Reality Roundup – Including Thoughts on the “Bachelorette” Finale and My National TV Debut Tonight
-Sorry I’m a couple days late, but in case you don’t follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you will know that Friday got a little hectic. Around noon I got an email from EXTRA TV asking if they could do a Skype interview with me that would air on Monday night before the finale. So of course I was interested in something like that, however, I didn’t have a webcam nor had I downloaded Skype yet. So I ran to the store, bought a camera, created a Skype account, and did the interview. They just asked me my predictions for what I think happens in the finale, and I told them pretty much exactly what I said in this column two weeks ago (which we’ll get to later). So that took up most of Friday and I apologize for the two day delay. The interview is set to air on tonight’s episode of “EXTRA”, so check your local listings for when it’s on. I’m working on getting a link to it once it airs and I’ll put it up on the site for people that miss it. No, Maddie did not make an appearance. She was sleeping in the other room. It’s just me sitting at my computer in front of the camera. Very bizarre being able to communicate with someone that way. Just think, fifteen years ago I got my first cell phone and was stoked that Verizon gave 20 free minutes a month! Now I can have a conversation on the computer with someone while looking at them for free. Crazy.
“Jon & Kate”
-This isn’t necessarily about them but one of the new women Jon is “involved” with. The first pictures we saw of him with a new chick was with the 22 year old daughter of the doctor who performed Kate’s tummy tuck, Hailey Glassman. Excellent choice Jon because we all know that 22 year old potheads fresh off of Spring Break are ready to be in a serious relationship with a 33 year old guy suffering a mid-life crisis who is recently divorced and has eight children. I see wedding bells in their future, no doubt. That is, of course, if he doesn’t stop spending weekends in the Hamptons with “Star” magazine reporters. Man, this guy is finally free after ten years in handcuffs and he can’t wait to start spreading his seed everywhere. Calm down, Jon. Just days after pictures surfaced of he and Hailey in a NY park holding hands, then another one surfaces of him leaving a NY restaurant with Kate Major, a reporter for “Star” magazine. Kate says they’re just friends and leaves it at that. Three days pass by, Kate and Jon are reportedly staying with Michael Lohan in the Hamptons, Hailey has no idea Jon is even seeing someone else, and Kate Major resigns her post at “Star” due to a “conflict of interest” because she’s “fallen for Jon.” Awesome. You couldn’t write this stuff.
-Anyway, the point I’m getting at here is once I saw the picture of Jon and Kate Major leaving the NY restaurant, something struck me. Her name sounded very familiar. Then when I read she was a reporter for “Star” magazine I realized this is the same woman I spoke to at “Star” when I broke the Jason/Molly/Melissa news last season, the same woman who I did the email interview with this season on the “Bachelorette” guys allegedly being paid to appear, and the same woman I’ve been in contact with since the beginning of this season through email. So naturally, when I first saw the picture at the restaurant, I sent her a quick email basically saying, “Hey, I’m sure you’re getting bombarded but sorry that happened to you. All you did was have dinner with the guy and now you’re being pinned as his new girlfriend.” Then three days later she quits her job saying she’s “fallen for him.” So what did I do yesterday? Well seeing is she doesn’t work for “Star” magazine anymore and she probably didn’t get my email, I texted her. We’ve traded texts a few times over the last month or so. So I asked Kate Major if there is any way she’ll come on and do an interview with me explaining everything that’s gone down. Haven’t heard back, and honestly, I’d be shocked if I did. But hey, I tried. I need to ask her what she really sees in a recently divorced 33 year old who wears Ed Hardy shirts, is constantly on his blue tooth, and how serious she is about getting serious with a guy with eight kids and a mega bitch of an ex-wife. Kate, the floor is yours. I anxiously awaiting a return response.
“More To Love”
-This is the “Bachelor/ette” spin off show by genius Mike Fleiss that begins airing tomorrow night after the “ATFR” show. Same exact premise as the “Bachelor”, pretty much the same format as well, but everyone on the show is overweight. The “Bachelor” guy I believe is 330 lbs and I believe the skinniest girl on the show is 180lbs. A lot of you have asked me if I’m going to be covering this show. I mean, I’ll watch it, but if you’re expecting a “Bachelor” type column every week about it, that’s not gonna happen. I don’t really know how to say this other than the show itself is already a joke, so nothing that I add will make it any funnier. I’m going to take the advice of Chris Rock, whose most recent comedy special aired again on HBO last night and that I watched for the 3rd time. What he said pretty much fits well into my feelings about this show. Essentially he says if you’re overweight, you can curse out the skinny bitches all day long, and no one bats an eye. Fat people are constantly whining about, “She’s too skinny. Look at her. Ya’ anoxeric, peanut eating, bulimic son of a bitch.” But if you’re skinny and a size 2, you can’t talk about fat people and make fun of them. Why? “That’s just mean.” And its true. Overweight people are constantly jealous and bitching about skinny women and no one tells them to shut up. But if you’re a smoking hot model, what good does it do to call some overweight person a “fat pig”. Makes you look like a conceited ass. Bottom line: There’s no need to cover this show. I’d much rather make fun of wannabe models and reality stars than overweight people. That’s just me. I’ll stick to the “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” franchise, thank you.
