Here is your Final Four Breakdown for the season:
Episode 8: Hometown Dates
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Tia Booth 26, Jonesboro, Arkansas (Filmed Thursday, Oct. 26th)
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Lauren Burnham 25, Virginia Beach, Virginia (parents live there) (Filmed Saturday, Oct. 28th)
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Becca Kufrin 27, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Filmed Monday, Oct. 30th)
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Kendall Long: 26, Los Angeles, CA (Filmed Wednesday, Nov. 1st)
Here’s here playing the ukelele:
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Rose Ceremony Elimination: Tia Booth.
Episode 9: Cusco, Peru, Overnight Dates
When I had spoiled that Kendall was getting the 4th hometown date back on November 1st, I said I was hearing that she never had a 1-on-1 date. I can confirm that’s true. She never did. Yet somehow made it into the final 3. Good for her, I guess? We rarely see that. Since the show has gone to an 11-episode season where episode 8 is hometowns, and episodes 2-7 are all your 1-on-1’s, group dates, and 2-on-1’s, I don’t remember anyone outside of Corinne getting a hometown date without getting a 1-on-1 during the season. But Corinne got so much screen time and alone time with Nick (bouncy house, whip cream on her chest, winning a 2-on-1, sneaking over to his room in St. Thomas, etc), it just seemed like she did. It’s not like she went unnoticed the whole season then randomly got a hometown. But as expected, someone that just doesn’t get a 1-on-1 all season is never going to win. And this is where her journey ended.
Rose Ceremony Elimination:: Kendall Long.
Episode 11: Finale (Becca Kufrin vs Lauren Burnham)
Just like very few people who never got a 1-on-1 rarely get hometowns, I can’t remember the last time that someone who got the first 1-on-1 of the season actually won the season. Off the top of my head, I think the last person this happened to was Ian on Meredith’s season, and that was AGES ago. Becca got the first 1-on-1 of the season back in September. We saw the pictures from TMZ of her on the motorcycle, and then the Bachelor’s first promo of the season show her again on that date. There was more to that date than her just on the motorcycle, and I’ll tell you about that when I post the rest of your spoilers. So did it end up being a curse? Negative.
Arie is engaged to Becca.
Again, as I say every season, you can choose to believe that information or not. After being wrong for 3 weeks last season with Rachel choosing Peter, you certainly have a right to. I’m just telling you you’re going to hear me reference Becca all season as the winner, and yes, they are engaged. Will it last? Who knows? My guess is no because Arie is really no different than previous leads, but much more like Nick in that he was never doing this show to find a wife. He’s here to build his brand back up, he lost sponsors racing because he never won, and now this is a way to put himself back on the map. I even heard he’s gotten a new racing sponsor for next season already. The thing is, I just feel bad for Becca. I’ve heard nothing but good things about her this season. Obviously she’s got a backstory with her father dying of a brain tumor 8 years ago and her mother being in remission from breast cancer. So already people are gonna take to her and it’s gonna be hard not to root for her.
But yeah, I just feel bad. She was in fantasy land for 2 months, I’m sure Arie threw on the charm that he’s done with numerous women over the last 5 years (you know, since the last time he claims he was in love with Emily), and I’m sure she’s riding that high right now, in the honeymoon phase, and nothing she hears or sees about Arie will affect her. She has to stand by him. He’s her fiancé. But unfortunately, not everything is as seems with him. Hopefully sooner rather than later, she’ll realize who she got involved with. I don’t give it much time because I have zero faith in this guy and his intentions. Why? Because he’s given me no reason to over the last 5 years. Oh there are stories galore. I’m sure more will get out once the season starts. But until then, and probably through the season, I’ll just keep saying I feel bad for Becca. Buckle in, Becca. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this ain’t gonna be a smooth ride. Safe to say I’m not too worried about forking over money for a wedding gift with these two. Good luck.
More spoilers will be coming in the weeks ahead, and I will deal with whatever is thrown at me by NZK. I know what I’m up against, and I’m sorry, I’m just not going to be intimidated because they are who they are and I’m essentially a one man operation. What they’re doing violates my First Amendment Rights and infringes on my freedom of speech. I’ll be ok, and I will do whatever I need to do to keep this going and keep delivering your spoilers for you season in and season out. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
And finally, Episode 6 of the “He Said, She Said” monthly podcast with Sharleen Joynt is up right now at Stitcher Premium. Click on that link, use the Promo Code: STEVE, and you can get the first month free. After that, it’s $4.99/month or $29.99 if you sign up for a year, which gives you access to all of Stitcher’s podcast library. And right now there’s a special offer of 50% off for the entire year of Stitcher Premium (that’s $17.50) by going to the link above and using the code “STEVE50.” It’s a monthly podcast that Sharleen and I are doing to talk about all things relationship/marriage/dating/sex based. In this month’s episode, we discuss how soon it is to ask for a second date, and then Erin in Wisconsin calls in as a recently divorced woman with two children, who met a new man, moved him in, and got engaged all within a span of 6 months and now is feeling overwhelmed (12:21).
