We are used to a lot of hype when it comes to this show. Whether it’s Chris Harrison claiming it’s the “most dramatic whatever ever,” or proclamations that the particular season is the _____ ever, this show lives off hyperbole. Rarely ever when they hype something does it ever live up to it’s billing. For the last couple weeks, creator Mike Fleiss has been tweeting about something historic that he was going to announce, but never told us when it was going to happen. That is, until yesterday. He tweeted out yesterday that the “historic” announcement was going to take on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight. So I guess it’s up to each individual viewer how to view this quote and they can determine what they believe to be historic. I guess some might look at it that way, some may not. Is there an aspect to it that’s “historic?” Absolutely. But the way the show is promoting and the way they’re acting, it is kinda laughable when you think about it. Only because this is an announcement that they’ve been able to control for the last 33 seasons. They’re acting like this suddenly fell in their lap and now they can say, “We made history!” Well, you did. Took you long enough. In case you couldn’t put two and two together, I’m here to tell you what will be announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight…
Rachel Lindsay is going to be named the next “Bachelorette.” Fleiss is a beauty sometimes. Like, he’s been jumping up and down for two weeks now with this “historic” announcement basically, “Look at us! Look at us! Look at what we’re going to do!” and is probably so proud they cast their first black lead, when ummmmm, YOU had the ability to cast that person for 34 seasons and chose not to. It’s not like they’re finally being allowed to cast one. Or that someone dropped into their lap. His own decision making is the reason that for the first time in 14 years and 34 seasons we’ll finally have a black lead. You’re the one who waited this long, not any of us. You had everything to do with this decision for 14 years and chose not to go the route you’re going now. Just bizarre behavior, but then again, what do you expect from a guy like that?
So is it historic? Yes. Actually, in two ways. One, we have our first black lead in the history of the show. And two, we are getting the first “Bachelorette” to be announced while they are still competing on the show. Rachel doesn’t go home for another two weeks. They set this precedent last season when Nick was announced as the “Bachelor” while he was still on BIP and in a “relationship” with Jen. But that was BIP, a show that people don’t take nearly as seriously and has only been on for three seasons. This is the “Bachelorette.” Rachel will be the lead in the 13th season. They’ve never named the lead of either the “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette” while they were still competing on the season they were on. So in that aspect, yeah, it’s historic I’d say. Because of spoilers, they’ve changed the game. If spoilers weren’t around, they’d never do this.
With that said, I wanna give credit to Amy Kaufman of the LA Times, who tweeted this out Saturday afternoon:
I just found out a piece of information that makes me 100% certain that @TheRachLindsay is the next "Bachelorette." It's happening.
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) February 10, 2017
Good job, Amy. Not sure what information it was that she had, nor do I expect her to reveal it, but it was right and that’s all that matters. Look, I don’t think any of us are truly that shocked it’s Rachel, right? In my first spoilers posted Nov. 22nd, I posted a few paragraphs about how if it’s not Rachel this season, then I’d begin to doubt they’d ever cast a black lead, since they finally had their first viable candidate for the role and it certainly looked like that would be the direction they went this season. So yeah, getting Rachel announced shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, but I think the timing of it is. Why? What’s the point? She still has two weeks left. Obviously, in her interview tonight and subsequent interviews, when asked about Nick, her canned response will be, “You’ll just have to see how it ends between us.” And that’s fine. To be expected. It’s nothing crazy either. He just doesn’t give her a rose after the overnight dates. We’ve seen that plenty of times, then also seen that #3 girl go on plenty of times to become “Bachelorette.” Just none announced this early.
