[theme music playing]
[presenter] It's been a minute, but we're back, baby.
That's right, honey.
The ultimate social media challenge has returned.
Players are hitting The Circle,
either as themselves or as a catfish,
to connect, chat, strategize, plot, and flirt their way to the top
of this ruthless game of popularity
and win $100,000.
And while you don't need to be the smartest,
this season, we're adding a bit more intelligence to the chat.
Yeah, that's right, for the first time ever,
an AI bot is playing the game as the ultimate catfish.
Buckle up, baby.
I'm Michelle Buteau, and this is The Circle.
[theme music ends]
[funky music playing]
[car horn honking]
[Buteau] New building, who this?
That's right, we're repping the ATL.
And while the city is different, the game is still the same.
So don't expect too much Southern hospitality.
We got the usual drama of influencers,
blockings, and more catfish than a diner in the Deep South.
So don't get too comfy, 'cause we got some shocking twists.
Let's see what our first player is all about.
- [dog barking] - [door opening]
[man] Oh my God, Deucey!
[Buteau] Aw. Is The Circle gonna have another little puppy?
Let's go! Let's go!
This is crazy.
[whirring]
Dang. It's like this?
Let's go.
- [rap music playing] - Circle, I've arrived.
My name is Kyle. I'm 31 years old.
Live in Miami, Florida. Yes, I'm a proud dog dad.
My little boy, Deuce.
And your boy is a professional basketball player.
People ask me, how competitive am I? Listen, I play pro ball.
I hate losing more than I like winning. I don't even let my grandma beat me.
We got your basketball.
You know how we do. We got your basketball.
[whirring]
["Beast Mode" by The Home Of Happy, Jason Tarver & Hugo Russo playing]
See, but the thing is,
I'm not gonna tell nobody I'm a professional basketball player,
because we have a stigma.
"Oh, he has a lot of money." "Oh, he's a player," which is not true.
I've been playing overseas for about eight years now.
And when I tell you it's not easy, it's not easy.
So I'm going in The Circle as a basketball trainer.
[alarm blares]
"Alert"? Oh snap! We got an alert!
[TV dings]
"Welcome to The Circle! [sputtering] Welcome to The Circle!"
"Please set up your profile." All right. Here we go.
[groans] We're doing this together. So,
occupation, we're gonna put a basketball trainer.
Let's do that right there.
Now, when it comes to relationship status, Lord have mercy, baby girl.
["Thankful" by EMAN8 playing]
I got married last year in July.
Shout out to my baby, Jackie. You know I love you.
♪ A good woman can be hard to find... ♪
We felt it was the best for me to go in as single
because I did not want to close any doors.
Hopefully, you know, the girls want to flirt and, you know, slide in my PCs,
you know, the private chat.
These abs gonna' have to come out.
That's all I'm saying. They gonna have to come out, baby girl.
Your boy looking handsome.
I think your boy looking handsome.
My strategy is to build as many alliances as possible.
'Cause all the doors is open, baby.
Circle, submit that for me.
[Deuce barks]
And now I can't find my dog.
Oh man. The first thing you do when we get in here is poop.
Deucey! You just messing up the house!
[Buteau] He's just dropping a deuce-y. But enough of that number two talk.
Let's meet a player gunning for number one.
[woman] Ooh, what is this?
This might be an oven mitt? Maybe? [giggles] It looks like a little hat.
[whirring]
My name is Lauren. I'm 26 years old, and I'm from Philly.
I want to just, like...
[exclaims, giggles]
I wonder if I'm allowed to do this.
I definitely call myself a nerd.
Little chairs to sit in. [chuckles]
Wow.
I game a lot, like ten hours a day.
I used to stream video games online,
so I'm really used to talking to people through a screen.
I'm a really big cosplayer. I go to anime conventions.
I've been to a brony convention. I've been to furry conventions before.
That might not be the weirdest thing about me, that I've been to a furry convention.
I'm not gonna be entering The Circle as a furry!
Unless you want me to, Circle.
"Please set up your profile!" Let's do it, Circle.
So I'm gonna be entering The Circle as me.
I'm gonna be 100% myself.
I am, just now, recently single,
so I am going to put "super single."
Because, yeah, I want to meet some hot people.
I... I want to flirt, but I've also been told
that me just talking to people comes off as flirting,
so I'll just do that.
"Ex-Twitch streamer that loves meeting new people and making everyone laugh."
"Sparkle emoji, white heart emoji."
I'm gonna do anything I can in order to win.
This whole profile says, "I'm ready to slay the day."
[Buteau] Our streamer girl has got game,
but she's not the only one who came to play.
Oh shit.
This is hella nice. Goddamn.
Oh.
I can get used to this.
Hey, I'm Myles, AKA Yung Papi Fuego,
'cause I'm a little bit spicy.
I like to have fun at the party.
I'm always turnt, out till 4:00 a.m. every night.
It just be what it is.
Voice activated system.
All right. We've seen this before.
I'll say what I gotta say. Circle, just try to keep up.
Take me to my profile.
[funky music playing]
I'm an either-you-love-me-or-hate-me type of guy.
I'm not gonna be the source of drama, but you know, I might stir the pot.
[music ends]
Okay, for occupation.
Yo, Circle, lock down "AI engineer."
I went to Carnegie Mellon on a full ride.
I decided to make my own major in artificial intelligence.
Having the AI background will definitely help me detect
some anomalies and patterns if people are catfishing.
But to be quite honest, I don't really give a... [beep].
"Catch me coding robots... or working in the studio."
"Music emoji."
Circle, lock down this photo like Martha Stewart on house arrest.
Being the social life of the party, I know I can run these social dynamics.
I can run laps on them left and right. You won't see me.
What can I say? I am a big flirt.
I'll be sending out those heart-eye emojis a little too often in The Circle.
