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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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!
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!!!!
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…..
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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???
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.
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.
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.
@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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
How the hell does Chris Harrison slept at night?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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”.
I think Wes is a great guy, and thank you Steve for the interview.
Hey, Steve are you getting a cut of Wes CD sales..lol
If so, you may starve to death.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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…
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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
Good point!
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.
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.
Wes definitley lied about preshow events (how he got on show and what he knew about Jillian).
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.
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.