Hi Steve,
1) Hannah B as the Bachelorette! I haven’t been this excited about a lead in awhile. Not only am I glad that she is the Bachelorette, I’m glad for her sake that she won’t end up in Paradise with Caelynn. I think we all have THAT person who brings out the worst/crazy in us, and it seems like Caelynn is that person for Hannah. I think everyone was over the Caelynn/Hannah B feud. Especially when it’s apparent neither of them is ever gonna go into any detail about it.
2) I have a question/theory about the fence jump last night. Chris doesn’t actually hang out on site of the fantasy suites does he? I’m guessing that they brought him in later to film his reaction to the jump and said, “Go look for Colton like your dog ran away from home.” Any thoughts on how this actually went down? I mean, he’s there in Portugal, but it’s hard to know exactly what went down. Maybe when they saw things were going south with Cassie, they called him up and said we might need you to talk to Colton after this tonight since it doesn’t look like Cassie’s staying. So he was close by to talk to him, then Colton bolted. Or like a previous emailer said who works in production, we never technically saw Chris and Colton in the same shot when he was “chasing” after him, so it could’ve been filmed after the fact. We just don’t know. But both are viable options.
3) The longevity of Colton and Cassie. Based on what I’ve read about her indecisiveness with her previous boyfriend and what we saw on their date last night (seriously, how many times did she say “I Don’t Know”), they may last longer than I initially thought. As you mentioned in your column today, it is apparent that Colton is way more into Cassie than she is into him. So i don’t see Colton breaking up with her anytime soon. And based on her inability to have a clean, permanent break up with her last boyfriend, I’m not sure she would be able to break up with Colton either. Any other 2 people in this situation, I would give until the end of summer. I think Colton and Cassie may see 2020, even though this relationship is doomed and they are never getting married. Yeah, to me, they are never getting married, so predicting they’ll make 3, 6, 9 months or whatever is pretty pointless. It’s “Do you think they’ll get married eventually?” And my answer is a resounding no.
4) On one of your recent podcasts, I believe you mentioned your site numbers being stronger than ever. I would love for you to do a poll to see if people are reading your site and not watching, watching only because they read your site, or watch the show regardless. I think it would be interesting to see the results. I’ve been a religious reader and was planning on just reading your site for this season. But then, damn, an ending we’ve never had before drew me back in to watch.
Comment: Definitely can do that in the future.
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1. You said in your recap, that F***ing Randolph “is a logical guy” and while I totally agree with the points you are making about him telling Cassie it’s ok not to not be ready for engagement in this short amount of time, I feel you are failing to mention the illogical side of him. He isn’t a totally logical guy because to say if doubts or questions during a relationship means you shouldn’t marry someone, or be with someone because “he never had doubts with his wife” is totally illogical! He is the exception, not the rule. MANY people have doubts, have bumps in their relationship, have to work through things, have doubts and MANY people end up happily married. I think that idea is unrealistic, illogical and I feel he is missing the mark. Just because Cassie had doubts doesn’t mean it couldn’t have worked out. Unfortunately, it’s far more than that and after watching the episode it’s obvious Cassie is just not that into him. I mentioned that last week that people would be coming for him with that quote, but forgot to mention it yesterday. You are right. That’s unrealistic that every single couple that’s married knew right away about their spouse. I’d love for him to expand further upon that because it does seem kinda ridiculous to think that.
2. Do you think if Cassie’s 1-on-1 date was earlier in the season this could’ve played out differently? She keeps mentioning needing more time and I can’t help but to think what could have happened if hers was earlier in the season. And the fact that someone like Tayshia had 2 1-on-1’s before hometowns. Your personal opinion on this? I don’t see it being that big of a difference, honestly. I think Cassie’s struggles would’ve been the same. Whether she had one or two 1-on-1’s with him, just like any season, at the end of the day, this person you’re supposed to get engaged to at the end is someone you barely know, and what you DO know of them, is in this insulated bubble on a TV show. As I say every season, the relationship doesn’t start until after the cameras stop rolling. All you’re doing on the show is finding out surface level stuff about them and if you’d want to continue dating them.
3. I know you have said that you thought Colton was indeed into Cassie and while I have questioned his intentions all season, him shaking in the episode and showing a side I have never seen in any other episode of the Bachelor, proved to me (in the saddest way) that he is totally in love with her. The shaking was out of control. That is all.
Thanks for all you do!
Comment: Maybe it was cold. I shake when I’m cold.
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Hi Steve,
Big fan of your blogs and recaps. Regarding Hannah B as the Bacherlottete, doesn’t filming begin right after Colton’s season wraps up?