Hopefully, it doesn't get me in trouble.
I'm entering The Circle as myself.
I look like a fuck boy, and I know it.
You're either about it or you're not.
You gotta have your haters and your lovers.
If you don't have haters, you're not doing it right.
I wonder if there's gonna be a baddie in here.
Or some 40-year-old named Steve pretending to be a baddie.
[Buteau] My dude, Myles. It's like you've actually watched the show before.
[rhythmical music playing]
Oh, it feels like I'm in the Victorian era. [exclaiming]
[whirring]
You know what? I think living in an apartment by myself
will be no problem at all.
I already live alone.
I just gotta remember I can't touch myself.
[chuckling]
My name is Brandon.
I'm 34 years old, and I'm a nursing assistant.
I'm pretty much like my hospital's bitch.
[laughing]
I look like an adult Cabbage Patch Kid.
Like, I can barely grow facial hair.
I'm slightly balding.
I am not this fancy, but I am now.
I'm going into The Circle as a catfish.
Olivia is a friend of mine, and I instantly fell in love with her.
Since I have the brains and the personality, Olivia, for me,
has the body-ody-ody.
[upbeat music playing]
I can make people laugh, but Olivia can make people thirsty.
I'm definitely hoping some of the boys slide into the DMs.
Someone's gonna be like, "Do you lift weights?" I'm gonna be like,
"Yeah, duh."
You're Olivia. You're Olivia.
"Please pick one image as your profile picture."
That's gonna be hard 'cause I'm hot.
It's like, this is my opportunity to be hot,
because I've never gotten to do that before.
So I can kind of use her looks to my advantage in the game.
Circle, take me to my private albums.
[TV dings]
Let's see here.
I think Olivia would be concerned about coming off as, like, cute,
and not really trying to be overly sexy.
Oh, I really love her in the blue. She's got that little smile.
Yes, Circle. Yes! [chuckles]
So I think boys will want to flirt with her,
but she doesn't look super intimidating.
She's just very down-to-earth.
Circle, set this picture as my profile picture.
Ah! Look at that face. Look at that face.
[mellow music playing]
[Buteau] This Cabbage Patch catfish is so ready for her glow up.
And with our four players all moved in, it's time for our very first vibe check.
The Circle Chat is now open for business.
[both] Circle, take me to the Circle Chat.
Oh snap. The Circle Chat is open. It's open!
Circle, let's... let's try and be the first person to message.
What do I even say? I don't know. I feel like it's so basic to be like,
"Can you believe we're here? Oh my God. #SoExcited."
I'm so excited. I don't know if I want to be the first person to message.
Let's just kick it off with a bang. Circle, message, "Ayo!"
Throw three Y's in there, five O's, and three exclamation marks.
"Fire emoji," Circle.
[screams] Myles is typing!
Those three little dots are terrifying.
"Anybody else feeling like it's the first day of school?"
"Question mark." Throw in a little brain emoji.
"Excited to meet you all! Exclamation. #BangBangCircleGang."
All right, Circle, send message.
Heck yeah, Myles. I'm excited too.
Circle, open up Myles's profile.
[TV dings]
[Kyle] Myles! [chuckles] Here we go!
Oh my God! I love his smile already.
I think Brandon's in love.
Stop it! He's an AI engineer.
Whoa. That's cool. I like that.
He did put single. I'm praying we're not enemies,
'cause you don't wanna be my enemy, Myles.
Take me back to Circle Chat.
Circle, "Yo! Exclamation point, exclamation point, exclamation point."
"Please tell me you guys are as excited as I am. #Giddy."
Giddy? Giddy is like the worst word.
I'm so sorry, Kyle. I'm such a hater right now.
I am giddy as hell right now, okay?
Kyle's my guy, but Lauren and Olivia are a little quiet.
Okay. I'm ready to talk. Message,
"Hey, everyone. I'm so excited to be here. Exclamation point."
"Can you believe we're finally here in The Circle?"
Girl, this is what I'm saying, man.
Come on, this is the most basic message we've seen.
Circle, take me to Olivia's profile.
[TV dings]
[Myles] Oh boy. We got the in-the-car photo.
Honestly, it's so basic, it might be a catfish. [laughs]
"Columbus, Ohio." Shut up!
I'm feeling this, girly. I'm feeling this.
I'm still gonna flirt just because, but basic as hell.
[Buteau] Dang, IT guy got high standards.
Circle, say,
"Cannot believe this is happening! Stoked to meet you all."
"Anyone else sweating like crazy right now?"
"Laughing and crying face emojis."
Circle, send.
[Lauren screams, laughs]
Oh, girl. I am definitely sweating.
Girl, I was over-- I was straight burning. Take me Lauren's profile.
[TV dings]
Okay, Lauren. She says, "Super Single." All right. She's looking for something!
Oh, she is thirsty.
Get it, girl.
Just don't take my mans. Okay? Just do not.
Circle, message.
Okay, "I'm really excited to meet everyone here."
Okay, "Monkey face."
[both] "I definitely ran around my apartment three times,
so, Lauren, I feel you."
[Lauren] "Crying laughing emoji." Slay. So good.
Circle, show me Kyle's profile.
[TV dings]
Kyle, what in the hell! He's got, like, an eight-pack.
Damn. He is hot.
We might go for the same girl, not gonna lie.
I just wanna get another message out, because everyone is flying in here,
and I am not.
Oh my gosh. What should I say?
Oh, Olivia's typing. I don't want her to feel left out.
I want her to say something, 'cause I feel like she's probably just, like, nervous.
I'm nervous too.
"Everyone's profile picture looks so amazing! Exclamation point."
"I think everyone is giving me great vibes."
Olivia, Olivia, this chat game is weak. This looks like a bot wrote it.
I think maybe Olivia is a catfish.
Or she's just shy.
There is only four people, so I know more people are coming in.