Send all links and emails to: steve@realitysteve.com. To follow me on Twitter, it’s: www.twitter.com/RealitySteve. Instagram name is “RealitySteve,” join my Reality Steve Facebook Fan Page, or listen to all my podcasts at Apple Podcasts. Talk to you soon.
spoilerspoilerspoilers123
November 30, 2017 at 9:04 AM
That’s so annoying they’re pulling this BS when they know they can’t win and are infringing on freedom of speech. That’s hollywood for ya. Love your spoilers keep on keepin’ on!
shenanigans
November 30, 2017 at 9:50 AM
The problem with lawsuits is that they are expensive, particularly when the other party is a huge corporation with a team of lawyers at its disposal. You can be 100% right, but you will spend a ton of money trying to prove it. They will literally bankrupt you to try to shut you down. It’s a shame.
jessie
November 30, 2017 at 10:34 AM
I would have absolutely no interest in watching the stupidity of this show without having your spoilers, I must say. I am there to mock them, not believe their lame stories are true. Thanks for all you do. They suck.
shelly7878
November 30, 2017 at 11:30 AM
I knew something was up – you could just tell from the Radio Silence. This is so f- ing ridiculous. I really look forward to the spoilers. Especially from this upcoming season because Arie appears to be such a nimrod. I am shocked that NZK and or ABC would start up this nonsense and foolishness again!! Seriously, when your contestant could possibly be the Matt Lauer of reality stars, do you really want to try to piss off the viewers that read a much-loved spoiler blog? Plus your following includes so many “influencers” How really dumb can ABC be? Just to let you know – I am one of “those” people who do have not issue writing letters or making calls when a right has been wronged. I have actually gotten up to the CEO of Disney! So if this foolishness continues I will be writing a very long letter/email of complaint and I will threaten to boycott the show. Kind of stupid, but these kinds of threats and bullying are not going to be tolerated anymore! Stay strong – we support you! #Freedom of speech!
rob22
November 30, 2017 at 12:22 PM
Arie’s Dad, Arie Sr., was a true star as a race car driver. He won the Indy 500 twice and is in the Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Now his trust fund baby son is working the D-List reality TV game to get famous. It’s kind of sad really. But I guess if he actually got a race car sponsor out of this mess, who could blame him. It’s a crazy world, that’s for sure.
rob22
November 30, 2017 at 12:26 PM
As for the lawsuit, what bothers me is the pettiness. Or, even worse, if they are doing it just to draw attention to the show…. which is getting a little long in the tooth. Hopefully this was just some saber rattling. Anyone can get a lawyer to write a nasty, scary letter (which is all a “cease and desist” order is. That usually serves whatever purpose is intended. But filing a lawsuit is another thing. The production company might have more money, but they still have to pay their lawyers. That comes out of their pockets. So, we’ll see. My bet is that this was an empty threat where they knew RS would report it and the media would go crazy and give them lots of free publicity.
tinyred500
November 30, 2017 at 4:01 PM
I’ll wade in on this…from a foreigner’s perspective The Bachelor etc., franchise is relatively new to the UK. Two years ago I stumbled upon a programme and thought how cheesy and sleazy it was and I quickly turned over. I saw it again as I was flipping through the channels…so I Googled it. I found Steve’s website, arh I thought an American making fun of this show, so it’s not taken (too) seriously over the pond, I’ll give it a whirl! That was Sean’s season, the first Bachelor season to be shown in the UK. If I hadn’t have found Steve’s website, I would have never watched another minute of the franchise, it’s that simple for me. Further to that, as the UK is years behind with the seasons, they are always spoilt. I knew Des H got sent home, became the next Bachelorette, chose Chris and got married when I was watching Sean’s season.
That all said, I can understand the production companies irritation of Steve spoiling. The producer’s just want to be the first to reveal who goes home and when etc. Steve does throw a few peeps under a bus here and there, that too may irritate the producer’s etc. However, what Steve spoils is only shown on his website, it’s not leaked to the press (not what I’ve seen), so it’s kinda harmless, and is overall of benefit to the franchise itself. Although I’m not one who would be too cavalier when it comes to legal threats etc., I do feel the producer’s take their programmes far too seriously, hence the threat. So I’m hoping it’s a toothless shark that Steve has knocking.
defiantly
November 30, 2017 at 9:30 PM
Hello Steve,
Without knowing the specifics, it sounds to me that NZK seems to be threatening a SLAPP lawsuit against you. Wikipedia defines SLAPP as: ‘A strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. … The typical SLAPP plaintiff does not normally expect to win the lawsuit.” Does that sound familiar?
