Hi Steve,
I live in Indonesia, and if you dont know where it is, its in South East Asia, and yes, ABC do not roll in here, but I have my way for enjoying the show, first ever being the Rachel season, to be exact, so am a newbie.
I love reading your post and at the same time watching the current season, information you gave about all the girls and about Arie himself just give me an ease feeling that am not the only one who is sarcastic about the show. But, am still watching anyway 🙂 because it makes me laugh 😀 someone need a good laugh everyday.
After reading your “whats going on?” post, I do feel sorry for Becca, I like her since the beginning of the season because she was the one I think the most likely the quite one in the group, and since knowing what went down and listen to your podcast (yes I believe you) I cant help to think Arie is a deuce bag, and Becca didn’t deserve him… and thinking that Arie will not last with Lauren, so I guess am waiting if Jef, with one F, really hold on to his tweets about the charity, it should be fun right? and if not, than he is worst than Arie.
Quick questions:
1) am just wondering, how did found out about Sydney and Brittany’s stories? and how did you manage to get them to open up? I reached out to both of them once I found out they were exes. It took Sydney a couple months before she decided she wanted to talk to me. Brittany was more forthcoming at first, but was always hesitant because, as you heard in the interview, she was still trying to work things out with Peter.
2) did you have any spoiler about Winter Games? whos hooking up with who? beside Dean and the Blonde one, according to the ABC spoiler, especially for Bibiana, I like her fire 😉 I will have some of those spoilers soon. There’s one major storyline that they’re going to push on “Winter Games.” I’ll tell you shortly.
3) who is the one you eyeing for the next Bachelorette? Becca? am leaning on Raven 2.0 actually. It’s Becca’s if she wants it.
Looking forward to your next post about the Bachelor or if you have the opportunity to reply my questions 😀
And I sincerely apologies for my lack in English writing, as its not my native, but I hope you understand my email… ?
Have a nice day
Comment: Well, I’m blowing up in Indonesia apparently. Sweet.
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Hey Steve!
Wanted to know a few things cause I literally have nothing to do but watch the bachelor and think of questions during my night shift. Or I tell myself that to feel better about my sad obsession, whatever.
-Usually your original spoiler posting seems to only spread to maybe a quarter or less of viewers (just guessing based on my friends and fan posts I see- might not be accurate). Do you think that this incredible plot twist spoiler will be a lot more widely known just cause people will be talking about it, or do you still think most viewers will be shocked?
I thought of that just cause I was creeping on Becca K last week and saw she had like 60k followers- then I look today and it jumped to 90k. That’s a big jump for not having any air time this week practically, but I didn’t think that many people read spoilers! It’s really hard to say. Obviously once I spoil, it becomes big on social media as people start leaving it in the comments of the contestants and on the Bachelor/ette Facebook page. But to accurately pinpoint a number of how many people are spoiled by the time the finale rolls around is pretty much impossible.
-Why is it that they edit Chelsea as the villain night one and now she’s shown as a normal, pretty funny girl who is getting along with everyone? I’m guessing they didn’t have any good Krystal villain footage from night one and they couldn’t not have one for even a second? Just kinda strange that they start that storyline and paint her as that character just to drop it and switch the evil onto someone else. Or is this intentional to keep us on our toes and why not? Ha. Weirdo producers. Or Chelsea started to tone it down.
-is it just me or did the show used to show the lead conversing with almost all of the remaining contestants? They have only showed arie having actual conversations with maybe 6 girls it seems, and only half of those seeming to have any chemistry. I feel like back in the Brad/Ashley/Ben era, it seemed like you knew all the final 10-15 contestants pretty well minus one or two they never showed. Now I feel like at least half of the girls get zero air time and are written off right away. Even if I didn’t read spoilers, it’s pretty clear who the final 6 or so are. Half of them are basically extras and I wouldn’t know their names if I didn’t follow you. Maybe it’s just cause I was in high school during the old eras and paid better attention though. That’s certainly possible. But for me, once they start traveling and it’s down to roughly 15 or so contestants, I ALWAYS feel there’s about 6 to 8 we barely know. In a 2 hour show, you’re just not going to give equal time to anyone. You want your audience to care about the ones who are relevant. And not everyone on this show is. Not to mention, you also have contestants that probably weren’t giving them any drama on air, so there was no footage of them to use.
