Share with your favorite hopeless romantic 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:35.420 and follow us on Instagram at romcomformula for 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:39.759 bonus content. I am Diana Durand. Thanks for 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.039 listening.