There are good anti-SLAPP laws in both California and Texas to collect damages against those that would knowingly engage in wrongful SLAPP lawsuits.
Further, as an entertainment reporter/journalist, you have 1st Amendment, Bloggers rights, and Reporters rights. EFF.org (based in San Fran) defines some of those blogger rights. https://www.eff.org/bloggers
We don’t know who your information sources are. Even assuming your information sources come from NZK employees who have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDA), they are not binding to you as an entertainment reporter/journalist. They agreed and signed to those terms, not you. If NZK is upset, they can go deal with their people. You are the wrong party to go after. It is your job to report news and information that is brought to you. Even if you actively inquire for information, that is your right as a reporter/journalist to ask questions. No one is being forced to disclose any inside information.
UCLA professor and legal scholar, Eugene Volokh, writes on 1st Amendment and Speech “bullying and “harassment” issues. I am fairly sure he would love to cover a Hollywood-related anti-free speech / SLAPP lawsuit if it were to occur: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/category/bullying-bans/
There are other 1st Amendment folks and blogs that would be interested as well.
If NZK files a SLAPP against you, it seems certain that such a lawsuit would make news in the legal blog and 1st Amendment blog circles and attract numerous allies to your cause. NZK also risks incurring an anti-SLAPP lawsuit coming their way. Given your huge readership, it seems likely you would be able to raise money for legal funds once again.
My question is: Does NZK wish to risk an anti-SLAPP lawsuit in Texas? (Google “Prestigious Pets lawsuit”) It seems to me NZK’s lawyers might want to do some homework on SLAPP, 1st Amendment, freedom of the press, reporters rights, and bloggers rights issues.
Certainly, you are well within your rights to publicize and share the letters you received from NZK if you are inclined. That will certainly get some press attention.
rob22
December 1, 2017 at 12:51 PM
As to the prior comment, I think the issue here is that a few years ago RS got into a tiff with the show and signed some sort of agreement to not pursue or get comments from participants that had NDAs. That was to avoid a lawsuit he couldn’t afford when his enterprise was much less lucrative than it is today. That’s my recollection anyway. So RS has to abide by his agreement. But I believe otherwise, without the agreement, you’d be 100% correct. That he could do whatever he wanted with the info however it came his way.
Interestingly, even those participants (with NDAs) these days that share behind the scenes info are not being sued by the show. So I completely believe that this is a toothless shark attack. We’ll see.
And I fully agree with the overseas person that said that the show is MORE appealing when you watch it and sort of bathe in the ridiculousness of it all. Knowing what’s going to happen & watching for the ridiculous antics makes it MUCH more interesting. Watching the show straight up for the “romance” would not be doable for me.
defiantly
December 1, 2017 at 5:23 PM
Rob22,
I think you may be right about the agreement RS signed not to pursue or get comments from contestants that had NDAs. The problem with that is the burden of proof should not be on Steve. He isn’t part of the NDA patrol squad. That is NZK’s job to make sure their people don’t talk, not RS.
A lot has happened in the last 5 years in the realm of establishing legal precedent for online speech and online reporting. The political climate has changed dramatically and the free press is fighting back harder than ever before. Members of the press are tired of being attacked and being bullied. They are fighting back hard on behalf of the 1st Amendment and freedom of the press. What NZK was able to get away with five years ago would not likely succeed today.
From what I can tell, RS has always been a straight shooter. IF NZK foolishly decides to open the can of legal worms a 3rd time, I suspect RS potentially will have more legal allies in his corner than before.
What RS describes smells the stink of a potential SLAPP lawsuit and there are legal remedies for parties that engage in that sort of overstepping behavior.
With any luck, this will be the only post RS makes regarding the NZK threat matter and the whole matter becomes a bad memory.
sherrybaby
December 1, 2017 at 6:11 PM
I’m so sad that RS has to go through this again! I haven’t commented on his website for an extremely long time but I’m so very tired of bullies. It may not be much, but I decided to send ABC my thoughts via their feedback/comment section. I couldn’t ramble on due to a 500 character maximum but did write the following:
“I just discovered that The Bachelor Nation lawyers are targeting Realty Steve again.
