123 Responses to “Reaction to Jillian and Ed’s Situation”

1. ellap77153 Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 12:16 AM

   i’ve never commented on a blog before and have read yours a few times, but i like your analysis here. my addition would be, even if some of these things are true and Ed did string along someone, but then it actually turned in love with Jillian so we should give him the benefit of the doubt…if that’s true. then the one thing that should still be concerning is if he did that to two women at once. because it didn’t sound like he was just dating these two the entire time, the exchanges make it seem like there was some sort of relationship. and that is something i think he would have to address more than anything. okay, one girl doing this, fine. but two girls, with somewhat similar stories and can’t just make up their background or that they have photos with him, i mean they have friends right who could then say they’ve never heard of him. but these are longtime ex girlfriends, whatever. i like the way that Jillian is treating it though. f*it. why waste your time believing it, maybe she’ll get burned but i’m sure in her head which is maybe actually rational, then maybe she does. why waste her time and get caught up in all of this, yeah, maybe she should listen to these girls. but the spectacle its caused, how would it not be feeding into the situation to comment or keep talking. i’ll be interested to see how this works out.

2. palm Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 12:30 AM

   Oddly, it seems as if the show was edited to accommodate what has happened. They showed Ed looking nervous during the “girlfriend” episode, Jillian having the stand by your man conversation with Kip’s mom, her line about how Ed shouldn’t disappoint her, etc. There always seemed to be another shoe waiting to drop. I think the delay in saying whether she was engaged or had picked someone was related to these issues. In her interviews since the show ended, she sounds like someone over-hyping and selling something, which is probably their fake relationship they’ll maintain to further both of their careers. She apparently is in talks to do a tv show. Unfortunately, it looks like she had to make lemonade out of the lemon of a season.

3. palm Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 12:33 AM

   It sounds like there is more to come. Any hints Steve??

4. MJM Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 12:35 AM

   No wonder ABC and Chris Harrison made Wes out to be the creep. They had a creep on their hands alright but it sure wasn’t Wes. ABC had no clue what to do with this mess so they played out the story but used Wes in place of Ed. Jillian can laugh all she wants about this situation but the bottom line is, she owes Wes an apology.

5. myst76 Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 12:43 AM

   Any chance that both Jillian and Ed are following the script of creating a ‘happy ending’ and are just waiting out their short contract before they break up (in exchange for some money)? Almost everyone I know who watched the show (and also those who only saw interviews with the happy couple after the finale aired) have stated that Ed looks like he is definitely not into Jillian. He has seemed like he’s acting for a long time (and not very well). Maybe she didn’t find ‘the one’ and was encouraged to pick Ed so that we didn’t end up with another Brad Womack season. I really do like Jillian, so I’ll keep an open mind to the 1% chance that they’re really in love and are going to weather this storm.

6. tennisany1 Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 12:59 AM

   @palm
   I’m thinking the same thing. The show seemed like it set up this entire thing. Right down to her comment about Ed right after Reid left – “Ed better not ** with me” or something like that. I think it’s fake – I think Jillian and Ed are playing it all out for some financial benefit. Talk show? Just watch, it’ll end up on ABC…(Melissa – DWTS, GMA.)

7. odiesgr8 Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 12:59 AM

   I’m with Palm on this one. Steve, I think you might have it wrong, not because ABC isn’t suspect, but because I think the whole thing is playing out exactly how they (and Ed and Jill)want it to. Look, a couple of weeks ago we were all squawking because Eddie supposedly couldn’t meet Jilly’s needs during the fantasy suite date. Ha. Ha. Turns out our Eddie boy can not only meet Jilly’s needs, but some other gals as well! No doubt Eddie was pissed to the max when ABC alluded that he couldn’t perform in the bedroom. Many, many, many posters on every B’ette board commented how embarrassing it must be for him, how he must be getting total hell from his buddies, how he would be forever humiliated in his dating life because women would laugh at him. My how the times have changed. No one’s questioning Ed’s sexual prowess now are they? My point is that I think this is tit for tat. ABC, Jill and Ed are all in agreement that this is how things would play out. Think about it, ABC films a bedroom scene far, far, far longer than any prior fantasy suite scene has been filmed in the past. After this scene Jill lets it be known, not once, but multiple times that things didn’t go quite well, “…if you know what I mean, wink, wink”. Chris Harrison confirms the bedroom failure in not one, but two interviews, then Ed is forced to admit on camera that things didn’t go as he had hoped, that he “…couldn’t show Jillian how much he cared for her”. So what do you think Ed and Jill’s reactions were to that episoe after filming concluded and the two of them had a chance to watch it together? The two of them agreed that they had to put an end to the issue once and for all. They contact B’ette producers and tell them that enough is enough, they went along with the ratings gig, but its time to correct their wrong and put a “Ed’s a stud” plan in action. What better way to do it than to have multiple women come out of the closet claiming that Ed is anything but lame in bed. The timing is right. (You got wind of these “ex girlfriends” a few weeks ago, before airing of the final episodes. That would have been after Jill had already chosen Ed, but before ATFR.) If I were you Steve I’d spend more time investigating the ultimate “edit” and “scheme” on ABC/B’ette producer’s part, not chasing after the “supposed” story of these two women. Truth is you’ve been off quite a bit this year and I fear ABC may have beat you on this go round?

8. sparkly Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 1:29 AM

   Wow, Steve. There is a mature side to you after all. This was a nice, well thought out post. Bonus points for not being condescending like you usually are. I actually agree with just about everything you said. I’m not sure what to think either, though I can’t help but wonder what kind of moron is okay with her supposed boyfriend going on a reality dating show.

   I think you’ve created a monster with the all the conspiracy stuff judging by some of the above comments. It’s amazing what people pull out of their asses these days regarding this show. I’m not saying there isn’t any “scripting” going on, but the level some people are taking it to is just ludicrous.

9. tippytoe Says:
   August 6th, 2009 at 1:55 AM

   @sparkly

   sparkly, Steve isn’t being mature—after weeks of BEGGING Lindsey to contact him, she went with GMA and US Weekly. No sense in gloating when the tabloids and ABC do their own exposing have the goods. All that’s left to salvage for Steve is the hope that one of Ed’s exes may model a reality steve tee in he near future, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

10. CWJ Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 2:01 AM

    Thanks Steve. I’ve been waiting for your take on this fiasco. So pleased you don’t have *tunnel vision* on this whole thing. I didn’t see the GMA appearance and I don’t know what the true story is. So many possible outcomes. Until I see proof positive, I’m keeping an open mind, even though I believe Jillian is ready to do just about anything to get married. But, she may be willing to do anything for a pay increase and career leap.

    So sorry Wes was completely set-up. I hope he was well compensated for that charade.

    One question ….. are you watching Fleiss’ new adventure on Fox ….. More to Love ?? Another train wreck. I made an attempt, but couldn’t stomach it !! What is wrong with this man ??

    Again, thanks for posting. Also liked tennisany1’s comment.

11. sunny1 Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 2:07 AM

    I think palm has a great point. I was thinking the same thing. They edited this show taking this current situation into consideration knowing it was going to break. I mean come on, it seems almost timed to perfection, within such a short time frame after the AFTR. SDL on FORT has written extensively about this issue for weeks and how this was something the producers were aware of the entire time. He also suggests that this information was leaked by the show since they had the most to gain from it. Most certainly, Jill, Ed or his girlfriends don’t have much to gain from this at all except public humiliation/criticism.

    Chris Harrison could have shared all of this with Jillian saving her from certain heartbreak when Reid came back (since according to SDL and his sources at the show, the people there were very aware of his ongoing relationships), but he led her right to Ed. All those comments Jillian constantly making about how ‘[i] am a smart girl’ and how all that matters is that she makes the ‘right’ choice in the end. I honestly feel sorry for Jillian, I think she may have got played big time, not only by the show but by ED, much more than Melissa….this is embarassing and makes her engagement to Ed appear like a complete sham. I understand that she is trying to save face for not only herself but for ED and I applaud her for trying to put on a brave face. Most of us women have been played at one time or the other in our lives by a guy, often when we were young and naive or (older and naive) and it is such a soul wrenching experience, you can’t imagine a human being doing that to another and destroying a person’s sense of trust so completely and utterly. SDL alludes to the fact that this was a very confusing season for Jillian and it was a disaster from beginning to end and they were struggling to make a love story out of it.

    I think the smart thing for anyone to do in the situation is go to these ex-girlfriends privately and talk openly. If he did have a relationship as they allege after the engagement, she should dump him right away and salvage her dignity and stay far away from this show and its people.

    Ed was never comfortable on the show, it even comes across on TV plain and simple, just like Kiptyn’s noninterest in her does too….the only guy who seemed to have any connection with her at all was Reid. According to SDL (he says this on FORT), Jill had a mad crush on a production guy too….who knows what is the truth and what is not. This show has played with all of our emotions, trying to sell us a story that never happened and was scripted. Someone on FORT actually said that they have seen a STORYBOARD for this show, with their very own eyes. It is a TV show, pure entertainment (as Jillian herself alluded to during an interview) and there is very little reality in it (if that).

    Something happened between Jillian and this show, however, because I remember her being nervous in her interviews about whether people would still like her after the show. It showed that she was expecting to be thrown under the editorial bus (as she subsequently was). They really edited her to show her as insecure, interested in a proposal no matter whom it came from, having to ‘work for her own happiness’ as if she didn’t deserve it, kissing too many guys….on and on, she wasn’t given a good edit at all. This is just one more thing that have slung at her and shame on them for doing it so publicly, she was THE REASON they had any show to begin with and they got the viewership they had. I wouldn’t have tuned in if it wasn’t for Jillian. I didn’t care about any of the other characters to watch it. I am thoroughly disgusted with this show.

12. Mars Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 4:02 AM

    I was stopping here hoping RS would have something to say about this. It is a huge bummer. I for one do think it’s true, and I cannot see their relationship surviving these kinds of lies. For someone to juggle and play with people’s emotions like this is veeery immature – or corrupt. You decide. I now also think they (the producers) brought Reid back hoping Jillian might change her mind. You know to give her an out. What a sad and bizarre, and yet unsurprising end.

13. sparkly Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 5:28 AM

    @tippytoe My comment about RS being mature was in reference to his thoughtful, let’s remain neutral until all the facts are in, post. Are you implying that he is only taking that stance b/c neither of the girls came to him first? While I tend to agree that it seems RS jumps on the bandwagon of whoever (whomever?) agrees to be interviewed by him first, it doesn’t change the fact that he still wrote a decent post. Actually, I figured it was more likely due to “man code” that he is giving Ed the benefit of the doubt. Heh.

