An Exclusive Candid Interview with Wes Hayden
Remember how I told you it’s very tough to have the booted contestants from this show come do interviews because ABC won’t release them to me? Well thank God for Wes Hayden. Very much a breath of fresh air in this very revealing, inside look at what really went down with his “character” this season on the “Bachelorette”. Let’s just say Wes is pretty pissed off with how things shook down, and all he’s here to do is tell his side of the story. At that point, then feel free to make your decision about what you saw on TV vs. the real Wes Hayden. Yes, I’m continuing my one man crusade to expose the show for the fraud it is. Wes Hayden most certainly helps with that and paints a pretty clear picture of what this show does to get the results it wants.
Let me say that I understand a lot of you already have formed your opinion, you hate the guy, and probably nothing he says will change your mind. Kind of head scratching. What I’m assuming is that you formed your opinion of him based on what you’ve seen on television for the last 8 weeks. If he never came out to defend his actions that so many of you are bothered by, then I think you would say, “What a jerk for how he acted and what he said on TV.” Now that he is letting it known how he was edited by giving specific examples, you are saying, “Well, he’s just doing damage control.” Seems a little unfair, no? Apparently he can’t win in your eyes because your mind is made up. Well, let this interview just be a chance for him to tell you what really happened, and then, if you can honestly say that you don’t believe a word of what the guy is saying, you hear no sincerity in his voice, and is completely going out of his way to make this all up, then that’s your decision. I tend to believe the guy and think he got the worst edit in show history, and that’s why I wanted to talk to him. Hey remember, I was the guy who called him a douchenozzle back in week 1 or 2 of this column, so it is possible to do a 180. I just want to lay this out there for all of you to hear for yourself and if you think this guy is really the guy you saw on TV for eight weeks. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Some of the topics covered in this 1 hour and 25 minute interview (I suggest you stick around for all 85 minutes. I understand it’s long, but he’s got a lot to say and we essentially cover EVERY question that most of you have about what you saw):
-Where did/does his relationship stand with Laurel? What’s been the fallout with her since the show has aired?
-Why and when did Wes go to the producers and tell them he wanted to leave and what was their response?
-What are his feelings towards everything Jake said about him during, and after, the show?
-Was the dinner date in Spain as painful as it came across on TV?
-What about the infamous limo ride and all the brilliant quotes he gave after being eliminated?
-Specifically, how did they edit things that he said, or didn’t say, to make him look like the villain?
-How have people treated him since watching him on the show?
-Is he going to appear at the “Men Tell All” taping this Saturday in LA?
-What did ABC do to his family that had both he and them pissed off?
All this and much, much more in this very revealing exclusive interview only heard here on RealitySteve.com. I appreciate the fact that Wes decided to come to me and spend this much time explaining why and how things went down the way they did. Hey, if any other contestant wants to come and spill their guts about how unfair they thought their edit was to me, I’ll gladly put them on. I’d love to do this every week. But I think Wes’ is story is most important considering he is public enemy #1 right amongst most female fans of this show. All I wanted was for him to tell his side of the story, and then let you decide where you stand. I don’t really see how you can side with ABC, or even say the truth lies “somewhere in the middle”, but hey, that’s just me. I know what this show does to people, and I know how sneaky they are. Wes Hayden was truly a victim of ABC’s manipulation and now its his turn to tell you why and how. Hope you enjoy the interview:
One thing I forgot to ask about while we were recording was the, “Hey, that bird’s only got one foot” comment he made to Jillian after she asked him “How would you make it work if I pick you in the end?” Wes admits he did say that line, but not right after Jillian asked that question. It was right in the beginning of the date when they sat down is when he saw the bird, yet they edited it to make it seem like that’s how he answered her question. Not surprising.
Any questions, comments, emails, praises, criticisms, feedback, feel free to email me at steve@realitysteve.com.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I am going to say this before I listen to Wes’s side….I understand the edit but he had to have said the things to get the edit…maybe I won’t dislike him as much but will probably still dislike him….may have to come back and do another comment and eat my words too….we will see
July 9th, 2009 at 10:23 AM
I am an editor for a small internet company and I know all about editing. I could totally see how they take what he has said and splice it together with something else he had said to make it what you want or even omit parts of sentences. I’ve done it before (not in a negative way), it can be done.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:26 AM
How can Wes divulge all of this information to you without getting sued?? I’ve not listened to it yet because I can’t get it to load, but I’ll try again later.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I was wondering the same thing as Sarah, how can he devulge so much without getting sued? Steve has always said that ABC has these ‘iron clad’ contracts?
July 9th, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Ok, seriously already! STEVE – COME ON! I listened to the interview (actually, am listening to it right now) Yes, Wes does seem sincere and maybe he was EDITED or SPLICED. WHO GIVES A CRAP?!?!?!?!?! This show is NOT REAL – he was on a REALITY TV SHOW – what the hell do you think? You are now defending someone who acts like they didn’t know this was going to happen, when you YOURSELF are the one who continuously promotes how stupid these people are if they think they are going to be portrayed accurately. YOU ARE KILLING ME!!!! I don’t care if they edited Wes! I can’t believe I am listening to this!
I do believe Wes is sincere – but, here is the deal – WE DON’T CARE! Your TRUE / OLD SCHOOL followers DON’T CARE! Now, you have picked up all these new people because of last season adn you are forgetting about the people who actually used to follow you for the fun!
You mentioned why so many people are saying “Go back to writing your column” and you are still writing them – YES, you are – but you are NOT LISTENING – go back to writing them based on the cheesy show on TV – not what goes on behind the scenes.
I have read this column FOREVER and now I am enjoying a column on EW way better – it was how you USED to be!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:06 AM
I see Sarah and LoriLee just asked what I was thinking about mentioning. How is Wes allowed to talk about this stuff? I haven’t listened yet (I’m at work), but it would appear to me to be a breach of contract based on the questions shown. Unless it is all a ploy by ABC to get more attention for the show, I don’t see how he can talk about this so freely. What is going on here???
July 9th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I suspect Wes is just tired from all the drama this has created. His friends and family have received threatening phone calls. He receives hate mail. All because a TV show wants to have drama and get ratings.
Some people realize this is just a TV show, but it is actually scary how many people DO think this is real and are acting as though Wes has personally come into their homes to rape and pillage and destroy their lives.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I am still listening and again – don’t give a crap about the editing – but Wes is saying he isn’t watching the show or hasn’t watched an episode – but, seems to have an immediate come back for every single line you throw at him. Give me a break Steve!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Wow, Steve. This was a very interesting interview and I’m so glad I listened to it. I have totally changed my opinion of Wes and I actually feel sorry for him. I gave you a hard time for sucking up to Wes, but I take it back 100%. I realize he may not be telling the entire truth either, but clearly there is a lot more to this story than meets the eye. Thanks for putting up with the criticism and pursuing this.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I’m super glad that I listened to that interview!
Thanks for sharing that! I have turned a complete 180 on my opinion of him.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Wow, Steve. This was a very interesting interview. I am so glad I listened to it. I gave you a hard time for sucking up to Wes, but I take it back 100%. I realize Wes may not be telling the whole truth either, but clearly there is a lot more to this story than meets the eye. I actually feel sorry for Wes. I hope he doesn’t get his ass sued off for doing this. He obviously needed to tell his side of the story. Thanks for putting up with the criticism to pursue this interview. I knew that “reality tv” was not exactly how it seems, but I didn’t realize the extent of how deceiving it can be.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Well can we at least agree that Wes looks super hot in that picture?
July 9th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Stephlk74b,
Of course Wes has a comeback for everything thrown at him. He LIVED it. Of course he has an answer. Seriously, stop being so nasty. How can you not “give a crap about editing” when the editing is the entire reason why you dont like Wes? Seems rather shallow of you, huh?
the interview with Wes was great. I loved every minute.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:33 AM
And I dont blame Wes for one second if he decides not to show up at the MTA. They will edit that show, too. Wes will be honest if Chris puts him in the hotseat, yet ABC wont have the nuts to show what Wes REALLY says.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
I don’t know what contracts for shows like this really look like, and I understand people sign up and choose to do these shows so essentially it’s their fault how it all comes out when they say things while the camera is rolling. But I do not believe anyone signs up to have their words taken out of context, to have lines spliced together, to have words removed to completely change the meaning of what they say. We all know reality shows are edited, but I really don’t think people know the extent of how far the editing goes. I am an editor as well, not for a reality tv show, but I do understand how editing works and how it can be done. And it can be done, take Steve’s word for it. And well, Wes likely does have an answer for everything Steve asked him because he was there and is simply answering the questions that Steve wanted answers to; how is he not supposed to have an answer to questions that pertain to his experience there?
People don’t have to change their opinion from listening to this interview, but just know editing to make a person look really horrible can be done, and is clearly something The Bachelor/Bachelorette make an effort of doing each season. And for everyone who wants the old Steve back, it’s the funny recaps you want and not these interviews or insider information, this is what he chooses to do now with his blog and I guess if you don’t like how he puts his column together anymore then perhaps EW or whatever blog out there that does do witty recaps is the place you need to go. The constant complaints are getting old, he doesn’t seem to want to change the way he does his column now and go back to only doing the recaps, so it’s just a waste of time to continue to complain.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Lila…exactly! If you dont like this place, LEAVE. but quit coming on here griping! It’s so old and all of the complaints are just a knee jerk reaction.
Children, Grow up already and realize that if you dont like what this sandbox offers, take your toys and go someplace else.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:43 AM
I couldn’t listen to the whole interview cuz I was creeped out by Steve’s heavy breathing. LOL.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:53 AM
STEVE! How could you! I don’t believe this creep for a second. We all saw how he manipulated and lied to Jillian during the show and now he’s doing that to you – sucker. I know you hate the show and will support anything negative against it and yes I do believe editing went on to make him look worse. Assholes always come out of these shows, feel the backlash and then blame the show for “editing”. Editing aside, Wes STILL made those comments – the show didn’t put those words in his mouth. How anyone can fall for his “aw shucks, I’m a good ol’ guy” game just blows my mind. What a creepy, no-talent, insincere, loser!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:56 AM
I have to say I was one of those who thought was a jerk off, however I listen to the whole interview and listened to everything that was said. I have changed what I had thought. I did a 180, I don’t think that was is a jerk off any more…
July 9th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
I haven`t listened to the interview yet. To be fair to RS and Wes (more to RS because of all the flack he`s getting for defending Wes) I intend to try listening with an open mind. As it stands I think that the truth lies somewhere in between (sorry RS) and I can`t imagine there is anything Wes might say that will convince me he went on this show to find lurve! I might change my mind once I`ve heard the interview,here goes.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Hi, Wes,
I am appalled that ABC assassinated your character. This network has done substantial damage to your reputation and called into question your integrity as a man. This smear will follow you the rest of your life. This board should give you and indication. Even though people know the truth, they still prefer to believe the smear and the lie. you can have no awareness of how this will affect you, cause people to boycott your show, harass and stalk your family and friends, demand radio stations not play your music. People out there are crazy and ABC has made the mob think you are the devil incarnate.
I think I would use this opportunity to take a stand and defend your chartacter and challenge what ABC has done. The timing couldn’t be better. Sadly Michael Jackson has died. Google Martin Bashir and look at the hatched job the network did on that man, making him out to be a pedophile, child abuser, and delinquent parent — all for ratings. Bashir later retracted his statements and represented the opposite sentiments in conversations with Jackson, which were caught by Jackson’s camera man.
Remind the public of what ABC’s own news team did to Jackson and then get an attorney to demands all video of you so that you can post on a web site exactly what you said and what happened and then contrast that with what ABC portrayed.
I doubt ABC’s contract stipulated that you cannot sue them. Anyone can sue anyone for anything. You can sue them for SOMETHING or even enter into settlement — and as part of discovery process, get copies of those tapes.
You deserve a right to defend yourself and character.
All people should be very disturbed by what happened to Wes as it could and does happen to other people all the time in the news and media. And frankly, it could happen to any of you…who appear on the news, in reality shows, etc. Don’t you care about being fed lies when the network holds public trust responsibilities and is shaping public perception which leads to very real consequences.
Wes, I am truly sorry for what happened to you. Please use this opportunity to achieve something good. I don’t see how the network will be able to defend themselves. What they did to you
July 9th, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Hi Steve! I’m glad I listened to that interview. I always knew this show was fake and edited like crazy, but I didn’t realize the extent that it was until now. I take back completely what I said about Wes. I’m glad the real candid truth is coming out about this show. I hope he doesn’t get sued over it. I wish him luck! Thanks again.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:12 PM
People who think that this show is real and are actually taking their time to make threats against Wes and his family need their heads examined. I mean c’mon people, it’s just a TV show. How can anyone let a TV show make their opinion on a person is beyond me. I don’t judge you unless I know you in person. Let him live his life. If you don’t like Wes stay away from him I guess. P.s. I thought the ‘having lots of sex at home’ comment was actually funny. I wouldn’t date someone like Wes (no offense) but he probably is a great friend.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:13 PM
….is appalling and should be challenged. Viewers of this show should all get behind Wes, whether they personally like him or not.
Let ABC know that what they did is unacceptable and will not be tolerated to their constituents — their audience.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Wow! Bravo to Wes for having the guts to reveal some of the crap that goes on with the producers on this show. Steve, GREAT questions! I am sure ABC and Fleiss aren’t thrilled, but a lawsuit would just expose how fake this show is; so I doubt they will really take any action beyond threatening him.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Wow. Thanks for doing this interview, Steve, it was great. I know there are plenty of narrow-minded people out there who are still going to insist Wes is a jerk and a liar but listening to the interview, he really does sound like a nice, sincere guy who really got thrown under the bus. And I HATED Wes when the season started. Loathed him. But then the more I watched, the more I realized, the reason I’m hating this person is because he’s a CHARACTER who’s been created with for the purpose of viewers hating him. I knew this show was edited but I had no idea it was to this extent. Anyway, I hope you ignore any of the inevitable criticism that will be thrown your way (just like when you exposed the Jason-Molly-Melissa situation) and know you’re doing the right thing.
BTW – it really surprised me that Trista Sutter jumped on the “I hate Wes” bandwagon. I mean, even if you believe what he said to call him the filth of the earth is just ridiculous.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Everyone just needs to relax a little. Anyone watching the show could see the hatchet job being done on Wes and with the amount of sound bytes and off screen interviews being done during the show, they can create anything they want which is exactly what they did.
Wes seems like a really cool guy and the type I would throw back a few cold ones with any day.
I am listening to Wes’ music on his myspace page right now and he is a very talented musician as well which has been sorely overlooked.
We definitely need some more testosterone on this board.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Reality Steve, how likely is it that Laurel could sue ABC. Even Wes, they went way way over the line. Your thoughts?
July 9th, 2009 at 12:46 PM
LOL
July 9th, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Thanks for doing this interview. It definitely changed my mind about Wes. If there is a lesson learned in this, it is NEVER DO A REALITY SHOW. Tell your friends as well. Unless of course, you are trying to make it in Hollywood, but even then they can edit you badly and ruin your chance at stardom. I have known this and most reality shows were staged for a long time, but this just proves it. I hope ABC doesn’t try to sue Wes, but even if they do, I think he has a valid defense….
July 9th, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I haven’t listened yet because I’m at work right now, but I’ve already cooled off on my “hate” for Wes. I don’t really care one way or the other anymore. I wanted him gone regardless of the edits as he seemed more invested in his music career anyway. No amount of editing in the world could hide the fact that his music was “numero uno” in his life. Why keep him? I know, I know, this isn’t real and the show is edited to make a storyline, blah, blah, blah…but he so clearly didn’t even like Jillian that it was painful to watch. I hope for his career’s sake that this dies down but I can say people are angry, nobody wants to give this guy a break. I wish people would realize that it’s only a television show, he’s gone now so what’s the use in hating a “character” on a show? Life’s too sweet and there’s always next week’s episode to salivate over…
July 9th, 2009 at 12:51 PM
seems like wes and his friends have signed up and are now commenting here!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Sally, I have never met Wes nor do I even know the man. I am standing up for what is right and it would behoove you to do the same.