Finally, I’d like to point out an actual conversation summary of Arie and his new gf (so we can all believe in love again):
Him: I really want you to open up with me
Her: I feel like I’m really starting to open up and get more comfortable… so like what qualities do you look for?
Him: blah bleh bloo
Her: same.
*makes out*
Him in ITM: I’m so glad she’s opening up
……
THE CHEMISTRY IS SO STRONG!!! It’s like I can physically feel the emotional connection. Hahahaha. You were right about Arie. I believed all the stories and that he had been a f***boy to the extreme for the last 6+ years, but somehow still hoped/believed he was actually ready and wanting to settle down when you told us he chose Becca.
You said he wasn’t. I didn’t believe you. You win. Again. Dammit.
Comment: I hate to say I told you so, but…
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Thanks for the news yesterday Steve, now there’s no way NotPeter will get low ratings at least on finale night.
I wonder if Beccas ex will try to hit her up now… do you have any intel on whether their relationship ended good or bad? And Becca is most definitely the bachelorette unless she turns it down then it’ll be Tia. I mean, she rejected him in Peru and now has the “Bachelorette” staring her in the face. I can’t imagine she’d now go back to him.
I see so much similarities in Lauren B and Ben Higgins’ Lauren B… besides blonde hair and the same initials they are both bland and boring af… not sure if she’s ready for the social media shits storm coming her way. I hope she’s ready because it’s coming. And not because she necessarily did anything wrong. All she did was pick up the phone when Arie called. Sure you can question her taking him back so soon, but she had to know people would be very skeptical of that. But Arie reached out first. All she did was listen. Unfortunately, she’s currently buying into it, and people will give her crap for that.
Also some of my thoughts on the Brad/Britni situation… just yuck. He’s 37 she’s 26… and he looks way older than her… I didn’t get a chance to listen to your podcast with Tori last week yet but I can only imagine what she’s thinking. Brad has two young kids yet he’s all over tv hooking up with Britni of all people. Britni is trashy af and was known as one on AYTO too. This is what we call a midlife crisis people.
Comment: Without a doubt. Just looks bad when your children have to see this some day. He’s all over Britni on TV like he’s still in his 20’s and not a father. Horrible look.
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Hey Steve,
I’m a new-er reader/follower of yours and I’m wondering what took me so long to get on board! I’m loving all your behind-the-scene insights on contestants and production.
My question for you is around the news of Arie breaking off his engagement with Becca for Lauren … Do you think that because ratings are lower this season and Arie is such a snooze-fest that ABC urged him to do this so you WOULD spoil it and spike viewers? I know he has a past and how production/editing can portray you in any way but it seems this season they’re trying really hard to make it seem like he’s this heartbroken, amazing, good due (blah) so it surprised me a bit they would let his real colors shine through.
Appreciate your time/thoughts!
Comment: In a word – no. They didn’t need to encourage him. He did it on his own. Arie takes full responsibility for all of this. Of course the show is gonna televise it, but they’re not at fault here. It was Arie’s decision to end an engagement and go after the girl he originally dumped.
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I’m sure yesterday was a giant mess with the whole Becca, Lauren B, Mesnick type thing but I managed to listen to Ben and Ashley’s podcast (I know, I’m sorry) and they had Arie on. They asked him about the jef holm shady tweet and Arie said he hasn’t seen jef since Sean and Catherine’s wedding when jef brought a date and arie didn’t like the way he treated that date so jef got into a fight with arie and the producers?? Is this why the franchise hates jef holm and won’t have him on bip or anything no matter how much he begs?? Thanks! Also this email was difficult to write as my phone tried to autocorrect jef with one f every time.
Comment: From what I hear, yes. It all stemmed from that night and Jef’s behavior. Of course, Jef will tell you the events surrounding that night were different. But it’s kinda hard to give the benefit of the doubt to a guy with a reputation like Jef has.
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Hi Steve,
Lol what an epic week of bachelor news/spoilers.
First question: you’ve said you haven’t heard anything negative about Becca K, are there any other popular contestants or leads where you also haven’t heard any bad stuff or is it just really rare? It’s very rare.
Second question: Arie was on Ben and Ashley’s podcast recently and gave more detail about the Jef holm thing at Sean and Catherine’s wedding (said he didn’t agree with how Jef treated his date), do you know what that actually means or what he said or did? I’ve heard stuff but nothing I feel is 100% confirmed.