14. sparkly Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 6:27 AM

    I also want to add that I don’t think the leaving/returning of Ed and Reid’s return were entirely cooked up by the producers. Put yourself in Jillian’s shoes. She was obviously crushed when Ed left. If it turned out that he lied about having to leave and just agreed to do it for ratings, wouldn’t you be pissed to find out later that a) someone you were falling for agreed to lie to you to create drama and b) the producers decided to pull off this stunt, knowing full well how you felt about that person? Because if that’s what happened, she is going to find out about it, especially since she ended up picking the person who did just that. You don’t really hear any of the leads on the show complaining (as much as they can under contract) that they were manipulated by the producers, with the possible exception of Brad, and that one little nugget from Jason (in an email to Melissa). Brad wasn’t really manipulated by them, but they threw him under the bus when he didn’t do what they wanted. And the leads always appear eager to recommend someone to do the next show, but maybe that is part of their contract. In that case, I would publicly endorse someone, but privately tell them to run far, far away.

    Of course, this is just my opinion, and I know the hardcore conspiracy theorists will just say that Jillian was in on it as well. What I find so amusing about the conspiracy nuts is that they think everyone is acting…but not quite good enough to fool THEM. Just the rest of us rubes. If the whole thing is scripted, why not hire some talented (yet undiscovered) actors? Jesus-freak Jake doesn’t count.

15. jljohnson Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    Hmm, I’m torn on this one. I think some of it is probably true and some isn’t. On the one hand I try to imagine what kind of self respecting women want to admit to the world they were still sleeping with a man who was on a reality dating show but the fact that these are 2 separate girls claiming the same thing and they both have photos and email evidence is pretty incriminating. Saying they both are just ex-girlfriends who are still in love with Ed just doesn’t cut it for me. Honestly, I never really saw it with Jillian and Ed (or Jillian and anyone, really). I feel kind of bad for Jillian. I definitely wouldn’t want to have to deal with these kinds of rumors a week and a half after I announced my engagement.

16. Lizabeth Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    @palm
    That’s true…I remember Ed looking really nervous on the “girlfriend” episode.

17. Lizabeth Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 8:24 AM

    I feel bad for Jillian. What a terrible experience she has had.

18. TheSingleBachelor007 Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 8:29 AM

    once again Ed never looks at jilly for anymore than 2 seconds at a time when they talk. red flag #1
    Ed did cheat, Fantasy suite…I am to tired..Red Flag #2
    Interview why were they in 2 diff cities? red flag #3

    Jake is married.

    Wes is still a snake. music sucks

    kiptyn is surfing

    Reid is a selling real estate and will be the new Bachelor.

    so the big question is how much were some of the people paid for the time?

    I should sue the show for not allowing me the chance to win her heart. All the other guys lied on their application. Against the rules. But then again its pure entertainment.

19. Lisa in IL Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 8:54 AM

    Good post, Steve. It seems like it would be pretty easy to confirm whether or not the two women are being truthful. Whose wedding did Ed attend? If you know the date of the wedding & there are photos, and the wedding took place in the Chicago area, then it shouldn’t be too difficult to find out whose wedding it was. Make a few inquiries, and you’ll have your answer.

    Regardless of whether the women’s stories are true, the fact that they’ve been out there for so long indicates to me that just how much this show is scripted.

20. Shmily Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 8:56 AM

    Just want to point out one interesting thing…(if it’s all true) how hard can we be on Ed for having multiple relationships during the show, when that is exactly what Jillian was doing! Not that I’m an advocate of Ed, during the show he came off to me like a guy feeding a girl lines. Just couldn’t help but to point out the irony of it all

21. lora Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    I heard Jillian in an interview excuse Ed’s behavior by saying that she also had mulitiple relationships during the show. I get that part of it, but it will be interesting to see how she excuses his alleged behavior after the engagement. Although…she stated on GMA that “this is the last time I am talking about this”.

22. red tulip Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    @Shmily The premise of the show is completely upfront about the Bach/B’ette having “multiple relationships.” Everyone who chooses to be on the show knows that from the start. Ed (and probably some of the other guys) didn’t disclose the fact to Jillian that he was (allegedly) in “multiple relationships.” Nor did he disclose that fact to the multiple women he was (allegely) dating. BIG difference. Plus, there’s the episode where Jillian clearly asked if anyone was currently in a relationship. Noone admitted to being in a relationship. Ed, in fact, stated he was not. So how hard can we be on Ed? “THIS much…” to quote Reed.

23. KellyH Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    Has anyone thought that maybe ABC paid these girls to stir up more dirt on ED? What better way to keep the BACHELOR franchise in the media? Screw ABC.

24. Martusia Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:01 AM

    If a guy cheated on me, I would not want the whole world to know about it. They are doing this to protect Jillian. Right because they care deeply about a girl they have never met.

    they could have very easily got Ed’s e-mail address and send those e-mails to them selves, and responded as if they were responding to him. he would have never known if he was on the show and had no acess to a computer.

    You can also send text messages from the web typing in what # it is coming from.

    I am not saying Ed is perfect but I don’t trust these chiks either.

25. owl Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    JED??!! ROTFLMAO! That’s great, Steve. Thank you for the smiles & chuckles.

    I think you have proven (AGAIN!) that this reality show and its counterpart are scripted and not real. The producers simply can’t let love take its course and let couples say, “I don’t like anyone you’ve provided.” Why? Because ratings would go down the drain. It’s extremely rare to find someone in this world to marry and to do so in such a short time period. It’s even harder when you are carrying on serveral simulataneous relationships. I don’t see how its possible to suck face with a half dozen people and have any clue what your real feelings are when in paradise. Its all a fantasy that ends when you are back in boring reality, which is the prime reason nobody lasts. As you point out, the series is 1 for 17 or whatever. Miserable odds of success.

    I’d rather see a show where the Bach/Bachlette are given a smaller pool of people then dates them all on one show, cuts out half of those that they aren’t interested in and perhaps each following week adds a few more. Do this for say 4-5 episodes. This would be interesting as there’s always new blood and improves the chances of someone finding someone. I don’t understand the concept of bringing out 25-30 people and cutting out those that don’t even speak or meet the Bach/Bachrette! What’s the point in that? Maybe a change will keep them from having to come up with these awful B movie scripts. This season was a new low.

    I agree with you: JED will only last until the contract deadline is up and the business opportunities dry out. It will be any day now that melaneyed is over. Tick! tock!

26. kev22 Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    @palm

    Excellent take. And Sunny1 – “Jill had a mad crush on a production guy too…” – if true why is that not surprising! Nothing screams horny desperation like Jillian…

27. LoriLee Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    Great blog Steve. I agree that the truth lies somewhere in the middle of the story. While I believe some of what Bethany & Lindsey are saying, part of me wonders why would you SELL it to a tabloid. If you truly wanted to ‘warn’ or ‘help’ Jillian, there were definatly other ways then selling out to a tabloid. In my opinion it puts not only a black mark on Ed, but on both of them as well, for selling their story. That said, the tabloid wants the juiciest details possible, so what is to say their stories weren’t embelished just a little…? Who knows.

28. JLBWorld Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 11:16 AM

    Since this is all very public and Jillian chooses to put her head in the sand and not believe any of it, what method would you select for these girls to get Jillian’s attention for what a scoundrel ole Eddie is? Maybe they should have called her up and asked for a “beer summit?” Seriously Jillian does not want to think the worst of her chosen one. After all she had two perfectly squeaky clean and devoted men ready to actually be sincere and ask to marry her but she chose the bad guy. I have a hunch since the whole crew seemed to know about Ed that Jillian must have had some idea he was a huge risk. But she chose him anyways. So I do not think there was any other way for this story to come out than “very publicly.”
    What Jillian does now, well it seems she is going to be stubborn and stick by her man. What a joke, even if they wed, which they might because they both seem to be very immature and have poor judgment and will do whatever now to show the world they are right and everyone else is wrong.

    Certainly not a good foundation for lasting happiness.

29. mja Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 11:21 AM

    It looks to me like Jillian is believing Ed right now. Since I don’t know what he told her, I don’t know how hard it would be to believe it. Maybe he told her the entire truth from his point of view (whatever that is), and she is o.k. with it. Looking at it from another point of view, somebody is not being truthful here. I agree that having two women come out with basically the same accusations makes it look really bad for Ed. One thing I don’t know is whether this was all engineered by the show, and the women were paid to do this, or whether they were both really duped by Ed, so the “women scorned” factor comes into play. I could see it being either one.

    Starting to reach the end of my tolerance level for all of the drama and scandal-related stuff. The Bachelor/ette shows have taken a turn toward the tabloid side in recent cycles. This one seems the worst of all!

30. suez Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    My cousin works in the studios. ( He’s a writer.) Look Ed and Jillian are under contract. They got cash from the show. Bottom line.

31. MegD55 Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    Great, great post! It was thoughtful, informational and unbiased which I thoroughly enjoyed.

    Even if Ed can’t speak for himself, I’d like to see someone other than Jillian come to his defense and that is the odd part—its like crickets…

    When logically thought about, I could understand a lot of what I read and saw about what he did, said, during and before the show. Even if he did attend a wedding with Lindsey while he was gone–I can understand that(given it was not scripted for him to leave and come back). Say the guy actually did leave the show to save his job–wouldn’t he have a life outside of just going back to work? He very likely did not expect he was coming back to the show after he left so he would have went back to well–life… And possibly going back, spending time with other girls(yes, even ex-girlfriends), etc. made him realize he did care more for Jillian than he originally thought? And he did leave to go to Texas–that’s where they were (right?) for the hometown rose ceremony(I can’t remember though–or were they in Canada–wasn’t it hometown when he came back?) Regardless, considering she was in Texas at some point–he very well could have flown there first not knowing where they were going to tell him to go next…plus the email exhange when Lindsey asks when he is coming back–his response is a little dismissive to her–she’s super excited–misses him, can’t wait to see him and he’s just like don’t know I’ll call you which sounds like he is trying to drop her…

    Regardless, if he did anything with any of these women after the engagement, that part is unforgiveable and unexplainable. I do think he may be the type of man who moves quickly from one lady to the next–so I will be surprised if they actually will make it.

    Okay–I’m done trying to analyze these people—thank goodness my own relationship is not under so much public scrutiny–another reason never to go on a reality show.

    Oh I’m sorry…it is sketchy they had to speak to tabloids–obviously they likely got paid and there is the “15 minute fame thrill” of seeing your picture in a celebrity magazine–though this is not necessarily positive fame–I don’t think I would want to put all that out there to the world to read….just sayin…

32. stevenjaba Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 11:38 AM

    There is another motivation for these gals to come forward – the one that I personally consider the mostly likely. Revenge. If you were seriously dogged by a guy like this (or a gal), wouldn’t you be tempted to out him nationally, if you could? They are probably feeling a lot of satisfaction. Also, not minding the paycheck.

33. Doah101 Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    First and foremost – I LOVE YOU – the best part of reality TV is your commentary the next day.

    Now that’s out of the way – maybe, just maybe, Ed was unsure of being the final dude and when he went home – wanted to hedge his bets – went back…love you love you too…blah blah….final rose…yada yada…and the girls at home feel stupid. Personally, think all three women are kinda idiots – I mean really…all this fuss about ED …now Wes I kinda understood but Ed’s the guy you get stuck with when you draw the short straw at the bar with your girlfriends…and they like his friend. C’mon now – has anyone EVER seen anything as awkward as GIANT Ed bending over tiny Jillian and sloppily planting one on her?!?! Ewww…yuck….