If you had been butchered through a TV hatchet job and were facing attacks on your family and friends as a result of lies peddled for ratings at your expense, you bet I’d be on this board defending you….
This used to a Judeo-Christian country where values and integrity meant something. What happened? Why are so many people prepared to defend injustice?
July 9th, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Thank you Wes for doing this interview. At first when I was watching the show I believed you were only there for your music career. But as the weeks went on I couldn’t believe some of the things you said, especially because it didn’t make any sense if you were indeed there to promote your music.
I feel the producers wanted to portray you in a very negative light to take the ‘heat’ off of Jason (whom I still consider the most hated Bachelor in the history of the show). Also they needed to do something to spice up this season by using you and David as pawns in their ratings game.
I only watch the show for entertainment and not for romance. I originally stopped watching the show after Jesse’s season because of all the obvious BS they forced down our throats. I started watching it again on Andy’s season, but ever since Jason’s season I have been pretty jaded about this show.
Thanks for letting everyone know how scripted and edited this show really is.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Wes, have faith. This will blow over. I’m so sorry this happened to you. From the beginning it was obvious you were being edited. It’s such a shame people don’t have more sense to recognize that!!
Steve, I’m so over people complaining about how you’re interviewing Wes and showing examples of editing. As a journalist you need to get all sides! As a great blogger/writer/interviewer, people would slam you if you HADN’T interviewed him!! Ignore these idiots who keep complaining. They’re as ridiculous as the people who believe this show is real.
That said, I want more info on Ed haing a girlfriend.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:40 PM
I Been watching the show for couple years and this has got to be the worst season yet..with the editing so farfetched half of what you see dosnt even really make sence..Plus i just dont see any real chemistry between jillian and any of the remaining guys.You dont hear them talk anything real personal so real hard to see any of them really connecting with her..As for Wes- I feel very sorry for the guy.He seems to be a very stand up good guy and just got so completly abused!! He dosnt deserve what happened to him with being edited so cruelly..Hope his career takes off and skyrockets now because of it!!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Let’s see now— half of the stupid things Wes said were jokes and the other half were taken out of context. He takes no responsibilty for anything he says or does. And then he violates the terms of a contract he signed by doing this interview. A real class act!
Sorry pal, this inteveriew looks like nothing more than a case of damage control. Wes got a ton of publicity from all of this. He was a nobody before this show, he went on it to become a somebody, and now he blames everbody but himself for everything that happened. It is obvius that his agent told him to defend himself and RS is the perfect “yes man” to help him do it. Wes says that the publicity he got wasn’t worth the way he was portrayed…I’ve got one word for you Wes….OMAROSA! Like you she was a nobody until The Apprentice made her into somebody, and the same thing goes for you.
RS you gave Wes nothing but softball questions, never challenged him to take responsibility for his own words and actions. Steve, is your hatred for TB so strong that you would make a fool of yourself like this?
I can see a proposal coming from this Bachelorette show- Steve proposes to Wes! I hope the two of you live happily ever after.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Steve,
I enjoyed hearing Wes’s perspective. The truth lies somewhere in between. When you interview in the future, it would be more interesting to me if you took an objective stance, rather than an anti-program stance. Thanks -
July 9th, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Wes got a bad edit. No one can argue with that. The people that still believe he really said all those things need a reality check. You can tell by watching the show it is all chopped up and spliced together. They don’t even show Wes’s face half the time when he is talking. I don’t understand how people cannot see this. I am so glad he is speaking out about this. Maybe now people will understand what a joke this show is. It is one thing to show something someone said when they were drunk but to make things up is crimianl. I hope he sues them for slander. In his exit interview Michael said Wes got a bad edit and he was a great guy. Get real people this show is fake. Go Wes, keep talking about it!
P.S. If people don’t like what RS is writing in his blog don’t come to this website anymore. Go read Chris Harrisons blog full of lies.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Wes is pretty good at dodging questions. I noticed this when Steve asked him if he had really told Jake that he had a girlfriend. Wes started trashing Jake instead of denying anything.
What’s also strange to me is that Wes never says why he went on the show to begin with. It’s not like he went on the show saying that he really wanted to meet a girl and settle down, or that he had seen Jillian on The Bach and thought she was a hot mama or anything. If he doesn’t watch TV or know what the show is, why did he go on? He didn’t seem into Jillian AT ALL. His total lack of affection in the Spain episode was clear, editing or not. Any guy who says something like “hey baby, it’s a two way street, you’re not coming onto me either” needs some lessons in chivalry! When it comes down to it–it’s a little bit him, a little bit editing and there you go. A lot more people know his name now, and I’m wasting time in my day to write this, so it’s not all bad for ol’ Wes!!!!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:39 PM
WES IS A SNAKE AND all the explanations in his blameless world cannot escape the FACT; he manipulated Jillian into thinking that he was interested in her!! She believed him! It was REAL for her; it was NOT real for him. We DO NOT CARE about his nutty “edit.” We all expect that. Jillian is edited as well. They cannot play it all, sentence for sentence, some things get pieced together. If you worry, then play as Kiptyn did, who deliberately gave them nothing.
How does Wes explain that SO MANY OTHERS called him out??! Pre-season, posters warned us about the charms and manipulations of this dude. That he would surely make it far, as he always does… We watched his family of enablers, we know about the GF who played along… Wes has BEEN EXPOSED, and of course, true to form, he has an answer for it all. I have listened and read every interview out there with him; he figured out what “sold” people, what made them think of him as a Victim (!!) He did not even have the presence of mind to speak well of Jillian when he had many chances. Kick him back to the curb.
Wes is no victim, ladies and gentleman. You have been had.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:44 PM
@Jordan
Jordan, I never said I did not like Wes. I actually said he seemed pretty sincere, but get over it if he was edited. He went on a reality tv show. I could give a crap about the editing is right -I don’t care – I just want to watch the cheesy show and read Steve’s cheesy comments. I see this site is not what it used to be and Steve – love you man – but, if your new goal in life is to out the fakeness of reality TV – you have a long career ahead of you – they are ALL FAKE!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:47 PM
RS ~ Enjoyed the interview with the “dreaded” Wes Hayden. He is no longer dreaded in my book. I hope when the MTA episode comes on TV he’s there and lets them have it with both barrels but alas, MF won’t let that happen and it will be the usual boring B.S. What a sham this show is. What a shame that somebody’s reputation has to suffer. I hope he comes out smelling like a rose!!!
and I hope Jillian LISTENS TO THIS TOO!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:48 PM
lol..Steve, why didn’t you post a warning! I clicked on my RS Reality link and promptly threw up all ove myself when I saw the slimeball’s pictures..ewwwwwwwwww
July 9th, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I am confused that after going through all the weeks on the show he has to ask RS if Jillian was on Jason’s season. How could he have spent all that time there and not known that? I do not buy it.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
I am confused that after going through all the weeks on the show he has to ask RS if Jillian was on Jason’s season. How could he have spent all that time there and not known that? I do not buy it.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Well, now we know why Steve was enamored and defending Wes, the pond scum, who can’t sing at all. Too bad, Steve has lost his objectiveness and this is just another kiss ass site like all the others. It was Steve’s sarcasim that made me come back after Jason’s/Molly/Melissa season. Why in the world does RS think it’s great to be a friend of this Wes? puke
July 9th, 2009 at 2:52 PM
are u happy now?that you cleared the Air for Wes and made Jake the bad guy. what if he was there for being the next bachelor.what is wrong with that? that was so lame. I don’t have anything against Wes but he did the same as supposedly Jake did to him.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:53 PM
doesn’t Greg Brady, I mean Ed, have a supposed girlfriend too? Reality Steve, you need to follow up on this please.
Poor Jillian–even if she is in on everything/getting paid, etc. I want to smack her upside the head and tell her to stop being so idealistic about marriage and children. Her life and career sound more interesting than poopie diapers and boring evenings at home watching The Bach.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Wes is an ass…Jake is pure class!!!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Let me start by saying this: I am on the fence about this guy even after listening to 85 minutes of this contrived “whoa is me” interview. So my opinion isn’t changed about Wes but I am not such a hater anymore either. Maybe also, his slow Texas drawl compared to my “New Yawk” fast talk has clouded my judgment because it makes him sound phony and false to me. Can’t trust people who talk so slow!! But as one of the other posters said, if he hadn’t said such stupid things in the first place, he wouldn’t have been put in that position to get the alleged “bad edit”. And why did they pick him to villainize in the first place if he was such a good ol’ country boy, they must have smelled some blood in the water somewhere. Wes is mean spirited somewhere down there and renames it as “I like to kid around and be sarcastic, shucks that’s just me” That was his excuse for calling Reid a retard, but according to Wes, he is just not that kind of person that likes to belittle people. You sign up for this, you have to know what you are in for. Hey maybe I really do know what side of the fence I am on, but I wanted so bad to give this guy the benefit of the doubt, despite the contradictions and the victim attitude. All I can say is: Good thing I don’t like country music so I don’t have to debate whether or not I will buy his CD.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Jake is pure class? Did you not hear what jake said to Wes? He said he wanted America to fall in love w/ him and he wanted to be the next bachelor.
That’s class? Um….ok.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
this is my first time writing and only found out about you a round about way…the way I see it and I have good vibes!!! even if Wes’s words were taken he says out of context…and I am sure there is truth to this and the fact that there is a lot of “so called” creative liberty’s…
The fact remains that he LIED!!! as more then one person collaborated that he HAS or now HAD!!! whateva! a girlfriend…and he did say at the end he knew it was not him as he I feel wanted it to run it’s course…he was NOT affectionate and the response he gave to that is bull crap!…then he tries to back track on saying the girlfriend (ex maybe he did say ex girlfriend…but then twice??? (the limo on the way out he said I am the 1ST on in Bachelorette history to make it to the 4th guy with a GIRLFRIEND!!! then go on …cut cut cut parte’!!! and before at the rose ceremony I am going to have LOTS of sex!!! I truly believe he is a out and out LAIR! hands down not to ever say I am perfect…But he went into this knowing what he was doing…to promote his music and HIS life as he is of course Numeral uno!!! and it is ALL about wes!!! I would never ever follow his music. have a great life wes.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:18 PM
I don’t buy his victim story. Wes is anything but a victim. A man of character, a man with integrity, does not have the need to be sarcastic towards others. A man with class does not try to be funny at the expense of others. He is mean spirited and manipulative. By dissing others, he comes across as very self centered, very arrogant. He is most definitely not a victim.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Oh and um, by the way…when women repeatedly tell Jake they’re breaking up with him because he’s too perfect, it’s because they can’t take how utterly boring he is. Perfect?! That guy has CRAZY written all over him.
Woman speak for “perfect” translates to “you bore me to tears, now please move aside.”
July 9th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
I only listened to 30 minutes so far, but nothing is shocking. I’m a skeptic and understand how much you can do with editing these days. Let’s face it, reality TV was just a name used for shows who put “everyday” people in front of a camera. But that was many years ago and things have evolved. Reality TV is now just like the rest of the TV shows out there, accept they aren’t using known names. Wes is a real person, but on the show he was a character. Wes the character sucked, but that’s all he was – a character on a TV show. I think that anyone who goes on a reality show by now should know they will be made into a character, and realize it’s not going to always play in their favor. But it’s their gamble to take.
People go on these things for reasons, and to each their own. Doesn’t affect my life in any way. Am I going to say Wes is a great guy who got a bad edit? No. Because I don’t know him. No matter how many interviews he gives I will never know him, so I have no place to say if he’s great or not. Was he edited? Of course, they all were. Let this be a lesson to anyone who wants to be on a reality show…the power is out of your hands. Anything you do or say may or may not be used against you. In the end you have to live with the outcome and be responsible for the decisions you make.
I still want to know how he can talk so freely about this while the season is still in progress. Something still doesn’t seem right. Steve, are you sure this isn’t a set-up by ABC? Sorry, just the skeptic in me coming out.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Wow, He sure throws Jake under the bus. If Jake and Wes were the last two men on earth, I would certainly pick Jake. The interview certainly does not change my opinion. I still think he is a total tool!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:56 PM
You, RS, for some reason are so filled with anger at something regarding Bachelorette/Bachelor, you have stooped to making yourself sound foolish in defending someone such as Wes! He has snowed you so badly and you aren’t keen enough to seeIT – or at least acknowledge it!
You are going to ridiculous lengths to make ABC a villain for some reason known only to you. As I’ve said before: IT’S AN ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM . . . NOT A DOCUMENTARY! Get over yourself!!!!
July 9th, 2009 at 4:59 PM
well, I listened to close to an hour of the interview and I (easily) caught several discrepancies in what he said…
1) he CLEARLY on monday’s episode told Jillian this show was his ‘manager’s idea’ – but in your interview, he said it was all his sister and his manager had nothing to do with it. Completely contradicted himself.
2) when asked about the statements Jake said about his ‘girlfriend’ and possibilities of getting back with her, he hemmed and hawed and said Jake must have misunderstood what he said but did NOT state it was untrue what Jake said – implied to me that he very clearly did tell Jake that he is/was intending to get back with her.
3) If he doesn’t watch the show as he claims, how did he know (without any prompting from you) what ‘wasn’t aired’ (i.e., he talked about the song Michael sang for Jillian that wasn’t aired – and the praying that Jake did – how did he know it wasn’t aired if he doesn’t watch the show?)
4) I didn’t hear (when you were asking him about lines they assumably edited) what his response was in the Rose Ceremony on Monday about ‘all the sex he was going to get back in texas if he wasn’t selected’ – why didn’t you ask him about that? Those looks on the other bachelors seemed to be real (i.e., they were grossed out!)
5) He also said that Jake stated that he was on the show ‘to be the next bachelor’ – and in his next sentence he said something to the effect of, ‘So he also had an agenda for being the show’ (hence admitting he did, in fact, have an agenda for being on the show, i.e. promoting his music).
Wes’s ‘agenda’ blew up in his face – the editing made him look worse than he actually is (and, come on, guys, he was not in this for love – he was in this for his career), but that’s the risk in reality tv – hard lesson for him, but I’m shedding no tears…..
July 9th, 2009 at 5:14 PM
I have finally listened to Wes’ interview. I have to say that Wes’ mistake was in antagonizing the producers, who then “punished” him by misrepresenting him. By his own accounts, he was rude and snippy with them and didnt’ want to be on the show. It was ill-advised on Wes’ part to bite the hands that fed him — even if they were attached to 20-year-old producers. Wes also admits to being a “smart ass.” Essentially the producers gave Wes enough rope to hang himself. Ultimately, I believe what the producers did was wrong, but understanding he was appearing on national TV might have inspired Wes to be a little more self-restrained. By throwing caution to the wind, antagonizing producers, and clowing around, and he got his just deserts. This should be a lesson to Wes to act with more circumspection in the future.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Great interview with Wes. Score a million points to you for getting that. I feel bad for the dude. I am still surprised by all of you people who are jaded and still believe this produced TV show is all real. I do enjoy the drama of watching it, but I totally am aware that it is pure entertainment. I can’t wait to hear more!
July 9th, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Thanks for the interview with Wes! That really sheds a different light on him. I didn’t care for him on the show but listening to this interview I have changed my mind. He seems really nice, down to earth and has a good heart. I used to think the Bachelor/Bachelorette was for real. I think maybe at the beginning it was but now I have taken off the Rose colored glasses and see what it really is thanks to realitysteve!