“America’s Got Talent”
-I like this show. I do. It’s totally corny, cheesy, and completely over-the-top, but it is what it is. That’s what you get when you host a talent show. A bunch of goofy ass people doing stupid sh** to get on TV. No surprise there. And it seems like the audition episodes have been going for about three months now. I don’t even remember half the acts that made it through to Vegas. No idea. I just always find it amazing that when they get to the top 10 or 20, usually over half the people left are singers. So isn’t this basically “American Idol Lite?” The little red headed girl, Bianca Ryan, won season 1. She’s a singer. Terry Fator won season two as the singing comedian ventriloquist. And last season, the big guy Neil was an opera singer. Look, if the winning prize is a million dollars and headlining a Vegas show, then it stands to reason the winner is probably going to have to be either a singer or a comedian. I guess a dance troupe could headline a Vegas show, but nothing that I’ve seen this year is that good. You pretty much know when you watch these acts what even has a remote chance of winning and what doesn’t. And you also know that the very first act they show in the auditions will always be an absolute bomb that gets booed off stage and the last act they, the “final act of the day”, is always some inspirational singer that has a background story which will make you cry. Pretty much a given with this show.
“The Bachelorette” Finale
-As I stated two weeks ago in my “Bachelorette Recap 7/13/09″, I gave everyone my opinion of what I THINK happens tonight. Yes, I knew the ending last season. This season I don’t. Trust me, if I knew what was going to happen, I’d tell you. Didn’t stop me last season, so I don’t see why it would’ve this season. However, I have a pretty good idea by all the information I’ve gathered over the last month and I stated that two weeks ago. Nothing has really changed over the last couple weeks in regards to what I think happens. I’m just starting to feel a little more strongly about a couple of things. Chris Harrison tweeted yesterday that the last hour of the show is one of the best hours they’ve ever done. Yes, I know, Chris is the king of hyperbole, but seriously, he wouldn’t put that out there if something dramatic didn’t happen. As for Jillian, we know in all interviews she certainly isn’t acting like someone who’s in love, engaged, or if she even is seeing anyone. Could that be because ABC told her not to give anything away or is that just how she feels? Guess we’ll find out. I’m leaning towards the latter. Jillian in interviews has also eluded to the fact that something pretty wild goes down in the last 5 minutes of the show. Also, we’ve been told one of the guys has a “confession” to make. So with all that being said, here’s what I know for a fact:
-The final 1 is not Kiptyn: Since the last five minutes of the show are crazy, I can logically assume Kiptyn will be the first one out of the limo and to the altar so she can dump him.
Also, I have it on pretty good authority that this will not be a regular ending where one guy proposes, she says yes, and everyone is happy. Something is going to go down either before, during, or after the FRC which is why it’s unlike anything we’ve seen. So with that said, what you’ll see in the “EXTRA” piece airing tonight is me giving my predictions for what I think happens. I said it two weeks ago, and I’ll say it again: I don’t think we are going to get any definitive resolution at the end of this episode tonight. There will be some sort of cliffhanger involving Ed and the reappearance of Reid. Maybe Ed doesn’t propose and they’re just dating. Maybe Ed proposes, then Reid proposes, and she tells them she needs time to make her decision. Maybe Ed proposes and she says no. Maybe she already is engaged. I just think that if they’re gonna schedule an “ATFR” tomorrow night, then there’s gotta be a reason for the audience to tune in. They’ve had enough of the “happy couple” ATFR’s that they gotta know, at this point, that’s not good enough anymore. So even though I’m not giving a definitive answer here, I’ll just say that tonight we will not see any sort of conclusion to Jillian’s journey, they will leave us with a cliffhanger, and we will learn more come Tuesday. The reappearance of Reid, and Ed being a douchenozzle will end up playing a role into Jillian’s ultimate decision, which I think we’ll get on Tuesday night. I have a feeling tonight we’re gonna get left in the dark on what, if any, decision Jillian made regarding Ed and Reid. If you go to ABC’s site, in the ad for the Bachelorette it even says, “Trust us, you won’t believe what happens.” So can we really expect this thing to end with a normal engagement? I just don’t see it. She is either with Ed, or she is with no one. That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it. And if she is with Ed, I’ll say they last about 3 months. Tops. Enjoy the show tonight.