When should it be expected to air? Filming starts next Thursday, the 14th. It will end filming first week of May, and “Bachelorette” usually either debuts on Memorial Day, or second to last Monday in May.
Regarding Matt’s appearance in the show, does anyone know if Colton was aware her dad came? I can’t recall her mentioning it during her walk out. I don’t think he did.
The breakup scene was so long I actually fell asleep during most of Cassie’s IDK. The fence jump was the only thing that semi woke me up.
Also isn’t Arie married? Wouldn’t it be two married couples from the Bachelor franchise?
Comment: Married to the final woman he chose has only happened once, and that’s Sean and Catherine.
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Steve,
Got a couple of questions, since you said you were light for reader emails this week: Boy, did I ask for it by saying that.
1. Do you know who else was in serious consideration for Bachelorette? Did they ask Hannah B. first, or was she 2nd/3rd/etc choice? If she was 1st choice, who would have been next if she said no? From what I hear, it was between the two Hannah’s. Caelynn wasn’t even an option. Probably why she’s taking the stance she is now.
2. Did Hannah G. do something to piss off production? It seems that other than the first night and one-on-one date and hometown, her footage has been largely missing, which seems odd for a final 3. No. I just think some people every season manage to stay drama free, which is fine for them personally, but for the viewer, sometimes that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good thing.
3. Of the women from Colton’s season, who would you have picked as the next Bachelorette now that you have seen almost all of the shows? Why? Is there someone from a previous season you would choose? Why? I would have been fine with either Hannah. No one else from this season I could’ve seen in that role. Past seasons? I already posted those last week when I showed that the top 4 women in the last 3 Bachelor seasons are all in relationships. I even took it back to a 4th season (Chris Soules), and all his top 4 are taken as well. So that’s the top 16 women over the last 4 years who couldn’t be Bachelorette. So now you’re picking from 5th, 6th, and 7th place from 2-3 years ago. Just never gonna happen.
4. While I know it is unlikely they will pick a bachelor/bachelorette from outside the franchise at this point, is there someone you think would be a good choice that isnt currently part of the bachelor franchise and who would actually do it if asked? I would like to see them pick someone in their 30s again, the idea that someone in their early 20’s hasnt found love and is in desperate need of help is a bit ridiculous.
Comment: I never think about it because it’s been 25 seasons in a row now they’ve recycled. I don’t see the point in trying to figure out who outside the franchise would make a good lead, because ultimately it doesn’t matter.
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Thank you so much for always doing your research. I always read you week in and week out and before the season airs. So i do have some questions:
1. Are we sure they are still together? I know he was spotted working out with Michelle’s boyfriend but I just have 0 faith in them? Yes, they are. Doesn’t mean much since I can’t remember the last couple that couldn’t even make it to the ATFR. Matt and Shayne? Ben and Courtney were the two that almost didn’t since they did break up while the show was on, but they ultimately made up and lasted a year.
2. How does her dad play out in all of this? Cause it seemed like he wouldn’t even support them together? I think that’s the $1 million question right now.
3. If her sister is already “famous” and dating someone even more famous- does she really need the show to get followers? If you think not- why do you think she really went on? Cassie has 839k IG followers now. Her sister has 219k. And back in September before anyone knew who Cassie was, I believe she had under 10k. So that goes to show how important this show can be for people. We’ll see what she does with it post-show. I have no idea what she’s gonna do.
4. Do you think they have been getting men for the Bachelorette for Hannah B this whole time or did they think it was going to be Caelynn or Hannah G? That doesn’t matter to them. They’re casting a TV show. They’ll have a few in there they think Hannah B will like, but the contestants are always cast before the lead is. They just want good TV, not the 25 most perfect men on the planet for Hannah B.
5. From this cast- who do you think will be on paradise?
Comment: Half of them.
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Hey Steve,
That episode was a train wreck. I had to roll my eyes when Tayshia was talking about how her husband cheated on her and then Colton said something along the lines of “if it’s us at the end, I’d never do that to you.” Which may be true but it’s hilarious to me considering that the entire concept of the show is basically someone cheating in order to find “the one.” (Just to clarify…I don’t think that Tayshia’s husband cheating on her was funny…. I’m sorry that happened.)
Cassie has gotten a lot of crap for what happened, my favorite Instagram comment being “YOU ARE A TOILET” like of all the things to call someone… but my take on Cassie (since you care) is just that she’s a people pleaser. She wanted to make her dad happy and she wanted to make Colton happy and so she came off as being really ridiculous. I, myself, have had a really hard time breaking up with people for that exact reason. I think I broke up with and got back together with the same dude about 8 times before it finally stuck. So I relate. But really I wonder if the ads pay well enough to put up with the abuse that these poor people go through.