July 9th, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Rs, thanks for the interview. Every week I wanted Wes off the show, one he was not my kind of guy, not crazy about country music/ western clothes etc, and two the way ABC portrayed him to be there for the wrong reasons. Now I actually feel bad for him and angry at ABC for wrecking people’s reputations. I am totally convinced that they edited him in a bad way. I saw it in the limo ride for myself. On one hand they’re trying to make him sound like he’s proudly got a girl back home waiting for him, and the next sentence they’re making him off like a free man going for a night about town. That didn’t add up to me, plus you could hear the sarcasm in his voice when he said he was the only guy to make the final 4 with a girlfriend.
I did notice one thing…he said with you that he knew Laurel for 7 years and dated her for 2 (or 3 years) but on the show he said they dated for 6 years. I don’t know what to make of that.
Wes also confirmed a suspicion I had about Jake, that him coming back was just to make a play for becoming the next bachelor. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s being played in all this too. The producers are probably taking his real feelings for Jill and using that to prompt him to go to her rescue, feeding him lines about how Wes is a bad guy. Oh and the reason why he gets dumped for being too perfect is because he is too guarded, he’s not even doing it on purpose, he actually can’t see the truth about himself, which is he’s totally insecure and just trying to figure out who the heck he is.
And I don’t believe a word that comes out of Ed’s mouth, he seems completely fake to me. I think he is a plant.
And what about the host (who I didn’t even notice was missing last week by the way). Chris comes off like he really cares for everyone and believes everything the show airs…I’d like to know if he’s being fooled or if he really knows what is what and he’s fooling us.
Lastly Trista, I like her, I see why she is a Wes hater, because in her season things were probably how they seemed for the most part on air and off. But I think the show has come a long way from where it use to be, I think now it’s changed to do whatever it takes to get the ratings. If they wanted to change the show up, they should fix the format to have numerous bachelors/bachelorettes on at the same time so everyone would have more choice and one person wouldn’t have all the power. That could create all kinds of new drama, then ABC wouldn’t have to create their own!
July 9th, 2009 at 6:14 PM
As I sit here and anyalize this (yes, I have nothing to do with my time at this particular moment)I wonder if maybe you are working for ABC? How else could Wes and all of the other Bachelor/Bachelorette show people you have interviewed be able to say this much without getting sued up the you know what? Just curious.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Bravo to Wes! Finally one person who has the balls to expose what really goes on behind the scenes. And I absolutely believe Jake is trying to be the next Bachelor. I also believe it is Jake and his famly/friends who are spamming message boards looking for people to contact ABC on his behalf. Oh please….Jake is a TOTALLY bore!
July 9th, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Trista is smart, picked a good guy like Ryan and she knows a rat when she’s sees one and that’s why she is a Wes hater like 90% of the women on the real Bachlorette board and the normal women on here. Could it be some others are friends of the slimeball and posting for that reason. I cannot think of another reason anyone would like Wes, trust him or believe him for one minute. Plus he’s a most unattractive man..needs to lose some weight, get a better hair style and his clothes..lol..is he trying to look like a clown in a carnival???
July 9th, 2009 at 6:27 PM
First time posting. I don’t know fully what to make of the interview. I generally fall into the philosophy that, given two extremes, the truth is usually ’somewhere in between.’ Before listening to the interview, I didn’t like Wes. I didn’t believe him to be as horrible as the edit made him, but he struck me as arrogant. But, if he’s telling the truth in the interview, then shame on me.
What I do think is important is that, if the producers are intentionally defaming the characters of their contestants, those tactics should be exposed. Yes, these people sign up for a reality show, but to be grotesquely misrepresented is wholly unethical. If Reality Steve can accurately write about it, then go for it.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:42 PM
I have no doubt they manipulate and edit, but that does not mean this guy is not a d-bag. Still it is not right to make this guy look as a big a douche as they did.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Oh, all right, Steve, I’m with you on this one. After listening to the interview, Wes DID come off as pretty sincere and no where near as bad as he appeared on the show. I expected as much. I still can’t say I like the guy, but I do feel bad for him now. The extreme to which they frankenbit – which is now a word – Wes is really appalling. I still don’t give him a pass on the “lots of sex” comment at the rose ceremony though. Still douchey.
I never really understood why the show ran with the whole girlfriend scenario to begin with. There was no video showing Wes telling any of the other guys that he had one. I thought it was pretty obvious that the comment in the limo about making it to the final four with a girlfriend was taken out of context, just based on his tone. There just wasn’t ever any compelling evidence, and the whole Jake scenario came off as completely bizarre. I think some a-hole producer decided to stir the pot and make a comment to someone, like Tanner or Jake, inferring (or even explicitly stating) that this ex-girlfriend of his was actually his current girlfriend. They deliberately start a rumor and see where it leads. In fact, I’m pretty sure this is a common occurrence on this show. I read Kate Brockhouse’s (from Andy’s season) blog as well, and based on what she said, you cannot believe a word the producers tell you. NOT ONE. In the end, I guess, the situation worked out fairly well for the show, as the majority of viewers seemed to have bought it.
To those of you who keep repeating that this is only an entertainment show, so who cares about the editing…normally I would agree with you 100%, but when people start getting threatening phone calls, a line has been crossed, and I think people SHOULD give a shit. I’m sure you’d feel the same way if you were in their shoes.
Also, that “turd in a punch bowl” comment totally made my day. I’m still laughing about that. Easily amused, I guess.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:55 PM
@catherine a
He never said that coming on the show was his manager’s idea. He said his manager thought it would be a good idea. So – his sister signs him up, he is contacted about being on the show, he talks it over with his manager, and his manager says “go for it.” Make sense?
Just because he doesn’t watch the show doesn’t mean he can’t have any knowledge of what was aired and not aired. It’s as simple as asking someone who DID watch it, “did they show Michael singing that song for Jillian?”
I’m not going to get into the rest, but the discrepancies you mentioned are not really discrepancies.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Steve,
Long time fan, first time poster.
I say this with all due respect. You do the public such a service with your entertaining, raw and honest view into the COUNTERFEIT world of Reality TV. BUT what if your site gets so huge (it already is really!) and such a go-to for the scoop on what the rotten producers of Reality TV do that the ratings drop and these shows go off the air?! Then, you will be without this job as a blogger and that scares me because I love me some Reality Steve! Tell me that that couldn’t happen. But I do believe you have the power to knock that domino over, you know?
And therein lies the rub. What say you?
July 9th, 2009 at 7:24 PM
If someone is pointing a gun at you, you don’t load it with ammunition. And boy, did he load that gun! Foot in mouth disease or something. He’s just trying to get another minute of fame added onto his 15 minutes which are up.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Thank you for this great interview Steve. I have a very good opinion of Wes and am sorry that this has happened to him, it is not fair at all. They had no right to put words in his mouth that he never said or a lot of the other manipulation that they did. These are real people and that needs to be honored.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:50 PM
I didn’t like the Wes character that the show created, but Wes the man sounds fine. Anyone who has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized can only imagine how appalling it would be for it to be done to oneself for entertainment on national TV. As a Buddhist, I try to practice nonharming. This was harmful.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:59 PM
I watched The Bachelorette this season, for the last time…at least I hope it’s for the last time. I often thought Wes was a tool but Wes is a Texan and Texas men simply don’t talk like that. No, I’m not naive, I’m from Texas, too and have lived here all my 45 years. Texas just doesn’t make them like that. So I had a hard time wrapping my brain around the things he was saying yet never on camera. I did think at first that he was there to get free publicity but when it became so negative, I started having my doubts. I agree with an earlier post by Carolyn who said that ABC probably won’t take legal action toward Wes because then everything would be subject to scrutiny and all the past players would be talking. I’ve heard things on FB like ‘my sister went to school with him and he was a total player then’ to ‘my friend met him and Laurel together and she was so sweet, why doesn’t she see him for what he really is’…blah, blah, blah. My husband said the minute Ed said he was going home that it was a setup. I think we should take Steve at his word. He’s been doing this for so long, he has insiders and his insight seems dead on. As for Wes, I think he’s sincere, maybe not totally but in large part; why wouldn’t he be honest with Steve? I mean, I’m sure Steve has a pretty large following, but it’s not network television or People magazine and no telling how they edit. I wish Wes much success in his career and his love life. Wes, people said Brad was the most hated Bachelor ever but got over him fairly quickly when Jason hit the scene. You’ll be alright. It’ll just take until the next unsuspecting Redneck comes along. At least you didn’t go all the way to the final rose and tell Jillian, ‘psych!’ I’m bettin’ people thought you would! Hang in there, it’ll all blow over soon.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:19 PM
How the hell does Chris Harrison slept at night?
July 9th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
I don’t have time to listen to the interview, but it is nice to hear from a contemporaneous source how badly the show is edited. Bottom line though, Wes’s presence on the show for so long killed any kind of fun vibe the show had left. He’s not attractive, inarticulate, not talented, too old to be doing what he’s doing and disingenuous to boot. And he exposed Jillian’s insecurities and bad judgment in men. I understand she had a rough childhood, but at 30 it’s time to stop rebelling.
Now let’s get back to good old sarcastic commentary please!
July 9th, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Steve, I wished you had asked Wes when he was called to do the show to see if he was casted for Jillian, Molly, or Melissa?
Also my only criticism about this interview is that I had already heard most from it from Wes’ other interview with Bobby Bone’s radio show.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:27 PM
After watching the last episode I have to add:
Wes-1. You would not get a nibble from the women in Los Angeles; 2) You would not get a second look from the women in LA; 3) Like Simon from England in the first episode, women in LA would need subtitles to understand your English.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Oh yea, and did they edit his wardrobe, also? He not once tried to dress appropriately for the rose ceremonies nor most of the dates. He didn’t make any effort on the last date at all, including his lack of interest in being physically close to Jillian. He got more excited about a bird without a foot than Jillian. ABC can’t fake that I don’t think. So it’s a moot point about how he was edited regarding his girlfriend/ex girlfriend or career motivations, he just wasn’t into Jillian at all and he should have left way before he did.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
I used to despise Wes, and now I do feel he got shafted with the edit- especially if they did splice his words together. I don’t think he’s a total jerk like I used to- but still don’t like him.
I still believe he went on there for his music; it was very obvious he had no interest in Jillian. He says he wrote that song for her, yet it’s out on his CD and on his web site. So you’re telling me he wrote that song in March and already he’s got a CD made from it? That’s crap. He wrote it long before he went on that show.
And Jake may not be a lot of things, but I believe he’s honest. It doesn’t seem in his character to lie. And he wasn’t the only one who said Wes had a girlfriend and was on the show for his music- Tanner and Michael also said it. And I’m sure there were others.
So yes, bad edit. But maybe his karma came full circle.
P.S.- I think it’s hilarious that he said at the beginning of the interview he didn’t answer the phone because it might be “a bill collector” and later said he had to look up the word “infamous”.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:00 PM
I think Wes is a great guy, and thank you Steve for the interview.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Hey, Steve are you getting a cut of Wes CD sales..lol
If so, you may starve to death.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:46 PM
I think everyone needs to stop complaining. Let the man write what he wants on his blog. Its not yours, its his. If you don’t like it, no one is forcing you to stare at your computer screen to read it. Get up and move on.
And let’s make Michael the next Bachelor. I’d sign up for that show in a heartbeat. Or quicker.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I listened to the entire interview and more than ever, I find this show to be apalling in how it can almost ruin someone’s life. Regardless of the fact that it is entertainment, it has fostered an air of deceit and underhanded techniques which should make all of us question why we watch it…sort of like why would anyone believe the National Enquirer…I have long since known that “real” love is probably not going to happen on here. I happen to believe that ryan and trista are just an anomaly. They got very lucky. If the premise of the show REALLY worked, there would be more successes..but we should all know that dating approximately 15-20 men for 8-10 weeks is not going to produce love…merely a very nice variety from which to choose! My sympathies go out to Laurel…an innocent who got drawn into this…if anyone deserves to sue..she does. Wes…wish you all the best…
July 9th, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Almost as important as the hatchet job on Wes is now wondering just what the remaining 3 men are really like. Are they as nice as they seem? What interesting little tidbits were edited or not shown about them? Is it so unrealistic to now assume that probably no one on this show is who they appear to be? And as for Jillian, I now really have to wonder about her. She “played” the game once…she above all should know what is asked of these men….shame on all of them.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Wow, what a great interview! I completely believe Wes about all of this. Have listened to the other 2 interviews he gave on Austin radio stations as well and I think that’s when I began to start to change my mind. But now this interview answered pretty much EVERY question I had from his Spain date to “I have her wrapped around my little finger” to his limo ride quotes. I think the only one he didn’t talk about was the quote in the limo about “My acting days are through…” But awesome job, reality steve with the interview. Great questions and I really do think Wes is a good guy and feel sorry for him to get so completely slaughtered on national tv. He is definite the worst shewing of a “character” to be on the show to date. The urging of him to bring the guitar and put it out there for him to play on the 1st night… geez… dumb producers!
The only thing I worry about is that Wes will get into trouble with his contract now b/c he did this interview. I hope that doesn’t happen! As far as his decision to come on the Men Tell All, I wouldn’t know what to do either. That’s a really though call. If they ask him about the quote about the girlfriend, they will edit whatever he says. It’s just not fair. I do hope he goes on the MTA though as it would be good to see him again. And I can’t believe I bought that whole villian persona they put out there. I guess I was pretty guilable.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Yeah this is true… who knows what Reid, Kypton and Ed are really like. Wes said they were all cutting up up there at the rose ceremony.. why didn’t they show what Kypton said or what Reid said? Probably b/c they didn’t want us to form “bad’ opinions of them. This is show is completely a manipulation! It makes me mad b/c I would actulally like to see someone fall in love. Oh well…
July 9th, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I am shocked at the number of comments here from people who obviously did not listen to the entire interview. They’re bringing up points that were clearly answered in the interview. Come on people, don’t comment on the interview unless you’ve actually listened to it!
Steve, I think it’s great that you were able to get Wes to talk to you and be honest about what REALLY happened. I have to admit that I do love the Bachelor and Bachelorette shows, but I’m beginning to look at them as more of fictional soap operas than “reality” shows. It’s sad that the producers feel the need to essentially manufacture the whole show all for the sake of ratings. The whole point of enjoying a show like that is because you know it’s REAL, happening to REAL people. But they take that whole aspect out of it with the manipulation — and it becomes just another soap opera.
Also, Steve, I am a reader who learned about your blog during the Jason/Melissa/Molly drama last season. And I am GLAD you are still airing the dirty laundry from the show. I get what your original readers are saying about wanting more of the commentary back, but I think you’re doing both — and doing it quite well! Keep it up, please. You’re the only blog out there who has the guts (and inside contacts) to tell the truth.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Thanks Steve! That was a very satisfying interview! I know why you underestimate some viewers but I shouldnt be one of them. I appreciate what Wes said and have to admit I was one of his haters that left comments on BuddyTv about him. But I come away from this interview feeling very different about The Bachleorette/Bachelor and about Wes. I have much more respect for him and so much less for The Bachelorette Show and ABC. I can understand that they need to add drama to make it exciting for the viewers but to defam someones character is not acceptable. So i say I am sorry to Wes and hope he gets his life back and his ex girlfriend should be left alone!
July 9th, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Dear Steve,
this (below) was posted on the bachelorette site, could you investigate to see if Dave is really going through this, this is unbelievable and just horrible. I refuse to watch this show anymore.
“Earlier today, I posted a message – about an interview – that I heard today (with Wes and Reality Steve) and how foolish I felt about my behavior over the whole thing and I told you today that I would not say anything else about it – but this evening – in the local community where I’m currently stationed for temporary military duty, I discovered completely by accident, that one of the earlier (let go) contestants from this show, actually lives! The one we all know as DAVE! What I also wasn’t aware of until this evening, is that Dave lives in the same community that I do! No big importance here, right? That’s what I thought until this evening!