-One last thing about Ed since a lot of you have been asking. I mentioned a couple weeks ago about rumors of a girlfriend back home, and I left it at that: a rumor. Sure I’ve made jokes about it since where there’s smoke, there’s fire. But never once have I stated for a fact that I’ve confirmed Ed had a girlfriend while on the show. And I still won’t. Only because this girl in question has refused to speak to me as of now. She’s told people through three different channels that she is going to lay low for a bit. However, I’m beginning to think there’s some legitimacy to all this. If Ed gets painted in a good light tonight, I’d say watch out. I have a feeling that isn’t gonna sit well and this story is going to have legs. She knows I’m looking for her and she has free reign to talk to me whenever she wants, but if not, don’t think she might not run her mouth somewhere else. I hate to break it to all you “Jed” fans (god I hate those ridiculous celebrity couple names), but your boy is not a saint. Far from it. Too many people have come forward admitting he’s a snake and not nearly enough people are defending him. Brought on the show late as one of the five extra guys, leaves mid-show to attend to “business” matters, comes back professing his love and now he wants to be married? Please. Not buying it. We’ll see what happens tonight, but I’ve got a feeling this isn’t over. Especially since there are emails and texts from Ed to his ex proving otherwise that are out there and that people have seen. If I were her, I’d come forward with all this, but hey, that’s just me. Kinda ironic how they painted Wes all season as the guy with the girlfriend back home, yet, it could end up being the guy who ends up the final one who had a girlfriend all along. Stay tuned.
Any questions, comments, emails, praises, criticisms, your thoughts on the finale, feel free to email me at steve@realitysteve.com.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:38 AM
Look forward to hearing your interview!
July 27th, 2009 at 1:39 AM
Look forward to seeing your interview!
July 27th, 2009 at 7:49 AM
I’d bet she picks no one as well. I think TPTB outdid themselves this year and now very few people care about watching. They’ve upset tons of fans – the Wes fans and the Reid fans. I’ll go to the message forums to find out who “wins” (if anyone).
—A proud “Wessie”
July 27th, 2009 at 8:28 AM
RS,thank you for being there. So glad I found you, makes me feel I am not alone. Read your column for first time the day after Ed appeared pracing down in his blue “shorts” totally creeping me out. Although I didn’t verbalize it until I read it in your column, I appreciate your validation of my read on the entire episode. I laughed at every sentence, the whole hour was so disturbing…kind of like watching a train wreck, so glad you were there to call everyone out on everything and make me laugh; at least after the fact. What is even more amazing is here I sit an intelligent woman, waiting for the stupid show that insults my intelligence, once again tonight on a beautiful sunny Chicago evening to see this “phony” outcome. Funnier, yet is that I am a stone’s throw away from Mr. Ed’s Microsoft, and as I passed by yesterday, couldn’t help but thinking how much mental energy I have wasted on his behalf. Oh well, thanks RS, you have a great thing going here, this would be a dream of mine doing what you are love doing….keep it up, you are obviously making many very happy.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:31 AM
Wow, Steve – you are really blowing the roof off the Bachelorette this season with your detailed, insightful analysis of Chris’s tweets and unconfirmed rumors about “girlfriends” who won’t even talk to you. Extra! Extra!
The real problem with your “investigative journalism” is that you are CLEARLY biased, which not only clouds your judgment, but also makes you a ripe, sitting target for cast-offs, hanger-ons, and exes with a grudge. You can’t even see that you are being used, and that disappoints me. I thought you were smarter than that.
Anyway, I guess no one’s perfect. Just like Ed. LOVE LOVE LOVE ED, especially since as you say he’s “not a saint.” If he didn’t have any women before going on this show, or if he had a “perfect” past, I’d be alot more concerned.
Can’t wait for your 3 hour interview with the jilted ex. Riveting stuff. Only not.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Did you see the blurb in US Weekly that TPTB approached Michael and his twin brother as the next Bachelor(s)… thoughts??
July 27th, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Just don’t want sweet Reid contaminated by the Fleissmonster – though I will miss him on my TV.
Even Michael seems too sweet for TB….
July 27th, 2009 at 8:47 AM
what happened this season……why no hometown dates to Jillian’s to meet her family??????
