With the announcement buzz of yesterday, I figured it’d be a good time to get quick react from Dana Weiss the Possessionista, so we have a bonus 30 minute podcast for you today where we talk about everything surrounding Rachel being named the next “Bachelorette.” However, one thing I completely blanked out on that I forgot to bring up in the podcast, which bothers me since it was talked about here a year ago when the announcement was made, is lets not forget that the new President of Entertainment for ABC, Channing Dungey (who took over a year ago from Paul Lee), is a black woman. The first black woman to ever head programming at a major broadcast network. She was very integral in bringing the Shonda Rhimes shows to ABC, and considering she is basically Fleiss and the NZK’s boss and ultimately has the final say in what gets shown on her network, I’d say she was a pretty big champion for Rachel getting cast as the next lead. It’d be naïve to say Channing didn’t play a role in that decision. Totally forgot to mention that on the podcast, so wanted to mention it here.
You can listen to today’s podcast on a number of platforms, but you can also tune in by clicking the player below:
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Music written by Jimmer Podrasky
(B’Jingo Songs/Machia Music/Bug Music BMI)
As I mention in today’s podcast, there will be the regular podcast coming this Thursday. I’ve actually gotten 4 more former cast members who have committed to doing a future podcast. Now it’s just a matter of working out schedules for when we can record, and what weeks I want each one to come on. So looks like for the rest of the “Bachelor” season, we will have a former contestant on every Thursday. There will be podcasts every Thursday in the off season, but as of now, I think any guests during that time would be mostly non-Bachelor people. But that could change. Playing it by ear for now. Thank you to all who tuned in to the Courtney podcast and gave your feedback. So many emails and tweets on how much you enjoyed it. As did I. I’m not gonna re-print all those emails tomorrow in “Reader Emails,” but just wanted to acknowledge that I’m aware you guys really took a liking to her. She thanks you too. I’m sure sometime in the future we’ll bring Courtney on again.
Tons of media outlets covering the Rachel story yesterday and today as expected. I know a lot of you have your thoughts which we’ll get to in a moment, but I want to thank the major outlets like Variety, the New York Times, Hollywood Reporter, Jezebel, and numerous other ones who either credited Amy Kaufman, myself, or both of us, for breaking the news yesterday morning and over the weekend that Rachel would be named the “Bachelorette” on Kimmel. And of course, bringing up the rear as always, absolutely zero credit to US Weekly who ran their story 8 hours after my post yesterday, but failed to give any credit. It’s becoming comical when they blatantly know where the story originates from, yet they can’t admit they are continually getting their ass kicked by this site when it comes to exclusives in this franchise. And yes, I will keep mentioning their blatant disregards since it makes them look petty and completely unprofessional because no doubt it’ll happen again. Why it’s so hard for them to throw one sentence in their story of “first reported by _____” is beyond me. But again, when you’re continually beat on exclusives, crediting someone else constantly proves you have nothing, so maybe that’s why they don’t do it. I really don’t know.
I thought Rachel handled herself really well on Kimmel last night and also in her first interview with People.com today. I like the quote of, “Honestly, it’s not going to be that different from any other season of the Bachelorette.” I agree in a certain aspect. The only problem being that she doesn’t control that. The whole cast isn’t set yet, although most of them are. That’ll determine the storylines and where the show is headed. She might feel that way, and in a sense she’s right, but these producers frankly don’t care about her or her well being whatsoever. They’re going to produce dramatic television. Lets just hope they don’t go overboard next season playing up any race issues. Only time will tell at this point.
Nell Kalter has your Vanderpump Rules recap now up for your viewing pleasure. Things must be getting heated up over there as I saw Nell on Twitter last night have to turn off the “Bachelor” so she could get to watching all the gloriousness that was the Vpump Rules shenanigans. Lets hope it lived up to expectations. Without knowing for sure, my guess is no.
And finally, today’s poll question. Now that Rachel is the “Bachelorette,” is she who you wanted to see?
bachfan112
February 14, 2017 at 8:34 AM
It will be interesting to see how this plays out – as another commenter mentioned this week, es most black women don’t find white men remotely attractive – in terms of race, they are usually last on the totem pole and I’d say about 99.9% of black women find white men physically and sexually repulsive, unfortunately. Aside from the pale skin, white men tend to get flabbier and not stay in shape, they tend to bald, and they tend to age much more quickly. There’s also that pervasive, pesky stereotype about white men not measuring up in certain ways… I’m sure everyone knows what it is. It’s interesting because I think men in general, are much more open to dating women of other races. You have the occasional outlier such as the guy that commented (of course, he did say “in general” which means that even he finds some women attractive), but most of my black friends have been approached by white men ate some point. Women are much less likely than men to have racial preferences – there have been studies that have proven this. I think the small number of men who claim not to be attracted do it as a defense mechanism – to “save face”, since deep down they feel like they might not measure up in the bedroom, and know that the vast majority of black women don’t find them attractive – even Rachel admitted she had never brought a white guy home…
bachfan112
February 14, 2017 at 8:36 AM
I meant to say women are much MORE likely to prefer to stay within their own race then men are.
bachfan112
February 14, 2017 at 8:43 AM
than* excuse the typos lol
kimmyfromdablock
February 14, 2017 at 9:32 AM
I am thrilled that Rachel is the next Bach’ette. Whatever her race, she is poised, confident, beautiful and intelligent — the best ingredients for the leading role.
