Reader Emails
My husband has a serious question for you. Do you think this show intentionally plants a few obviously gay guys as contestants?
Thank you.
Comment: There have been no openly gay male contestants on this show, so no. Do I think there have been contestants on this show who have been cast who just haven’t come out publicly? Yes.
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Hey Steve!
I have a question about the casting process for The Bachelor. Recently I heard that it’s rare for them to discover girls at the casting calls, that they usually have women in mind beforehand. Do you know if there’s any truth to that? Are the casting calls just for show? Thank you for all your hard work!
Comment: Very few nowadays get cast from casting calls. It’s very rare.
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Hi Steve!
First time writer. My question is whether Shawn, Kaitlyn and Ben are still friends? I know Ben and Shawn were buddies on her season, but when Ben was the bachelor and came on After Paradise with Shawn and Kaitlyn they seemed super awkward.
Thanks!
Comment: I don’t really know.
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Hey, Steve!
I really enjoy your podcast and spoilers. My silly question is – Have you ever actually sent a wedding gift to any of the Bachelor couples or is that purely a flippant remark? Just curious.
Yes. Since I first started doing that, every couple that has gotten married from this show has gotten a gift. That would be Jason & Molly, Ashley & JP, Sean & Catherine, and Des & Chris. Anyone who gets married will get one as well. This doesn’t include BIP because that’s a different show. I’ve always stated it has to be from “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette.”
Also, I’ve seen people online comment about how they think the BIP promo is distasteful. I myself think it’s off-putting to reference a sexual misconduct investigation in that way. Yes, it’s always been a sleazy show, but the promo seemed to make light of a serious situation and just felt icky to me. I was surprised that they resumed production in the first place. What do you think about the promo?
Thanks!
Comment: It barely showed anything. I guess I’m missing exactly what was off putting about it. They barely even used footage from the season. And considering they’re going to spend a lot of time addressing it once BIP airs, I don’t think not referencing it in the promo was fine.
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Hello
I loved your podcast with Olivia, I was wondering what prevented her from doing your podcast? At first I assumed it was her contestant contract but you’ve interviewed more recent contestants than her, so I’m curious.
Love your website!! I swear I’m on it every day.
Comment: It wasn’t her ABC contract that prevented it. It’s her current contract with CBS Radio that told her she couldn’t. Why? I didn’t ask. She just told me she couldn’t, but I appreciate her still finding a way to get me on hers so I could basically do the interview I wanted to anyway.
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Hi Steve,
I love reading your spoilers. I wonder if Rachel’s father ran extensive background checks on the final three. I read some where that Bryan committed insurance fraud- can’t imagine that would go well with her father if this was true. I also wonder if Rachel knows that he was on that reality TV show back in the day. I really want to like her choice, but his portrayal just rubs me the wrong- I thought they would have given him a better edit given that he’s the winner.
I also foresee some major issues with Bryan’s mom if they don’t live in FL- she seems way too attached to her grown son hence the reason he’s 37 and single.
I feel bad for Rachel in that I don’t think people will like her final choice and there will be some backlash- but hey, this is her journey and who are we to judge what’s best!
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions
Comment: I’m sure the family did on all three. It’s not hard. The internet is a pretty big thing.
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Hi Steve,
I had a few questions for you:
1) Do you think Ashley meant this as a jab to Lauren Bushnell? And if so, any idea why she’d be so public about it?
http://www.etonline.com/tv/221608_exclusive_ashley_iaconetti_says_ben_higgins_needs_a_humble_girl_after_split_from_lauren_bushnell/
Sounded like one to me.
2) Are you surprised we didn’t see Josiah or Will on BIP? Do you think we will see either on Winter Games? A little. As for Winter Games, I have no idea since none of us have a clue exactly what it is yet. And neither does the show.
3) If Peter didn’t accept the Bachelor gig, would they consider Will? He left earlier than most leads, but he seemed to handle himself well. No chance.