July 27th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
They meet her parents in tonight’s episode.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:36 AM
When I set my DVR to record the After the Final Rose on Tuesday night the description of the show was: “Bachelors come back to confront Jillian”. If she really choose someone at the end of tonight I think the description would indicate that. I really think it will end tonight like Brad’s season did with no one being choosen. I will be curious to see if she sufferes the same backlash he did.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Missing the Canadian wilderness, salesgal? Her folks get flown to Hawaii tonight to meet the creeps, no?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:43 AM
RS, isn’t it great being able to see the person you’re talking to? I have a video phone and love being able to see my friends and family. Technology is so awesome!
I’m definitely not excited about tonight’s episode. I just think this season has been pretty lame.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Not so much….lighten up kev22, just asking a question.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:00 AM
days ago people over at FORT figured out who she picks. go there to find out who “wins”.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:03 AM
sorry if this is a double post. unsure why leaving comments here doesn’t run smoothly.
days ago the people over at FORT figured out who she picks. go there to find out who “wins”.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:15 AM
The Fatschelor: Too bad you’re just regarding it as a blubberthon. It could turn out to be enjoyable in its own right. The summer time slot and short season says otherwise, but who knows? Weight is just the qualifying premise, as in the regular Bachelor shows, from there, it’s about competition and relationships (and dysfunction).
I really hope Jillian lets go of Reid, Ed, and Kiptyn, and picks someone from earlier episodes. I used to like Ed until he started playing the game too hard, saying all the things you’re supposed to say to ‘prove’ you’re serious. Then it seemed entirely like a sport to win instead of a relationship. They made Kiptyn seem so boring in the editing and Reid seemed stuck where he is.
Perhaps she’ll give her feet to Tanner and forget the whole thing.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Welcome back Steve!
July 27th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Steve: What happened to the comment posting on the ‘Wes’ thread that gave the spoilers on the Bachelorette finale??? I read it last night and today it has disappeared! To whoever posted it THANK YOU for all the insights! Why was it removed???
July 27th, 2009 at 11:47 AM
What was said?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Steve, you are right. She does pick Ed in the end. Reid & Kip are very lucky..just hope they both run far away from this franchise!!
July 27th, 2009 at 11:51 AM
My theory: When the ABC producers found out early on that Ed was the front runner and they knew he had a girl back home, they had to come up with a way to deflect the suspicion away from Ed. Enter IMO creepy) “perfect” Jake that everyone will believe and script him to start the rumor and then eventually blurt out to Jillian that Wes told him he has a girl back home. Presto, Wes becomes the villain for something that has yet to be proved via video or audio, and Ed is the darling of ABC. It has been way too obvious that ABC forced the issue about Wes, and they really overdid it at the BTA show. It the situation had been real, one audio or video clip would have told the story, then they would have moved on, but instead they spent 50% of the show tearing apart the reputation of a man who was not even there to defend himself. I know it’s all about what’s best for ABC (ratings) and the guys signed up for the show, etcetera, but is it really necessary to kick a man when he is down? I guess Chris could risk that Wes might punch him in the face and ruin the new face lift. Just my oinion, folks.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Lighten up, salesgal, just making a joke.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Steve does not allow posts from other sights, so they get removed.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Great blog post this time… I haven’t watched Jon & Kate (nor do I care about these people), and am not watching this season of America’s Got Talent, but still enjoyed reading this.
Ya know, I actually don’t care whether or not Jillian chooses anybody. This has really been a loser of a season, to me. It is the season of the “return of the bachelors,” with Ed, Jake, and (soon) Reid all returning. I think the show has really gone overboard with all of the comings and goings. But yet, I’m still going to watch the final two shows. Go figure!
And I said in an earlier comment to a different post, it would be great if they would not keep dipping into the same pool to get the new bachelors and bachelorettes. Maybe it’s easier to pick people that way, and they think that the audience has made an emotional investment in these people — but this season I think they would be incorrect. Although, having Michael and his twin as double Bachelors might either be fun, or a total disaster. Stunt casting… I’ve also heard that Kiptyn might be the next Bachelor, and have also heard that Jake might be. Each time, the person posting about it sounded like they had alredy heard that it was a done deal. But they all can’t be!
Anyway, I enjoyed this column.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Coach10: The poster said they had seen the episode from a facebook posting…they said Jillian lets Kiptyn go. Ed has a confession…he left the show not to deal with his job but to end a relationship…he proposes to Jillian but she declines. The ending of the show shows Jillian walking away crying and then she sees Reid…that’s the cliffhanger.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Yes, the post being referred had text that was reposted from another site. Actually, it has “too much information” for me. If it is entirely correct, it’s a total turnoff, with no reason to even watch tonight.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:57 AM
By the way…it wasn’t a post from another site…it was just a regular poster stating this is the info they had found…
July 27th, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Well since I cannot stand Ed and when he left the show the first time I was so happy because he was only taking up space IMO. I was shocked that Jillian even cared.
