After the most recent episodes of Southern Charm, fans are wondering if it’s time for Craig Conover to leave the show. Craig himself may have anticipated this backlash, because he once said he’d have to leave the country when the show aired. He’s continued to be the villain this season. And yes, reality shows often need a good villain. But when does it cross the line? Should Craig be put “on pause” or let go like Jax Taylor was from The Valley? Craig’s been a cast member since Season 1, so this would be a bold change. But here’s why it might be best for Craig to leave Southern Charm after Season 11.
Southern Charm fans were alarmed by Craig Conover’s blow ups at Venita Aspen and Salley Carson
Craig hasn’t come off great this whole season. But things took a turn after he blew up at two women in the span of one episode (and seemingly over 24 hours). The latest episode began in the middle of Craig’s fight with Venita Aspen. Venita and Craig made jabs at each other, both online and in the show, for ages. While playing a game, Venita encouraged Austen Kroll to stand up for himself, but didn’t mention Craig’s name.
Even if Craig had a right to be upset with Venita, the way he responded crossed a line. It’s hard to ignore the racial undertones of Craig telling his one Black castmate, “you don’t exist in my world.” That comment is extra cruel considering Ciara Miller’s allegations that Craig tried to block Venita from filming.
Craig lost it again at the end of the episode, and drunkenly lashed out at Salley Carson on the van ride to the hotel. Again, Salley and Craig have been at odds, but that’s no excuse for the way he screamed at her. Craig was out of control, repeatedly calling Salley a “loser” and “dumb.” The horrified expression on Charley Manley’s face said everything.
Fans were outraged by Craig’s actions on social media, and many comments on Reddit asked him to be put on “pause.” On an Instagram post from Queens of Bravo, some comments even compared Craig’s behavior to Thomas Ravenel’s in the early seasons.
Andy Cohen called it Craig’s worst tantrum yet, which says a lot. Craig’s yelled at women on Southern Charm (and Winter House) for years. But in recent seasons, he claimed to change. However, this episode showed that he hasn’t changed at all, and may be getting worse.
The Southern Charm cast is “terrified” of Craig
At the Southern Charm Season 10 reunion, Austen admitted he is “terrified” of Craig. When asked who agreed, a lot of cast members raised their hands. Leva Bonaparte, whom Craig kicked out of a party in Season 8, said she was “absolutely” afraid of him. After his latest blow up, she wrote on the post from Queens of Bravo, “So glad you are witnessing what happens every season!”
The Southern Charm cast members’ fears of Craig were evident when he yelled at Venita. At first, everyone was silent with scared looks on their faces. Even Venita’s close friend Rodrigo Reyes didn’t pipe up to defend her. Salley was the first one to try and stand up for her.
On Watch What Happens Live, Venita said that, during the van ride, Salley was texting her about how scared she was of Craig. Salley and Venita weren’t on great terms at this point. So, the fact that Salley was texting her emphasized to Venita how scary Craig really was.
When an entire cast is afraid of someone, it’s fair to ask if they should keep filming. At the very least, one would hope producers step in. The last time a cast member scared his co-stars like this was Jax Taylor, who was let go from The Valley after Season 2. Before he was let go, Jax was mandated to attend rehab. Should the same thing happen to Craig?
Southern Charm revolves around Craig (and it might be time to change that)
One of the biggest arguments against Craig leaving Southern Charm is that the show currently revolves around him. The two main storylines this season are Craig’s love triangle and his feud with Austen. Venita and Salley’s friendship fell apart because of him. Shep Rose, who used to be one of Southern Charm’s main characters, has been resigned to someone caught in the middle of Craig’s feud with Austen all season long. It’s a far cry from last season, when Shep’s disastrous situationship with Sienna Evans made for incredible TV. The text message alone!
So, if Craig leaves Southern Charm, it would be a massive change. But would that really be a bad thing? It might be necessary to revitalize the show.
While I personally think Season 11 is a little better than Season 10, I don’t disagree with online chatter that the two main storylines of this season are incredibly tired. Lot of viewers are sick of Austen and Craig’s repetitive fights. And the love triangle has long run its course. In the first half of Season 11, Southern Charm might as well have been retitled Craig’s Hot Tub. It’s odd and forced how shocked (or, in Rodrigo’s words, “yo shook”) the cast was at Craig and Charley kissing after they went on multiple dates. This is Southern Charm, not middle school!
If Craig does leave, it’s possible Southern Charm could return to being an ensemble show. But if he stays, he’ll have to make some real changes to his behavior, and not just say he’s changed. Especially regarding his addiction issues with alcohol. And maybe see a therapist that isn’t ChatGPT.
Southern Charm is available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK CRAIG CONOVER SHOULD LEAVE SOUTHERN CHARM AFTER SEASON 11?