I’m sure you’re asking why this early, and the truth is, I don’t think we’ll ever know. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s to drum up interest and give them a full month to promote her. Remember, if they went off previous schedules when they do the “Bachelorette” announcement at the live ATFR, “Bachelorette” begins filming the same week as the “Bachelor” finale airing. They’d have 2 or 3 days of build up before Rachel was off filming. Now they can promote her for the next month and get people excited I guess. I don’t know. I can’t really think of any other reason why they’d do it this early with a girl who’s still on the show. The only other girl they announced during the airing of the “Bachelor” was Emily Maynard, but she wasn’t on that current “Bachelor” season. It was just to get guys/fans excited, and I’m sure drum up some late applications, which I’m also sure they’ll promote for Rachel.
One thing this announcement does is put an end to this myth that you have to have a ton of followers on social media to get the lead role. Not anymore. Corinne, Raven, Danielle L., Danielle M., and Kristina all have bigger followings than Rachel on Instagram, and kinda by a lot. There might even be more girls who do this season, I just went and looked at the top 7 girls. So this notion that you have to be the most popular, or get the most likes, or have this giant fan base on social media is meaningless. Thank God. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 1,000 times. Social media, while important, is never the deciding factor in any decision they make, nor is it ever to be taken as 100% fact. Rachel’s announcement as the next “Bachelorette” is proof of that.
As is the case every season, I’m sure some of you hate this idea, and some of you love it. Rachel has a fan base. And I’m sure that fan base will get even larger when they watch her 1-on-1 date tonight, her hometown next week, and then her overnight date and getting dumped in 2 weeks. Is the first black lead going to kill ratings? Send them through the roof? Nobody knows and it’s pointless to even speculate over something like that. We know what the numbers have been for the last five or so seasons for the “Bachelorette” in the summer. Usually draws in the high 5, low 6 million viewer range a week. Whether you think Rachel will be the better or worse than that, I don’t think really matters. It’s a show that survives more so by its format than it does its lead. Remember everyone who whined about Nick getting the gig, and his ratings have held steady with basically every season before it. People watch for many other reasons than who the lead person is, and ratings prove that out every season. If her ratings are lower, yes, the easiest common denominator will be to say, “See, it’s because they cast a black girl,” but that’d be highly ignorant. We haven’t even seen the season yet. You don’t know who any of the guys are or what’s gonna happen. For all we know, they might cast terribly. We don’t know.
I’ll withhold judgment until we actually see the finished product. But is there a portion of America that will make snide remarks and claim they won’t watch because it’s Rachel? I’m sure of it. And that’s pretty sad. Won’t be me. Whether it was Rachel, or Raven, or Corinne, or Kristina or whoever the hell they cast, it wouldn’t matter to me. My job is to spoil the show and that’s exactly what I plan to do. I’ve done for 8 years now and I have no intention of stopping. So you’ll still get your spoilers as the show begins filming in mid-March with whatever I can get you come that time. Good luck to Rachel, and I’m sure a lot of you have an opinion on this, so feel free to send me your thoughts today, and they will go in tomorrow’s column. I don’t want to save them for “Reader Emails” Wednesday because it’s already a big stack. So any Rachel thoughts you want to share, positive or negative, I’ll include in tomorrow’s recap.
Tonight: For those curious about tonight’s episode, yet again, we will have another cliffhanger. Yes, I’m aware hometowns are next week, but tonight’s episode from everything I’ve gathered, ends with Nick coming to the room and sending Kristina home (after Danielle was already eliminated during her 1-on-1), leaving only 4 remaining girls, who are now worried that maybe Nick doesn’t take all of them to their hometowns. He does. We just won’t see that until the beginning of next week. So quick recap of tonight: Nick cancels the cocktail party and rose ceremony in St. Thomas after a rough week and speaking with Chris Harrison, the remaining 6 go on to Bimini, Vanessa gets a 1-on-1, three person group date with Corinne, Raven, and Kristina with Raven getting a rose, Danielle 1-on-1 where she gets sent home (after which Corinne goes to Nick’s room to try and have sex with him), Rachel 1-on-1, then he comes to the house and sends Kristina home. Enjoy…
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.
kimmyfromdablock
February 13, 2017 at 9:39 AM
I gotta give it to you Steve, you a masterful in adding a lot of words to a simple thought. Way to say the same thing 100 different ways.