What I don’t understand is that guy is a complete dork and is painful to even watch with Jillian. so how can she be in love with that?
and then we have this unbelievable relationship with lots of chemistry between Reid and Jill – so was that edited too? Was there nothing to that?
This might be the last series I will watch – if she ends up with Eddie or Ritchie??? I would rather have it be no one but how sad is that 30 guys and she ends up with no one?
I am still hoping for the happy ending with Reid!
July 27th, 2009 at 12:02 PM
WOW, thanks for that! I’ve been thinking all along that the confession is Ed’s about a girl and not Reid (I like to think of him as PROfessing his love, not CONfessing it). Interesting bit about the Reid cliffhanger, anxious to see how it plays out. That would make for an interesting final 5 minutes as has been previously said will occur.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Ahh I can’t wait to see what happens….I’ve wasted every Monday night on this ridiculous show. I need closure.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Geez gianabella are you that mean to everyone?
July 27th, 2009 at 12:29 PM
@babyfat101: What is FORT?
July 27th, 2009 at 12:41 PM
THANK YOU “gianabella” for writing exactly what I was thinking!!
July 27th, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Can someone please tell me where on FORT you go to find out the spoilers? All I can ever find in the forums is screencaps.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Totally agree with gianabella. Well said.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I have read Reality Steve for years…not just the last two or three seasons. I enjoy his blog and my only complaint is that we have not seen enough of Maddie this season.
I honestly don’t get why somebody takes time to register to post whining about investigative journalism, etc. This is Steve’s blog. If anybody doesn’t enjoy it, feel free to not enjoy it.
Keep it going, Steve.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Steve is not an “investigative journalist” – he is just a blogger. He did not go in search of a spotlight, but fell into it last season when he was made privy to some inside information that proved to be accurate. When he started revealing what he knew, the info flew out over the internet and in no time, Steve was being talked about everywhere. People who are loyal to other sites called him a liar and other rude names for weeks, until everything that he posted turned out to be true. Then low and behold, not a peep from the other sites’ loyalists. No apologies, no anything. This season, Steve has not been given any inside information, and is back to blogging as usual, and if you don’t enjoy his blogging, you don’t need to log on here. This site is not a spoiler site. Never intended to be a spoiler site. Just a guy giving his opinion about some shows he watches. Most of us come here to read his entertaining view of things.
As for Ed, he is a dull, boring, and unattractive man who is now apparently unemployed to boot. Ed does not appeal to me at all.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I posted on the ‘Wes’ thread the spoiler yesterday. Didn’t know that was RS’ policy; aplogies. To see it yourself go to the “Bachelorette” facebook group and it is listed under a ’spoiler’ discussion topic posted yesterday. It matches up with what Steve says and I think it’s also on some abc discussion board.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:49 PM
ah apologies, that is
.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Steve, first of all, thank you for only mentioning the name “Wes” once this post. It was refreshing, and though I don’t care to see or hear his name again it was appropriate to use for the point you were making.
I am to the point where I forgot the finale was tonight (or the “FINALLY” as Joel McHale would put it), that’s how crappy this season has been. I’ve been a big Reid fan, I was glad to see it spoiled over the weekend that he is back in this last episode, but I am actually hoping him and Jillian are not together. I don’t know Reid, he had a great edit and he and Jill seemed to have a lot of chemistry, but after her makeout sessions with Ed I just think he deserves better. I’ll definitely watch tonight because I’m hoping there is a confession from Ed, and any face time with Reid I’ll stay up for. And given that Reid will be on the ATFR show, I’ll watch that too.
But after all this is done, I’m not so sure I’ll be back watching next season. I think the only way I’ll give it a chance is if they either pick Michael and his twin brother. It would be an interesting spin, and would hopefully produce enough drama and entertainment where it wouldn’t have to be so manufactured. I will say that the main reason I watched Jason and Jillian’s shows was because I loved reading the RS recaps the next morning! While the recaps are entertaining without seeing the show, it does make them a little better when you have a visual.
I look forward to the next two days and your comments, Steve!
July 27th, 2009 at 2:09 PM
perfect cynstriss…thanks.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
@cynstriss
I put “investigative journalist” in quotes because what RS does is absolutely NOT investigative journalism. Also “everything” he reported last season has NOT be proven true (e.g., where’s the proof that there was a predetermined plan for Jason to pick a woman that he did NOT want to be with so that he could ultimately leave her for the runner-up?? I’m no Jason fan to be sure, however even I can’t wrap my head around that crazy conspiracy theory. And again, no proof.)