No real questions, just had never sent one of these and felt like giving it a shot.
Comment: I never watched either season of Young Once, but from what people are telling me, her indecisiveness about what to do about Caelan is playing out with Colton. People have told me she did the exact thing with Caelan on Young Once, so, I guess it’s not far fetched that she had this reaction.
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Hey Steve!
As always, thank you for all that you do! Couple of questions this week:
1. In circumstances like this, do the producers somewhat fill Tayshia and Hannah in on everything that’s going on or do the girls literally find everything out once Colton breaks up with them? No. They will find out when Colton tells them.
2. Since Hannah B. was announced as Bachelorette, do you think Hannah G., Caelynn, Tayshia, etc. will all be on Bachelor in Paradise? Yes.
3. And then I’m not sure if you have answered this before, but when it comes to spoiling the Bachelor/Bachelorette/BIP series, what is your favorite part about doing this job? Are there ever times when it becomes stressful that you think about taking a break from spoiling the show?
Comment: Nothing about my job is stressful. Annoying and repetitive at times? Sure. But it’s not stressful. Favorite part is spoiling in real time. Because it’s how I know no one will ever be able to beat me at what I do. Maybe some day someone comes along and can match what I do, but with as much as I spoil in real time, how can you beat that? Get in a time machine? You can’t.
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Hey RS,
I’m new to your website as of this season and have been loving it, so thanks!
I know you’ve been saying that you’ve personally gotten more engagement/views this season, and you correlate it with more people watching. (And, of course, you know tons of people are watching because of viewers/ratings that ABC puts out.)
However, I got really into your site this season because I haven’t been following the show closely at all. Do you think that you get a lot of readers who have given up on the show or don’t follow it closely anymore?
Comment: I have plenty of readers who say they don’t watch anymore and just follow along with the spoilers and recaps. Seems odd, but I do hear that multiple times every season. As for the percentage break down of readers who do it that way versus those who don’t? That I don’t know.
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Hey Steve,
You mention often about how you know a lot of juicy gossip/info that you could never tell, and I know former contestants have just as much “tea” to spill as you do. SO, my question is this – if contracts/non-disclosure agreements didn’t exist and there was no threat of getting in trouble, sued, damaged careers, ruining peoples lives, outing sources, whatever….who do you think from this franchise (besides yourself) would have:
1) the best tell-all book with the most interesting story (doesn’t have to be gossip related)
2) the best tell-all book with the juiciest gossip and secrets
and/or
3) who do you think would write the best tell-all book about this franchise and all of its crazy stories
Comment: Outside of production? I can’t think of one particular contestant that has more juice than anyone else. They all talk. All of them. They all have stories. Impossible to say who has the best and juiciest ones. What I do know is I’ve heard a hell of a lot of them. So your answer to all three of those questions is me, but you said besides me, and I can’t think of one in particular.
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Hi Steve,
I enjoy reading your blog, and wanted to contact you about something that caught my eye in the post you published today (3/5):
“And once I saw Hannah B. and Caelynn’s backstage interviews at the WTA with Mrs. Chris Harrison that got released last week…”
Referring to Lauren Zima as Mrs. Chris Harrison is reductive and kind of offensive. She is a senior producer and shouldn’t be referred to merely by her significant other’s name. By not even including her name at all, you also took away credit she should receive for her work as a journalist in the referenced interviews. Of course it’s relevant that she’s dating Chris Harrison, but there’s ways to include that info while also giving her due credit.
I’m sure this wasn’t your intention, but speaking from personal experience, this happens to women way too often and it’s worth correcting.
Comment: Well, if you feel that way, I’m sorry, but I think you may have missed the joke. First off, I’m friends with Lauren. I even told her I was gonna make jokes here and there about it just because she’s now part of the story. And secondly, I’ve referred to Chris as Mr. Zima this season and didn’t hear from you then. It’s all in good fun. It’s such an easy joke to make and silly, I didn’t think twice about it. I think people who understand my humor get it.
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First is more of a statement rather than a question.
Last night’s episode is why people watch the show. It was raw, unproduced (mostly), genuine human emotion that almost everyone can relate to on some level. Colton as a Bachelor has been underwhelming for the most part – the guy went on the show to grow his platform and for the opportunities. Then once he thinks he has the show figured out, he actually falls in love. Say what you want about the guy but watching him shake and struggle with the realization that Cassie’s not in love with him was heartbreaking (and brought me straight back to some of my own heartbreaks). And now there isn’t a person that watches the show that isn’t rooting for his love and happiness. Yes, part of the show is stale and tired but gosh, there are still elements of the show that really deliver.