4) You have said you didn’t want to (or couldn’t) disclose what you’ve heard on Peter, but do you think he’s worse than most contestants or on par with what the franchise has become?
Thanks so much!!
Comment: Pretty on par. I’ve said it all season. He’s no different than the rest of them.
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Hi Reality Steve,
Have you seen any of the media that Dean has done? When he met with Mario Lopez he said he was “single AF,” but seemed to have gotten the memo not to comment on his relationship status, and later said something to the effect of “tune into BiP and see!” when interviewed by ET (Of note: his laugh was easily heard in the background of Kristina’s Instagram story on 7/17, so we know they watched the Bachelorette together and hung out in LA recently. She’s also posted cryptic tweets about still caring and forgiveness, so I guess that saga continues…) Dean isn’t with Kristina. He’s with DLo. Whatever that means in this franchise.
Overall, I think Dean presented himself as mature and thoughtful in his answers to predictable and repetitious questions he was asked during all of his interviews, and I was even impressed that he admitted that he needs to mature a bit more in handling his emotions and in relationships. He’s a good looking guy, but he’s not ready to get married now and that’s what Rachel was looking for on the show. Part of me felt like she should’ve sent Peter home, but it would’ve been more cruel to let Dean stay another week before sending him home knowing he wasn’t going farther.
I agree that he wouldn’t make a good Bachelor right now (but could be a candidate in a year or 2 perhaps?), and I think most people will agree with that after watching the love triangle play out on BiP. I’m a bit annoyed at the backlash against Rachel for sending him home, as she essentially made the decision not to be his therapist/girlfriend and she clearly liked him, but recognized that they were at different places in their lives (independent of their age). It may be a double standard, but the reality is a lot of men his age aren’t necessarily established enough to want to settle down. Perhaps it’s semantics, but I don’t consider “I’m falling in love with you” to be the same as “I love you.” The former implies a journey, while the latter implies a destination – or does it mean the same thing in Bachelor/ Bachelorette speak? No, there’s definitely a difference between the two, whether it’s on this show or in real life.
You have alluded to Dean and Peter being the same as the rest in terms of having a past or motivations for being on the show. I initially liked Peter, but his hesitation on the show feels rehearsed and all the fitness tour stuff on SM has been off-putting. He also doesn’t seem all that attracted to Rachel, so I’m shocked people still think your spoiler isn’t correct. Rachel lights up around Bryan, and with everyone else just seems more “friend-zone” to me.
I want to like Dean, as he does come off as being more genuine than most, but I agree that he’s lost and/or more interested in just having fun – which honestly, he should at this stage of his life! I really hope he does something other than shill merchandise on Instagram like the others, and maybe even avoid the spotlight for a while and return to the real world like Rachel. As attractive as he is, I think his image will become less sympathetic after BiP than it was after his edit on the Bachelorette. I’ve only watched a few seasons of the Bachelor/ Bachelorette (I’m an AA woman, so I have not been all that interested in the franchise prior to this season). I’ve never watched BiP, and remain undecided about watching BiP4 as it sounds kind of lame after reading your spoilers and I don’t know/ care for a lot of the alums. How much do you estimate former contestants make by endorsing different products on Instagram?
Thanks!
Comment: Everyone makes different money. It all depends on number of followers, engagement, responses from fans, comments, along with who uses the code you give out, etc.
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Hi Steve,
One last question, is there some sort of feud between Bryan/Peter or Bryan/Dean, especially after that interview Dean did pretty much trashing Bryan (Rachel’s fiancé, when claiming he still wants to be her friend), which made me lose respect for him. I would think the show might relish in showing any discord between the F1 and F2, if there was any, but all I’ve seen on the show is things civil with those three, but I don’t know. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Comment: Dean is Team Peter. Dean is fully aware that Rachel chose Bryan, so he spoke accordingly although pretending not to know. He knows.
