Ready for some unexpected entertainment? The author of the Game Changers book series, upon which the popular Canadian drama Heated Rivalry is based, and one of the show's stars had a front-row seat to a hilarious exchange between Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper. It all went down during CNN's live New Year's Eve special, and trust me, you won't want to miss it!
During their usual banter and celebratory drinks, Cohen and Cooper playfully debated which of them would portray Ilya and Shane, the lead characters in the LGBTQ+ sports romance series. The conversation quickly escalated into a playful back-and-forth, filled with teasing and witty remarks.
Cooper playfully referenced a bed, hinting at some discomfort, to which Cohen retorted about the bedframe. This led to a humorous exchange about their relationship, with Cohen suggesting it made them 'better brothers,' only to be met with Cooper's hilarious response, "This isn't Heated Rivalry." And that's when the real fun began!
Cohen confidently declared, "You're Ilya, and I'm Shane," to which Cooper humorously retorted, "What?! I'm not either of them. I'm Kip."
Rachel Reid, the author of the Game Changers book series, shared the exchange on her Instagram Stories, with the caption, "I keep thinking nothing can surprise me at this point, but…" Robbie G.K., who plays Kip in the show, also joined in on the fun by posting the exchange.
Heated Rivalry tells the story of rival hockey players Shane and Ilya, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. Their rivalry and ambition bind them, but they begin a secret affair that evolves into a long-term relationship.
But here's where it gets controversial... The show has been a massive success, with the Canadian streamer Crave greenlighting a second season. HBO Max will again stream it in the U.S. and Australia, and Sky in the UK and Ireland. The drama has become Crave’s biggest original series, with its viewership growing by nearly 400% in the initial seven days after its debut on November 28th, according to mParticle and Amazon Channels data.
And this is the part most people miss... The show's success highlights the growing popularity of LGBTQ+ stories in sports and entertainment. It is also interesting to see how the show has resonated with viewers, leading to such enthusiastic reactions from the cast and crew.
What do you think? Do you think Cohen and Cooper would be a good fit for Heated Rivalry? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