Go Rachel. It’s about time.
rozefly
February 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Well – I’m stoked that Rachel is the Bachelorette – but I am SO irritated that they are doing the announcement so soon again. I obviously read the spoilers anyway, but I found that when they did this with Nick too, it just made you SO much less invested in what you’re watching in the moment and I found it super harsh to Jen, who’s story was still unfolding, knowing that Nick was just going to burn her at the end. It sucks – it makes the whole forward development of the relationship completely pointless and takes the enjoyment out of watching (for those who choose to be unspoiled). I know readers of the spoilers (like myself) know what will happen anyway, but a lot of people WANT that suspense and to watch the relationships develop and have that surprise.
It just makes people pissed off and way less invested in the current show. They could have at least waited until the week she was sent home, or the women tell all perhaps. WHY are they doing it like this? It grinds my gears I tell ya!
nora j
February 13, 2017 at 10:16 AM
I think they’re announcing it early because this is the first time they have a black lead so they would like to have time for more black applicants to apply..I mean if we have a black lead I want to see more black applicants. I don’t think Rachel is the type that just wants to date a bunch white guys. And let’s be real here…I know diversity is important but a lot of black women I know would prefer to find a nice black guy to marry even if they don’t mind dating a white guy if they happen to hit it off with one.
elizabeth82
February 13, 2017 at 10:56 AM
This is GREAT news about Rachel! She is my fav this season. Naturally beautiful, with a good head on her shoulders. Can’t stand Raven, so I’m relieved it’s not gonna be her.
Agree with ya, rozefly. A lot of their viewers don’t read spoilers.
purplerayne
February 13, 2017 at 12:04 PM
GREAT!!! Im glad that they cast not only a black lead but a WOMAN who has a career and enough dating experience to know what she wants in a husband. I like that they announced it earlier, so we can skip the Raven, Kristina bachelorette debate. I agree with Elizabeth82, as much as i enjoy some of Raven’s ITM, she’s too grating to be a lead. Plus lets be real, Rachel is more attractive….and that counts a lot to the male contestants. I know of one bachelorette who had half of the guys wanting to go home first night bc she wasnt considered “hot”. (my friend is close with the “winner” of that season). Think Rachel brings more sizzle to the table.
LM111
February 13, 2017 at 12:07 PM
I like Rachel and think she’ll be a great lead! Not because she’s black, but more her overall demeanor. Poised, mature, sweet. Good for her!
rob22
February 13, 2017 at 1:56 PM
I like Rachel. My only question is whether she’s up to being the lead on the show. She’s pretty understated. Good dating material. But can she live up to it? I guess the answer is that there have been the Farmer Fred’s and Ashley Heberts who I didn’t think could do it. Ashley surprised me and did well, as could Rachel. Farmer Fred was a frigging disaster, but the ratings held up fine. So, I guess in the end, it may not matter. Rachel being the first black lead will draw in some initial audience. The question is whether the show will be interesting enough to maintain the momentum.
On a side note, unrelated to Rachel. I do feel like the show is starting to lose momentum. Nick’s season has been a disaster. They can’t even make him look interested in anyone. It’s horribly boring & I can’t wait for it to end. In some ways, there is some pressure on the show to do something to head off the decline following this season’s train wreck. So therefore, we get Rachel. Sometimes, though, a show just runs it’s course. There aren’t that many shows that have maintained an audience as long as The Bachelor. It might be getting towards quittin’ time. I imagine they’ll struggle along for another couple of years. But I think that’s about it.
upmyalley
February 13, 2017 at 3:21 PM
One of the best days of my life will be when they announce this show is cancelled. Poor Steve will have to go get a real job though. Bummer for him.