[Buteau] Baller Kyle with the assist.
As we speak, more players are indeed moving into this total dream house.
[gasping] Oh my God!
[whining] Look at how cute!
[in Southern accent] It legit is like Barbie had diarrhea in here,
and it is beautiful!
[country music playing]
[laughing] Hey, y'all.
Welcome to Kentucky. This is what we sound like. [chuckles]
I feel like I'm in my own dream house.
I'm Cassie. I'm 29 years old, and I'm from Manchester, Kentucky.
Like, my house ain't been this clean in years.
I do have experience of being a catfish.
I married my high school sweetheart.
Worst mistake ever. Don't ever do it.
But I caught him cheating.
I made a fake profile, and I just started chatting away.
And bada boom, bada bang, he fell for it, and I caught him.
"Please set up your profile."
[vocalizing]
Okay, let's go.
I was told that nobody would want a single, chubby mom of two kids,
but I found my prince charming.
I'm engaged.
"Please pick one image as your profile picture."
Go to "Full Glam."
Okay. There we go.
Like, I look like a MILF right there.
Where I have portrayed to be a catfish before,
it's going to help me win The Circle.
A fake can point out another fake.
"My 'y'all' is authentic."
"I'm a mommy of two and a bonus mom to three."
I call it one big, beautiful chaos.
The thing that I'm looking forward to the most
is going to the bathroom by myself.
Like, I cannot wait to go to the bathroom in peace.
"I love to tailgate and go out and dance as long as I'm back in bed by nine."
Absolutely perfect.
Look at that profile.
Okay. Circle, set my profile.
[Buteau] I have a premonition that something spooky
is about to enter The Circle.
We're home! Where's a good place to set up the altar?
Crystals? I'm about to cry.
[upbeat music playing]
It's me, bitches!
Hi! I'm Steffi. I'm 35,
and I'm an evidential psychic medium and professional astrologer.
Good thing you don't have a heartbeat,
because mine is racing out of my chest right now, Herbie.
Herbert, he's my ESS. My emotional support skeleton.
You're dead? Okay.
He is my companion, my homie.
Nothing sexual, obviously, but you know, more like friendly.
So I am going into The Circle as myself.
But I don't want to tell people I'm a psychic
and tell them that my dead aunt is helping me with my strategy,
but she totes is.
"Astrology nerd who writes horoscopes and screenplays."
Circle, can you please submit my profile?
Okay, let's go. Hey!
[Buteau] How you gonna give a lap dance to something that ain't got no lap?
But she's not the only new player with moves.
Look, this where the magic happens. [screaming]
Got my snacks!
[funky music playing]
Showtime.
I'm Caress. I am 37 years old.
I'm a motivational speaker from Dallas, Texas.
I love me some tea. Okay? I don't know what it is.
It makes me feel like a little queen, like...
And I make crumpets and all that too. So, I'mma have to do that.
Caress on a Friday night, probably got a nice hot cup of tea waiting on me.
This house is turning into a home.
I love it.
Everybody's catfishing online, so why not me?
I'm coming into The Circle, and I'm playing my younger brother, Paul.
["Lil Boo Thang" by Paul Russell playing]
My brother is 11 years younger than me.
Honestly, he knows a lot more about social media.
He's got, what, 300,000-something followers?
And I don't have hardly any.
So I figure, if I'm coming to do this social media thing,
I might as well do it as him. We're gonna be the life of the party here.
[TV dings]
Oh! Bro, I miss you. Look at him trying to be all cool in the corner.
Circle, open up "Hanging Loose" folder.
My brother's not single, but I'm gonna be single in The Circle
merely because I think that's the best way to connect.
I've never flirted with a woman.
I don't even know what to say. Like, "Hey, lil' mama."
Or, like, "What's up, boo?"
We're going to see how this actually pans out.
[TV dings]
Yes. I love this.
'Cause he looks super relaxed.
And I like the fact that he's got his arms open.
He's like, "Yo, what's up, everybody?" Like, "What's good?"
I like this a lot.
Circle, save this as my profile photo.
Age is going to be 26.
"Hype," "handsome," and "happy."
"Single, rapper." I think they're going to be like,
-"He seems fun. Like, where the party at?" - [Buteau] Hate to break it to you, Paul,
but the party's already happening between our first four.
But maybe it's time for the rest of the players to crash the convo.
- [TV dings] - Oh my gosh. There's more people. [laughs]
- [gasps] Here we go. - Oh, you gotta be playing with me, Circle.
Oh snap! We getting the whole crew here.
Three more people added to the chat. Let's go. Let's get to know these people.
"Welcome to The Circle! Exclamation point."
"So excited to meet you guys."
"How are y'all feeling about everything? Question mark. Excited emoji."
And send message.
Olivia, thank you for the welcome.
Yes, okay, welcome, welcome. Let me get up in the mix too.
"What's up, everybody?"
"So stoked to be here."
"Let's turn this Circle out. Are y'all as excited as I am?"
"Party for seven seems perfect." [giggles]
Okay, Paul might be a girl. I don't know.
That was... that was too good.
Circle, take me to Paul's profile.
Oh, cute. He has such a cute smile.
Look at him. I just want to, like... [exclaims]
Oh my God, he is a rapper.
Get it, Paul.
Like, I feel like Paul's going to be my competition.
Because he's dark and handsome, just like your boy.
"Hey, y'all! Better late than never! Exclamation point. #SoGladToBeHere."
Circle, send message.
So far, the vibes feel super good.
"OMG! Exclamation point."
"Hope I didn't permanently damage my lower back
from all the jumping I've been doing!"
"Dying to know what's everyone's sign." [laughing]
Tell me why I knew she was going to ask that?
Can I just go shoot myself right now?
I mean, I hate this. I hate astrology.
Worst nightmare, Circle. How could you do this to me?