A few hours ago, I went to the local grocery store here in our town of Milford, OH. Honestly, I didn’t think a lot of people from this area, watched this show or even knew a lot of details about it. Evidently, all the kids – from all the local high schools, DO and I can tell you that right now, they’re NONE TOO HAPPY with ABC! There were a group of high school kids – at the store – getting poster board and markers and all kinds of “banner making” materials that evidently are going to go talk to the school board – during a summer meeting (that has been called in emergency status) over the “dismissal” of one of the students favorite “athletic coaches”. I listened a little bit more and found out, that the person they were referring to was this Dave character from Bachelorette.
Prior to the show, evidently Dave was a “very well liked and very well respected, athletic coach and department manager” was how I heard it at the local high school here. Well liked by the parents, adored by the students and even well respected in the community, but evidently now, some “parents” have gone to the school board to ask for his dismissal – because supposedly – he put the school and himself in a “bad light” and the parents don’t like what they saw on this ABC show!
Normally, I wouldn’t have said anything about this – but after hearing the whole Wes issue today – and then going to the grocery store and hearing about this well liked person (who has now been deemed a “safety risk and a drunk” to his students, that are way beyond upset over this issue – because that’s not the person they know, respect and love, I felt like I had to get this out there to everyone on here.
Now, I know that ABC does a hatchet job with the editing. I hope we’ve all learned that by now. I also pray to God that this man – who may have gotten the same kind of hatchet job as Wes – will not lose his fight to hold on to his career, because no one (I don’t care what you’ve done) deserves for tv viewers to run to a local school board and cost a teacher their job – that is well respected in their community, all due to something they see on this “mess” of a show!
Evidently, Dave has many students here that care a great deal about him and are very, very upset and hurt over the fact that a “stupid tv show” as I heard it, is costing him a Non renewal of his contract – for next school year. The kids that know him and deal with him, day in and day out – are LIVID!!! Folks, they’re in high school and they see right through this garbage – and they don’t understand – why a “few complaints” from some “female parents” can cause all this uproar when everyone knows, that Dave is not the person that was portrayed on tv.
ABC, I will be following this story as it unfolds here in Ohio – and since I now know – where (and when) the school board meeting is being held, I intend to show up and protest with these students. What you’ve done, is WAY BEYOND CROSSING THE LINE!!! You have now cost someone their career and means of living – and in this town – with the way the schools are set up, this man is NOT LIKELY to be given a job anywhere (in any school) the way people gossip and talk amongst themselves here – with the school board members – all having regular ties, which means, you’ve run this man more than likely “out of the town” he lives in and where his family is and you’ve again, basically destroyed someones reputation!
ABC: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Stop your garbage right now, you’ve already crossed a very fine line – and if this man loses his job – believe you me – you’re gonna be hearing about it, from this angry fan. I was HOTTER than a firecracker over the Jason season – and decided – after the airing of this Jill show, that I was going to try to give you another chance to clean up your act and your BS – but – if this man loses his job because of your show, you will be hearing from me!!!
I suggested to these students this evening, that they get together in large groups and write out their statements on paper – as to what they wanted to say to the school board and make sure that it was “extremely diplomatic” but very crystal clear about their feelings. I also suggested that they get together in one location and contact the local media and have them come and do a story about this – and evidently – they’ve taken my statement to heart, because they said they intended to do just that. You’ve turned a group of high school kids (from four small towns) neighboring each other – into one very large protest and you’ve turned our small town into total chaos because of it. STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!
To all of the posters on here and people that read these posts: Please people, pull your heads out of your rear ends and stop all the craziness, before something stupid happens. To the fans that are harassing Laurel and threatning her, you all wackos need to stop now!! To the female parents – that called the school board here in Ohio – over something you saw on tv, you stupid folks, need to stop watching tv altogether, because it’s clear to me – that you can’t distinguish reality from BS and nonsense! ABC is a hatchet network and there’s nothing about it, that’s real!!!!!
ABC – STOP THE MADNESS, STOP THE LIES, STOP THE BS AND STOP THE EDITING. IF YOU CAN’T MAKE A SHOW WITHOUT IT, DON’T MAKE ONE AT ALL! THIS IS THE MADNESS YOU’VE CREATED AND IT’S CAUSING SEVERAL PEOPLE HARM IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER – SO JUST STOP NOW!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I am one of the greatest cynics that I know,I am not sentimental,I never fall for a hard luck story,but boy do I feel wick tonight.I think that this guy has been completely s**t upon by ABC.I couldn`t have been accused of being a Wes fan before and I have posted some really sarky comments on this board about him for a laugh and thinking how funny the whole thing is,but it isn`t really that funny when someones good character is being taken away.I think RS done a great job in the interview,definitely not kiss-a$$ but he did try to be fair,asked alot of questions I would ask if in the unlikely event I were the interviewer.I still don`t think Wes went on the show to find love but some of the words being bandied about to describe him are a bit extreme,I would even go so far as to say a bit frightening- hate,pond scum, filth of the earth,slimeball,to mention a few…these are the kind of words used to describe a child molester or rapist or murderer where I come from,they are hardly a suitable lable for a guy who just went on a reality show for a bit of publicity,he isn`t the first to do it and he certainly won`t be the last and if that`s the worst thing he ever does then he`ll be doing quite well.Everyone got as carried away about this guy (just As Fleiss et al wanted)they managed to completely dehumanize him with their clever editing.Good for you RS for providing the opportunity for Wes to set the record straight,he has unwittingly walked into a personal nightmare and the reason he did is because he is actually a fairly nice person who unfortunately is a bit gullible (not in a hilly billy hick kind of way!) ABC probably saw that in him and thought he would make an ideal sap who would take this treatment and not fight back in any way,I agree with some of the other posters who said that he won`t be sued for what he has told about what really goes on in the show.As for Jake being the next Bachelor-we`ve already done the Texan pilot bachelor before it was like watching paint dry the first time so what would it be like the second time with one of the god squad calling the shots,I can just picture it…group dates in church and the one on one`s in a confessional.Anyway getting back to the main point,if someone had told me this morning that I would be writing a post in support of Wes,I would have said they were lying,as it is now,I don`t know whether I should try to adopt him or just buy his CD for my Dad!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:05 PM
My observations from the interview:
- I can’t believe Steve didn’t ask about the connection b/w Laurel and Brad Womack!
- ABC cancelled Wes’s conf call b/c they were afraid their villian edit would be blown
- After he was cut, Wes said he was upset that he never even had a shot with Jillian. What did he mean by that?
- I still believe Wes wrote Jillian’s song before he came on the show
- I’m suprised Wes didn’t come down harder on how fake the Jake confrontation was. I suspect the reason they were so late for the family dinner b/c he and Jillian couldn’t remember their lines
- I think Wes was just poking fun when he called Reid a retard; however, I don’t believe he added “but I love him” after he said it
- Wes should stop prefacing each sentence with “Honestly”. It sounds insincere.
- I too was suprised that the producers would allow Laurel’s name to be used, knowing she would be exposed to public scorn. I read somewhere that she and Brad were was texting during his season, so maybe the producers thought it would be payback for “ruining” the Brad story.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:06 PM
I guess I’m one of the stubborn ones cause I watched the entire interview and still am not convinced. As I believe others say, he had to give the producers some material to work with. While I think the edits individuals receive are a sort of charicature of their actual personality, there is some truth behind it. Also, I truly believe that if you are not the best person in the world, you are going to come off like that. If you are a good person, you will come off in that manner as well. I hardly believe they pick a name out of the hat and choose to totally screw that individual over. Call me naive but come on—no matter how much you edit, you can’t change a person’s underlying personality. The problem with these people that complain about their edits is they don’t like what they see how these “storytellers” see them and choose to portray them. And I’m sorry, I still have a hard time trusting much of anything this man says—he had too many very common signs of liars in most conversations he had with Jillian. Clearing his throat, darting eyes, shifting the blame instead of answering his question…etc. Not to mention, if he is friends with Jeremy I think common sense would be to consult him regarding his experience with the show. Even if you knew someone who knew someone that had been on the show, I would still want to get the lowdown before I “officially” signed up. So I find extremely hard to believe he was that naive going into this thing. Now anyone harrassing him or his family or his gf—well that’s just lame and these people need to get a life–that is going a little overboard in your dislike.
I typically don’t comment but for some reason, I was just more bothered after listening to the interview And here is a little Catch 22 for you RS—one of your best qualities as a writer of this blog is to take the aspects these producers edit about these people and make fun of it. So technically, if you know these people are probably not represented appropriately, you shouldn’t be ripping on anyone for things they do on the show–then what happens to the blog? I think you have developed two sets of followers–the ones who like the sarcastic recaps and the ones who are the conspiracy theorists and like getting the inside dirt.
Sorry just three more random comments:
1. If their date went “oh so well”, what the heck was she so upset about at the dinner and in her personal interview?! And why was he so sure he was going home?
2. Guilt by association: David is a great guy? Someone I know knew him in HS and college and before we even saw “angry David”, he told me the guy was not a good guy at all. While the edit may have been extreme, his actions did not surprise my friend one bit.
3. RS, very impressed with all that cubs talk! You must be a fan—or I guess just a guy…but definitely appreciated the references!
That is all—I still love the blog–just wanted to share my thoughts on the whole “edit” conspiracy theory or what not
July 9th, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Good point!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:31 PM
To all of you RS disciples who feed on every word he says…please remember that RS was a nobody with a tiny following until he had his big “scoop’ about the last Bachelor show. Then he ended up in magazines and TV shows, and now he sells tee shirts and hats! Funny thing is his big scoop about the producers telling Jason to pick Mellisa and then dump her turned out to be nothing more than a figment of Steve’s imagination. He has yet to produce one shred of evidence to prove it.
So it looks to me like RS gave Jason a “bad edit” in his blog last year…boo hoo!
So this year’s big “scoop” is the so-called “hatchet job” on poor innocent victim Wes…a fine upstanding, misunderstood country boy who wouldn’t hurt a fly and was only on the show to find true love! BLAH BLAH BLAH!
Wes is a guy who thinks he is funny when he’s not, thinks he’s smart when he’s not, and whose own big mouth made him look bad on the show. Did the producers pick up on this and embelish it to create a story line? You bet they did! Why not do it? When you have a fool who likes to run off at the mouth why not use it to your advantage?
RS did that to Jason last year.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Wes says that his little sister signs him up and he gets an unexpected call asking him to be on the show. Someone had mentioned on here earlier that Wes said his manager was behind it. The most difficult part for me is believing what Wes knew prior to going on the show. He claims that he didn’t know much about the show and didn’t even know what Jillian looked like until 2 days prior. Come on! Along with the internet, his family and friends must have checked her out and sent him photos or printed some out along with bio info. Also, his ex-girlfriend of 2-3 years dated a “Bachelor” (Womack) and she never talked about it? Hmmmm… I wonder how many more of Laurel’s boyfriends will end up on The Bachelor. Coincidence? Maybe.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Wes definitley lied about preshow events (how he got on show and what he knew about Jillian).
July 10th, 2009 at 12:33 AM
I listened to today’s interview and was starting to change my opinion of him (for the better). Then he said that his mother told him that his little sister signed him up. In the previous interview on the radio(link here at RS), he says his little sister comes on the phone and says she signed him up. kadygirl is right…Wes has lied. This makes me doubt his credibility.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:01 AM
GREAT interview! I am so glad Wes had the guts to do it. Thank you, Steve, for getting it on the site so quickly, too. Man, it’s a hard call, though. He said he was in ministry for a while, but he talks about getting wasted and jokes about having a lot of sex in Texas. Kinda shady. Still – I feel awful about this horrible edit that has really hurt him, Laurel, and everyone who loves them. That seriously sucks.
Steve, do you think since Jeremy had to sign the contract that he can offer some pro bono legal advice to Wes. Somebody mentioned that at least Laurel should have some standing to sue. Is there anyway that they can find a loophole? I don’t know. It all just sucks.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Hey Steve, could you try to get Natalie to do an interview? I would like to hear what she has to say about the whole process. They seemed to kind of throw her under the bus, too. At the WTA, Chris asked her the dumbest questions to get her to spill the beans. I remember she said something like, “Calm down, Chris.” I thought it was funny. I just think it would be nice for us to hear her side.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:44 AM
One more thing – can we get some more info on Ed’s pre-taping girlfriend? No one else online has even alluded to it. PLEASE, STEVE – more details!!!
July 10th, 2009 at 4:20 AM
Wes:
thank you for your interview. you may not know and you may not hear, but you helped lots of people with this interview.
do not go to men tell all. you can’t make things better but only worse if you give them more material to work with. your side of story proves that this show is fake. host of the show chris harrison said many times, everything on this show is real. so they won’t replay your words as you intend to. this show decided you have a girlfriend and you did this just for pure publicity. period. from their point of view. they wasted so much time and money to bring jake back and edit to put all this plot together.
if you say, i do not hate these guys, they will make it, i hate these guys.
if you say i did not say i don’t love jillian, they will make it i don’t love jillian.
they have only you vs. jake and dave vs. juan to work on. they dedicated the majority of the season to both of you. if jil was in love with any of the guys and they had more footage to fill 2 hours long lame episodes, they would not had gone after you. i think that’s why jil is still defending you.
they will continue the same storyline at the men tell all. this is the history of the show. each season has a theme. every interview, preview, leak, edit, deletions on ABC board, posts on ABC board, this blog and other boards are put together to send that message. this season’s theme is ugly frog looking for a prince, but she is rejected by frogs.
in the previous seasons, many people did not attend to men tell all and women tell all. so i do not think you are required to attend. they claim you are not paid. if you are not, how can they penalize you not attending? by giving you more bad edit???? jillian has a one year contract because she is paid. final guy will have 6 months contract. i am sure he is paid to. other guys are relieved after their interview following elimination. you are saying they canceled your conference call.
chris harrison posted on his blog that he will be very busy for a week preparing for the men tell all. he will bait you and others. if you are not there, he will go after other guys to cause drama.
if anyone knows dave and juan, warn them too. if they open their mouth, abc will turn it into round II of their boxing match.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:22 AM
I listened to the whole interview, and nothing that was said really shocked me or surprised me. I worked for a while as a producer for a Tv news show and everyone in that industry is a sleazebag and has no integrity. That is why I dont do that anymore. So I believe everything you say about the editing.
With that said, anybody who signs up for a TV show like this must know that they can be subject to this type of manipulation. This is not the first episode of the Bachelor/ette and its not the first reality show for that matter. So dont come back crying saying that the portrayed you in a bad light and they are the bad guys. Tough s%%t. You knew what you signed up for.
And Steve, you say you are in a one man crusade to prove that this show is fake, but us people who read your column know that already. You are preaching to the choir. So what are you gonna say from now on? You are gonna still comment on a show that is short of hiring a few actors and handing them a script? If everything is fake then any comment will be pointless.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:31 AM
Get a freaking grip. Just because Wes has seen a couple of episodes of this show, doesnt mean he watches it.
I think I’ve caught a few episodes of “So You Think YOu Can Dance.” But, if someone asked me if I watch it, I’d tell them no.
Quit hanging on every single itty bitty word Wes said. His point comes across loud and clear and for whatever reason, some of you idiots STILL dont get it.
Also, dont come on Steve’s website and bitch. If you are so unhappy with how he runs this place, why are you here? Do you not have anything better to do with your time? Or do you love to bask in misery?
July 10th, 2009 at 8:43 AM
I believe Wes! The show manipulates and edits the way the way they want. Now bring on the Chelsea interview….if Wes can talk, so can she!
July 10th, 2009 at 9:43 AM
I am listening…he is a f’ing liar. I do NOT believe him. He skirts your questions, Steve…get with the program. The chick, Laurel, was a girlfriend to that clown that owned the bar that was a Bachelor. I am turning this off…giving Wes a chance to explain? Ask him why the connection with Laurel. You did not do that. How can Laurel be dating both these guys and Wes admits he knows another guy that was on the bachelor/ette…WTF? Give me a break! Oh…boo hoo…so sorry for Wes. HAHAHAHAHAHA!