    So really, who cares – I just like reading Steve so I’ll keep watching season after season for the comments alone!

34. lithargic Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    First Wes, now Ed. Next we will learn that Chris Harrison was cheating on Jillian with another Bachelorette!

    If there is one thing we all should have learned by now about Reality TV it is this…there is nothing REAL about it!

    The producers are trying to do one thing—sell advertising space on their show. They accomplish that by attracting viewers. And they attract viewers by using very means possible, including Reality Steve, to create buzz about their show.

    Is Steve an accomplice in all of this? Not a willing one, but he and other bloggers help keep the show alive even when it is over, and this is always music to the ears of the Producers and ABC.

    So we can complain about how scripted the show is but let’s face it, real life dating is pretty boring compared to the drama that we see on REALITY TV.

35. JENNIFER S. Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 2:09 PM

    Hi RS….I’ve moved on to other things now. Kinda getting bored with the whole show you know? Life goes on…I have a big food shopping to do tonight for a BBQ on Saturday – thats what interests me right now.
    So glad my life is not under such scrutiny. P.S. That being said….I’m really enjoying MORE TO LOVE although Mr. Fleiss has these babes crying for every little corner of their exposed lives. You keep writing, I’ll keep reading.
    

36. bobbydrop Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    one of my friends is friends with one of the women. during the show, before ed went home, she had commented on facebook how strange it was to see someone she knows on the show. then another friend commented on her status saying “i know someone else who probably thinks it’s even stranger….”
    i immediately read that “someone else” as being a girlfriend. so i just assumed HE was the one with the supposed girlfriend.
    i just think the whole show was so strange! first you know someone for 2 weeks and didn’t like her that much, decided to go home. THEN after just a month after that you want to marry her? (my dates are probably inaccurate by you get the idea) so set up! everything is about money these days…that’s my guess as to why he’d ruin his relationship(s) at home and make himself look like a dog to the entire country.

37. Teresa Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    That’s what I thought, Jillian was making out or ‘whatever’ with Kiptyn just hours before the FRC. I really don’t know guy in real life who would propose to a woman who had just made out with like 30 guys in a few days. Especially the over night dates. :O

38. BronzeTan Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    Nice blog RS. Couple of comments you didn’t either mention, or catch. On the interview, Ed’s eyes were blinking several times in succession, which most body language experts will say is a form of lying.
    Secondly, in the picture of Lindsey allegedly taken at a wedding when Ed was home, her hair is a little bit past shoulder length. In the GMA clip the back of her hair is much, much longer. No way did it grow that much in a few short months. Just an observation because she could easily have been wearing extensions.
    Also, just like the Bachelorette can fake a show, emails are real easy to fake as well. I can go to yahoo and be anyone I want to be…so to me the emails aren’t proof one way or the other.
    But do we really care? I really don’t care if they live happily ever after or break up tomorrow. Ed’s looks make me want to throw up and Jillian’s neediness is just sad. Nuff said.

39. kkh96 Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    remember the whole scenario when ed brought his parents to meet jillian & his dad said “what the H-E-double hockey sticks is going on here?” i think his dad was probably confused b/c he knew ed was dating someone at home & now ABC is flying them out to meet a new girl that he is in “love” with????!!! I think that’s a huge clue there. Ed’s just strange & his body language doesn’t say that he & Jill connect at all. He looks like he’s always trying to look away to hide something… that’s what i’ve thought all along & now maybe I know why I felt this way. hmmmm…..

40. NewportGirl Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    RS Thanks for all the entertaining updates.

    Off the subject:

    A photo of Jake’s Ex at http://www.astrochicks.com

41. riored Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    Just my opinion, but I believe this whole “Ed has girlfriends” shtick is just more scripting. Why was Ed the only contestant who was allowed contact with the outside world? Others have had to leave due to deaths/illnesses in the family and weren’t allowed to come back. I think Fleiss realized that attention, even bad attention, paid between seasons was better than nothing at all. IF the earlier commenter is correct, and Jillian was interested in someone on the production crew, how hard would it be to convince her to “choose” a cad? How hard would it be to get Ed to “secretly” email an ex (or two) and go home to see her/them? Why did the producers air Jillian saying, “Ed better not f–ing disappoint me,” if that wasn’t the plan all along? Maybe I am wearing a tinfoil hat, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the tabloids are all screaming, “Ed cheated on me!” about three weeks before the next season of the Bachelor–with Reid or Kiptyn in the starring role. Then you can bet the farm Jillian will come crawling back, begging for a second chance, only to be unceremoniously kicked to the curb. It’s classic soap opera–right up Fleiss’s alley. I didn’t watch this season, I only read your recaps, but it seems like each season gets more like a soap opera. There is NOTHING real about “reality” TV.

42. addicted2trainwrecks Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 7:27 PM

    Random Thought.

    Ed better not ***** disappoint me. translates to Ed better have a few chicks come forward pretty fast and get me out of this mess!!!! He gets publicity and $$, ditto for me and I can bow out because he is a dog. I can hear Jill calling, here Wes.

43. TexasGG Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t think I would be telling the world that my “boyfriend, lover, etc.” called and told me to pick up some beer and condoms and come on over. I think that would kind of indicate that maybe he thought of me as some kind of “ho”. That’s just my antiquated thought processes but I do believe that I would keep that information to myself. Do I believe that you can fall in love that soon; well yes, in fact I met my husband on 8/23, was engaged to him by 9/15 and married to him on January 11th. We stayed together for 42 years and two kids before he died. Do I recommend it; well no. No one knows another person that well in that short period of time but it worked for us and we were younger than most of these couples. Would I do it again – again, a big fat NO.

    I hope that this situation works to both Jillian and Ed’s benefit but it is going to take a whole lotta understanding, love and confidence in that love.

    I agree that these reality shows are going too far and playing with perhaps some slightly unstable minds. But as so many of you have pointed out, these contestants sign on for this and after so many seasons of failures, they should know what they are getting into.

    Steve, love the blog. Keep up the good work. I only discovered this blog last season and can hardly wait each week for your take on things.

44. lithargic Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    Steve please start blogging on “More to Love”. It is hilarious…not because the girls are all a little on the ahem “portly side” but becasue their neediness makes Jillian look like the rock of Gilbraltor.

    Last night at least three of the girls declared their undying love for the hero, which makes a lot of sense because they have known him for 5 whole days and spent at least 12 minutes with him!

    But the best part of the show is when the girls start trashing on each other. It just shows that cats with claws come in all shapes and sizes.

    This show almost looks like a spoof of the Bachelor, but it realy takes itself seriously….at least I think it does?

45. lemon Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    riored :
    Maybe I am wearing a tinfoil hat, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the tabloids are all screaming, “Ed cheated on me!” about three weeks before the next season of the Bachelor–with Reid or Kiptyn in the starring role. Then you can bet the farm Jillian will come crawling back, begging for a second chance, only to be unceremoniously kicked to the curb. It’s classic soap opera–right up Fleiss’s alley.

    I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing. They played up DeAnna’s return on Jason’s season to make it look like she was asking him to reconsider, when that isn’t why she was there at all. (It was a choppy edit and they did their best to make it seem that way, but it was a bust.) Now they have a chance to talk Jillian into showing up for Kip/Reid and actually beg for a 2nd chance. bwahaha. Oh Jilly. Dump scummy Ed, but don’t fall for TPTB’s offer. Or if you’re in on it and know it’s all scripted for maximum drama, make sure you’re paid well for the humiliation factor.

46. Ivegotjoy74 Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:13 PM

    If these girls really wanted to protect Jillian, why didn’t they come out at the beginning when they knew Ed was there supposedly for the wrong reasons? Do theses women have something to gain by doing this? Well YEAH! Do they have a previous relationship with Ed that was broken – in otherwords – do they have a motive for doing this?? Absolutely! The truth is that this case would never hold water in a Court of Law, because they have a relationship with the defendant that would lead the jury to believe that they are doing this out of spite or revenge. The other thing is they took money for all these interviews, that also makes them less credible. As someone whose been employed in the legal field FYI – Emails are usedDefense exhibits but because they are easily altered, any attorney worth his salt can tear them apart in 2 seconds.

47. Bachelorfake Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:19 PM

    We.Cannot.Be.Surprised.About.This.

    I mean look. As faithful readers of Reality Steve’s blog, as many of us are, we have been schooled in how fake this show is. The only thing I am sure of when watching this show is that those are humans on the “set.” Period.

    Ed faked the funk. He ACTED people. I’m giving this “stage couple” four weeks tops. I am following the story. I will continue to read this blog of course. I will be watching The Bachelorette, and The Bachelor (and More to Love might I add. Steve, when are you going to start a column on that show? Please, Please?) because is hellified entertainment. Entertainment.

48. Bachelorfake Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:21 PM

    Might I add, anyone care to count how many times Jillian painfully and with discomfort swallowed that lump in her through. I’m not inhumane. I felt badly for her. Ed seemed to relish in it in my personal opinion.

49. Bachelorfake Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:21 PM

    Might I add, anyone care to count how many times Jillian painfully and with discomfort swallowed that lump in her throat? I’m not inhumane. I felt badly for her. Ed seemed to relish in it in my personal opinion.

50. realitysteverules Says:
    August 6th, 2009 at 10:31 PM

    Reality Steve – send me one of your shirts – I can pull a few strings to get you a picture of an ex girlfriend in it for your site!

51. MindyM Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 1:40 AM

    Steve,

    Is this really you? My goodness, this is one of the best blogs you have written. I am really quite pleasantly surprised. I think you have given a great summary of all the various stories, evidence, facts, proof, everything. I commend you for being objective and giving a balanced assessment. After reading you bashing Ed for weeks now, I frankly did not think that you would be likely to refrain from really coming down on him hard. But you held back.

    I do have questions for the girls. One would be why either of them wanted to continue a relationship with a guy who went on the bachelorette. What’s that all about? I certainly wouldn’t be too thrilled if my boyfriend decided to go on a reality show whose primary purpose is to become engaged. So what gives with that? I realize that they probably had no other option than to go to a magazine to tell their story, but I would think that they could have found a way to contact Jillian. There is something about a woman-to-woman talk that can be very enlightening. It may well have failed to change her mind, but I bet it would have got her thinking.

    I don’t see Ed coming out to give a tell-all interview any time soon. He’s going to lay low and hope it all blows over. He has his story and is sticking to it. But some of the information that you highlighted is quite damaging. I don’t know how I feel right now. I am still thinking about it. But I now have something to chew on and mull over. I wish Jillian would just go into seclusion, away from the public, away from Ed and really take some time to think this thing through. It would be much easier to get out now before she marries Ed and has kids. She needs to take this information seriously and ask herself if this guy is for real.