Everyone has such good, like...
these good, like, hit backs, and I feel like I'm not,
so I really need to show more of my personality.
So message,
"Paul, so when are you gonna rap for all of us? Question mark."
"#ReadyToHearYourSickBeats"
Okay, Circle, message,
"Looks like The Circle has found the Dream Team."
"Loving the diversity..."
[both] "...the coffee and the cream."
[Cassie chuckling]
Oh good God, that was so corny.
-"#MoreBarsToCome" -"More bars to come."
"Let's go!"
I hate when men do that. Like, they're always just so ready.
Man, where do they come up with these lines?
These people are, like, word masters.
I just kind of feel like I... I'm blowing it in the talking department
because, like, I keep questioning everything I'm saying.
Message, "That's what I'm talking about!"
In all caps. "Exclamation point, exclamation point, exclamation point."
"#BarsForDays"
Message, "This chat has been amazing, and the vibes slap!"
"Thrilled to meet you all. #SpecialSeven."
Oh my God, stop it! Wait, I love Steffi. Steffi is it.
Circle, message,
"Honestly, this feels like a party, and I don't even have my tequila."
[all] "So excited for this journey with you all!"
Toasties! Oh, I love it. I love it.
I feel like maybe I should say something else.
Um...
[TV whirrs]
Ugh!
I feel like that went decent.
I think the strongest people in that chat
were definitely Paul and Steffi, which is what you want as new guys.
You got be coming in hot.
I just don't feel like I had a big presence in that first chat,
and I'm... I'm feeling kind of bummed about it, honestly.
Ugh.
Olivia's a sweetheart.
She might be too sweet for this game
'cause... 'cause it seems like some of us are some personalities,
and others of us are just laid back.
[moans]
I know I'm better than this.
[whimpering]
I didn't think it was gonna be this hard.
I need to stop beating myself up. I just need to do better. [sobs]
I'm disappointed in how I performed in that chat,
but I need to understand that it's not over till it's over.
And I need to just--
I need to be Olivia, and I need to be better,
and I need more water.
I am a thirsty bitch. [laughing]
[Buteau] Olivia, it's day one.
Count backwards from 100 and drink some water.
You've got this.
[chill music playing]
[Buteau] It's afternoon in The Circle, and while Cassie is glamming up,
Paul is getting down.
[beatboxing]
And Brandon, AKA Olivia, has definitely calmed down.
[vocalizing]
[Buteau] I love that for him.
Good boy!
You peed on the mat!
[Buteau] Day one and Deucey gets it!
Let's keep the positive vibes going. Circle...
- [gasps] Oh my God! - Oh snap!
Yo, I'm here for it. Let's go!
[all] "For Real For Real."
Frank! Frank. It's a game.
[Buteau] Yay, it's our very first game.
Okay, we're gonna get it together. Okay.
Circle, take me to For Real For Real.
[Buteau] In For Real For Real,
players will be asked a series of morally challenging questions.
"Would you unfriend someone who is cancelled?"
Wow.
- Um. - Um.
It really depends on what they did.
That's a tough one.
[Buteau] They can answer "no" if it's something they would absolutely never do...
This one's easy for me.
If you get cancelled, so what?
We can't take you nowhere, but you still my friend. [laughs]
- This one's a "no." -"No."
- Circle, mark "no." - I'm going to go with "no."
[Buteau] ...or "yes" if they would.
If they messed up bad enough to get cancelled, I'd definitely be sus.
Circle, lock me down for "yes."
[Buteau] Once all the players have given their answers,
The Circle will reveal the results for everyone to judge.
I mean, that's what they're gonna do, right?
[all] Myles!
[Steffi] Oh my gosh.
[groaning]
Interesting.
Oh, that makes me so mad.
Yo, definitely some people are gonna be sus on me on this one.
Wow, Myles. You got me looking at you different, bro.
It is what it is.
[both] "Would you date someone..."
[both] "...who has an OnlyFans?"
[chuckles]
Okay, you are my son.
We're not thinking anything inappropriate. Okay?
- Get your mind out of the gutter. - Yes, I would! Easy!
You know, sex work is real work.
I've definitely dated several. [chuckles]
Shit.
I just could not see my girl doing something like that
for every other man in the world to see.
I love what's mine.
- [both] What's mine is mine... - ...or it ain't mine. Period.
Circle, submit "no."
I'll tell you, the birthday gifts be nice when you with that OnlyFans girl, though.
You don't have to pay for dinner. It's on her.
Easy answer, just throw down "yes."
Money is money.
If they're going to pay for it, let 'em pay for it.
"Yes." Sure.
Olivia, she's such a free spirit
that I honestly think she would be okay with this.
Circle, mark "yes."
Honestly, I am really eager to see Myles's answer on this one.
If he was to say "yes," he threw me off right now,
'cause I just don't... I just don't know this guy.
[Brandon] Whoa.
Oh my God. [laughing]
Yo!
- Okay. Okay. - Okay.
So me and Kyle, we see eye-to-eye. Okay, Kyle.
Hey, Paul. We got something in common, bro.
This is exactly what I expected.
All the women. Yeah, we would.
Oh my God, and Myles! Wait a minute. Slay, Myles!
Maybe I should hit on Myles.
So you're telling me Cassie got three kids.
She gonna be okay with her man being on OnlyFans?
I don't mean, like, naked. I just meant, like, model.
[Kyle and Myles] "If your friend confessed to you that they were cheating..."
[both] "...would you keep their secret?"
[Cassie] Ugh.
Oh my gosh.
I have been cheated on before, and I know how it feels.
Are they married? Was it like a one-time thing?
Is it like a full-blown affair?
Man, I'm just gonna be real. I say "yes."
We're definitely gonna keep that secret.
You know, they're our friend.
They trust us. We're loyal.
We are not going to rat them out.
Circle, mark "yes."