The bottom line is that I believe that RS did actually get some behind-the-scenes info last season, and I think that sharing that info with his readers was a good thing. That said, I’m disappointed that he decided to take it a step further by mixing factual inside info with conjecture and speculation regarding conspiracy theories about destroying lives for the sake of TV ratings. I would have loved if he just stuck to the facts.
In this age of reality TV, I can’t believe anyone doubts that these shows ultimately are about ratings that lead to advertising revenue. That’s not a news flash, IMO.
It just seems to me that RS has decided his calling in life is to “expose” the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise as a diabolical machine out to destroy lives and fool the public. Does that mean that RS actually thinks all other reality TV programs are “real”? I honestly hope not.
The conspiracy theories, the over-the-top Wes support (Note to Wes: Read contracts BEFORE signing them because bad edits come eeeeassy), the character assassination of Ed based on rumor, etc. make me wonder about Steve’s true motivation. Was he a Bachelor application reject?
In my opinion, RS has become star-struck because he’s had some personal contact with a few reality show cast members. I just wish he wasn’t so easily impressed. Or maybe a more appropriate word is “impressionable.”
So, in a nutshell, here’s what RS has had to offer this season:
1) Wes got a bad edit! (Don’t believe it? Look for the links on this site to “Wes: They Done Me Wrong – The Miniseries Parts 1-100″
2) Jillian is NOT Ed’s first girlfriend! Oh, the HORROR! DOES SHE KNOW???
3) RS sells merch! Reality cast member-approved!
Bottom line, I just wish RS had taken a more rigorous and unbiased approach to verifying sources and allegations. I overestimated him.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:38 PM
@gianabella
I just don’t understand how it is so hard for you to wrap your head around the idea that it was all a predetermined plan for Jason to pick a woman that he did NOT want to be with so that he could ultimately leave her for the runner-up? If the show is just about ratings, then how is it so hard to believe they might have planned for that to happen to get more ratings? It doesn’t really seem far fetched to me at all.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:54 PM
i seriously think we all need a reality check and need to get back to our own lives. starbuxlvr is right we need closure.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Can you please tell me exactly where this info is? amyntx21@aol.com@babyfat101
July 27th, 2009 at 3:59 PM
I have a source from ABC that is saying it’s Ed as the winner, but ABC could be lying to the workers too…i am sure it is a rumor mill over there too.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:59 PM
RAK/#32: FORT = Fans Of Reality TV
http://www.fansofrealitytv.com/forums/index.php?
NOTE: the FORT people say that it does NOT end in a cliffhanger, as suggested from an earlier poster. that “story line” supposedly is NOT correct.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:00 PM
@babyfat101
sorry, new to this! can you please tell me exactly where on FORT to get the info you mentioned earlier? Thanks!
July 27th, 2009 at 4:01 PM
@Mich
I don’t see any rational reason why Jason would agree to that. Money? Considering the backlash (and anyone could have predicted there would be negative backlash), is it hard for me to believe Jason would have agreed to put himself and his family through that for any amount of money. However, if he did, it doesn’t appear to have been a big cash payoff since he doesn’t appear to be doing much jet-setting these days.
It still seems to me to be a whole lot of speculation with absolutely no proof. I think the truth is that Jason thought Melissa is who he thought he wanted, but ultimately he realized he couldn’t forget Molly. Happens every day in “real life.”
And I am absolutely NOT a Jason fan. Didn’t like him in Deanna’s season or in his own. I just don’t think he was involved in a secret scheme. I don’t think he’s a good enough actor to pull something like that off.
But then again, I don’t think TV producers and video editors are the devil, either. I just recognize they are performing the job they get paid to do – create entertaining TV shows.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
@carrie,
I loved your post! I was also grateful for only one brief mention of Wes and it was justified, given the context. But I really liked your perspective on Reid. You are a huge fan, yet you realize that he deserves better. That is so true! Some people get so caught up in having their person win, that they don’t even stop to think if that’s really a good thing. Anyone with eyes could see that Jillian was attracted to Ed right from the beginning. If she was willing to take the guy back after his mysterious exit from the show, then that tells you how much she wants him. I am not over the top about Reid, but he does seem to be a funny, sweet, decent guy who deserves to find the right woman. I am sure she is out there. I just hope that if he does come back and proposes, he won’t be too humiliated by the whole thing.
I actually went back to my usual m.o. of watching the first episode and then tuning in for maybe one more and then the F3, to see who was still standing. After the whole Jason/Melissa/Molly debacle last time, I just decided the show wasn’t worth a total commitment from me anymore. So I don’t have a favorite here. It’s a lot easier when you really don’t care if anyone gets picked. I think there is something going on with Ed. As Steve said so well, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. There is just too much talk about a girlfriend back home to dismiss it out of hand. I am particularly intrigued by Steve’s information about a certain woman who hasn’t talked yet. There is definitely more to this story. How ironic it would be if it turns out that it was Ed who had the girlfriend back home and not Wes! Unfortunately, Wes is the one who had hammered. But that would really be too sweet.