purplerayne
February 13, 2017 at 3:23 PM
Regarding ratings….if they are delivering 5-6mil for Bachelorette and 7-8 for Bachelor, there is no reason to give up. Its not that expensive to produce, in comparison to a scripted show. And lets face it, not many primetime shows pull in those numbers. If the franchise could survive Juan Pablo’s universally disliked season, it can withstand the this season’s hate/disinterest.
valadega
February 13, 2017 at 4:20 PM
JMO – I personally think Nick’s season has been a real clunker! Call it a loss on the “Nick idea”, It is time to move on and recruit some black guys for Rachel. Someone on The Bachelor casting crew deserves a big tongue lashing from ABC for picking Nick instead of Luke or Chase. I just can’t take Nick seriously and TPTB allowed Corinne to stay too long. I think by the end of this year whomever he picked will be “News” of the past.
.
bran
February 13, 2017 at 5:42 PM
purplerayne, can you tell me which Bachelorette?
yoyotono
February 13, 2017 at 9:05 PM
It’s strange that they announced it so early. Rachel has a sweet demeanor and seems to know what she wants in a husband and doesn’t seem so fame hungry like Jojo does. Hopefully it will be a season with a good outcome with a season like Des or Ashley.
I think what producers were trying to do was get more publicity for the show, but I agree in that they’ve had 34 seasons to do this and they haven’t. They also know they will probably get a lot of flak for bringing Chad back on BIP this summer. Raven is more BIP material, and will probably make it somewhat entertaining with her commentary.
supersparklyday
February 14, 2017 at 4:23 AM
Hey Brand. I think the Bachelorette purplerayne is referring to was Jillian, as I had heard that same thing while her season was airing.
And I have to agree with so many of you in saying that this season is a real snoozefest BUT I do not think this show should or will be cancelled ! Why do people who hate the show even come to this site for anyway? To take swipes at those of us who do watch it. If cancelling this show would be “the happiest day of your life”, then please quit watching or even thinking about it then – geesch!!
RaRa
February 14, 2017 at 7:22 AM
I echo what Nora said above — I think the reason they announced it so early is so that potential suitors will know, going into the season, that the Bachelorette is an African American. That will save everyone the potential awkwardness of having one or more suitors walking off the show at the last minute, because for whatever reason, they are not interested in courting a black woman (or an attorney!) 😉 This way, everyone knows up-front, prior to casting.
ctrealitygirl
February 15, 2017 at 6:48 AM
Wow, if I had to guess which Bachelorette was not considered “hot” by the guys on her season, I’d have gone with Des. Jillian was one of my favorites and I thought she was really pretty and had a really nice figure – and stayed trim throughout the season unlike others who packed on pounds toward the end. Speaking of which, has anyone else noticed that a few of the ladies that are left on this season have gained weight? It was pretty evident on the volleyball date. Most of them looked out of shape in their bikinis, especially Corrine…but then again she has been drinking a lot and they always show her eating..and usually fattening foods!
jlal
February 17, 2017 at 10:03 AM
First off, yeah for Rachel, she is beautiful, smart, sweet, and seems really fun. About time! Nick comes off as so insincere it is almost funny. I have never been a fan of his and can’t stand his slushy way of speaking, but he has been a total dud. I can only guess that is why it is the Corrine show, which is annoying as h-ll. I can’t stand Corrine, as insincere as Nick.
So far as I can tell, Rachel becoming the next bachelorette is the only good thing this season. I like Raven, she is smart and sweet, but her looks may not be for everyone. Corrine would be a hot mess and if not so annoying might have been fun to watch.
One question, where the heck was Vanessa Monday night? Most of the shots in the living room just showed Raven, Corrine and Rachel. Seems like they don’t hang with Vanessa.
jlal
February 17, 2017 at 10:09 AM
To belabor my point above – you know they have a pretty boring bachelor when they have to make the show about the “hot mess” girl. They always keep them around and give them more airtime, but this season it seems excessive. On the other hand, I though Andi was pretty good and they way belabored the Chad point too. I wish they would do that.