- [all] "Yes." - I would keep their secret.
None of my business.
But if it comes up to it, if I get pressed,
I'm not gonna lie for them.
Circle, lockdown "no."
This will tell you how everybody really is.
[whirring]
What?! This tells me something.
Wow, Myles.
That's gonna look bad for me.
I'm so shocked Myles is in the "no."
[huffing] Looking bad right there.
It's none of your business. It's too messy. It's too dramatic.
Girls don't tell. We talk to our friends. We don't rat 'em out.
This makes me question things. Like, am I going to be able to trust him?
Okay. Next question.
[all] "Would you break up with someone over text?"
[squealing]
I mean, are we in the eighth grade?
This is probably my first tricky question, so this is gonna have to be strategic.
If you're going to break up with someone over text, that's low, man.
If you're with somebody, have enough respect
to, like, sit down face-to-face.
Oh my God, Olivia would hunt you down if you broke up with her over text.
- Would I break up with someone over text? - [both] No.
I think everybody in The Circle is gonna say no.
[suspenseful music playing]
I've definitely ended some stuff over text.
I've gone ghost, which I kind of feel is like the same way.
Like yo, bro, keep it real.
If you playing around, you just don't have time to do this anymore.
I'mma give bro a bad boy edge right now.
- [Myles] Circle, lock me down for "yes." - [Caress] Going with "yes."
This would be shocking if I see someone put "yes."
- [Lauren] What? What? - [Kyle] Oh my God.
[shouting] Oh, I'm with Myles?
Okay, Paul's with me. Paul's my boy right now.
[groaning loudly]
[shouting] No!
What kind of monster breaks up with someone over a text?
That says it right there for me.
Myles, right there, he is on the complete other side again.
Myles is moving all the way to the bottom, because we don't agree on nothing.
Why did I create this persona for Myles already in my head?
I thought we had something!
I don't think Olivia is feeling Myles anymore.
That breaks my heart.
Bro, I might go on ten dates in a week, depending on it.
I've done three dates on the same night.
How am I gonna do a phone call with every one of them, you know?
The last thing I wanted to do was be with Myles.
I just don't trust him,
and they may not trust me now because of this.
[Steffi] "Congratulations, players."
"The Circle hopes you've learned about each other's..."
-"...morality..." -"...for real, for real."
I think I did.
[Brandon] I just feel so much more confident.
It's time to get it together,
and it's time to build those relationships.
I do think they may look at me
with a little bit of a side-eye because I said I would break up with someone.
I think I played it right, but you know, uh, some people might not like that.
Myles, Myles, Myles.
You were my top person to go to,
and you have plummeted right to the bottom for me.
Lauren, I feel like,
could be my biggest connection in here so far out of these players.
Everything that she's answered--
When it came to the friend, she wouldn't cancel them.
Secrets, she would keep.
So my hopes with connecting with her are still high.
I think this game made me have a lot more respect for Kyle,
um, 'cause I feel like he's not giving me fuck boy vibes anymore.
He's giving me, like, cool guy vibes,
but we'll see where it goes.
[Buteau] For Real For Real was for real, for real,
but how we got more questions than answers? [smacks tongue]
That's just how The Circle be doing us.
But first, it's arm day, you guys.
And now Kyle's ready to pump Lauren for some fresh info.
I really feel like Lauren is the perfect person
to have a private chat with.
I feel like I'm doing something totally wrong right now.
Like, I feel like I'm being deceitful AF.
I'm married. Like, I don't take this thing off.
And I just feel wrong for what I'm doing.
[Buteau] Don't worry, Kyle. What happens in The Circle stays in The Circle...
and the digital ether for, like, ever.
[Kyle] Aight.
Circle, open a private chat with Lauren.
- [TV dings] - [gasps] "Kyle has invited you to a chat!"
Oh shit. Okay.
Circle, take me to the private chat with Kyle.
Circle, type message,
"Lauren, in all caps, comma,
I've been waiting to talk to you ever since I read your bio."
"#XboxOrPlayStation? Question mark."
Circle, send message.
Oh, I'm a PC gamer exclusively,
but I do love that he is trying to relate on video games.
Love that. Okay.
Circle, let's message back.
Let's say, "All caps. My KyKy, [giggles]
I knew you'd be a video game guy."
"My KyKy."
[squeals]
Give me a nickname. Give me a--
I like KyKy. I like that name.
Aight, Circle, message.
"In all caps, I love that nickname!"
"But only you can call me that."
"Emoji with the heart eyes, emoji with the wink face."
"#LookingForAGamerBuddy."
- [TV dings] - [Lauren] Aw. [laughs]
I love that response, actually.
Okay, my KyKy is killing me.
Okay, Circle, let's say,
"That's it. You're my KyKy from now on,
and we're definitely gaming together at some point."
"Heart emoji, kissy face emoji."
"Does this Circle prince also like anime by any chance?"
Man, that just shows that right now, me and her are here.
That's beautiful, man. I love it. I love it.
Circle, message,
"Me and my brother watch anime religiously."
"Once I read that you watch anime, I knew you'd be my One Piece."
[exclaiming, laughing]
That's silly.
Wait, I... [giggles] ...I love that response.
- [TV dings] - [gasps] Oh my gosh.
[laughing] Paul has invited me to private chat?
I don't have any alliances yet.
As of right now in the game,
Lauren would be the only female I've had a one-on-one with.
Let's get some kind of connection going.
Honestly, I... I'd love to talk to Kyle a little bit more,
but in the game of strategy,
I should probably leave this chat and go talk to Paul.
Okay, Circle, let's write a quick message to end the chat.
"I would definitely join your pirate crew."
"So happy I got to talk to you."
With the heart emoji, "#DefinitelyTalkSoon."
"Lauren has left the chat."
That was amazing.
She understood what I wanted to say when I called her "my One Piece."