Did anyone else see Evan Bass’ tweet last night that the Nick/Chris Harrison beach conversation was pre-taped in Paradise? If that’s true, that’s really shady and just proves Nick was going through the motions with Jen knowing he was already cast as the lead.
I can see where Vanessa is rubbing people the wrong way. I think she comes off as arrogant and not very likable.
Also, Steve, no one really cares that US Magazine didn’t credit you for the Rachel scoop. Calling it ‘unprofessional’ is a bit of a stretch — maybe to you it’s unprofessional, but to readers and the general public, no one really cares. They care about the scoop, not the source or originator of the scoop.
dreamteamer
February 14, 2017 at 9:57 AM
Um actually, US Mag not crediting him is the very definition of “unprofessional”… journalists have ethical responsibilities and crediting sources is one of them. Not that Us Mag is the pinnacle of professional journalism or anything, but anyone with the internet knows that Steve broke the news thanks to Amy Kaufman, and any other truly professional journalist would credit them. Therefore not crediting them is unprofessional.
kimmyfromdablock
February 14, 2017 at 10:42 AM
@dreamteamer – I get ya.
purplerayne
February 14, 2017 at 12:47 PM
Well i guess with Danielle M gone, yeah it was easy for a fight to be Rachel/Raven vs Vanessa. I’ll say it again, i do not put much stock in the house dynamics. The girls tend to very clique(y)…saw it with Britt, Olivia, Jubilee (poor gal!), Courtney. All of these ladies seem really cool off the show, but in an environment thats very competitive, certain personalities do not click. I imagine producers pumping Vanessa’s head with “you are in the lead, he only wants you” would lead her to be possessive of him and in turn, arrogant.
I think the edit was been great to ALL the ladies. Rachel could’ve come of bad, Vanessa could’ve come off crazy, even Danielle Lo was spared anything negative (despite the fact that it seems the girls didnt click with her). Heck, even Jasmine’s exit where she told off Nick was not shown.
lalagirl
February 14, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Out of the top 5, Rachel is the only one I would’ve wanted as Bachelorette. She is adorable and smart with enough sass to carry a show. I think they probably announced her early because it’s BLack History month and to get some more diverse contestants. RAven is too sweet and too southern. Corinne needs to be on Paradise with Chad. Vanessa is too presumptuous as beautiful as she she is. Rachel is awesome I can’t wait to watch her season to get to know her better and watch guys fight for her. The fact that she’s black is kinda meh at this point, she’s just a girl looking for love to me.
yoyotono
February 14, 2017 at 2:57 PM
Steve, have you gotten any spoilers for BIP yet? I know it’s only February, but I’m quite curious.
upmyalley
February 14, 2017 at 3:39 PM
I personally don’t think any of the women still on are stunning or beautiful, least of all Vanessa. Of course they are all attractive enough, just not special in terms of physical appearance. Just my humble opinion.
bachfanamber
February 14, 2017 at 4:22 PM
Yikes, that’s a lot of stereotyping! As a family with multiple mixed relationships, I don’t see skin color making any difference, Rachel said so herself on Jimmy Kimmel… Here’s some facts…. among blacks, men are much more likely than women to marry someone of a different race. Fully a quarter (25%) of black men who got married in 2013 married someone who was not black. A further 12% of black women married outside of their race. (Source: pewresearch.org).
kmannone723
February 14, 2017 at 7:23 PM
I hope they don’t focus on Rachel’s race and maybe focus on something else about Rachel like her accomplishments. I just hope they don’t bring Marquel back so they can cast him as the black bachelor.
yoyotono
February 14, 2017 at 7:36 PM
@kmannone723: I completely agree! I guess it’s a big deal for Bachelor franchise, but I hope they don’t focus on race during Rachel’s season. That’ll be super annoying if they do that though.
realitytea
February 15, 2017 at 9:25 AM
Just realize that if the new Bachelorette chooses the winner and he happens to be white they will NOT be the first interracial reality dating show winner couple. That happened in late 2016 on E Reality Series “Catching Kelce” in which the “bachelor” was NFL player Travis Kelce.
taxionna
February 16, 2017 at 5:06 PM
@bachfanamber: Thank you SO much for citing those statistics. I am always so annoyed when people just pull statements out of thin air with no proof and expect people to believe it. (Looking at you, @bachfan112)
Also, this comment from reader emails left me speechless: “I’m sad it will be Rachel. In general, I don’t find African-American women as attractive. I could ogle over Raven for days, but Rachel, not so much. But it is what it is, to each their own. As you say, it’s not about the lead. But for me, the Bachelorette is much more enjoyable with a lead I find attractive.”
Like… good for you? I’m sorry we’re not catering to your need to objectify the “right” type of women on TV for the 20th season? Trust me, no one is grieving over the fact that you don’t like black girls and feel comfortable telling the internet about it.
bachisajoke
February 17, 2017 at 11:49 AM
I have to disagree with most of what you say. Most black women that I know whether they are co-workers or friends, prefer a white man. Their reasons I won’t type here because it might sound racist to some. As far as aging, I know many white men that are aging very gracefully and take care of themselves–hitting the gym, running, sports, etc. Bachfan, you seem pretty narrow minded, no offense. With that being said, I think Raven would be a better choice because she is drama free. But I do like Rachel as well.
bachisajoke
February 17, 2017 at 11:57 AM
Bachfan112, I disagree with you. Most black women that I know, whether they are coworkers or friends, prefer white men. As far as aging, I know plenty of white men who are aging gracefully and keep fit. You seem very narrow minded. With that being said, I think Raven should be the next Bachelorette–less drama. But I do like Rachel as well.