July 10th, 2009 at 9:47 AM
PLEASE………….Damnation…I should have turned this off…I just heard Wes say he didn’t watch the episode? OMG…LMAO!
July 10th, 2009 at 9:50 AM
@surrealtvfan
I am a slow-talking Texan and Wes sounds absolutely normal to me. You’re right; people with New York accents always sound angry and rude to me. However, I’ve found that New Yorkers are usually friendly and polite, once I get past the accent. I suggest you do the same. BTW, Texans talk just as fast as anybody else; we just sound slower because we use twice as many syllables per word–lol.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Here there Steve! First off I must say that I love your website! I come here every week to read your thoughts on the bachelorette, and I have spread the word to fellow co-workers who used to be obssessed with the show! I think you are great.
I listened to the Wes Interview today and I thought it was a great interview and really makes you realize how “set-up” the show really is! Thanks for posting the interview.
As for all the people leaving comments about you and how the interview went and all that….my question to them is WHY ARE YOU WASTING YOUR TIME LISTENING TO THE INTERVIEW and then posting a comment about it?!
Anyways I think you are great and love your site! Thanks for taking the time to post every week!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:02 AM
When I downloaded the interview, only 30 seconds of it was there! What happened?
July 10th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
In one radio interview (with Bobby Bones, I think) Wes said that the producers insisted he not wear a suit to the last rose ceremony.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I am shocked at the reaction people are still having towards Wes. He was not my type of guy from the beginning but now I do realize that we hardly got to know the true Wes at all. Even more troubling for me than how they edited him is how little time he had with Jillian. Think about that and then is there any wonder these relationshops do not last? He made it to the final 4 and he had not even seen her over 2 weeks before that date. Shocking! I am sure he got the bad edit that RS has been saying all along and I hope he and RS keep speaking out about this. ABC should be ashamed and they really need to stop doing this series. Thanks for the interview.
Does anyone win this time? I have my doubts that there is a happy couple in the end. Jillian apparently was used too.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:37 AM
This season has turned into more of an episode of “Young and The Restless” or “All My Children”…this show is a flippin’ soap opera.
I want to go back to the early days of The Bachelor when it truly was more about the realationships of the “contestants” and the bachelor rather than the relationships between the “contestants”…Jillian’s season is more about them than her. It’s ridiculous.
As for Wes, I think he sounds like a genuinly nice guy who just got screwed over. I can’t feel sorry for him though. You have to lay in the bed you made. Unfortunately, you choose to do this so you have to live with the consequences. And surely, your little sister knew that this show wasn’t “real”…too bad you listened to her and went on the show.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Brings to mind an old quote:
“Beware of half truths, you may have gotten the wrong half.”
…..loosely translated, beware of the media.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I think Wes wasn’t nearly as clueless about the Bachelor as he claims. However, I think Fleiss crossed a line this season on several occasions. Dave, Juan, and Tanner “foot fetish” all got bad edits, too. Dave’s was really brutal.
Like several posters have mentioned, LAUREL might be the perfect person to sue the socks off ABC. IF she never signed a contract with ABC, IF Wes did ask that her name not be aired, IF she didn’t know that she was going to become an off-screen “character” in the soap opera, IF the media tracked her down, IF revealing her full name has resulted in continuing harrassment, and IF ABC refuses to rectify the situation, THEN she ought to lawyer up and go after them.
If I were Wes, I would not appear on the MTA program. I would have Laurel’s attorney draft a short letter stating that Laurel and Wes ended their romantic relationship in Month, 200x, but continue to remain friends, and requests ABC, et al, to cease and desist from any further mention of her or any of her relationships. ABC will still make Wes look like Snidely Whiplash, but that would make the Wes/Jake/Jillian showdown extremely difficult to rehash. They’ll still make Wes into the world’s worst “fame ho,” but he dug his own grave by signing the contract. I really hope that Laurel pursues this. I have watched TB on and off from the beginning, but I was sickened by what the producers did to Melissa. It’s one thing to get a lousy edit; getting humiliated on national TV by someone you thought cared about you is inexcusible. IMO, TB crossed the line with Jason/Molly/Melissa, and it’s obvious the producers went even further this time around. I don’t think they’ll stop unless someone calls their bluff.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Thanks Steve for the interview and for this site. I believe that Wes was the victim of bad editing (though he was caught in a few lies). I read online that Laurel swears that they were broken up before he went on the show and that they are still good friends. She also says he is very funny and that side of him was not portrayed. I have been a fan of RS since the Jason Melissa Molly fiasco was revealed and have been tuning in ever since. Your reviews are entertaining and laugh out loud funny.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
But why did Wes even bring up Laurel’s name on the show? Why would he even be talking about any girlfriend, ex or not? He was supposed to be there to woo Jillian, he mostly talked about his music or the “girlfriend”. And when Jillian tried to ask questions he would skirt around it all by saying things like, “we don’t need to talk about this anymore”. Sounds like my lying, controlling ex husband, LOL.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Thank you so much, Steve! You’ve been totally right the whole time, and thank you for giving Wes the chance to give his side of the story.
It’s so frustrating when people blindly hate Wes because they don’t use a little critical thinking when they watch this show. Just shows you can’t believe everything you see on TV…
Great interview and I hope more people will listen and believe Wes who sounds like a good guy!
July 10th, 2009 at 1:26 PM
okay. i was wrong. i feel wes vindicated himself. he should feel better that he may actually come out of this all looking even better for being a victim here. i think a lot of people’s opinion will be swayed.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Sorry, but the show is fake, and yes the pressure to fall in love in 8 weeks and get married to one specific person out of a group of 30 is insane. Why would people force themselves to fall in love with 3 people, so they can find “The right oneâ€Â! 3 date cards? Wow!! Sooooo ya mean in 7 weeks I get to have sex with 3 people? That’s cool. Im in…
Duhhhhh, it’s a reality show, edited by producers.
Is Wes the only Texan who didn’t realize this when he signed up? rrrrrright. He knew it was edited by producers, just like he edits his own web site and blog…FOR THEIR PERSONAL GAIN!! Ohhhh wait a minute, you thought all of Wes’s comments and postings were completely real? Wowwww!! How naïve. Wes edits too? Why does Wes have 3000 good comments and Zero negative ones? Cause he’s editing them too, and would have to make room for 997,000 more comments.
Fame-whore…I like it…
Fame is something you EARN PAL, not Steal or use others to get! Did the great Merle Haggard use this tactic? I’m offended you claim he’s your influence, Please remove this from your website or you’ll be gettin a call from him too.
Grand-daddy would be wippin you with a stick that you cut down!!
If he’s a REAL TEXAS MAN, he’ll Apologize to Jill to her face on TV for USING HER! Real Texas men don’t hide behind their own phoney self-promoting self-editing blogs.
…but yes, the show is fake
July 10th, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Steve thank you for getting Wes to come on your site. I think Wes really got a raw deal with this show. How sad it is that the producers of this show would be so dirty to this poor guy. It should really make anyone else in the future to really re think being a part of this mess. I think they should not do the show anymore, it has just gotten out of hand. It is not right for anyone to be subjected to this type of cruel behavior. May God Bless Wes and help him through this difficult time my prayers will be with him and his family to get through this nightmare this show has created. Shame on ABC for allowing this to go on.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Wes is really mad, because HE wasn’t in charge of ABC’s editing . Ya see, he’s Wes Hayden. He had bisness to tend too and OOOOOPPPPPPPPS IT backfired. He’s mad cause his own plan backfired. Ironic!!
…but yes, the show is fake
July 10th, 2009 at 2:11 PM
There is more than one issue here when it comes to believing him or not. Like blondebabe said earlier, what’s the deal with the connection between Laurel, Womack, and the others he’s tied with on this show? Yet, he really doesn’t know much? We’ll never really know everything about how the editing was done, although I’m sure there were plenty. It’s just part of “The game.”
July 10th, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I’m really glad that I heard that interview. It definitely changed my opinion of Wes. His defense of Laurel was especially laudable, though it did not come across as a boyfriend defending his girlfriend but rather as a friend defending a friend.
It is really unfair what they did to Wes. And it sounds even worse what they did to Laurel.
I have to say, what the editors are doing is unethical. It reminds me of Rita Skeeter in the Harry Potter books. People didn’t like her, did they? Honestly, it’s as if the producers forget or don’t care that these are real people with real lives. It might be an iron-clad contract, but I still think that Wes ought to find himself an awesome lawyer. No one deserves to have their character defamed like this!
July 10th, 2009 at 2:58 PM
I listened to the entire interview and as anyone who has watched this show knows when they cast they are looking for “characters” and through the course of the show we fall for how they have presented a person…the “perfect guy” the “mama’s boy” the “committment phobe” the “hothead” etc. Wes was cast as the “villan”. Each and every week that she picked him we screamed “NO” like we actually know him and that he is, in fact just on the show to promote his music career with no interest in her whatsoever. I do think he got a bad edit. I don’t think he is as bad as they portrayed him, nor do I think he is the “good guy” that he is claiming to be. As others have said, the truth does lie somewhere in between.
Thank you for the interview.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Did he go on the show to meet a future wife or not? If he went on trying to use the ABC show to promote his career and not to get the girl, he found out what happens when they player gets played … Viewers have heard his song and seen his band. If they think he is an outstanding singer/entertainer, his “edit” won’t matter. If not, he will look like a cad to the millions who don’t read this blog. LOL! Little kids shouldn’t play with matches and it seems Wes tried to play with the bonfire that is ABC and got burned. He can’t punk out now and fail to attend the MTA.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:04 PM
I find it interesting that after the banter between Jeremy Anderson and Trista Sutter regarding Wes, Deanna Pappas and “Vegas” break up and there is no response on her twitter page from Jeremy. The two banter constantly. Could Jeremy be “Vegas” and Deanna is put off by his support of Wes?
July 10th, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Do you think Jill will still sign your CD? Funny…America doesn’t!! I think any use of her name on your web-site to promote you is a total SCAM and outright LIE and should not be USED. You have damaged her character if you tie the two of you together and she could actually sue. IE: breach of her being your FRIEND, only under FALSE pretense for personal gain.
Look, she was born at night…But not LAST NIGHT!!
July 10th, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Laurel for the next Bachelorette! We need to get this girl a guy so that she can finally stop dating all of the men on this show!
July 10th, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Did they edit his voice too? Because quite frankly from what I heard, he is not a great talent.
Finally I can confidently say that neither Wes nor Laurel can sue. Wes can’t sue because he made himself a ‘public figure’ (it’s a bit more complex, but that’s what it amounts to). Laurel can’t sue because neither did the show impugn her in her professional capacity, accuse her of a crime of moral turpitude (rape/murder/etc), or say she had a loathsome disease (std or leprosy)= slander per se. As crazy as it sounds, this is the law. I know this, along with the show’s California admitted lawyers.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Steve, your chewing gum and breathing into your microphone is extremely annoying…and just gross……
July 10th, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Saying the show was fake and is edited is like saying there isn’t a Santa. I just wish I could erase my brain from even knowing his name. I should sue ABC for subjecting me to him.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Here is an unedited version of Bachelorette, (which I wouldn’t watch):
“Wow, it’s hot here”.
“Yep, it’s Spain”
“Ever been here before?”
“Nope”
“I thought they’d have nachos or something.”
“No, it’s Spain, not Mexico.”
“Gee, wish we had mosquito spray, I’m getting eaten up.”
etc.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I am very sorry for how Wes is being treated. He is not financially well off and is essentially a struggling artist, someone who is sacrificing his all for his craft, as all great creators must do. True, Wes isn’t a great singer yet, but he has potential. With a voice coach and publicist, he could become great. How cruel and nasty that so many of you wish to kill his dream. Very few are born stars. It takes hard work and dedication, which Wes has displayed.
I don’t know why Wes was singled out for such a brutal assault by ABC, but I have a few thoughts. One is that the producers were just arrogant punk kids who thought it would be fun to cast him as the bad guy and did not care to consider the consequences. Another is that Wes was not financially well off. (He admitted himself that he was dodging bill collectors.) I bet a lot of the guys on the show were jealous that Wes was getting air time despite not being financially solvent. They probably thought “why him, and not me,” when they may have been more established in conventional careers whereas he was a struggling artist and was winning the girl. I think they probably didn’t want him to succeed since they felt more deserving and decided to set him up. I think ABC went along with it as they could hardly sell a fairy tale ending with Jillian, red neck Canadian, and Wes, a broke musician — especially considering that any fame he would have acquired would have revealed his connection to Jeremy, etc., making it look like a set up.
The sad part of this all is that it appears that Jillian and Wes really liked each other and were making a real connection — until she caved to “pressure” to drop him, and Wes was ambushed and demoralized.
Wes is not inarticulate. He speaks fine. He could concentrate more on building his career, which he is doing, and refining his voice — and he could become a star, especially with the publicity he has generated from the Bachelorette. Wes Hayden is now a household name…and stars have to start somewhere.
I do hope he will give up the dumb groupies who pepper the pictures on his web site — you know, the scantily clad bimbos who are chugging down beer. Come on. Why compromise your substance with trash like that. Be above that and become a man of character and refinement ….Otherwise, you will make public comments like “Hey, I’m going to go out and get lots of sex.” Wes, no quality person wants someone like that…Bimbos, yes….but do you really need to escape your life to get more “sex?”
Value yourself moree..and have faith in God…Allow Him to mold you into the great musician you can become. You have charisma, good looks, and basic talent….Refine your character and you can achieve greatness.
I wish you and your family God speedand hope you will soon be able to close this painful and humiliating chapter of your life and look forward to bigger and better things. As for your detractors, that comes with the territory. Even the greatest stars out there receive snarky comments from the public.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Steve…I wanted to make sure you knew about this: The Plano Centre is holding an interesting event Saturday: a symposium for 9/11 conspiracy theorists. Thought this would be right up your alley.
Sorry, couldn’t resist a little sarcasm of my own.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I think it is fairly obvious now why none of these relationships seem to last. This is more like a show with a script than allowing people to truly fall in love. Only thing is the ABC people have the script they want to show and they will use any and all ways to manipulate. I bet Jillian doesn’t end up with anyone. Has she even acted like she has? She has given some lame answer like she is happy.
Reality Steve – does anyone win? Do you know? Are you going to tell us?
July 10th, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Good interview and I actually believed Wes…….but not until he told the story of his family and how rudely they were treated. Makes me wonder why this hasn’t come out before – especially with the families…and what was really behind Melissa’s parents deciding to forgo the nonsense. It’s hard to have that bubble break…..but makes you wonder…….how do any relationships survive? Do you think it was that scripted back when Trista was on?
July 11th, 2009 at 12:55 AM
Well I have not listened to the interview,my point only is Steve,well I don’t hate Wes,because I don’t know him,but weekly, you always knew it was edited,but ripped people apart,and made fun of them,fair enough.I am just finding you a bit biased,you rip on Jillian,but not Wes,and never gave her credit for keeping him,for what she saw in him.She took a lot of heat for that…I guess my point is hey I read your updates,I am a big girl,I can take what I don’t like to hear,but it can’t go both ways because you know somebody.I guess I think it’s unfair,because most of the people on the show are probably pretty decent,but you couldn’t find the humour when it was there,you backed off.signed… don’t get me confussed with the haters, I didn’t mind Wes at all.
July 11th, 2009 at 5:02 AM
It seems as though only one person (Sparkly) has said this- but does anyone honestly believe if Wes really told Jake and Tanner he had a girlfriend (especially Jake who said Wes told him 3 times), ABC wouldn’t have caught it on camera?! They pretty much film 24/7, just shutting off when everyone is asleep and even then having someone watching and ready just in case something happens. If these conversations actually happened, they would have it on tape. So where is the tape of this? You bet ABC would be replaying it a million times if it actually happened.