    I was hoping this time we would have a real love story. Even with all the scripted nonsense that is this show, I was still holding out for a fairytale ending. I don’t want to see Jillian hurt badly. But there is just too much here to blow it off or ignore it. These girls might have done it differently, maybe they are women scorned seeking revenge, but we are talking about a lifetime commitment. I would want to be sure about the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with.

    It’s all a total and absolute mess.

    All of the evidence you mentioned is precisely what I have been waiting to hear. I said on other forums that I really would like to hear from the principals involved, meaning Bethany and Lindsay. Then I could at least evaluate their credibility and the strength of their evidence. This is a serious business and I have a high standard that must be met before I will declare someone to be of bad character, untrustworthy, a liar and a cheat. All you have in this life is your good name and character. So it should not be dismissed or trashed lightly. I am glad to see that you seem to feel the same way. Your blog was restrained and devoid of any judgemental and self-indulgent tone.

    I am still trying to digest all of this information. I do agree with you that Ed and Jillian did themselves no favors with their appearance on GMA. Jillian was extremely defensive and edgy in her comments. It was obvious that she was angry with the women who came forward with their stories. Ed said practically nothing. I was kind of appalled that he thinks that people would be stupid enough to let him off the hook that easily. Or maybe he just doesn’t care what the public thinks. I got the sense that he has given Jillian his side of the story – call it damage control, a pre-emptive strike, whatever you wish. For the time being she appears to be standing by him. I don’t know it’s denial mixed in with her need to defend her decision to pick him. It could be a little of both.

52. Mars Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 3:05 AM

    RE the “More to Love” fans: For about 20 minutes I liked this show. It seemed very refreshing and charming. Then I began noticing that EVERY girl was obsessing about their weight and all the trauma of being unloved because of their size. In fact it became almost non-stop! Oy vey. I’m sorry I thought we were going to enjoy a happy-happy dating show with people who were okay with their size. This is turning into their reality show therapy session, and all I can do is groan. These women are adults and not children. If life is so hard being your size then do something about! But don’t use your one opportunity to be heard or find real love as a vehicle through which to whine and cry about being large. It just seems like a massive waste of time and energy. I mean the main guy seems very accepting of himself. Why would he want someone lacking confidence? Anyway, I doubt I’ll watch another ep.

53. Carrie Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 7:32 AM

    This whole season was such a mess. Was an Ed fan in the beginning, but when he did his “I need to leave for work” thing the whole show became even more manufactured than it normally is. I don’t know what to think about either of these girls. Am I skeptical in thinking that Ed is probably still with the blond and this is just their way of cashing in? He gets money and publicity from the show, she gets money from “outing” him, eventually they go off into the sunset with their $$$…oh, who knows. All I can say is that the whole thing is really messed up and I feel bad for anyone who was hurt in all of this, excluding Ed. I don’t think the guy has feelings other than horny and “Where’s the liquor?” In terms of GMA, they did a good job with the timeline. Very impressed. I just wished all news organizations were this precise when reporting on more important matters!

54. KellyH Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    HELLO PEOPLE. GMA is on ABC. This whole thing was SET UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

55. mja Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    I wasn’t going to post another comment on this particular thread. I like reading what people are saying — but the show is over, for now, and I pretty much don’t feel like analyzing it any more.

    But I did just want to post a quote from Jillian that was in an interview posted yesterday on Canada.com. By the way, it was one of the best interviews I’ve read with her, in the sense that she comes across in a really positive light. But yet this part struck me as really funny and ironic. Jillian was talking about how she wants some of the media frenzy and attention to die down, and she was saying that she is getting some offers to do things, but she and Ed are wanting to just have a private life again, etc. Then she says, “The only thing that we have both agreed to do together is to go on Wipeout on ABC. We really want to go on that because we feel like we’ve just been through the wringer the last few weeks, so that would be a great way to lighten things up.” I’ll say!!!

    Here is a link to the interview: http://www.canada.com/entertainment/television/After+Bachelorette+Jillian+Harris+wrestles+with+spotlight/1865843/story.html

56. mja Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 9:06 AM

    Wow, a long link above… in case it doesn’t work, go to the following page and find the headline “After The Bachelorette, Jillian Harris wrestles with the spotlight”: http://www.canada.com/entertainment/television/index.html

57. Sue T. Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    I haven’t posted in a comment in a while, but last time I was here, I mentioned I was boycotting the Jillian season due to my dismay over the way Fleiss and ABC handled Jason’s season. While my boycott was successful until I finally caved with three episodes left. It’s true–I’m weak. Darn you, Mike Fleiss with your addictive show–it IS a conspiracy with the queen, the Vatican, the Gettys, the Rothchilds, and the Colonel before he went tents up. Anyway, my first exposure to Ed was the episode where he wore the weird 80s shorts. The immediate impression for me was, “He’s such a douche bag”. Now that this has all come out, I can’t even believe all these women even like him. He’s even not good-looking, especially compared to Kiptyn and Reid.

    I concur with the commenters here–this is a complete set-up–scripted and planned, with JED in it for the money and publicity. These two will never get married and I predict a break-up within 6 weeks.

    Jason and Molly are legit I think. Their tent chemistry was palpable, but the one potential real love story was ruined by Fleiss’ plotting to make Melissa a pawn in his reality reindeer games.

58. happybunny09 Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    The sadder thing is that Jillian is talking about giving up dream opportunities so she can concentrate on her relationship with Ed. If this isn’t all one big fakeout on both their parts, her family and friends need to give her head a shake – if the guy really loved, which I doubt, he should be encouraging to take those opportunties. He certainly does not look worth giving them up for at this point in time.

59. palm Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    Just to clarify–I don’t think the show was scripted, per se, for Ed to do what he did, I just think that the edit was done to accommodate a potential breakup because of what happened later. She stated that Ed told her “everything” AFTER they were engaged. Personally, I would have preferred BEFORE.. I feel badly for her and can imagine how upsetting it must have been.

    Saw the interview from the canada link above. All I have to say is that I agree with Steve. To me, the women are very credible and the article was well documented. US Magazine is a credible magazine with real reporters, unlike a tabloid. To call them liars without any facts just makes her look bad and shows she is really deluding herself if she thinks Ed is a good guy. Didn’t Kiptyn’s mom teach her anything??

60. danicat2358 Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 1:09 PM

    I pretty much never leave comments (only read them), but I found this interesting little posting on JokersUpdate (if no one has posted it already)…http://forums.jokersupdates.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Board=TheBachelorette&Number=12063504 Back’s up most of what RS has said, and then some…

61. sunny1 Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 1:39 PM

    This was posted on FORT by SDL regarding what went down this season, I thought it was interesting:

    “Originally Posted by sdl
    I had a conversation last night with the person I most trust to tell me what happened in the production of this show. Much of it is a repeat of what I’ve been saying for the last 2 months, but it is consistent and confirming, and I think it helps to put it all together in one place. These are not my opinions, but what i was told, and the language chosen is generally his and not mine.
    Please forgive me if I number my paragraphs, but it helps me to keep the points in order:
    1. Ed represented himself to be someone who was a cut above the other contestants. He wanted concessions from the producers that were not allowed for the other contestants, including computer access because of the nature of his work, and guarantees on payment and how he would be treated.
    The producers resented the demands from the start but they were having difficulty assembling a cast so the rules were bent.
    2. Ed never really clicked with the other guys in the house. His sense of entitlement and aloofness not only got under the skin of the producers, but also the other contestants. He didn’t have a lot of friends, but Jillian liked him from the start.
    3. Ed went to the producers early on and said he had personal issues to deal with at home. He did talk about his job but that didn’t seem to be the crux of what was really bothering him. Ultimately, the producers learned that he had relationships back at home that had to be cleared up if he was to continue on. The overriding concern at this point was that Ed had girlfriends in Chicago who could ruin the production if they went public with what they knew during filming.
    4. Ed was allowed to leave, using the work excuse, but the clear direction was to clean up his personal business and be back in 2 weeks. Ed’s idea of cleaning up personal business was to sleep with 2-3 girls while he was home, but he did come back on schedule.
    5. Wes was a stereotypical Texan with a loose tongue, and a “I don’t give a sh*t” attitude, so they used him as the foil to deflect any Ed rumors. It was the perfect diversion. And they kept that edit for as long as it suited them.
    6. When Ed came back, things were even worse. He told these lies about being at a rodeo in Texas, told the girls he loved them, and it was just stupid. He was nailed. But the producers owned him now – because they had all of his dirty secrets. Time to revise the script for a really big finale.
    I’ve heard that Ed is a smart guy, that he’s successful, that he’s obviously good at his job – we don’t know that and I’ve never heard any of that from ABC (he was a Microsoft salesman for 4 months – how “married to his job could he be? He was expendable).
    The producers thought he was an idiot, a jerk, arrogant and stupid about it. A poser. And he had fatal flaws that would be great for the show.
    7. The producers gave him enough rope to hang himself. They let him email and text away, while encouraging poor needy Jillian to take him – boozing them up so they’d think it was love……and the rest you know.
    ABC tipped off the tabloids. The girls were badgered until they agreed to go public, but it was all a part of the plan.
    8. ABC considers this to be one of the best endings ever. They were really challenged by a weak cast and the expectations generate by the Mesnick debacle, but they love it. They made lemonade out of lemons.
    Those are the facts.”

62. sunny1 Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    After reading the US article and FORT discussion, I want to voice something that no one has talked about at all, but doesn’t seem to be outside the realm of possibility. If ED was indeed paid, I am of the opinion that Kiptyn was paid too.

    Kiptyn had NO interest in Jillian, like, the entire season. It has never beeen so obvious on any season how the F2 isn’t even into the bachelorette. The choice of Kiptyn was so surprising, I didn’t get it. It would only make sense if he was paid to be an F2 – because he was really trying to act!!!!! But miserable at it…that is why no one bought the chemistry between them, it wasn’t real. And what isn’t real is often manufactured…i.e. I think Kiptyn was paid to act the role of the F2. These people were desperate to get a cast together, guys left because no one was attracted to her. The bachelorette season only works if the main character is very attractive, and Jillian is, but not ‘hot’ in the traditional male sense. She is a cute attractive..not a hot attractive and that is where it seems they couldn’t get enough guys. Also, any guy who saw Jason’s season hopefully didn’t agree to be on this season, knowing how much manipulation/distortion goes on.

    Also, a big thing that ABC doesn’t seem to realize is, its hurting itself more than anyone else. No one after this season (well no one with any sense whatsoever), will go on this show unless you expect and want to be publicly humiliated ad nauseum.