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Hi Steve,
I have been following your blog since Andi’s season and you have been pretty spot on. I am a fan of the show even though I don’t take it as serious as I used to hence why I follow you for spoilers. I find the Bachelorette more enjoyable because for the most part, you can tell the women are somewhat invested in it.
Now, I would like to talk about the hate and doubts that Bryan has been receiving. I do not understand it. The same reason they don’t like or trust him: “he is too smooth” is what the past winners have used in the past. I think there is more to this distrust. I just don’t see it. And the people rooting for Rachel to choose Peter despite his reservations, I don’t get it. A lot of guys have been evicted even when they seemed more committed. I bet if Peter was the smooth one, we won’t mind, lol. I think the show is crazy and all but the fans are crazier. It is obvious to anyone with a semblance of sense that Bryan is the one. Yes, they are. It makes no sense, but, we do see this stuff every season for the most part.
Lastly do you know why Luke Pell was dropped as the Bachelor. I know I heard the stories with the serial girl friends. Could that have been a factor?
Comment: According to Chris Harrison’s tweets the day I broke the Luke news, sure looks like they were aware.
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Thanks for the answer to my question in today’s column! Totally makes sense and brings up more feedback:
That’s a rather sh***y attitude for him to have considering all the franchise has done for him (giving him 4 chances and all).
Juliet refers to Nick as a friend. I’m kind of surprised she didn’t know of his attitude about the franchise and even asked him on in the first place.
I agree with your friend – it was so painful to listen to.
And now I’m just on a roll with more questions:
Do they address on BIP this season the fact that there are so many girls with BFs? I know people don’t go on for love but it just irks me so much that producers allowed this. Did they get picked for ratings? Were they unable to get enough single people? Sheesh. Boyfreinds schmoyfriends. They don’t care.
I watched the first few seasons of the franchise and literally didn’t watch again until the second half of Kaitlyn’s. I even skipped Ben’s but have seen all since JoJo’s. If I were to go back and watch any 2-3 seasons, which would you recommend I watch and why? Brad 1.0, Ashley’s, and maybe Ben Higgins’.
And this is more of a comment, but can you believe there are still people out there who don’t know about you? I saw a tweet on Monday where they were googling “bachelorette spoilers” and said they didn’t find anything. Considering I googled it and you’re the first link that pops up, she’s not a very good Googler!
Comment: There are more people that don’t know about me than do know about me. The world is big place.
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Hi Steve.
Do you think the show would do back to back bachelorettes? The only relevant person I can think of is Raven for the “in case Peter falls through ” pick.
Your podcasts are super entertaining. In fact, I’ve been listening to them at the gym instead of music and have been lasting longer on the treadmill so yay!
Comment: No. It’s known that they rotate seasons and I don’t see the point of that changing.
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Hi Steve,
Love your site and podcast. Just listened to Juliet podcast (per your mention of it). I just wonder if you have a theory or opinion on why Nick was so tight lipped or even rude about his former contestants. He bad mouthed Kristina and had no comment on Raven. You think this has to do with the girls not really liking Vanessa? I assumed that’s why he isn’t watching Rachel’s season. I just don’t get it.
P.S I found it funny he called you a ‘super fan’ haha (hardly)
Thanks!
Comment: I don’t know why he acted the way he did on that show. He knew the whole interview was going to be about Bachelor stuff. Don’t do the show if you don’t want to answer anything. All he did was show me a lot of the stuff I’ve been told about the guy. Now like I said, I agree with some of the stuff he said. But there was plenty to shake your head at the way he acted. It was bizarre.
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Hi, Steve. I felt the need to email as your final comments regarding Dean have been stewing in my head for days. You’ve taken an admirable stance with regard to bullying by Corinne and Chad, so I believe you’re a compassionate person. “Don’t feel sorry for Dean” was an unkind and uncharacteristic comment. Dean watched his mother die and his family dissolve. He suffered a tragic adolsence and deserves empathy.
Comment: That comment wasn’t in relation to anything whatsoever regarding his family or his relationship with his dad or his mom dying. It was completely separate.