I am truly sickened that I have been watching a show that has ruined peoples’ lives in the name of ratings. I would watch the show w/o these guys’ characters being assassinated. Why can’t it be about the different relationships or lack of them developing between the Bachelor/Bachelorette and various “contestants”? Why do they have to go the extra step and destroy someone’s character and reputation. It is totally uncalled for.
And why do we care what Trista Sutter thinks?! I doubt the show is the same as when she was on it, when it was more real and none of the guys were made to look like complete a-holes. Trista doesn’t know Wes anymore than the rest of us.
Okay, I think that is all for my rant!
July 11th, 2009 at 7:44 AM
I’m sorry, but I can’t stand this anymore. I dont particularly like or dislike anybody on this show. I dont really care. And I dont feel sorry for anybody. They all signed up for a TV Show people! What did you expect? Just watch it as it is: entertainment. Yes, the producers are a bunch of weasels, but almost everybody in that industry is. No new dicovery there. Get over it. The only person I really feel sorry for is Laurel. They had no business mentioning her name and the people who are harrassing her should get a life.
July 11th, 2009 at 9:23 AM
I just listened t the Wes interview. It sounds like he is pouring his heart out because ABC did make him look like an A – hole & they may have damaged his career. In that case he probably can’t sue because he must have signed a waiver when he came on the show.
In the mean time, if Wes feels this way, how do you think Jillian feels? No wonder why she does so much crying. I was kinda getting sick of it. Irregardless, I think she really likes Wes & I think after this is over, they should remain friends…..
July 11th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Just listened to your interview with Wes. Regardless if he got portrayed as the bad guy, I don’t think he was her type though my daughter doesn’t agree.
One thing I would like clarified, RealitySteve. Wes said he doesn’t watch the show anymore because it makes him sick… why then can he recall all the edits that they did? I’m still a little untrusting as you can tell. He could just be a really good actor.
I do agree they probably kept him in the limo for three hours with no a/c getting him drunk so he would say something stupid.
Steve, can you see if you can get the scoop on Ed & whether he actually has a girlfriend in Chicago and if this whole job thing was staged?
Regardless, it makes for good TV but knowing this I will enjoy it less. I’m a voyeur but I prefer reality TV not staged TV.
Thanks for the info.
ICD
July 11th, 2009 at 12:12 PM
That’s true, terry-pat, if we need to give Wes a break because he was edited, we need to extend that courtesy to everyone on the show and to any people who have ever been on that show or the Bachelor, or Survivor or Big Brother or any of the reality shows. You can’t make fun of some of the people and rip them up and then excuse Wes for whatever he said on the show by saying he was edited. They were all edited. And it was the discretion of the producers and plot line whether they appeared as villains or heroes. omg, look at Coach’s editing on Survivor, and he didn’t complain at all when they made him look like a complete nutcase for weeks. I actually thought they made David look worse on Bachelorette than West this season.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:22 PM
I haven’t watched this season or last. They seem to get progressively more boring, since the principle character is no longer new and fresh…However, I keep up with all the shenanigans via RS and FORT.
I listened to the Wes interview, and, reading between the lines, I believe he was one of the fellows who was paid to participate. He mentioned at the start of the interview that the producers were “adamant” that he be on the show. There was something about the *way* he talked about it that made me think that “adamant” was code for “made me a nice $ offer”.
Further, I suspect that any monetary incentive might have required that he stay for x number of episodes. And/or maybe there was additional money if he stayed, rather than leaving like he claims he wanted to while in Canada.
Just my 2 cents.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
“does anyone honestly believe if Wes really told Jake and Tanner he had a girlfriend (especially Jake who said Wes told him 3 times), ABC wouldn’t have caught it on camera?! They pretty much film 24/7, just shutting off when everyone is asleep and even then having someone watching and ready just in case something happens. If these conversations actually happened, they would have it on tape. So where is the tape of this? You bet ABC would be replaying it a million times if it actually happened.”
This post says it all! ABC would absolutely have taped this conversation IF it really happened like Jake said.
I hope Wes does the Men Tell All show so at least the live audience can hear his side of things like we did in this interview.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I’d just like to thank RealitySteve for getting the interview with Wes and clearing the air. I was one of the many ignorant watchers who watched the show, then went about my week completely believing the “reality” of it all. I kinda like Wes now (you should have heard the names I called him prior to listening to the interview), and I don’t like Jake as much as I did before. Thanks Steve, I will now watch the remaining episodes of The Bachelorette with a new pair of glasses on
I am one of the few minds you changed with that interview so way to go!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Aw Wes, I feel bad for you. I mean I understand editing for a show but DAMN do they gotta totally trash someone??? That really sucks. I am a sarcastic cut up too and I would hate to see what they could do with some of my comments….
July 11th, 2009 at 2:31 PM
No matter what spin anyone tries to put to make Wes a good guy…won’t happen..he’s a conceited jerk, and his clothes are ugly, he’s ugly and fat!!!!
July 11th, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Just a test to see if I remembered my login info from The Bachelor !! I have no comments …. but plan to email you, Steve. One comment …. thanks for the Wes interview.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Okay, well I listened to a great deal of this interview, but not all of it. I was puzzled that at the beginning of the interview Wes seemed to be clueless about the last season of the Batchelor. He was talking about Jillian being on the show before acted like he didn’t know she was on Jason’s season of The Batchelor. I think he was playing dumb to make himself sound more like an innocent victim! Surely after spending two months filming this junk with the other guys, he would be well aware of her history with the show.
Has it occurred to anyone else that maybe Wes agreed to be the bad guy for the producers, but he didn’t realize just how bad they were going to portray him? I just can’t get past some of the things he said, even though he was clearly badly edited. Now I just think he’s doing damage control because its gotten so far out of hand. He’s probably not a bad guy, but he just got suckered in!
Anyway, I a recent fan of RS and I’ll probably still continue to watch the show and read his Blog. It’s great fun.
July 11th, 2009 at 5:05 PM
I listened to the whole interview and pretty much agree with some on here, including megd55 and lithargic and the last post, panorama. Wes is now doing a snow job on you. Steve, you are supposed to be a cynic, yet you seemed to believe everything Wes told you, even feeding him some answers before he said them. Regarding the 3 hour limo ride. Is Wes so stupid that he didn’t figure out what was going of and say, hmmm, maybe I better not say anything, or maybe I better slow down with this drinking. Come on! He acted like he’d never heard of Jillian before. What was it he said at the beginning of this interview… ‘was she on before?” Well it wasn’t that stupid, but close. Sure they edit and sure they edit to make ratings. Wes is probably not as bad as portrayed, but I wouldn’t want my single friends to date him. It’s funny to me that people want to think they are above believing everything they hear, read or see, until they actually talk to someone who’s been there, done that and then they believe everything the guy says.
July 11th, 2009 at 5:42 PM
The girl Wes talked about with Jake wasn’t Laural.he met the girl between the time of casting and filming and they dated for couple of months.he gave away Laural`s name intentionally ,in order to be able to defend himself later. so he had a girlfriend when he was on the show but the girl wasn’t Laural.
so it is up to u how to judge Wes`s character ,but it is sick the way he defends himself now and more sick that he gave away Laural`s name on the show and caused her lots of problems.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:46 PM
a. All that stuff he said about Jake…was Jake edited, too? I mean, if they’re messing with Wes, what are they doing to Jake? To be honest, I assumed the producers put him up to coming back, as opposed to Jake pushing himself back in the spotlight. (Not a Jake fan particularly, just wondering.)
b. Every time Jillian says “physical chemistry” I giggle. I’m married to a Physical Chemistry professor. He’s going to start using these clips in his class.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I agree with Shootme. That’s what i was thinking all along, he keeps saying he isn’t dating Laurel. Maybe he isn’t, it’s someone else.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Steve: You had the best blog in the net, my friend. I used to love your sarcastic take on the reality show contestants. But then you decided to become an investigaitve “journalist” and to expose the “unreality” of The bachelor franchise.
Let me make something very clrar to you Steve- we already know it’s fake! just like wrestling! But we still can’ get enough of it. So please please please, get over yourself Stop trying to be 60 minutes and just go back to being reality steve! You’re taking all of the fun out of it man.
July 11th, 2009 at 8:54 PM
@ Patti
I’m tired of your rude comments! You’re probably a troll who has no confidence and puts down others to make yourself feel better.
SUCK IT
July 11th, 2009 at 10:37 PM
For those who listened to the interview … remember that Wes is a performer. He is smooth. He is doing what he has to do — damage control. Can you believe everything you hear on this interview? I heard the entire interview; he is a smooth talker. but the facts still stand.
While you listen to his nice-guy voice, remember:
– You’ll not only have to believe that the show is faking his words and his intentions throughout the entire show, but you’ll also have to believe Jake is a liar and is in on a big lie by the TV show.
– More than one guy told her that Wes had a girlfriend; not just Jake. They would have to be lying, too.
– Wes admitted he told Jake he had a girlfriend when he defended himself saying “she’s always going to be one of my girlfriends, always.” But he said it again to Jillian … and then paused, realizing it. How often does a guy say “my girlfriend” accidentally?
Why did Wes thump Jake “hard as hell in the back of the head when Tanner spoke up” [Jake]?
– How did Jake know exactly what Wes would say to Jillian once confronted?
– In the limo ride home, Wes said “my acting days are over.” (He now says he meant he was finished the TV show.)
– Wes also said he was the “first bachelor to make it to the final 4 with a girlfriend.” He now claims he was being sarcastic and said more later — but watch the video. http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=youtube.com%20bachelorette%20wes%20limo%20ride&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv# Did you see him say it? Look at his face to see if you believe he said it or was cut off …. he looks out the window. He goes on talking about how excited he is to go home to his band, his new single, a tour, etc. Do you think he was really being sarcastic or was he acting with bravado?
– He says “I am cutting off the chains — click, click, click, click — I’m a free man.” Does that sound like a set up by the TV show? Does he sound like someone who cared about Jillian?
– He said “‘I had a song on my second album that was actually number one in Chihuahua, Mexico  so I feel at home living around Spanish people” and that, not sure if you guys know this, but I’m a pretty big deal …. ”
– He said “I’m gonna be true to myself…numero uno is most important here” while having his romantic dinner with a woman he is supposed to be falling in love with .. and trying to get her to choose him … even if those words were said for some other reason we did not see .. he said them.
– He said he was just there for the fame and publicity; that he already made six shows … he did what he came to do. He claims this was the middle of a conversation explaining himself to the guys … but look at his face — does it look like he is saying it smugly? Does it look like he has finished the sentence or was being cut off in the middle of a thought? How could the producers make him “look” like he meant what we hear him saying if he meant something else entirely?
– If these guys really want a relationship with her … and all of them supposedly do …. when they are waiting to hear if they will be picked, they are nervous. They want to be picked. He not only said
“I’ll be back home havin’ lots of sex” as if he would be happy if he was not selected, but Reid and Kip look surprised and disgusted at what he said. He now says all of them were talking about lack of sex; but at the rose ceremony? Wes was clearly not serious about this.
Reality Steve is out to get the show; he wants to believe Wes; he is not objective when he asks questions; he often put words in Wes’s mouth. He definitely has an ax to grind. Last year’s script made him break up on the show … but they both admit they knew already. It was not putting words in their mouth and misrepresenting their feelings. The viewing audience can see feelings.
Of course, the show is “scripted” to a degree — it’s a TV show, and they can’t show everything. They have to pick and choose what to show. But before you believe anything Wes says — claiming that the entire show is scripted and they put words in his mouth — you should make sure you see the entire videotapes.
If you don’t, you’ll have no way of knowing if they completely misrepresented Wes, twisting his words to mean the opposite of what he said. There is no claim that this has ever happened; only that not all words are included.
If it is all faked, why does Jillian believe it, too? She was there, and heard what he said to her. She said “if you really were crazy about me then you would have come up to me and you would have kissed me at least once today.” She admitted “I knew there were MAJOR red flags with him.” Jillian truly believes Wes came on this show to promote himself and in the end she said she feels a little sorry for him. Is this an act, too?
Host Chris Harrison said “Wes turns on the Texas charm and two-steps right out of this mess. I’m saying right here and now that I’m not responsible for anything that was thrown at your TV” in his blog. I guess all of this is part of the big “lie”?
Remember … real relationships are formed; people move into other cities and continue relationships. They may not last, but they are real to them.
Keep your minds open, everyone — don’t change your minds based on his after-the-show interview with Reality Steve who likes to make fun of the show and anyone who watches it.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:09 PM
I signed up just to leave this comment. I am not sure why it did not show up, so just in case I did something wrong the 1st time, I’ll try again:
For those who listened to the interview … remember that Wes is a performer. He is smooth. He is doing what he has to do — damage control. Can you believe everything you hear on this interview? I heard the entire interview; he is a smooth talker. but the facts still stand.
– If you believe Wes, you’ll have to believe Jake is a liar and is in on a big lie by the TV show.
– More than one guy told her that Wes had a girlfriend; not just Jake. They would have to be lying, too.
– Wes admitted he told Jake he had a girlfriend – “she’s always going to be one of my girlfriends, always.” But he said it again to Jillian … and then paused, realizing what he said. How often does a guy say “my girlfriend” accidentally?
– Why did Wes thump Jake “hard as hell in the back of the head when Tanner spoke up” [Jake]?
– In the limo ride home, Wes said “my acting days are over.” (He now says he meant he was finished the TV show.) Watch the video and see what you think before changing your mind about Wes.
– Wes also said he was the “first bachelor to make it to the final 4 with a girlfriend.” He now claims he was being sarcastic and said more later — but watch the video. http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=youtube.com%20bachelorette%20wes%20limo%20ride# Look at his face to see if you believe he said it or was cut off …. he looks out the window. He goes on talking about how excited he is to go home to his band, his new single, a tour, etc. Do you think he was really being sarcastic or was he acting with bravado?
– He says “I am cutting off the chains — click, click, click, click — I’m a free man.” Does that sound like a set up by the TV show? Does he sound like someone who cared about Jillian?
– He said “I’m gonna be true to myself…numero uno is most important here” while having his romantic dinner with a woman he is supposed to be falling in love with .. and trying to get her to choose him. Even if those words were said for some other reason .. he said them.
– He said he was just there for the fame and publicity; that he already made six shows … he did what he came to do. He claims this was the middle of a conversation explaining himself to the guys … but did he say it smugly or was he being cut off in the middle of a thought by the producers as he claims? How could the producers make him “look” like he meant what we hear him saying if he meant something else entirely?
– He not only said “I’ll be back home havin’ lots of sex” as if he would be happy if he was not selected, but Reid and Kip look surprised and disgusted at what he said. He now says all of them were talking about lack of sex; but at the rose ceremony? Wes was clearly not taking it seriously and wanted them to know he did not care.
– Plus, if it is all faked, why does Jillian believe it, too? She was there, and heard everything he said to her. She said “if you really were crazy about me then you would have come up to me and you would have kissed me at least once today.” She admitted “I knew there were MAJOR red flags with him.” Jillian truly believes Wes came on this show to promote himself and in the end she said she feels a little sorry for him. Is this an act, too?
The interviewer is clear he is out to undermine the show; he wants to believe Wes. He is not objective when he asks questions; he often put words in Wes’s mouth. Yes, last year’s show made Jason break up on TV … but they both admit they knew already. They did not edit words and misrepresent feelings. The viewing audience can see feelings.
Of course, the show is “scripted” to a degree — it’s a TV show, and they can’t show everything. They have to pick and choose what to show. But before you believe anything Wes says –watch the videotapes.
Host Chris Harrison said “Wes turns on the Texas charm and two-steps right out of this mess. I’m saying right here and now that I’m not responsible for anything that was thrown at your TV” in his blog. I guess all of this is part of the big “lie”?