Why does Ed remind me of a used car salesman? He says all the right things so well to Jillian, yet something seems not quite right. Hopefully, we will get a few answers tonight, if not a final resolution.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:15 PM
i know there must be other postings on FORT, but cupcakes first posted the winner under the media thread, in the spoiler section. post #11724.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Again, Steve is a blogger. He clearly states when he is speculating.
If you don’t enjoy reading him, that is certainly your right. Then why are you here? I just don’t understand it myself.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:27 PM
I don’t care that everyone is saying Jillian picks Ed. I’m hoping it’s Reid!!!
July 27th, 2009 at 4:31 PM
@gianabella
Thank you! Another voice of reason regarding the whole Jason/Melissa/Molly fiasco.
I’ve also heard that tonight’s show does NOT end in a cliffhanger, that she is, in fact, engaged to Ed. But I wouldn’t bet my life on it.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:34 PM
@Emilie
I’m here to whine – LOL. Actually, this is my first visit to the site since last season (I used to be a regular reader, but all the conspiracy nonsense turned me off.) I’d heard that on another site that Steve had practically adopted Wes, but I didn’t believe it and came to check it out for myself. Aye. Worse than I’d heard or expected. I thought I’d post to let Steve know exactly what I thought. Maybe he cares, maybe he doesn’t.
Actually, if he knew I was actually a reality show cast member myself, I’d probably have his full attention.
But, alas, I can’t reveal my true identity. I’m here as part of a secret scheme. Shhhhhhhhhh! *wink*
July 27th, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Why are so many people ganging up on Steve and judging him for what he writes on his blog? It is true I myself was a little annoyed when he was writing about Wes so much. But everything else he writes I really enjoy. He never said he was a reporter or investigator of any kind. He just wants to show people that not everything is as it appears. He wants us to look at these reality shows through his eyes. He wants to educate us. That is the purpose of his blog.
So if you dont like it, dont critisize him for it, just stop reading.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:54 PM
caro, that’s what I was thinking. What’s the point in coming here just to whine and complain about RS’ blog and how you don’t like it anymore? At least give some suggestions on what you would like to see him write more about rather than just criticize it.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:57 PM
caro, that’s exactly what I was thinking. What is the point in coming here to whine and complain about what you don’t like about RS’ blogs? At least give suggestions about what you would like to see him write more about.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:00 PM
gianabella,
What if nobody cared about your secret scheme? *wink*
July 27th, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I think all the crazy editing and “omg, cliffhanger, Reid comes back”, or “omg, Ed comes back”, or “omg, Jake came back”, etc. is just to disguise the fact that if you took all that created drama out of the season there really wasn’t much substance to it. Jillian seemed to have fun on the dates but I didn’t see any part that seemed like people truly falling in love. (unless that’s because of the editing).
July 27th, 2009 at 6:06 PM
@gianabella
I’m with you. Last season: the conspiracy theory was a bit too convoluted to believe. Jason is just lacking a spine and couldn’t make a decision he could stand by. He seems somewhat passive and in need of others’ validation of his choices. I am sure the network opportunistically took advantage of him and the aftermath of his “eeny, meeny, miney, moe” exercise.
This season: Wes comes across as disingenuous. It’s not as if this franchise is new, yet he continues to assert that he had no idea that the network would have so much control over how he was portrayed–Really?! When RS interviews Wes, he receives numerous “assists” from RS to explain how he was mislead, misrepresented, the victim of character assassination. Whatever. I don’t expect “investigate reporting,” but I felt like I had stumbled on Wes’ fan site somehow.
I used to love to read the snarky reviews the day after the show because they added to the entertainment–the only reason to watch anyway. Please go back to writing those and leave the conspiracy theories and impassioned defense of your new best friend out.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:32 PM
After looking at the FRC screencaps, I’m now thinking that Reid comes back, asks Jillian to marry him, and she turns him down. She then accepts Ed’s proposal, so I’m hoping there is no cliffhanger.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:37 PM
gianabella,
Loved your post. I agree with some other people here that reading the comments has become more entertaining than reading the blog. You seem like a good writer with a fair amount of snarkiness mixed in. Maybe you should blog the next season of the Bach. Many of us old time fans are looking for somewhere without a soapbox and a starstruck bach wannabe.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Wait I have it. Steve you run away with Holly and Jillian and Deanna and start a new show called Steve and the three former “ettes!!! Follow Steve and his lovely dog Maddie as Steve negotiates the world of former ‘ettes. Follow Steve as he has wonderful dates with these formerly tormented women. Then after you have had you way with all of them – you can follow the man code and not reveal anything!!! To a boring evening but one that I will nevertheless be ringside for!!! We all need a life!!!