    Let’s just name off humiliated people…Brad Womack, Deanna Pappas (after her stint on her show and esp on Jason’s…), Jason Mesnick, Jillian Harris, Ed, Wes, David, Natalie, Nikki, Molly on and on and on…

    The only two people who came off smelling like roses were the two that wouldn’t give ABC the time of day, Melissa and Graham. I’d like to include Jeremy, but he also let himself get humiliated (twice) by them and well Reid, fell for their tactics, hook line and sinker. That is why he is so lost as he is leaving the second time, “I just don’t get it…” well obviously not, you just fell for the oldest trick in the bag that they use. These guys weren’t expecting to be humiliated and used???!! Note to future contestants, WATCH prior seasons…

    If Reid decides to do the Bachelor, he is just asking to be nationally humiliated, what amount of money can they offer a person to undergo that? If he takes it, he’ll be unwise and…just incredibly naive. I hope NO ONE signs up for this show…I don’t think it is healthy tv.

63. mja Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    @sunny1
    Yes, very interesting! [Yes, I'm posting again but this explanation makes more sense than most of the blather and theories that are out there.]

64. mja Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 2:14 PM

    I was referring to post #61 … haven’t read #62 yet.

65. lisainsfo Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 7:00 PM

    Just read the US Magazine interview. Even if 1/4 of this stuff is true, poor Jillian. If she don’t wise up and dump this big dumb jackass pronto, she’s got serious emotional issues. Enough with this “stand by your man” crap. I’d have way more respect for her if she told him to hit the pike. He is everything you hate about men rolled into one. I’m glad these women came forward to expose him for the arrogant, conceited jerk that he is. If women see “Hollywood Ed” out, they should shun him. I feel sorry for his poor unassuming parents and what they must be enduring now. Hope Ed enjoys the rest of his “vagina getting” summer.

66. NewportGirl Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    It’s Official!!! Jillian dumps Ed

    Go to ABC Bachelorette boards and the link is there. Yeah!! He was such a jerk!!

67. carriedavis81 Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 12:56 AM

    Here’s a link, not sure if it’s the same one from FORT or not..but it’s interesting!
    http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/entertainment/gossip/080709_Exclusive_Bachelorette_Dumps_Fiance

68. owl Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    MyFoxPhilly is reporting a breakup between Jillian & Ed.

    Here’s another link to the article:

    http://webferret.search.com/click?wf6,MyFoxPhilly,,www.myfoxphilly.com%2F,,msn,1

69. eloquentblue Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 11:54 AM

    .. this is pretty big news – should it be true

    Why don’t larger sites like People, US or TMZ have this story?

    Time will tell.

70. LizKay Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    Steve, it’s funny to me, the way you stood by Wes when he obviously said some things that were questionable, explaining how editing works to us, as if we didn’t know. Now there are some emails out there between Ed and these women and you sound like, “Hey, I’m not judging, BUT….there it is, in black and white”. So, according to you, video/voice can be edited, but anything on paper cannot? Interesting theory.

71. happybunny09 Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 2:49 PM

    looks like someone jumped the shark, Radaronline has stepped back from their report, JED did show up later for dinner, 3 hours later, perhaps after they saw the report of their untimely demise. Looks like someone overextrapolated the meaning of a cancelled dinner reservation. It can just mean someone decided to order room service.

72. petunia Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 10:47 PM

    I have thought, for the last few seasons – well, since Brad’s non-choice – that the producers put in one or two PAID contestants, who aren’t really there to win, but are paid actors, who will play the part of the “winner” if the bach/ette doesn’t want to choose anyone.
    Deanna couldn’t decide – and chose Jesse, who played along with the story line, until enough time had passed and they could announce that it “didn’t work out.” I don’t know who it was on Jason’s season, but it very well could have been Molly.

    So – maybe on Jillian’s season, a couple of the guys – Kip? Jake? Maybe even Ed? are not really trying to win her hand. They’re there so that if she doesn’t fall in love with one of the REAL contestants, there’s a choice she can make, someone she can pick who will go along with a fake relationship, and pretend to be dating for a while, at least while cameras are rolling, and then announce later that it didn’t work out.

73. accessnoelle Says:
    August 9th, 2009 at 6:27 AM

    CAN ANYONE PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION???

    Hi, I am new to your blog and appreciate your logical disposition. This was the first season in which I’ve watched an entire Bachelorette season, and WHOA! I have a burning question which NO ONE seems to have addressed: How can Ed tell his girlfriend(s) he’s leaving for the Bachelorette, albeit just two weeks, and secure their OK? Worse, how can they eagerly await his return? What woman would allow her man to go audition to be someone else’s husband? Obviously, there had to be an explanation. Was Ed a mole? Was he whom you referred to as having possibly been paid to appear? I mean, the women were actually saying stuff like, “You promised it would only be two weeks”, as though they knew it WASN’T supposed to be real. If I missed something, I’m sorry, but I don’t get why no one else has raised concerns about this. What gives?

74. accessnoelle Says:
    August 9th, 2009 at 7:10 AM

    I bet US Weekly is sitting on a lot more. They’re going to drop the next shoe on their next cover. Possibly other people at the wedding in Chicago talking. Friends of Ed talking. Who knows, but JED will likely be on the next US Weekly cover. Hold your breath!

75. riored Says:
    August 9th, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    accessnoelle :CAN ANYONE PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION???
    Hi, I am new to your blog and appreciate your logical disposition. This was the first season in which I’ve watched an entire Bachelorette season, and WHOA! I have a burning question which NO ONE seems to have addressed: How can Ed tell his girlfriend(s) he’s leaving for the Bachelorette, albeit just two weeks, and secure their OK? Worse, how can they eagerly await his return? What woman would allow her man to go audition to be someone else’s husband? Obviously, there had to be an explanation. Was Ed a mole? Was he whom you referred to as having possibly been paid to appear? I mean, the women were actually saying stuff like, “You promised it would only be two weeks”, as though they knew it WASN’T supposed to be real. If I missed something, I’m sorry, but I don’t get why no one else has raised concerns about this. What gives?

    Many of the blog readers at this site believe the show is heavily scripted. Each of the (wo)men is edited by the producers to play the selected role. This last season, Wes was the “Bad Boy,” Jake was “Too Perfect,” Dave was the “Drunken Boor,” Tanner “Foot Fetish,” etc. Season before that, Jillian got cast as “Best Friend, not Girlfriend.”

    Mike Fleiss has zero interest in producing anything other than a TV show that gets good ratings. That’s his job. There’s an interesting interview that was published in Business Week back in January 2009. Fleiss admits his show’s ratings were slipping until Brad Womack refused to give either woman a final rose. Fleiss admitted he learned that being unpredictable increased ratings. You should read the whole article. Hope the url fits.

    http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jan2009/ca20090113_071334.htm

76. jillyjo Says:
    August 9th, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    Ok I am a fifty year old woman trying to figure out this website. Reality Steve, I totally support you, you have opened my eyes to the world of reality tv, not that I was stupid enough to believe it, but your hints of inpropriatry (sp?) has led me to read this site every once in awhile. And I have to say you have been spot on!

    On a whole different topic. We now live in New England, but used to live in Southlake before it got so overgrown, in fact, I used to teach @ on of the elementary schools there (Rockebaugh Elem). I know you probably don’t want to give your location, I am trying to figure out where you live. I assume since I had to submit my email address to this site, you can email me back directly.

    I appreciate your astuteness and honesty during this whole bachelor/bachorlette process. I would have bought some of your merchandise, but at my age,it was a little tight!

77. curiousjen Says:
    August 10th, 2009 at 7:18 AM

    On a whole different topic. We now live in New England, but used to live in Southlake before it got so overgrown, in fact, I used to teach @ on of the elementary schools there (Rockebaugh Elem). I know you probably don’t want to give your location, I am trying to figure out where you live. I assume since I had to submit my email address to this site, you can email me back directly

    jillyjo, I am not sure he sees everyone who logs in as the traffic here is handled by an administrator. RS is pretty responsive to PM (privte messages) He probably won’t give you his street address or anything but may tell you his neighborhood if you email him directly: steve@realitysteve.com. He posts his email address at the end of every column.

    I just watched GMA and so far nothing about JED. I have not seen any other news source (credible or not) on the breakup.

    I agree with RS- I am trying to reserve judgement but it looks REALLY REALLY bad for Ed. And why on earth their handlers had them do a split sreen interview while they were in different cities! That alone made it look like they were not truly committed to the relationship and they were just buying time. They had to have known at least 24 hours in advance that the US Weekly story was coming- plenty of time to make sure that JED were in the same place for their reaction to the story. It makes me thing that Jill just absolutely refused to get on a plane. I always liked Jill- she seemed so real and girl next door-ish. She gota great edit on Jason’s season- then they just ripped her to shreds on her own season. She looked like a drunken, desperate fool. The Ed story was never believable ( leaving for work?? Really? And TPTB let you come back??? Really??) Run away Reid! Don’t let them tear you apart too!

78. JulieJ Says:
    August 10th, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    It’s funny that this is all happening now. A co-worker and myself are huge fans of this show (yes, we know it isn’t real, but it gives us something to chat about). She said to me the other day, “do you remember that you said how nervous Ed looked when Chris H. asked the men who, if anyone, had a girlfriend?” She questioned me (she was a Ed fan, I love me some Reid) and watched it again that night on DVR. She came in and said, “Ed’s lying. Even my husband said so. Watch his facial expressions!” She was completely deflated being an Ed supporter.

    So, when RS said that Ed went home to see a girlfriend I laughed because I called it. I knew he was suspect. He just was slimy, and no, it wasn’t because of those ridiculous green “Euro” shorts. He was icky, and I’m dying to know if he was paid to go on the show.

    Anyway, thanks again RS for putting things into perspective. Love your column. I think the only thing that disappoints me is that you are a KARA fan. YUCK. Cheers to Paula and one less viewer this season!

79. lisainsfo Says:
    August 10th, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    It’s becoming increasingly clear to me that there is no love between Jill & Ed – it is a business arrangement. They, along with the producers, make a pact to take this thing as far as they can for their own personal agendas. My guess is Jillian wants to host her own TV design show and Ed wants “hometown celebrity status” (women, VIP section in clubs, etc.). If they break up too soon, they won’t maximize this sudden fame and all its opportunities. Kind of like selling your soul to the devil.

80. Teresa123 Says:
    August 10th, 2009 at 1:48 PM

    I appreciate the fact that you stayed neutral in this post. In my opinion we are all human, and just because Ed decided to go on a reality show doesn’t mean he had everything figured out. Relationships are complicated and life can lead you in different directions. I do believe that parts of these women’s allegations are true, but I also believe that Ed was probably extremely confused during the filming. What started as a fun chance to go on a reality dating show quickly turned into something that he hadn’t expected. You can tell that the episodes leading up to him leaving the show, he seemed distracted and confused. Yes, he blamed it one work, which may or may not have been part of why he left.

    Ed obviously had strong feelings for Jillian at the time of leaving the show to go home. Isn’t there a possibility he felt that he needed to go home and spend time with these other women in order to get his mind right. I can’t imagine the intensity of the filming of The Bachelorette. I am sure that he needed to make sure that he was making the right decision in leaving. In the end, it is obvious that he found something in Jillian that was lacking in his connection with these other women.