I once believed in the Cinderella story of the franchise. With Realty Steve, I have been able to watch the show from a different perspective and I prefer that more truthful perspective. People who don’t wish to know the truth and/or the outcome can “simply” avoid the spoilers.
I may be only one person but I will boycott the franchise that I have been watching since Trista’s season if legal action is taken.”
All the best RS! I’m rooting for you!
adelina
December 2, 2017 at 7:47 AM
I have been following RS for years and like others, would never watch this show without knowing the spoilers.
I know plenty of people who watch this show and they are aware of the availability of spoilers through Steve’s website. They always warn me not to tell them the ending and they always act so bewildered as to why I would want to know the ending to the show. From their perspective, that makes no sense and defeats the purpose of watching.
I see it so differently as you all do. If you’re reading this comment and on this site – then we are all in the same camp. I suppose it all boils down to cynicism. We all know this show is a farce and we don’t buy into the premise or the chance that a relationship will turn into marriage or something permanent. So, we see who is the “winner” so that we can watch from a more realistic perspective and pay special attention to words and glances exchanged. Perhaps those who read spoilers are realists and those who choose not to know are more fantasy focused.
Good luck here Steve. Hopefully it’s nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
Caroll
December 2, 2017 at 11:31 AM
Someone is trying to interfere with page 2 where the spoilers are. A google prize page comes up and blocks.
tinyred500
December 2, 2017 at 1:56 PM
@Caroll, page 2 loads fine for me and all the info is there. I’m on an iPhone though, and using a different browser.
bonkers
December 4, 2017 at 1:20 PM
I have been an extremely loyal watcher of all the Bachelor shows for at least 8 years (not a diehard believer or anything though. I have always enjoyed most the moments where the show seems to poke fun at itself, and I seriously think it’s time for them to abandon the “true love & romance” angle they try so hard for). I only discovered this blog earlier this year, and have very much been enjoying your podcast interviews with the cast members. Your site is literally keeping my interest week to week in the Bachelor world, where otherwise I would almost definitely forget to watch it some weeks. Like you said, you are literally free advertising for them.
That said, if they actually pursue legal action against you or try to harm you monetarily… I will boycott their stupid show. Screw almost 10 years of viewership… I cannot support a corporation full of rich stinkholes who would actually try to use their money and powerful positions to purposely single out & ruin one person’s livelihood. Whether or not what you do is “right” is besides the point. I believe in freedom of speech, and huge corporations threatening to financially ruin a tiny little person who does no real harm to their franchise is just absolutely disgusting.
sarahe
December 4, 2017 at 1:49 PM
Like others have said, I believe this is all a scare tactic. A lawsuit against you would be a gigantic waste of time and money, since their ratings are fine and there is no viable proof you have done any damage to their show by spoiling it.
The reality is that social media makes it nearly impossible for any reality show to stay unspoiled and confidential. Project Runway films several designers that are not in the top three showing at fashion week, to keep the finalists from getting spoiled. MTV, on their most recent season of The Challenge, filmed multiple outcomes at the live finale and didn’t show who won until it aired, so not even the contestants knew until after the fact. This was also to avoid spoilers of who won from live attendees of the reunion show. But even then, social media tends to spoil who goes home by week for these shows. Rather than blaming you, NZK needs to think about how they can keep their show from being spoiled and do a better job at keeping it under wraps. People film and take photos of the dates now and send them to Steve that have nothing to do with production or being a source. They’re just people who see them out on the date, and we can then see who went on what dates early on.
I really think you have nothing to worry about, Steve, because their issue is not unique to their show, and there is no law against spoiling. They did this knowing it’d shake you up a bit, and probably hoping you’d hold off on posting a spoiler to avoid problems. Good for you for not being bullied into silence. They and their production company are a joke.
swedishdelight
December 15, 2017 at 5:32 AM
Without your spoilers I wouldn’t even bother watching The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.
upmyalley
December 20, 2017 at 12:38 PM
All you posters know that RS doesn’t read these comments right? Or so he says….
zahraa
January 5, 2018 at 5:53 PM
I love Arie, i hope this “engagement” works out for them…but if it doesn’t, thats okay too he’s insanely good-looking, he could do better than becca lol
Nancy
January 17, 2018 at 9:41 AM
I’ve watched the show on and off, for a long time now. I lost all interest, until Reality Steve. I found him a few years ago. I’m the woman who reads the end of the book first, does not mind anything being spoiled for me and if you want to know what the ending is, so what? I still watch the show, all those women who start out smart and end up like wild animals over one man. It’s more about how competition changes us. I’m incredibly surprised any couple on that show has made it. Yet, they have and are happy. So, go for it.