Do you think Colton and Cassie will have an even harder time overcoming normal relationship obstacles after the show since a huge part of the public is going to have some serious doubts? Hard to compare it to other relationships, but there’s no way I’m the only person who’s going to be thinking when this is all over that he’s into her way more than she’s into him. No matter WHAT she says next week, there will be skeptics out there thinking it’s only a matter of time before she ends it with him because she’s not that into it.
Have you heard anything about how Tayshia and Hannah G. have reacted watching this back? It’s got to hurt feeling like such an after-thought and essentially hearing you were dragged along because of the format of the show, not because Colton was actually invested in the relationships. Ouch.
Comment: No, I haven’t.
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Hope it isn’t too late…
Reading your column from today– I totally agree that it does not matter if people have rants about or hate who is going to be the lead next season. Remember how upset everyone was that Colton was the lead? Well guess what… Nobody is talking about him anymore. (Shocker) They’re only talking about the cast. It’s all about Cassie, Caelynn, Kirpa, Tayshia drama — it’s just like you say every season. And next season we won’t be talkin about the lead either. we’ll be talkin about the men. I wish people would just realize one day how right you are and quit their whining. ??
In other news I’m in a group text with a girl who is delusional about this show. She’s a mess. I thought only older people watched it with such sincerity. I want to spoil her so badly but I won’t. Maybe he eyes will be opened in the future.
Comment: “I wish people would just realize one day how right you are and quit their whining” should be my new website slogan. And probably the most important words to live by. Thanks. I agree.
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Hi Steve,
I’m grieving with you over the loss of Luke Perry. I was a bit older than the target audience—working full-time and going to grad school at night, but somehow I got sucked into the Brenda-Dylan-Kelly love triangle and “BH” became my weekly indulgence (kinda like The Bachelor is to me now). The world will forever be a little less cool without our Dylan McKay.
I don’t think Matt Daddy was too controlling – I think he was super smart to get a free trip to Portugal – but I do think his influence over his adult daughter is a bit odd. She seemed to become a thirteen-year-old girl during that conversation. Usually she seems to at least have the maturity of sixteen. Obviously, he has concerns about her maturity, as well, otherwise he’d have trusted her to make her own decisions. But maybe she’ll never fully mature if he doesn’t start trusting her. I never looked at it as he didn’t trust her to make her own decisions. I looked at it is he was providing her a perspective that she maybe wasn’t seeing because she was wrapped up in that TV bubble to MAKE that decision. But maybe that’s just me.
The season did build around the fence jump, but that doesn’t mean the moment wasn’t organic. If something that great happened on it’s own, why wouldn’t they build the edit around it? Did you get a Truman Show feeling when they sent Chris out to have a “Hey, buddy” talk to Colton after he ripped his mic off? I totally get what you’re saying. But there’s so many things about this show and behind the scenes stuff I hear every season, that my stance is I can’t fully take everything at face value when it comes to Colton.
I have no notion of skipping the next season of The Bachelorette, but I do fear Hannah’s ginormous clown smile will begin to wear on me and I’ll be forced to fast forward through it like I did whenever Ashley I. cried.
Please give Luka a scratch between the ears for me! If she likes that. Otherwise…a rub on the tummy?
Comment: She gets it every night. It’s basically a necessity or she whines like no other.
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ALSO, after watching WTA and giggling at your Twitter feed, I don’t know a single person that can tolerate Demi and thinks she is a pleasant person. Does the show cast people like her because they think she has a legitimate shot or just to blatantly ruffle the feathers?…
Comment: Demi is a wonderful human being, is totally self-aware, she’s going places in this world, and will never, ever be a punch line in this franchise or someone whose career will eventually revolve around numerous reality show appearances. Can’t wait to see her on Paradise this summer because she’ll bring such an exciting, fresh perspective to things at her age with her well thought out, never rehearsed one liners. She’s wise beyond her years and probably the most important character this show has ever seen.
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Any idea what happened with jade and Liz? She wasn’t at Liz’s wedding. Liz is no longer on the podcast with her and Carly.
Comment: No. Well, not until a ton of people emailed me about it this weekend. I had no idea this was a thing and honestly could not care less.
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Send all links and emails to: steve@realitysteve.com. To follow me on Twitter, it’s: www.twitter.com/RealitySteve. Instagram name is “RealitySteve,” or join my Reality Steve Facebook Fan Page. Talk to you tomorrow.