    In the end, Jillian chose Ed over the 30 other guys she was dating (wait, did we all forget that Ed obviously wasn’t the only one dating multiple people…) and Ed chose Jillian over these women, they are hurt as anyone would be. I think it is wrong for them to go to the tabloids for their story, and like you said Steve… it lowers their credibility a bit.

    As long as Jillian and Ed are honest with eachother, I believe they can work through this. I support Jillian’s decision to refuse to do this in the public eye. I don’t believe that either of them owe the public any explanation.

    Steve, love your posts and I enjoy your insights. Keep it up!!

81. Jordan Says:
    August 10th, 2009 at 4:30 PM

    Since when did women get so stupid?

    What “girlfriend” would accept her supposed boyfriend being on a dating show? Ed tells her that he’ll be gone for two weeks and she’s okay with that?

    Since when did women become so dumb?

82. Jordan Says:
    August 10th, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    I also think Jillian is a fool for staying engaged to someone when there is SO MUCH information out there….most of it putting Ed in a terrible light. He has yet to explain one darn thing. She is not a good judge of character.

83. addicted2trainwrecks Says:
    August 10th, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    @Teresa123

    QUOTE
    Isn’t there a possibility he felt that he needed to go home and spend time with these other women in order to get his mind right. END QUOTE
    Forgive me for being so very blunt here BUT, I hope you really are a lot smarter than that comment would lead us to believe. Spending time includes exactly what in your mind? In my mind it would not include crawling under the covers and playing hide the snake and throwing down a few beers -condoms included to set things straight in my mind. Again, that is only my mind, however.

84. Jordan Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 8:23 AM

    This relationship is doomed. My guess is they will never get married. After all the newness wears off, people who really care about Jillian are going to set her straight. There is alot of info out there and much of it is confusing.

    She needs someone she truly trusts to sit down, go over every piece of information that’s been made public and figure this out. I would imagine that once she does, Ed is history. they are really a joke.

85. Magreader Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    I wanted to question something I have not heard anyone discuss on any of the message boards. Awhile back, when the season first started, I was reading an issue of Star Magazine in the doctor’s office and they had some background information about the “casting” of the show. They said since the last season, when Melissa was publicly humilated, and the fact that Jillian had more “Tomboy looks” it was hard for them to find men to do the show. They said they had to go to a modeling/acting agency to find cast members, and they even promised some of the men $50,000+ if they made it to a certain level. I know I read this, and even if Star isn’t the most reliable source I found it interesting that I have never heard this discussed. I also wonder if this could also account for why Jillian had the 5 extra men on her season. Maybe some were the network decoys, and some were there for her own choosing. I think Kypton must have been a decoy, maybe they were setting it up for him to be the next Bachelor but he turned out to be so boring they are reconsidering. Also, given Ed’s green mini swim trunks and powder-blue suit I wonder if ABC had a little fun with him and wrote these ridiculous get-ups into his contract.

86. kjk64 Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 10:37 AM

    Steve, you are so right about this show! Man it’s like watching a trainwreck though, you just gotta tune in cuz it’s so bad and you know the ending is always THEY DONT STAY TOGETHER in the end! *excluded Trista and Ryan* but yeah…. you know what I’m saying.

    One point though about your views and is evident in your blogging; You tend to assume these are normal, rational people with some type of logic to what they are doing! No, dont give them so much credit! Yes, a NORMAL person; A. wouldn’t go on this show in the first place. B. wouldn’t think that you could hide a girlfiend (or two) back home and be on national tv with another thinking you wouldn’t get caught. C. believe that you wouldn’t be under a GIANT media microscope for the rest of your relationship after it was all said and done.

    I smile when I read your rational approach but g-d these people aren’t thinking here. Maybe it’s the 15 minutes of fame, or camera in the face. I dont know… but alot of these contestants are idiots in general. Maybe normal common sense doesn’t apply?!?

    Just sayin….

87. Lizabeth Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    @Jordan
    Right?! I mean, not all women are dumb, of course, but I want to know the same thing you asked. Why isn’t anyone asking these girls why they were ok with Ed going on a dating/marriage show? Or, maybe they have asked and I just haven’t seen the answer.

    AND how long did they think a business trip to Texas should last?

88. may_ellen Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 1:43 PM

    In Ed’s defense, can we really expect that he didn’t have a life before he went on the show?

    And even if the rumors are true, Lindsey needs to own up to her part in this.

    First clue that its over: your boyfriend tells you: Hon, I’m going on a dating reality show to possibly get engaged to another woman, oh, and by the way, give me a lift to the airport?

    I mean, really???? Come on, Lindsey!

    She accepted this? Now she’s SHOCKED that he’s engaged to another woman?

    I know, and I’ve learned the hard way that men don’t think like women do. He may say he loves you blah blah blah, I’ll be home in two weeks blah blah blah… Don’t listen to a mans words, watch his ACTIONS. Boyfriend going on dating show screams: I’m just not that into you… its over! (but we can still have sex)

    No one held a gun to his head to make him go on the show and he didn’t get paid to go on either (I don’t believe).

    I’m sure that many of the ‘contestants’ that go on the show have someone on the back burner at home; not very nice, but it probably happens more often than we’d like to think.

    I know I’m giving Ed the benefit of the dought, and I’m not sure that he deserves it.

    He’s gonna have to work real hard to gain back Jillian’s trust, as there must be some seed of dought planted in the back of her mind.

    I don’t think Ed is totally innocent, but I feel Lindsey and Bethany are hurt and want REVENGE. Its so easy to tarnish someone’s reputation… emails can be faked…and how could he have written them if they weren’t allowed to use computers/blackberries, etc?

    And how mean-spirited to go to the media with these allagations? Ed was telling them EXACTLY how he felt about them when he told them he was going on this show… maybe they don’t want to admit that they deceived themselves?

    My heart goes out to Jillian; she seems like a genuinely good and kind person. I hope these allagations aren’t true, and that they can work it out and be happy together. I wish them the best of luck!!

89. Jordan Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 3:20 PM

    You guys are making excellent points. If I am in any kind of dating relationship with a guy and he tells me he’s going on a reality show, wouldnt I want details? What is the show name? Why are you doing this? Are we not exclusive? Did i read more into this relationship than you did?

    And if he told her he was going on the Bachelorette, WHY would she stick around? Is she that desperate? Does she not have any self esteem at all? No self respecting woman would be okay with her boyfriend going on a dating reality show. Sorry, it just aint gonna happen.

    there is something VERY fishy going on here.

    One side says one thing…..the other side says another….and the truth is somewhere in the middle.

90. tennisany1 Says:
    August 12th, 2009 at 11:49 AM

    It occurred to me last night while watching Hell’s Kitchen that the “paid actor in a reality show” is spreading. In the 2nd or 3rd show this season a contestant wanted to duke it out with Chef Ramsey – he was right up in his face yelling, etc. Thinking back on it now, I think he was paid to be there for a couple shows, then cause trouble and make a fast exit. It was so bizarre – there’s no way any of the regular contestants would ever behave this way. He acted like he really didn’t want to be there – and the season had just started. C.R. ended up throwing him out. Of course it made for a cliff-hanging end to one show, with the actor threatening to fight C.R.; hoping to boost the ratings I suppose.

91. thewipf Says:
    August 12th, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    Jillian gets to have sex with three guys and Ed gets to have sex with three women. That makes this the fairest season ever. I love that in the GMA piece ED says they are being targeted because they are one of the few successful couples from the show. How long has it been? You’re not in the success column yet pal.

    How can so many people call Lindsey and Bethany sell outs or skanks for going to the tabloids? Why wouldn’t they? Beyond Steve’s reasons think about the situation, if it’s true, their boyfriend tricks them into letting him go on the show, comes home sleeps with them, then lies to go back on the show. All the while you are being made a fool of on national television. All your friends and family think he is your boyfriend until they watch him fall all over Jill. Most normal people I know would be very pissed if it happened to them and would be looking for a little revenge. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if their friends and family had encouraged them to do it.

92. thewipf Says:
    August 12th, 2009 at 2:47 PM

    My two favorite ironies this season are, 1. The first guy Jill sends home from a one on one date is because he has never had is heart broken. One of the F2 is also a guy that has never had his heart broken. Two- she always claimed that Wes exactly the kind of man she always pictured herself with, Texan country boy. She let him go finally because he was there for the wrong reason and had a girl friend at home. That part turned out to be a lie and the irony is she ended up with the city boy, playboy who actually had two girlfriends back home. So she had the man of her dreams right there but ABC steered the show so would end up with a creep for some drama.

93. thewipf Says:
    August 12th, 2009 at 3:02 PM

    Magreader :
    I wanted to question something I have not heard anyone discuss on any of the message boards. Awhile back, when the season first started, I was reading an issue of Star Magazine in the doctor’s office and they had some background information about the “casting” of the show. They said since the last season, when Melissa was publicly humilated, and the fact that Jillian had more “Tomboy looks” it was hard for them to find men to do the show. They said they had to go to a modeling/acting agency to find cast members, and they even promised some of the men $50,000+ if they made it to a certain level.

    This sounds sort of logical. We know that most of the guys had signed up to be the bachelor and not this show. I’m sure they were all told that if they got far enough they would be the next bachelor. You’re right about Jill’s looks too. Most of the guys on here could most likely pick up a girl exactly like her in a bar any weekend they wanted to. It’s TV so you want someone that is amazing.

    Also the money angle would make sense with the two girls claiming Ed was theirs all along. That could have been what he told them, “hey honey all I have to do is stay on the show for X number of weeks and they will pay me X number of dollars. That much money will pay for our wedding” or fill in the blank.

94. terry-pat Says:
    August 12th, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    Gee Wes should know when to keep his mouth shut,at this point,the heat was off him.But so much for his honour code,on the show he was adament,re girlfriends,so much for his man up,he said,he hated rats squeelers,re girlfriends,he wouldn’t do it,not his place.man code…He was under my radar,until he squeeled like a pig,and that was priceless,his Us magazine quote,and sided with Dave,the dick,mr sour grapes that never,got the kiss,shot down Jiily “your as is hot”oh but he was going to be the bachelor…Yeah,Wes that is your man code buddy Dave,the guy that could not just want to beat up a guy,Juan,but wanted to tie him to a tree,then beat him up…Do you know what that sounds like?Read between my lines,who ever tied a guy to a tree to beat them,well If you don’t,sounds life a low life to me.I gave Wes the benefit of the doubt,but he should have said no comment to US,after all he went through,he would of been a better man,I guess when a magazine came calling,Wes and that bigot,Dave bonded…the two that broke that man code,about girlfriends…to a tabloid,sad really…Wes should of just moved on,and I am re thinking his interview with you.Sorry if this is a rant I am pissed,I was happy that Wes was getting his life back,really…til his non mancode bah Dave,the bigot,and he,”we knew Ed had a girlfriend don’t tell Jill,let’s tell Us…Guess Us waterboarded them.Thanks for letting me post Steve.

95. Jordan Says:
    August 13th, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    No offense, but your post is very hard to understand. I have no idea what you are saying.