Remember … real relationships are formed; people move into other cities and continue relationships. They may not last, but they are real to them. Keep your minds open — don’t change your minds based on his after-the-show interview with someone who really needs damage control.
July 12th, 2009 at 2:15 AM
Amen Judy…you said it all!
July 12th, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Steve, were you chewing something during this interview? Did you listen to the final version? You need to “edit” yourself and get rid of the heavy breathing and chewing sounds…..It is repulsive!!!!
July 12th, 2009 at 9:53 AM
@ judyw
Just a more magniloquent way of repeating what many of the toxic personalities who post here have already said.
July 12th, 2009 at 2:24 PM
I’m willing to give Wes a fair shake but in your interview, he caught himself in a contradiction. He said he stopped watching the show, didn’t see his elimination episode. Or stopped watching altogether. But then he talks in detail about the slicing of the elimination itself about what we saw and what happened.
He never once said, I like Jillian. He eludes to liking by saying “I would still be here until there’s nothing between us.” That’s not saying, “I liked her. I didn’t expect to like her. I’ll stay to see where it goes.”
I know the producers throw alcohol at these folks but c’mon, is being drunk ever a decent excuse for bad behavior?
I don’t think he’s a horrible guy or even a bad guy. I think it’s a combo of half-truths on both sides of the fence (the producers and the cast member).
Steve, be really careful how you interview. It was a soft interview with an agenda, and you prompted him more than once in your questions to set up a “bad edit” response. Nothing wrong with helping people get the story out, show folks what goes behind the scenes. But you’re actually taking away from his chance to face us and speak for himself. You do come across kissing ass and therefore, producing an equally subjective interview as the Chris Harrison’s blog.
July 12th, 2009 at 4:03 PM
July 12th, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Bleh I thought I took all the quote stuff out… sorry about that entire thing being quoted the quote ended when I started saying –
I agree with what you said 100%
LOL bleh.. I didn’t want to quote the entire thing because it was to long… oh well..
July 12th, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I think Wes should become an entertainment correspondent. His Southern sayings are refreshing and totally not politically correct which I love!
July 12th, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Does anyone know why I couldn’t get into the interview. I click on the Wes Hayden interview and it goes to no where. What am I doing wrong????
Thanks to anyone that can help me
July 12th, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Fla do you have Quicktime plugin installed?
I think that’s what it used.
July 12th, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I just listened to the whole Steve-Wes interview and my opinion has changed about Wes 999%, I liked Wes from day 1, will definatly buy his CD’s and I think he got screwed big time by the whole Batchlorette Show. I hope he has a wonderful career and Jillian has lost a great guy.
July 12th, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I am one of those “new people” as opposed to a “TRUE / OLD SCHOOL follower” and while I have been visiting Steve’s blog for some time now, I have not “read this column FOREVER.” Just wanted to get that out of the way first.
Now, about Wes……….I have to say that I am a Texas girl through and through so by default, I’m already a fan of Wes. That’s just how we Texans roll. But, even if I wasn’t a Texan, I would have a hard time not believing Wes and trusting his sincerity during his interview. I think he was 100% genuine on the show as well as his interview with Steve. The difference is Steve asked him questions and allowed him to answer them without interruption and splicing.
It helps to understand more about Wes if you understand more about where he is from. Austin is, hands down, one of the coolest cities in the U.S. For those who haven’t been fortunate enough to visit Austin, (and yes, I did say fortunate enough) you will have a harder time understanding Wes. See………in Texas, especially Austin, judgments made towards people are few and far between. Austin is a city of authenticity, creativity, generosity, genuineness, substance, sincerity, integrity, and honesty. People are true to who they are. They are open, candid, and straightforward. I totally get that and understand where Wes is coming from. Having to defend yourself and your actions just doesn’t happen.
The atmosphere in Austin is also so much more laid back and relaxed than other cities. In fact, it’s kind of funny that Austin is a city because it really feels more like a small Texas town. Although Wes was aware that he was signing up for a reality TV show, I’m sure he hasn’t had to spend that much time during his life defending himself so he wasn’t in any way prepared for the way he would be portrayed on the show. It’s actually because of his openness and honesty that he was so easily manipulated by the producers of the show.
I believe that time will prove how inaccurate the portrayal of Wes on the Bachelorette really was. In the end, the truth always reveals itself. It’s how the truth is perceived by others that will determine their opinions.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Keep your minds open………..now this cracks me up. You are actually telling us to keep our minds open while you are making judgements about someone you don’t even know. Awwwww……..you got me. And here I was reading your post as if it was from a serious person. Too funny……….too funny I tell ya!
July 13th, 2009 at 12:37 AM
There’s an excellent interview done by NPR with a former Bachelor producer thats tell all. The interview pretty much confirms what Steve, Brady, and Wes have been saying about how the show is fake. Check out the text of the interview at..
http://bachelorettenews.blogspot.com
July 13th, 2009 at 5:11 AM
I have a family member in that specific industry (an has worked on many shows like this–once, on the Bachelor) and so I know how they cast people–just like how this interview explains. I should say that there are many reality shows with great producers who really have integrity. But then there are those like said 25 year old producers who try to act like your friend and then stab you in the back. They ask a specific question with the hopes of getting sound bytes they can use however they like. Wes’ undoing was the fact that he had never really seen the show and didn’t know what he was getting into–and then didn’t act self-consciously. It’s silly to think that they’re making a documentary. This is a soap opera and we’re the suckers to think it’s anything else (it makes the stagedness that is AI pale in comparison). The sad thing is that they’re messing with people’s lives.
I think that you need to do a write-up on the highlights of this interview–it was super interesting but so long–I keep seeing people’s comments elsewhere who are listing to 2 minutes and then making their judgments. It would be WAY WAY easier for people to blog on or post, and would make more of a difference in a way. I do realize that part of the thing about the audio phoner is that you get a real sense of what Wes’ personality really is like and his straightforward sincerity. I mean, some of the things he says are priceless-particularly how well he speaks of people like Jake, Reid, even Dave; or how the guys actually got along decently; how the reaction shots were rarely chronological; etc. And then some of the details about how they’re sequestered (i.e. even the part about not being able to call his ill grandmother). I find it interesting that you’re linked by the EW editor/writer who does the recaps–yet she, a professional, reacts to the show as if it’s a documentary. Bizarre…
July 13th, 2009 at 6:45 AM
steve or anyone…do you know if wes did the MEN TELL ALL on Saturday?
July 13th, 2009 at 7:34 AM
sallysue: apparently he did not attend the MTA
July 13th, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I need help listening to the interview. I downloaded it, but it only gave me the first 30 seconds.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I’m needing help listening to the interview. I downloaded it, but only got the first 30 seconds of it.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
thanks for the info, ann_j
July 13th, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Steve – I am one of those that didn’t care for Wes in the beginning (although the dude is HOT) but what a great interview! I completely feel differently about him after listening to your interview. What a nice sincere guy. Thanks for showing us what its all about. Now I wish he wasn’t gone because I love him! Thanks Steve! Love your site!
July 13th, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Great job Steve. This Wes interview has gotten more comments than any other posting in a while. Almost reminiscent of the Jason season. Whether people agree or disagree, you really got people going…and I think that is kind of what this blog is all about.
PS. Regardless of whether Wes is a saint or a jerk, if you have half a brain, you would understand that he really got the shaft in the editing department. He signed up for reality tv but not to have his words totally twisted around to the point where they barely even make sense. People should leave the guy alone. And it is just sad and down right scary that Laurel is getting so much grief for this. People need to get a life if they are calling her private number…that is just creepy.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Thanks Steve! I hope this sheds light on the amazing things editing can do. I’ve always felt sorry for Wes, as anyone in their right mind could see he was being portrayed in an unfair light. To those who say, “well you can’t edit what comes out of his own mouth” I admire you. Please tell me how to move into “la la land”. Some act as if they’ve never had anything they’ve said taken out of context. It’s a television show people. Come on, get your heads out of your behinds!
Love you Wes!! Yummy!
July 13th, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Everyone who says they changed their mind about Wes in this interview – have you totally missed where he said he hadn’t watched the last Monday episode (where he did not receive the rose) – yet he was able to, on multiple occasions – specifically say how they edited him incorrectly.
He lied about watching it, unless Steve had an editing problem as well.
Again I am not saying the show is not at fault for horrible and negative editing, however, thinking this guy is 100% sincere is a mistake, and one I am not falling for.
I do feel sorry for him, but he had a choice not to do this, and he had a choice to walk away, and he had a choice to not say things that could be used to incriminate him.
I will be interested to see what the guys say about this in the MTA episode.
I’d love to hear other guys back Wes up.. I still won’t buy his CD’s (I don’t think he has that great of a voice, sorry dude) but at least I will be able to change my negative image of him.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Thank you for interviewing him. You have always said ABC was great at editing. If I were Wes I’d sue!! I have totally changed my opinion of him.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:36 PM
I listened to the whole interview even though it was so long I had to do in segments. I had thought it was edited but not to the extent Wes said. I believe him though and if I were him I’d be angry also. I think Wes probably was one of the first who couldn’t be totally controlled.
I would have liked to hear more of his take on Ed and what he though would happen with Ed.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
How is Wes able to give you all this information without getting into trouble? I mean he’s basically saying that everything about this show is fake…which obviously isn’t going to sit well with ABC.
All in all he still shouldn’t have been there for this long if he wasn’t feeling Jillian..and no matter what he says, he wasn’t feeling her.
We all know this show is not 100% real and I doubt anyone’s life is affected by the choices Jillian Harris makes..I dont understand why weeks after weeks we have to have these interviews that try to state the obvious..well duh it’s edited..would you really want to watch Jillian and Reid walk around Spain for hours? I’ll pass. ABC has got to give us drama and entertainment..this is all well known for everyone..this show has been going on for how many years now? You sign up to be a contestant for this show and you automatically give ABC the power to manipulate your character, case closed. So i dont feel bad for anyone that goes on “reality tv.” Can we get back to the funny and sarcastic recaps I once loved?
July 13th, 2009 at 2:41 PM
A couple things about Wes’s interview don’t seem quite right. He’s been friends with Jeremy Anderson for 20+ years and dated Laurel Kagay for 3 years and sees her regularly. Laurel Kagay also dated Brad Womack who at that point was maybe the most “edited” Bachelor yet. Wes claims “I knew nothing about the show or how they do this stuff”, Steve if you are playing journalist here, “Did you ask the question?” If not, why not? None of these three people warned him in any way? IN the meantime, Laurel’s just happened to have dated 3 different guys who’ve been on the show.
Second, he’s been in music for his entire adult life and keeps “dickering” with the producers. Does he ever insist either on his own or through his agent (since they really really wanted a musician on the show) that they promise to let him play a song all the way through while he’s on the show and that it get broadcast? Why didn’t the question get asked in the interview? Again, I point out that Wes as an entertainer knows something about negotiating and how interviews get hacked up all the time, or should.
Finally, the guys noticeably mean-spirited about several of the people who were on the show with him. Somehow, they too weren’t duped by the producers in the same way he was? Does the interviewer step forward to defend them a little or just play devil’s advocate?
Is it possible that Mike Fleiss isn’t the only guy trying to spin things? I’m sure that Wes Hayden did get edited beyond recognition, but some of the pieces that don’t appear so edited aren’t real pretty either.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I realize that many people have claimed similar things before under the anonymity of a message board, but, here I go anyway…the first Bachelor/ette season I ever watched was Trista’s season. Soon after it ended, I met up with an old co-worker who, when I said I’d watched the show, commented about the scripted nature of the franchise. She had a friend who worked on the show who told her that Trista knew rather early on that she wanted to choose Ryan, but was told to keep going with production as planned. That’s the extent of what she told me–so I don’t have any details of manipulation or dark secrets.
Regarding Trista and her banter with Jeremy, Trista has reaped much from her time as the Bachelorette, indcluding an over-the-top wedding. I don’t know her nor do I intend to question her character, but it is logical that she might feel some loyalty to The Bachelorette franchise…or at least be required to express loyalty.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Do any of you possibly think Wes was honest when he said he did not watch his elimination show but was TOLD by others what happened? HUH? Maybe that’s a possibility? Come on people. Put on your thinking caps! He probably has read the 100 articles about that show and he got a pretty clear picture of how they edited what he really said. He could have a great idea of how things went down w/o ever having had watched the actual episode.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:41 PM
@Jordan
My thoughts exactly! Well said!
July 13th, 2009 at 5:03 PM
I’m sorry, but I’m not buying it ONE bit! I think he will say/do ANYTHING it takes to make himself look better!!! I’m sure some editing is done, but to that extent? Give me a break! Wes is a jerk and I will NEVER buy anything that has to do with him! It’s his own fault that he made bad publicity instead of good on the show! Serves him right!!!!!
July 13th, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Hope all you loser Wes lovers saw Extra tonight ….they called him liar and alot more names..lol…And Jillian even said bad things about him. So, like I’ve said, and it’s even on a network show..he’s a lying scumbag, low life, trialer park trash SOB! He won’t sell any CD’s except to the fools on here who think he’s a decent guy.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:25 PM
The truth about the liar came out on Extra show tonight! lol…Wes fans should put a bag over their head or hide.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Hello Scrabble – agree with the below. PLUS ABC in general has thrown her a few money making bones I.e. Dancing w/the Stars as an example. They made at “least” a million between the show and other endorsements/deals. Why wouldn’t she be loyal? Same with Chris, he has his job to protect.
You wrote: Regarding Trista and her banter with Jeremy, Trista has reaped much from her time as the Bachelorette, indcluding an over-the-top wedding. I don’t know her nor do I intend to question her character, but it is logical that she might feel some loyalty to The Bachelorette franchise…or at least be required to express loyalty.
Also, I love how people trash someone like Wes based on how his character was spliced via editing. Just like Michael Jackson, for years no one gave a rats you know what, now that he’s gone everyone seems to love him more than when he was alive. They believe the rumors and hated him but now are thinking, hmmmm, maybe he was a cash cow so these greedy parents went after him (even an article came out where one of the boys claimed he was told to say those things).
Don’t believe everything you read until you meet them in person, because you don’t know them “PERIOD”….. so all the haters should ask themselves why they feel so much hatred for someone they have never met and probably never will. Seems some people like to bitch so they do! Very strange.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:46 PM
BEFORE I read this column and listened to the interview with Wes, I told my sister that there is no way it is not edited. No one, no one, no one would be on this show past the first night and say such stupid things. No way. And I was so right. I think I would rather read funny commntary about this “reality” show that is my entertainment rather than an interview that restates what I already know. Just be funny and make me laugh. Laughter is better than knowing the inside scoop.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:58 PM
I wonder if Wes was sought out b/c they wanted a musician role, or who knows maybe he even pitched it to the show. He had plenty of in’s (Brad, , even the girlfriend). Then maybe Wes got demanding about playing his song, and he maybe refused to be the producers Bitc*. They got angry and decided to screw him over. I have a hard time believing there are not 2 sides to this story. Sure the producers are sleazy as hell. While not nearly as evil as portrayed, my guess is Wes fancies himself as pretty slick and thought he could do some schmoozing and manipulating. He just did not know who he was messing with.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:51 PM
WHO’s Show was it? ABC or Wes?
False EDITING would be something you claim if you were a rookie or were new to the biz. “Wes is more than qualified to handle himself with 14 yrs in the biz now.” Sounds like a Liar to me?
Before this bachelorette season was even over, Wes already had his website all layed out with Promo pics and Video comments about Jill and the song and the dedication plaques to himself for himself ALREADY made up Wayyyyy Ahead of time for the day he would Exit-stage-left. That’s the cue to the web guy to Post everything.
STEEEEEEVE!!! SOUNDS LIKE a cover-up dude!! Right?