July 27th, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Apparently Andy Warhol was right and everyone WILL be famous for 15 minutes. LOL.
Reality just isn’t real enough for TV these days. The producers feel they have to help it along in order to compete for advertisers and ratings so manipulating the contestants has become acceptable. I have no doubt that most of the contestants don’t realize what is happening behind the scenes until the show airs. Throw in ego once they see themselves and no wonder it seems like the contestants are in on the whole scam. Case in point…I don’t think Wes realized that he was giving TPTB enough ammunition to sink his chances with Jill and to sink his budding career. RS has helped to make sure the career gets a fair shot and that is a kind thing.
Scheming, manipulation, strategy, back-stabbing, lying, etc. are acceptable in “Survivor”, “The Apprentice”, “Big Brother”, Wall Street bailouts (oops…my bad). But finding and keeping love should remain pure.
The truth lies in the middle, as it always does. Hope springs eternal and that is what TPTB should be concentrating on. Most of us are suckers for a good love story and a happy ending.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Excellent choice Jon because we all know that 22 year old potheads fresh off of Spring Break are ready to be in a serious relationship with a 33 year old guy suffering a mid-life crisis who is recently divorced and has eight children.
I need to ask her what she really sees in a recently divorced 33 year old who wears Ed Hardy shirts, is constantly on his blue tooth, and how serious she is about getting serious with a guy with eight kids and a mega bitch of an ex-wife. Kate, the floor is yours.
Very Funny Steve
July 27th, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Steve, it was as a result of seeing you on Extra, that prompted me to look you up. I love your thoughts and insights, and your are right on. Thank you for letting me join your blog! I hope (but she won’t) Jilly picks Ed. His heart is in the right place, and he has placed his entire career on a chance that Jilly will see his intentions.
I wish she would stop talking about her “date night” that fizzled out because they were sizzled out by doing too much all that day. It happens. I know many people who had too much to drink, too much dancing, to far to travel, and can’t even perform on their wedding night. Alas, it is her decision, and hope she makes the right one.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Finally over. I mean – the finale is over…
July 27th, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Hey Steve – did you know about Melissa making an appearance on the ATFR show? I didn’t hear about it until I scrolled forward tonight on the “guide” on my cable box. I checked it last week, and the info did not mention her appearance…
Do you know if she is contractually obligated to go back if they want her to? If not, WHY would she go back and play nice with ABC? We all know how she is doing – DWTS, Tye, GMA… You know that’s what they are going to try to do – “Look everyone. Melissa is doing great. Everything worked out for the best. Fate – blah, blah, blah…”
Why would she give resolution to that situation and take heat off of Jason?
July 28th, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Now I think Wes was the smart one….. click, click, click, click, a free man.
July 28th, 2009 at 1:16 AM
@gianabella,
I think you are the one who is biased. Clearly, you are an Ed fan and Steve’s comments have pushed your buttons. So you have decided to come here and go on a self-righteous rant. As far as saying that Steve was wrong about the Jason shocker, well you couldn’t be more wrong. Steve happened to get some explosive information about the surprise ending to Jason’s season. He could have kept his mouth shut, but he shared it with his readers and paid the price. He isn’t thin-skinned and that’s a good thing, because he took quite a pounding on a lot of forums. But what he said leaked into the mainstream media and was backed up verbatim. He never said per se that there was a conspiracy, but that this was planned in advance. Jason himself confirmed that when he sent those pathetic e-mails to Melissa claiming that TPTB made him do it. If you have watched this show for any amount of time, then you know that it is scripted. This is not the first time, nor will it be the last. But the difference with Jason’s season is that for the first time we had absolute spoiler confirmation about the ending, in all its gory detail. I may not always agree with Steve, but on this issue I will defend him right to the ground. He was spot on all the way. This season TPTB took pains to make sure this type of embarrassing leak wouldn’t happen again. You don’t see Steve running around pretending to know what happens, do you? Steve’s funny, snarky blogs about the Bachelor/ette are meant to be entertaining. He’s not pretending to be something he isn’t and never has. I will defend your right to have your say. It’s Steve’s decision as to what gets deleted here. It’s his site. But if he really annoys you that much, maybe you shouldn’t read his stuff. No one’s forcing you. Also, don’t take what he says about your particular favorite so seriously. It’s all meant to be amusing.