She got it, she understood it,
so now let's... let's hope that she's actually in my pirate crew.
[Lauren] Circle, let's join the private chat with Paul now.
[TV dings]
All right, Paul. What do you want to say to me?
My God, Ms. Popular.
"What's up, Lauren?"
"So excited we get to connect in this chat."
"What about that last game? Phew!"
"Only yes or no answers."
"Anything you would have liked to elaborate on?"
Whoa, Paul. I love this message.
Message, "Hell yeah!"
"The one about cheating hit kinda close to home."
"I'd want them to tell me, but maybe not?"
[Caress] "I don't know. How about you, my guy?"
"My guy"?
[Lauren] I love saying "my guy."
That's actually, like, the perfect response.
I'm really proud of that one.
Why would she say "my guy"?
Message,
"Oh, so I'm your guy! I like that!"
[Lauren] "Not a fan of cheaters,
and I would never wanna be in that situation."
"If a girl cheated on me,
not sure if I would want to talk to her afterwards."
"I'd probably just limit our communication to text."
"Respect boundaries."
What?
Is this guy's, like, dad playing him?
Message, "Def agree. Never want to keep cheaters around."
"Respecting boundaries is an absolute must."
[Caress] "Super curious to know if you've ever broken up
with someone through text."
"Super savage."
Message, "To be honest, I've never broken up via text,
but I do believe in closing doors and keeping it closed
once you know what the deal is."
"I know what I'm looking for. Not a savage, but a sweetheart."
"Heart emoji."
Couldn't have said it better myself. Oh, I did.
Circle, send message.
[Lauren] Ooh! Okay, Paul! Let's go.
I can respect that. That's good.
Let's end out this chat by saying,
"Good to not waste any time."
"That's a lesson I definitely had to learn."
"Love meeting straightforward people that know exactly what they want."
"So good talking with you, Paul. XO. #LoadsOfRespect."
"White heart emoji." Send it.
Lauren, you're not real. You are not real, honey. I know it.
I'm getting male vibes from her all the way.
Paul might be a catfish.
I don't know who he is,
but he is not handing me a 26-year-old straight man.
Top of the "Girl, Bye." That's... that's the list she on.
Girl, bye.
[Buteau] Let me get this straight. Catfish Caress, pretending to be a man,
is getting fake vibes from a genuine player, Lauren,
who she thinks is a man.
God, I love this place.
[funky music playing]
[Buteau] The players are settling in,
and Cassie is loving the glamour of the apartments.
I just can't get over the lighting in here.
Like, I'm going to have to, like, bring this whole setup home.
[Buteau] And so is Lauren.
Was that a fly? What was that?
[groans, laughs]
Oh, I got it!
[Buteau] Do what you gotta do to get things done.
Go to your bed. Bed.
No, that's the sofa.
[Buteau] If I stay in my bed, do I get a cookie?
I wish I could be a palm reader,
but like a real one.
Maybe Steffi could read my palm?
[Buteau] Oh yeah. Maybe talk to her?
Okay, Circle, open a private chat with Steffi.
Circle, message, "Hey, Steffi, with four I's."
"How are you doing?"
Message, "Hi, BB! Heart emoji."
"So happy you slid into my DMs."
"How long have you been a nurse, Liv?"
"I've been a nurse for three years. Exclamation point, exclamation point."
"#HelpingPeopleIsMyPassion."
"That is also why I got into astrology,
because I love to help people discover more about themselves. Exclamation point."
"Sparkle emoji. The stars aligned."
"I'm so stoked you reached out to me."
"Exclamation point. Your energy feels so warm."
Message, "From the moment I saw your profile picture, comma,
I knew you were going to be a fun person."
"Exclamation point, heart emoji."
"You have an amazing smile and the best vibes!"
"#GoodGirlsVibeTogether."
"Oh my God, girl!"
"Let's chat again soon? Question mark."
Absolutely!
[Buteau] He needed that the way a hot dog needs a bun.
Meanwhile, AI engineer Myles went off the rails during the game.
He needs to patch things up, or he might be the first player left at the station.
I think I definitely need to start having some chats with other members
to let them know I'm not a full-on asshole.
You know, one of the people I was kind of curious to getting to know was Cassie.
I think we both got the blonde thing going,
which is a little fun.
I like that she's been honest.
Fact is, she seems like she could be a little fun.
All right. Circle, let's start a private chat with Cassie.
[TV dings]
[gasps] Oh my God!
Circle, open private chat with Myles.
Let's hope this goes good, because...
I'm iffy about Myles.
Yo, Circle, message,
"Hey Cassie, how are you adjusting to your time in The Circle?"
Send message.
"Myles, I'm totally loving my life right now."
"How about you? Question mark."
"Honestly, I don't know what's more of a struggle,
that I don't have access to food delivery apps,
or that I was on my tippy toes throughout the For Real For Real game."
Circle, message, "Same! Exclamation point."
"I thought your answers were very interesting."
"I can't believe you'd snitch on your best friend. LOL."
[Myles] "I honestly just don't mess with cheating."
"Speaking of lying and cheating, are you sus of anyone?"
"Eye emoji. I heard country girls are good at catching..."
"...catfish."
[laughing]
I get that, 100,000%.
Circle, message, "I may have my eyes on one catfish,
but not exactly sure just yet."
"What about you? Question mark."
"Clearly, I don't know how to read the room, based on my game performance..."
[Cassie] "...but I'm definitely here to help if you need a partner."
"Sherlock Blondes Detective Agency."
Message, "This is the kind of fishing this country girl likes."
"#BlondesStickTogether."
Okay! Whoo!
That is what we needed.
This is a little bit of an alliance, so mission accomplished.
Let's go.
I really don't think this conversation could have went any better.
[Buteau] Aw, how cute.
Day one, and we already have our first Circle fishing trip planned.