96. terigils Says:
    August 13th, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    Where are you, RS? I’m dying to hear anything about this from your perspective.

97. MindyM Says:
    August 13th, 2009 at 2:14 PM

    @Jordan -

    I completely agree with you! I would think it would be a huge red flag if my boyfriend said he was going on TV reality show whose purpose is to find true love and get engaged. I am tired of women playing the victim card. Are these two women incapable of independent thought? They are not bound to listen to whatever Ed tells them. As for his promise to marry Lindsay by the end of the year, I can only echo Beyonce’s song –
    “If you wanted it, you shoulda put a ring on it”. No ring, no promise. Lindsay should have been concerned as soon as Ed decided to go on the show.

    I don’t care if he told her it was for money, that’s ridiculous! So she should be okay with it if he’s going to make money? That’s the worst reason I can think of for going on this show! Sorry, but that was a huge red flag that should have told both women that Ed wasn’t all that into them. When dealing with men, it’s what they DO, not what they SAY. Ed wasn’t engaged or married when he was dating these women. I know people who have dated more than one person at a time. The way some here are carrying on, you would think that this is the first time in history that a man did anything like this.

    These women may well be telling the truth, but they don’t get brownie points for going to a gossip mag and selling their story for money. There are far worse things that happen when you are out there in the dating world. They should move on and be glad that it’s over. As for Ed, he behaved badly towards these women and it would appear that he’s not ready for marriage. If I was in Jillian’s shoes, I would think long and hard before I married him. The worst allegation was Lindsay saying that Ed slept with her AFTER he was engaged to Jillian. Unfortunately, there’s no way to prove it. It’s he said/she said. Jillian has to decide if Ed is trustworthy.

    I don’t think anyone comes out of this smelling like a rose.

98. terry-pat Says:
    August 13th, 2009 at 4:55 PM

    Well what to believe,I guess not US magazine,if they did say,that Wes and Dave talked about a girlfriend.I just read a people online article about Wes,which sounds more like Wes,so if that article stands.I owe Wes an apology and am sorry for some of my comments.As for Dave if he is quoted right in the Austin Statesmen.I was angry and should not have lumped Wes in with Dave,whom I still think is classless and clueless.

99. meeshmeesh Says:
    August 14th, 2009 at 12:03 AM

    Great post, Steve, but we miss you… Where are you? A couple weeks into all this mess – what do you think now? Any new insight?

100. Lisa in IL Says:
     August 14th, 2009 at 9:34 AM

     Very interesting posts above, everyone! Enjoyable!

     I just want to add that People online has an agreement with ABC so that Jillian was blogging every week about her “experience”. As such, People is going to be very careful about what they print either online or in the magazine about Jillian and Ed–nothing unfavorable, very much giving them the benefit of the doubt. I highly doubt Lindsey and Bethany would have been welcome by People, even with enough solid evidence to convict in a court of law.

     Having said that, US can be pretty sleazy (especially with the invasive paparazzi photos), but they rarely cross the line where they need to run retractions (good lawyers). But, US gets good scoop.

     My uneducated guess is Lindsey and Bethany are nothing more than very nice but low self-esteemed females who wanted to believe Ed so much that they ignored the all-too-obvious warning signs for all-too-long. This is one of those “wow, I could have had a V-8″ moments in life where they’re probably looking back and saying to themselves, “What was I thinking?” Women with low self-esteem do things like that. I truly hope they get help to build their esteem & learn from this. They both deserve better.

     So, if I was them and I knew what had gone down, I was totally pissed and I wanted revenge, what would I do? Jillian would never listen to this directly, and if she says otherwise she’s fooling herself. No female would listen to this. Go to People? No, People wouldn’t touch this. TMZ? No, TMZ hasn’t really been involved in this story. EW.com? No, they have a contract with ABC, too, so they won’t touch anything that’s critical of the Bachelor series either.

     Of the other weeklies, which one has the best circulation? Why, of course: US Weekly! And if I got paid a few bucks in the process, so much the better for my pain and suffering. After all, US is going to make a ton of money off of my story. It would make sense to me.

     So, Steve, let’s hear from you! This is just a fun diversion from our lives and you make it much more fun with your insight & sophomoric wit! Enlighten us!

     Have a great day everyone!

101. msmichele99 Says:
     August 14th, 2009 at 2:49 PM

     OK – I have been reading the posts and finally broke down and have to comment. I hope this does not repeat someone else’s but I have thoughts on the timeline of it all.

     The timing between singing up for the show, auditions and the start of production can be as long as 6 months. Maybe Ed was single when he signed on – and was dating by the time production started. First, if he was dating two women at the same time, that is not cool, unless the girls were aware that they were not in a committed monogamous relationship – or should have known that was the case. Seriously, how many people out there are dating someone, but have never had the “are you seeing anyone else talk?” and just assume they are the only one. It is very possible he was dating both of them, and they knew they were not the only one, and we will never know because neither of these girls who sold out to the tabloids would admit otherwise.

     Ed leaves the show to take care of work, break off his other relations or secure them if he doesn’t make it to the end … who knows – it could have been all produced, and it could have been the money. We will likely never know the truth. But none of this really matters because he is on a DATING SHOW and he is not committed to Jillian, YET. And remember, if Ed was only dating and playing with these women, in his mind, he does NOT have a GF. Dating does not automatically equal GF status to a great percentage of men – just a fact. So when asked, “do you have a GF?”, the honest answer is NO – but to a question of “are you seeing anyone?” the answer is clearly “yes.” Dating is NOT the same as having a GF or BF, and no one has ever said, don’t come on the show if you are dating, PUUUHHHLEEEEZ.

     OK, Ed comes back, gets in good with Jilly, and for the sake of argument, is really into her, he proposes. Now, everything has changed. Ed is in a committed relationship. The next part of my analysis assumes that the relationship/feelings between JED is real (ok – you can stop laughing, cynics – we won’t know until they are married or break-up, place your bets!)

     So, when does the proposal happen, early summer? Does Ed go back to Chicago, are there emails/texts/VMs after the proposal proving Ed was still sleeping with them? (Note: emails and texts can be altered – ummm hellooo). Perhaps he saw one or both of them after the proposal, and if so, was it one time each to break it off totally? Do they have video of their dates with Ed after the proposal? Do they have pictures of Ed in his mankini sitting in their living room with bed hair sipping coffee during the summer?

     Supposedly, JED spent a lot of time together over the summer – did his disappearances from these girls lives over the summer (while the show was on the air) not lead them to conclude they weren’t with him anymore? And if you think about it … way early in the summer – when he would have already have proposed, but the episodes of the show about “who has a GF?” were airing – how come we don’t hear from these girls back then? Why didn’t they come forward then saying that they were dating/in a relationship a guy on the show? Is Ed really that good of a schmoozer that he could get them to keep quiet until ATFR? Do they have emails in early summer from him saying that they just need to wait until the show was over?

     This makes no logical sense – how could he string them along all during the airing of the show, knowing the outcome, and expect it not to blow up in his face. IMHO, he couldn’t. He knew he was going to be all over the media saying he was madly in love and getting married to Jilly in a year, and if he had been stringing them along, he would have to wonder just how mad they might be, and if not them, then there is always a family member or BFF who is so mad that they got betrayed by him that they would expose the whole story if the girls were not able to do it.

     Finally – if everything these girls are saying is true, how come no friends or family have come forward to corroborate the story and call Ed out. My friends would be all over the internet and any other media outlet who would listen after the story broke in the tabloids – where is the independent confirmation? Perhaps I missed it, but I haven’t seen it.

102. terigils Says:
     August 14th, 2009 at 3:06 PM

     No one is coming to his defense, either. I think that is pretty telling.

103. tommy girl Says:
     August 15th, 2009 at 9:01 AM

     Hey MSMichele – I believe you are bang on in your theory! True no one else has come to their defense that is very odd. 6 months is a long time not to have any relationship by the time you get on the show – seeing someone is definitely different than having a GF for a guy…

     I would just love to know what Kryptonite and Reid are thinking now! They all supposedly thought Ed was not a stand up guy? Man code – WTF!

     Also curious why they haven’t announced the next Bachelor – does it usually take so long? (or only if it is a brand new guy) I would freak out completely if it was Jake – so creepy. Waiting for more news on JED – aren’t we all terrible? (but loving it)

104. happybunny09 Says:
     August 15th, 2009 at 1:08 PM

     Chris Harris said in a twitter it will be announced in one month.

     Scuttlebutt is Reid was offered and turned down, holding out for more $ and can’t say as I blame him – not sure if he had other conditions as well.

     Other rumours are the Bachelor might prefer new blood. Jake seems to want it bad though and would probably do it for whatever they offer.

     Frankly it seems this show is upping the ante on throwing their star under the bus now so even a million dollars doesn’t seem enough to compensate for the damage done here especially if you have a succesful business going in and you are attractive enough to get TONS of girls in RL.

105. happybunny09 Says:
     August 15th, 2009 at 1:12 PM

     Another interesting thing allegedly coming out of Chris Harris’s mouth, per US Weekly’s newest instalment on JED. He said he didn’t want to know if Ed had cheated but that Jillian told him in a recent telephone conversation that a wedding date was set. Chris is such a master of Fleiss. In one sentence he perpetuated the fairy tale but indirectly kept the drama going. Someone at another board said it best – this was the perfect ending – Fleiss has JED, the seemingly happy couple so all the people who still believe in the fairy tale, they got their proposal, engagement and possible wedding and they got the scandal so all the skeptics out there got their reality TV skepticism confirmed big time.

106. daisy Says:
     August 15th, 2009 at 1:14 PM

     Steve is at another Wes concert so he is unavailable according to Twitter.

     Hope he checks in soon!

107. Crystal Says:
     August 15th, 2009 at 8:47 PM

     Hey Steve!
     First off, I’d like to say this is the first time I’ve ever posted on here since I’m new to your site! I think you’re hilarious and I definitely believe everything you write, you are so spot on about the show!
     Anyway, I was wondering what your thoughts were on Jillian in all of this? Personally, I think she’s nuts not to believe the tabloids, especially when they’re citing specific dates and times the e-mails took place, duh!
     In my opinion, Ed is a snake and was during the entire show. You’re absolutely right when you’ve said they need to be more specific when answering questions. I can’t see how she can still be so in love with him after hearing these allegations… it just doesn’t make any sense. Any woman in their right mind would at least question the guy, which I’m sure she has but I’m just staying…

108. redickulus Says:
     August 16th, 2009 at 7:48 AM

     Hey Crystal!
     That’s a real contradiction in terms …believe and tabloids should NEVER be in the same sentence together!

     As far as Ed needing to explain himself, he need only explain himself to one person, and that is Jill!
     I will say that I do think there is truth in the story or it never would have made the rag mag, however I also think there are sufficient holes in the story that make me believe all is not what they want us to believe. I am not blaming it on the girls as I think they were coorced into putting their stories out there. The interesting question is who.