Unfortunately, Cover up would mean it wasn’t pre-meditated!! DUDE, HE GOT YOU!!
Anybody disagree it wasn’t Totally Pre-meditated?
July 13th, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Was he there for the girl or himself?
Editing hierarchy. The ABC show or the Wes Show?
Wes claims they pulled a fast one. However, when you have 14 years in the biz, like Wes does, you can’t claim ignorance.
FACT: Even before this bacholorette season was over, Wes already had his web-site layed out and Pre-planned where the video interviews and pics were going to be placed (ie: Pre-meditated). Everything was just waiting for the day he would exit-stage-left. This was the cue for him to POST everything for all his Fans to see.
Steve, dude, we call this a cover-up. I think he got you dude!!
Actually, I reserve the right to re-edit, and because it was actually Pre-Meditated it’s just an outright LIE!
Does anyone think Wes’s plan was NOT premeditated?
July 13th, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Patti –
I don’t know you nor have I ever met you but you seem like a total narrow-minded loser. You have no life. You believe all of these Hollywood shows. LOSER.
Now you know what it’s like to be judged. You must feel better about yourself when you continuously call Wes names when you have no idea what you’re talking about. Get a life.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:36 PM
IloveJill…why don’t you got fuck yourself, since you are a fan of the loser Wes? Free country, screw you, you little twit.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:35 AM
Why is Reality Steve a Wes apologist/kissass and a TB hater? Because RS stumbled onto something last year…writing a snarky little blog that people read about the Bachelor is fun. Writing a blog that “exposes” the show as evil is way better! I can’t even imagine the power rush that RS must have gotten last year when the news orgs picked up his story. And to continue that rush, he has to go further and further. You need look no further than the glee that he displays every time Chris Harrison makes a passing reference to him. The attention has him salivating! I get it, RS. To get this kind of attention from a show you’ve been following for years is heady. Now he is ever seeking bigger and badder ways to piss off the producers. So his blog is about spoilers (casually dropped with no warning for people that happen to get here and are checking it out of curiosity), and getting ex-bachelors/bachelorettes to “spill”. I sincerely hope Wes violated his contract with that snowjob interview and gets sued over it. Not because I believe his “edit” but because as stephlk74b says….WHO CARES?
RS…is this really the big achievement of your life? Wow. SMH.
July 14th, 2009 at 6:56 AM
I’m not listening to the interview. Really don’t care if it’s edited. I don’t think lots of others do either. It’s a TV show for entertainment.
Isn’t your 15 minutes up yet?
July 14th, 2009 at 7:59 AM
This is what I posted on Trista Sutter’s Blog and my apology to Wes Hayden both there and here and to tell others to stop bashing this guy. Here’s what I said on Trista’s blog…. “I don’t know the real Wes Hayden, none of us do. I made a perception, developed an opinion and judged someone based only on editing of a “reality” show. I was brainwashed to believe what I saw and heard on the show until I listened to a real unedited interview with Wes by Reality Steve. I have a much better understanding now that I have heard this interview. Without the hype and drama of the show I can sense it this interview that Wes is really a good old redneck boy and his genuine, slang phrases sometimes get him in trouble as well as his communication style and sense of humor. I’m sorry for joining the bandwagon and thinking what a profitable produced “reality” show focused on ratings and entertainment wanted me to think. I still like the show but I’m just reminded not to take things at face value like this. Listen for yourself http://www.realitysteve.com.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Wow! Some people are really mean to each other on these comments.
What next? Are you going to threaten Wes and his family because you say you DON’T CARE.
If you don’t care, why are you taking the time to post a comment? LOL.
Anyway, I honestly feel sorry for Wes. I wish him and his family all the best. Hey may need it after this interview. I heard Fleiss (sp) is an A$$, so he may actually sue Wes. Or he may leave it alone cause it’s getting the show publicity. People will believe what they want to believe. The fact that some people are judging him based on an “edited” show kills me….
July 14th, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I knew he didn’t have the webos to go to the MTA.
Question: If he would have been tellin the truth and only the truth, I wonder in which round he would have been eliminated?
Ya see, he only made it to 6, cause he was lying his ass off.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:43 PM
funny thing he says he doesnt watch the show, but he has an answer for everything he said.. he is a douchebag you can only edit so much, he said what he said!! cause he is getting bad PR now
July 14th, 2009 at 10:48 PM
he is crying like a baby!!! lmaooo
July 15th, 2009 at 12:41 AM
I was thinking that it would be great if Wes could get one of the other guys to back him up. Then I realized all the comments he is disputing were never around the other guys.
July 15th, 2009 at 1:30 AM
Well Steve….you made a believer out of me! I truly thought Wes was a D*&K and was pleasantly surprised by the interview. I know they edit but what they did was really crossing the line. I do not care one bit about any contract…that is inexcusable! I wish he would have gone to the MTA with a lawyer. In any event thank you both for taking the time to clear the air. It was worth it!!!
Who wins in the end and are they still together???
July 15th, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Patti #198 – is the language necessary? Please..grow up a notch!
July 15th, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Well Steve, you turned this former hater into a Wes fan! I always knew they manipulate with edits but I thought it was stuff to just throw you off the trail of the F1. This is like character assassination! If they sue him for speaking up he better throw a counter suit at them for defamation of character! What they did borders on malicious. Are they just a bunch of country music haters or what? They singled him out from the get go! I thought that they observe at first and then maybe exaggerate some flaws etc. but I am truly disgusted by what they did and I feel bad that I got duped. At least I learned my lesson. There are tons of people who do the show and turn around to do it again as the bachelor/bachelorette so I had to think that whatever manipulations they were doing weren’t that bad. Clearly I was wrong. If they know how unfair the producers can be and how scripted it is, why even go on the show again? I think there is even way more to this than what you have been able to uncover but I’m so glad you have been able to seek out this much. They definitely went too far with what they did with Wes. I will never watch again after this season. I just want to see this one through because the curiosity will get the better of me but after this, NO WAY!
July 16th, 2009 at 1:50 AM
I would love to see this group of guys sue the sh%! out of ABC. This is reality??? Just that genre gives them all the right to sue.Then perhaps we could go back to Reality TV.
I think because of all the baloney on this show, I will be very surprised if Jillian picks anyone. It’s really to bad that contractualy they can’t get back at this show, I think he could go on the news…I bet Bill O’reilly would take a listen to his story.
I hope this story gets world wide coverage. If his old girlfriend can be found, then you know this story can get out there as well. I would be interested to know what Jillian thinks of all this. I bet this entire year will add up to a big fat nothing for Jillien. In fact, I will bet she knew pretty fast that none of these guys were for her. So, the show spiced up each episode with junk to keep people watching.
So ABC… Liar liar pants on fire. I am anxious to see what happens on the next episodes.AND I hope to see Wes defending himself on TV news and talk shows soon.
July 16th, 2009 at 2:12 AM
Really compelling interview – it’s scary now that I think about it to open yourself up to the public – and to be at the mercy of a huge comany like that… I had a suspicion that Wes was a decent guy, and I’m sure all those guys are good guys. It’s just sad some people buy into it and start hating the people they see on tv.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:44 PM
It would be fabulous if Wes could find a lawyer who could detect a loophole in his contract with ABC… because enough keeping on feeding all those idiot viewers with such TV programs… even though all those idiots represent something like 99% of our population… oops, no wonder our entire world kinda suck and is on the verge of a total rupture!
Nicolas.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:44 PM
It would be fabulous if Wes could find a lawyer who could detect a loophole in his contract with ABC… because enough keeping on feeding all those idiot viewers with such TV programs… even though all those idiots represent something like 99% of our population… oops, no wonder our entire world kinda sucks and is on the verge of a total rupture!
Nicolas.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:45 PM
It would be fabulous if Wes could find a lawyer who could detect a loophole in his contract with ABC… because enough keeping on feeding all those idiot viewers with such TV programs… even though all those idiots represent something like 99% of our population… oops, no wonder our entire world kinda sucks and is on the verge of a total rupture and breakdown!
Nicolas.
July 16th, 2009 at 2:41 PM
I think that the truth is somewhere in between regarding Wes. I don’t think he is the villain and monster he was made out to be and I also don’t think that he is a great guy. I think he’s a bit of a jerk and a loose cannon who talks before he thinks. So he was a great subject for TPTB. I do believe that his comments were edited and taken out of context to make him look like a creep. But I wonder why he agreed to do the show in the first place. His comments that TPTB were really aggressive in trying to get him on the show, don’t really make sense to me. An adult male is perfectly capable of saying “No”. The fact that he did go on the show makes me think that he did have his own motives for doing so. I think the publicity angle was appealing to him. It can’t hurt to become better known if you are a musician. I also never heard him say anything that indicated he had any feelings for Jillian at all. His answer would be that he didn’t have enough time with her, but I just don’t think he was really interestested in her. The one person I do feel sorry for is his ex-girlfriend Laurel. She didn’t choose to go on this show, yet she is paying the price with threatening phone calls at work and at home. She doesn’t deserve that. The bottom line is that Wes got in way over his head. Maybe the next time he signs a contract to appear on national TV, he should make sure to read it. These guys have complete control over you once you sign on the dotted line. They can take anything you say and edit it to make you look like someone you aren’t. That’s this show, simple as that. The one person who played it smart was Jeremy from Deanna’s Bachelorette season. He made sure to think before he spoke and be in control of himself. It made him seem robotic and unappealing to some, but it enable him to still be a lawyer after the show. He was smart enough to realize what could happen if he lost his cool or said something stupid. Wes could learn a lot from him. So my final judgement regarding Wes is that he’s not the All-American man, but he’s not the villainous jerk he was edited to be.
July 16th, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I started a bunch of crap on ABC.com by posting “You hate Wes? I hat ABC” because of this interview. Thanks for setting the record straight. I have boycotted this show since last year when you pegged the whole Jason-Melissa-Molly thing. It is supposed to be entertaining. How can we be entertained when people are getting hurt? I just can’t! Thanks for all you do and your humor! I, for one, appreciate it! I’m sure Wes does too! I hope his “ex” is ok. I hope his career is ok. I hope Jillian finds out about all of this!!!!!!
July 16th, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I started a bunch of crap on ABC.com by posting “You hate Wes? I hate ABC” because of this interview. Thanks for setting the record straight. I have boycotted this show since last year when you pegged the whole Jason-Melissa-Molly thing. It is supposed to be entertaining. How can we be entertained when people are getting hurt? I just can’t! Thanks for all you do and your humor! I, for one, appreciate it! I’m sure Wes does too! I hope his “ex” is ok. I hope his career is ok. I hope Jillian finds out about all of this!!!!!!
July 16th, 2009 at 3:53 PM
@buzz26
Are you really entertained by other people being hurt? That’s sad dude!!!
July 16th, 2009 at 7:11 PM
I found your interview with Wes to be very credible. I am actually planning on googling to see if I can purchase one of his cd’s in support of him (and I don’t even really care for country music). I had completely fallen for the whole Jake persona and was hoping he’d become the next bachelor. I did read a bio on him, and it looks as if he tried to make it in acting a while ago. Perhaps this is his next stab at fame. Sad, really. I wish Wes all the best with his career, and I suggest that others support Wes by purchasing his cd’s. I live here in Vancouver, B.C. and find it quite amusing to see that Jillian is quite willing to move to the U.S. Can you say Mr. Green Card? Also, I have to say that Reid reminds me a lot of the men up here – pretty conservative and they aren’t too hung up on themselves. The plot sickens…
July 16th, 2009 at 9:01 PM
@ducktoller
Glad to hear others are also off of the St. Jake train. I admit, I kind of fell for it also, but the more I watched, he seemed really creepy and way too feminine. This Wes interview confirms to me that Jake is not what he seems. Anyone who uses God as their motive on a show like this really has some problems. I found the verbatim text of his “God-fearing Man” interview, he states that “he is not a religious guy by any means”. But yet God is revealing all of these things to him. Why don’t God reveal to him to stop being a stalker and maybe he can get a woman? Or that he looked gay when he jumped on Kiptyn’s back when they were in the snow? (Anyone see Kip’s look of terror and Jake’s look of pleasure?)
And as for the balcony cry– it was probably an audition for the next Bachelor! Which he failed and was why his face was so red in his interview. They told him his balcony cry sucked. You cannot be a Bachelor without a good balcony cry!
July 19th, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Steve- Thanks so much for the interview with Wes. It helped me understand how staged the bachelor/bachelorette really is. I actually like Wes after hearing this interview. Thanks for shedding the light!
July 20th, 2009 at 1:00 AM
Steve, Let me first say that I’m so glad you did this interview! What an eye opener. Until today though, I have not been thrilled with the way your blog about the Bachelor/Bachelorette has been going with all the behind the scenes stuff. I preferred to remain in ignorant bliss and watch the train wreck every week with a bowl of popcorn. But after listening to this interview, I’m happy you have brought it to light. It really makes me disgusted with the show. I’m not sure I would be as forgiving as Wes. I feel for him and for his ex. He actually seems like a decent guy with a great sense of humor. I hope more people get the awakening that I did with this interview. You definitely changed this girl’s mind. I still need my train wreck fix though. I’ll just be watching it with a different perspective from now on.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:48 PM
maybe theproducers did edit what wes said, but there had to have actually been something that went wrong on that date or why else would jillian send him home? she said she knows now that wes has a girlfriend. clearly there was some indication that let jillian know that wes was not right. she had strong feelings for him.
July 25th, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Nov. 11th: Next stop Country Music Awards
Plan on telling em your name is Tanner P. so they’ll let you in. Once inside, this automatically gives you Extra Special Rights and you can use your Photoshop skills to EDIT another PHONY Make-Believe-Award you won and post it on your website next to the one you won honestly from the Bachelorette.
Careful! CMA is on ABC & I understand they Edit too, cause its THEIR show!
…But that shouldn’t be a problem, cause again you got Photoshop and can EDIT there too!
July 25th, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Complaining of editing issues before the show has even ended Proves & Verifies he had his Own Agenda! The reason he chose not to attend the MTA (at first) is WHY? Cause he had his Own Agenda!!
BUT ITS THEIR SHOW!
July 15th, 2010 at 7:09 PM
OK I’m reading this late in the game and doubtful anyone’s checking back on this post but I’ll add my two cents anyway.
I work in television. I can say 100% without question that you ABSOLUTELY CAN EDIT SOMETHING AND COMPLETELY CHANGE THE WHOLE THING AROUND. I work in news so we are NOT allowed to do that…in other words, we CANNOT manipulate news conferences so that politicians say things out of context or make it sound the way we want it to sound. Ethically we would be fired. HOWEVER, this is a reality show so these CAN and DO happen. And anyone who is still jaded against Wes is an absolute fool and has no clue how video/audio/television works. And no, people DO NOT go on this show knowing they could be dragged through the mud. Yes, people know that they should watch what they say or do, but editing is MUCH more clever than that. Producers on day one could say, “How do you feel when you write a song?” Wes could say “I love it, it’s my passion, I can taste it” and then three weeks later they ask him some other random question about “hey dude, are you like, famous in texas” and he could say something like, “I don’t like fame. some people like the taste of it., the feel of it, the smell of it, but I don’t.” so editors take these two pieces and splice them together and all of a sudden wes appears to say, “It’s my passion, I can taste it, the feel of it, the smell of it.” and boom, you have a sound bite. some say how is that possible if he’s not on camera saying it? Because editors trick you with video. they splice the audio together to create the sound, and then show half of wes talking and then cut away to wes standing in the kitchen playing his guitar. it’s called editing. it’s decietful and reality is a phony manipulative medium and 99.9% don’t understand how editing really works and walk right into the trap.
Don’t believe everything you see and hear in this world. Wes definitely got thrown under the bus not doubt about it. all producers care about is RATINGS. Ratings =money=keeping your job. PLain and simple and all you haters are fools if you are so stubbornly closed minded as to not understand this.