[chill music playing]
[Buteau] And as night falls,
The Circle is a hive of activity, and our players are some busy bees.
[Kyle] You're not slick. I see the moves before you make 'em.
We've been working hard.
[Buteau] Writing,
reading,
making some important decisions...
- [scoffs] - [Buteau] ...and plus, whatever this is.
Maybe if I put the crown on it. [chuckles]
That would be cute.
- [alarm blares] - I mean-- [screams]
[Steffi] Oh my gosh!
-"Alert!" - Oh snap, here we go.
- [Caress screams] - Another one? It's just day one.
Can I just play fetch with my dog?
I'm not ready for this. What are we doing? What is the alert for?
"Players, you must now rate each other." [screams]
- [gasps] - [Kyle exhales heavily] Here we go.
"Rate your fellow players..."
-"...from first..." -"...to sixth."
Oh, that's right. 'Cause I'm seven. [chuckles]
Herbert, it's an emergency. Come on.
Our first ratings are due.
"First place is your favorite."
"Sixth place is your least favorite."
[Brandon] "The top two players will become influencers
and have a difficult decision to make."
Child.
[blowing raspberries]
Oh, my titties are sweating.
[suspenseful music playing]
- Okay, so, Circle, take me to my ratings. - Circle, take me to my ratings.
Oh my God, everyone just looks so happy and smiley,
and now I gotta go and just, like, destroy someone's entire day.
Circle, lock in Lauren as my first position.
Lauren is the only person that I had a conversation with,
that I've talked to, that we've got flirty.
Circle, lock in Steffi as my first place.
I had a... a chance earlier today to really get to know this person.
I think making that bond with her will...
totally solidify our place in The Circle.
I kind of want to lock in Cassie for first, Circle.
Cassie and I, you know, had a good chat.
I think, you know, there's something there,
maybe a future alliance.
I think we started to joke around.
I think it's probably-- She might find it in her best interest
for me to stick around.
I reckon I wanna put Olivia in my second place position.
I feel like she's real.
I don't get, like, a catfish vibe from her at all.
Fourth place is gonna be Cassie.
And, to be honest with you,
it's simply because my last two, I know exactly where they belong.
And Cassie, I don't know that much about.
She was not very vocal in the chat, but she's got some Southern charm to her,
which I absolutely appreciate.
Kyle is kind of mid for me, as an alliance,
and so for that reason, Circle,
I'm gonna lock in Kyle as my fourth-place position.
Circle, please lock in Myles in my fifth position.
Because he's not someone that you can depend on.
Someone who says that they would unfriend you
just 'cause everybody else is not your friend,
I don't know, you can't really believe in a guy like that.
Lock in Paul as my fifth position.
I did talk to Paul.
I just didn't really get the best feelings from him. Uh, you confuse me.
I just feel like Lauren is,
by far, the biggest catfish in the game at this point,
so I'm putting her in sixth place.
You are straight up giving me fish vibes.
Circle, please put Myles in my last place.
After the For Real For Real game,
Myles can't be trusted.
- Circle, submit my ratings. - Circle, submit my ratings.
[whirring]
"Ratings complete!"
Oh God.
[humming "Symphony No. 5" by Beethoven]
[Buteau] With the first day winding down, Olivia is laser-focused.
[humming]
♪ Balls, balls ♪
I do not need to be making up a song about balls.
[Buteau] Lauren's got bigger jellyfish to fry.
[Lauren] These are fun. Oh my God, they're jelly.
They're really holding on for dear life here.
[singing "Circle of Life" from The Lion King]
[Buteau] This is truly the circle of life.
And speaking of beginnings...
You know what they say,
"The bigger the hair, the closer to Dolly Parton."
So let's just get it big.
[Buteau] Okay, but we don't want Cassie doing her hair like that
for nothing, do we?
-Circle. - [Steffi gasps] What? What?
[all] "Circle welcome party!"
[exclaiming] Oh my gosh!
"Players, go to your doors..."
"...and collect your items now."
Let's go!
[Caress] Oh my God.
[exclaiming] They brought more snacks! I almost dropped every single one of them.
I am a professional hula hooper.
- ["Hot In Herre" by Nelly playing] - Oh!
Wow. I look great.
♪ So hot in here ♪
Oh, they don't know me.
Aw, this track.
[screaming]
- ♪ ...getting hot in here ♪ - ♪ So hot! ♪
♪ So take off all your clothes ♪
- ♪ I am... ♪ - ♪ ...getting so hot... ♪
♪ ...I wanna take my clothes off! ♪
- ♪ Oh! ♪ - ♪ It's getting hot in here ♪
- ♪ So hot! ♪ - ♪ So take off all your clothes... ♪
It really is. Need to turn the air down.
Whoo-hoo!
♪ I'm gonna take my clothes off ♪
[Buteau] ♪ We got one more thing to do in here! ♪
[alarm blares]
"Alert!"
- [Cassie] Out of my way! Alert! - [Lauren] Circle! Alert!
[shouting] Oh!
No! I'm having fun. Like, we don't need to get serious.
Oh my God, of course!
[gasps] "The rating results are in."
I'm scared to death.
You got me and Deuce over here nervous. Look at us.
Oh my God. "The top two rated players will become influencers."
[groaning] I am not feeling good about this.
Hopefully, I'm an influencer.
[suspenseful music plays]
Seventh place. Oh, just please don't let it be me.
Seventh place. Oh God. I don't wanna look.
I cannot handle this right now.
[music intensifies, stops]
[screams]
What?!
Wow. At seventh? I did not see that. He came in strong.
Maybe that one question of saying
that I would break up through text rubbed the girls the wrong way.
Oh, I'm just so glad it's not me. I'm so glad it's not Steffi.
This means I'mma have to kiss a bunch of booty.
I'mma have to pucker up.