     One of the rumors is that they just wanted to put this behind them and move on. That they didn’t want to go to the tabloids about it because they were embarrased. So if this is true then who sold them out? and what was their motive in doing so?

     Ed is no more a snake than any other successful young 30 something professional who dates more than one person at a time. It may not be the wisest thing to do but it happens. So I am not going to crucify him because we don’t know what really happened.
     Please don’t remind me about the PROOF that these girls have because that can be doctored to suit the story that US wants to tell. We never really did get to see ALL of the email, some of it was blurred out. As far as texts go, we never got to see them at all. And again, we only got to see one side of that story. We never saw the responses to the emails or texts so in what context were they sent?

     Also, Lindsey has a new b/f and has had one for at least 2 months now so how heartbroken was she. Sounds like she had already moved on with her life.
     There is plenty more that I could say but I won’t bother wasting my time. It is evident that everyone is going to believe what they want to believe.
     Lastly, Jill is no fool. She is an intelligent, independant woman. She will make up her own mind about what is and isn’t true and if she is standing behind Ed then its because she knows him better than we do and she knows what really happened. As long as she is committed to the relationship then I will support her and wish her many years of happiness with Ed.

109. happybunny09 Says:
     August 16th, 2009 at 9:36 AM

     Lindsey has not had a new boyfriend for 2 months, reread the article, unless you have proof to the contrary.

     An intelligent independent woman would at least put off thoughts of setting a wedding date, which Chris Harris is claiming is the case. A relationship takes 2 to be commmitted not just Jillian. Methinks the girl is more fixated on a wedding than understanding what a marriage means. Perhaps more fixated on the televised wedding than the marriage to follow? At least we know it is not for the money since ABC kiboshed that possibility after Trista and Ryan. Though $20,000 and more fame might still be attractive to some.

     Even if this were the best scenario to start a relationship borne of a reality dating show, why the rush to set a wedding date. They started their relationship in an unreal setting so they have a lot of issues to work through in trying to integrate their real world lives, even ignoring the girlfriend scandal, before setting any wedding dates. If your love is strong, a wedding can wait. You can wait a little longer to make sure this man is going to be the kind of husband and father you want for your children. I sense with Ed, give him enough rope and he’ll hang himself.

     I have this notion that Ed wants out and told the exes to spill the beans but to his chagrin, Jillian keeps standing by him and he is thinking how do I get out of this without making me look like more of a bad guy. And I still think ABC mislead Jillian and manipulated Ed to this set of circumstances and Ed turned out to be a bigger goldmine than they could have imagined. All the more reason that if JED is determined to prove everyone wrong, not to rush it and let love takes its course naturally. The need to rush to a televise wedding just indicates a need for more fame whoredom not love.

110. redickulus Says:
     August 16th, 2009 at 12:47 PM

     happybunny09 :Lindsey has not had a new boyfriend for 2 months, reread the article, unless you have proof to the contrary.
     <I have this notion that Ed wants out and told the exes to spill the beans but to his chagrin, Jillian keeps standing by him and he is thinking how do I get out of this without making me look like more of a bad guy. And I still think ABC mislead Jillian and manipulated Ed to this set of circumstances and Ed turned out to be a bigger goldmine than they could have imagined. All the more reason that if JED is determined to prove everyone wrong, not to rush it and let love takes its course naturally. The need to rush to a televise wedding just indicates a need for more fame whoredom not love.

     First, it was stated that Lindsey had a new b/f about a week or two ago, so that would make it close to two months now, so shooot me if I am off a few days. Point is she has a new man and it didn’t take her long to get over her supposed future fiancee!

     Second, that has got to be the silliest thing I have ever heard! If Ed wanted out there were many more easier way to get out with less emabrassment to himself. Neither one of them want a telivised wedding. They want out of the spotlight and to get on with thier lives together as a normal couple.
     Geet it through your heads people that no matter what mistakes Ed may have made, he loves Jill and he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. Jill is aware of his past and is willing to give him the benifit of the doubt. She knew about these women before the show was over.
     They will make it in spite of Fleiss and the bad press! This time we actually got to see a real love story. They are both willig to put in the work it takes to make their relationship successful. I for one, wish them many years of happiness.

     Why is it so hard for people to want to see others happy instead of hopinng for their demise. Sad that so many are so cynical.

111. happybunny09 Says:
     August 16th, 2009 at 2:25 PM

     Because we are talking about reality TV, reality TV does not equal reality. It is about time more people see the fakery in the so-called reality. If you think it is all fake, one is hardly hoping for the demise of anyone. People signed up for the potential demise when they signed up for the show, they are our entertainment even if they didn’t perhaps chose the role they were going to play. Like the early Romans when they had people fight to the death for sport and if the Emperor was kind he would give you a thumbs up and spare you but if not he would turn his thumbs down and you were toast. This is just the millenium version of sacrifical lambs.

112. redickulus Says:
     August 16th, 2009 at 2:45 PM

     Reality TV is one thing but these are real lives. They may have been on a reality tv show but what is happening now has nothing to do with reality tv and everything to do with real lives. Luckily I can make the desinction between reality and fake.

113. petunia Says:
     August 16th, 2009 at 7:30 PM

     They might be real people, but so much is scripted, that they are really much more like amateur actors playing real people. I don’t buy the Jillian/Ed love story just like I never bought the Deanna/Jesse love story. AND I believe that much of the Jason/melissa/molly triangle was scripted as well.
     I think there are paid contestants who are there in case the Bach/Bach’ette doesn’t fall in love. They pick the paid actor, the couple plays the story out for a little while, then, after interest dies down, they quietly break-up and then announce that “it just didn’t work out.” (and then the guy dates Holly Durst) really – a bunch of these people all know each other! they’re not just some average person looking for love, they’re friends of people who have been on the show in past seasons.
     The producers told Jake to come back with the story about Wes, they told Reid to come back and propose. Even Dave was TOLD to stammer and be nervous so he could win the “first impression rose.” Go back and watch when Ed tells Jillian that he has to leave for his job – he’s like a high school actor reciting lines in a play.

114. Crystal Says:
     August 17th, 2009 at 1:17 PM

     @redickulus

     First off, I want to say that I realize what I write will not change anyone’s opinion nor will it make any difference whatsoever. Though I would just like to point out…how in the world would you know if Ed is “really” in love with Jillian based on what you have seen on t.v.,???
     I wouldn’t be surprised if it was all an act… real lives?! Gimme a break, if they wanted their “real” lives they should have never set foot in front of a camera… What’s happening now is their prerogative.

115. Crystal Says:
     August 17th, 2009 at 1:21 PM

     @petunia

     hilarious… and so true!!

116. Crystal Says:
     August 17th, 2009 at 1:31 PM

     @BronzeTan
     nice, I really like what you wrote here…
     loved your comments on both Ed and Jillian, too funny

117. lithargic Says:
     August 17th, 2009 at 4:55 PM

     What I love about all of this is that the show has been over for weeks and we are all still talking about it!! That is EXACTLY what Fleiss and company are going for when they create these “did he or didnt’t he” scenarios.

     Look how long we stayed with the Jason/Melissa/Molly debacle.
     Even Steve was duped into thinking that Mel was an innocent victim. All of his rants created huge ratings for them. Believe me they LOVE Steve and all of the other “conspiracy theorists” out there.

     People who think they are exposing the hypocracy and scripting of the show are actually doing a great marketing job for the show by keeping it in the spotlight even when it is off the air.

     All of this adds up to one thing RATINGS and that is what every TV show is all about. They are not in existence to find true lovers, they exist to find true viewers!

     So let’s all give a big round of applauds to the Bachelor braintrust. They keep coming up with new ways to piss us off, and that brings us all back for the next show!!!

118. Gidget Says:
     August 17th, 2009 at 5:47 PM

     hey all,
     whoever said that the show has done it’s job because we are all still talking about it is right on.
     i just have one question–what’s up with all of the former contestants dating each other now?
     that girl who likes bears from jason’s season is dating the dude who ran into the ocean in speedos or whatever from jilly’s season.
     plus, one of ed’s girlfriends (lindsay?) is now dating a guy who was andrew firestone’s roommate?–how did that happen?
     all of this cross-pollination is getting ridiculous.

119. Alex Says:
     August 19th, 2009 at 7:02 AM

     Ed is a master manipulator, otherwise known as a sociopath. Even smart people fall for manipulators like that, even when they’ve been given the facts and timeline. It’s because normal good people with a conscience have a hard time accepting that someone can look them in the eye and lie with that much conviction. It’s obvious from the texts and emails, facts, that he did it. The girls told their story because they feel taken advantage of and now they are being villified for being the victim and talking about it. He’s doing the same thing to Jillian and she doesn’t want to believe it. Also a sign he’s a sociopath- a normal person wouldn’t be wreckless enough to lie about something that is for sure to be discovered. Jillian should dump him. ABC should screen better.

120. ginny2112 Says:
     August 19th, 2009 at 11:00 PM

     Hey Steve… I love your blog, its more fun than watching bachelor. Anywas…. I wanted to add that from the GMA video, I thought Jillian was acting very interesting. I pay attention to body language a lot, and there is a theory that when people lie, their first instinct is to look down and to the left, and that exactly what Jill was doing when talking about believing Ed, and she seem to pause/hesitant on her answers. Ed’s response, he kept a straight face, so I cant tell whether he is lying, he ofcourse may be good lying but something was up with Jill. My guess is that she is stuck, she has her doubts about him, there is too much evidence, but I think that for her (and any women) it would be so humilating to go through a break up a few weeks after getting engaged so publicly. I think she went into it thinking, like a lot of the other contestants, I’m gonna be the one to break the cycle… and now she doesnt want to look stupid so there is pressure to make it appear that things were great.

121. Honestly Says:
     August 20th, 2009 at 5:56 PM

     I like and enjoy your blogs about this, but I ask, have you tried to track the accuracy of the e-mails actuall sender. Just the text of the email proves nothing as anyone with minor knowledge can send an e-mail to themselves as a diff person, or have someone send it to them. The actual electronic tracking of the email tells the truth, can it be proven to have come from ED? I have my doubts, and pictures are super easy to doctor these days. Give me more facts, not just quotes of e-mails having been sent. Track the documents, then fill us in. Or will the women not provide the real data.
     Scorned is Scorned is Scorned. They may be telling the truth, but then again, He said – She said.

122. jacqui Says:
     August 21st, 2009 at 12:56 AM

     Jillian and Ed looked pretty happy at her cousin Tori’s wedding. They look pretty content, relaxed and having a great time.

123. CWJ Says:
     September 2nd, 2009 at 12:24 AM

     jbelle52784 :Ever considered getting a real job?? You’re a pitiful piece of crap!!

     @jbelle52784
     If you don’t like what Steve has to say/comment on … perhaps YOU need to get a real job. I suggest YOU’RE the “pitiful piece of crap” since no one is forcing you to read Steve’s comments.

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