I can take a tie for fifth. That's reasonable. Okay.
Deuce is not even looking. Oh, I don't wanna look either.
[screaming]
Me and Cassie.
Me and my bestie that I made today!
All the people I want to rep me are in the bottom.
We said we were gonna, like, you know, stick together.
And it looks like we are sticking together.
Shit. I'll take fifth out here.
Fifth is solid. It's bottom tier, but it's not seventh.
Fourth place. Fourth place. Fourth place. Fourth place.
Circle, I am so fine with being fourth place.
This would be ideal. In the middle, but it's not threatening.
Okay, I'm smooth with that. All right.
I got no problem. Keep me in four.
Oh my gosh! It's Kyle?
Okay, that means I'm in third, or I'm an influencer.
Third place.
I really hope it's me.
[eerie music plays, stops]
[happy music playing]
Oh, yay! It's me! It's me! It's me!
Third place! Oh my gosh.
Oh my God, it's Steffi! [squealing] That means I'm an influencer!
That means I'm an influencer.
I'm an influencer right off the bat.
Who got first?
Oh my God.
I cannot believe this. I'm an influencer. I'm an influencer.
[chuckles] Circle! This is crazy sauce.
I'm second place.
People liked me.
There was not any chance in the world I thought I would be an influencer,
let alone first place.
[shouting] The check mark!
Oh, that's so insane. That is the coolest thing ever.
Oh damn, I might have to start spitting game at everybody out here.
[Buteau] Hold up, Myles. Before you start spitting, The Circle's still playing.
[alarm blares]
[all] "Alert!"
- [Steffi] No. - [Kyle] Here we go.
Another one?
Why do they keep happening?
"The influencers now have a difficult decision to make."
Is somebody getting blocked?
Come on, Lauren.
My baby!
That's my girl. I'm her guy.
Uh-oh.
"But they will not be blocking a player from The Circle"?
[spluttering] What?
Hell yeah! That's awesome.
Somebody got saved.
Honestly, I was sweating bullets.
I thought... [clicks tongue] ..."Pack the bag, whatever."
[Steffi] What do you mean?
If they're not blocking someone, then what are they doing as an influencer?
Do they have a secret power?
- [TV whirring] - [Cassie] Oh gosh.
"Instead, they will influence the game."
Huh?
[TV whirring]
"By picking two new players to join The Circle"?!
That feels like a lot of responsibility.
[Cassie] I think that would be super neat,
to pick, like, who comes in.
I'm so jelly right now. I wanna do that.
I hope it's not any more girls, though. I feel like we got a lot of girls.
The guys are at the bottom right now.
We really need some male energy up in here.
We have to be smart about this.
Who's going to vibe with the group as a whole?
We need to pick people who are honestly gonna support, you know, my ladies.
[Buteau] So the power they're getting is to bring in a pair of players
who might win the $100,000 over them.
Circle, you is diabolical.
Oh my God. Okay.
Wow. It's like, you guys are hot.
I'm a potato.
I don't know. Haley's just got, like, that smile,
and she just looks fun,
but I just feel like,
I don't know, we've got enough blondes.
We need a little spice up in here.
So, Circle, I would like to bring
Quori-Tyler into The Circle.
Max has a dog.
Dog people equals good people.
And Simon just looks like a dude.
We like dudes. Dudes are cool.
But he doesn't have a pupskie,
so I think I'm gonna choose Max.
[Buteau] Choices locked. Circle, you better get us to that corridor now.
I need a strut.
Quori, come on down.
[rhythmical music playing]
Oh! [laughing]
What in the world?
I'm gonna win The Circle in this apartment.
Like, doesn't it look like I was, like, made for this?
[Buteau] As Quori gets settled, let's meet Max.
Max? Hey, where's Max?
Oh, right. He's already in his room,
and I can say this without a hint of irony.
Max is totally hardwired into the game.
He might not have a lot of bark, but he's got plenty of bytes.
And while he might come across a little artificial,
he's got a ton of intelligence.
Meet Max.
He's AI AF.
Now, that's what I call a high-tech twist, honey.
Coming up on this season of The Circle.
[Max] I'm Max.
[Buteau] Our first-ever AI player, Max, powers up as the ultimate catfish.
[Max] "Just slid in The Circle fashionably late.
Smiling with sunglasses emoji."
Max, welcome to the squad.
[Max] My algorithms predict this message will entertain.
Max, this is what I'm talking about!
[Buteau] Can he crack the code to victory...
Things are heating up.
[Lauren] "First Circle fam."
Love that. I think that this chat went really, really well.
[Buteau] ...or will Max get dragged and dropped from the game?
[Max] At this stage, staying loyal to the established alliance
with influencer Lauren seems smartest strategically.
[Buteau] But our real-life players are also bringing the electricity.
[man] Myles is controlling this entire game.
- That is the game. - This is an attack.
[Buteau] There's romances...
Are you trying to raise this nurse's blood pressure?
Love is in the air.
[Buteau] ...rivalries...
I could be petty.
Stay loyal, bro. Stay freakin' loyal like you said, bro.
[Buteau] ...and next-level secret alliances
that shake up the competition like never before.
[screams] Here we go!
[shouting] No!
Screw it. Time to send somebody home.
- [Buteau] Sacrifices are made. - [beeping]
Damn!
- Your ride or die is... - [Buteau] Bridges are burned.
Oh!
I love me a good secret alliance.
[yelling]
That's some shade.
[Buteau] And the race to the finish line gets dirty.
And with $100,000 at stake,
everyone is scheming new ways to grab that bag.
[Brandon] I feel like I'm in Brokeback Mountain now.
"I wish I could quit you!"
[Buteau] You better get ready for the most strategic season of The Circle.
- [Brandon] What does that mean? - Oh shit.
No!
[dramatic music plays, stops]
[theme music plays]
[theme music ends]