Third question: on the intouch interview with Giustana on how arie contacted her post show etc, is she someone you’ve been in contact with as well? Do you think she’s a reliable source of arie dirt? Yesterday’s article proves that this girl isn’t making up her relationship with Arie. It dates back as far as 2016 with picture evidence. It’s obvious he was hooking up with her at some point and that she overlapped with other girls he was seeing.
Fourth question: do you think maybe Lauren B took Arie back just to get more publicity or action on her social media which means more followers and more $$ for selling fit teas or the other crap they all peddle? Like, maybe she realized she’s going to look bad for taking him back but weighed it against financial gain so doesn’t really care that much? I mean, it’s possible but that’d be a horrible reason for taking him back. Putting financial gain and notoriety over your morals and dignity? I think she really thinks she’s in love with him and she’s the one that he REALLY wants – you know, after 5 years of not being able to be in love with anyone. NOW he’s found the one, two months after ending an engagement. Oh, ok. It’s pretty laughable. I feel sorry for Lauren.
Fifth question: obviously you never disclose your sources but they have to be close to production, right. To your knowledge, has anyone been fired because they were found to have fed you info?
Thanks for the spoilers!
Comment: They do? Quite an assumption you’re making there.
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Hey there! Just a few questions after reading today’s article and didn’t really see the answers for.
1. You say that Ben and Lindsey aren’t really doing a good job of hiding their relationship, but I haven’t seen anything so what’s your proof? Just curious! I agree with another reader thats its really unfortunate that he acts like a good christian, but is living his life otherwise. You can’t pick and choose what’s moral. There were pictures of them together at Thanksgiving with his friends and family, and when I first reported it back in Aug/Sept, she was with him at an appearance he made at a bar in Denver for some charity. Other people who follow social media way more closely that I do have also mentioned points where each posted something from the same location at the same time.
2. Apparently Ashley I met someone at Winter games. Do you know anything about that? Who it is and if its still going on? Yes. Kevin from Bachelor: Canada. It’s up for interpretation how serious they are.
3. I’d just like to point out that Ashley I follows you on Twitter so its laughable that they say their going spoiler free. Their podcast is starting to get annoying at how PC they are. I can’t comment since the only things I hear about their podcast are what people report to me since I don’t listen. But yes, I’m sure they’re aware of the spoilers.
4. I love your challenge podcasts. I’ve been listening to the Challenge Mania one, but they ramble way too much, so please keep having more challenge people are yours! You do a much better job at interviewing them!
Comment: There will hopefully be more coming on in the future.
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I know I’m late to this reader’s emails but it just occurred to me…have you heard anything about Jimmy Kimmel doing baby bachelor this season?
Thanks for always making the show more enjoyable than it should be!
Comment: He hasn’t started it as of yet, so I doubt he will 5 episodes into the season.
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Hey Steve,
This is my first time writing in and yes, it’s at 3 am because I happen to indulge in your blog when I can’t sleep.
– With Arie being dubbed the worst bachelor this early on and considering recent events, do you expect any type of damage control from the franchise in response to the negative press Arie is already getting and/or will get post show? I don’t know what they can do. This happened. Arie will get up their at the finale and give us all the rhetoric he wants about what led him to this decision, and I’m sure his minions will hang on his every word and buy it. Lauren has. I just tend to put more stock into a pattern of behavior than what he’s currently doing right now.
-Why do you think the show has been selecting more reputable leads when it comes to bachelorettes vs bachelors? Coming off of Rachel’s season and the hype of the first black bachelorette, selecting leads of Nick and now Arie’s douchery seems to be progressing backwards. Tough one to answer. I really don’t know.
Also, side note question- how do bachelorette vs bachelor ratings typically stack up against each other?
Comment: Bachelor always draws stronger ratings because it’s airing right after the new year begins. A summer show will just never pull as much because less people are watching TV during the summer due to vacations, etc.
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First of all, thank you for the great podcast and spoilers. I have some questions.
1) We knew that producers lie and manipulate behind the scenes. But why are those contestants still following and interacting with producers after being humiliated by the show? Because it’s all about getting attention, gaining IG followers, becoming “popular,” wanting to be on BIP, extending their brand, etc.
2) Did Becca sense this break? Or was she blind-sided? She must hear all those interviews about falling in love with two women. It’s tough to say. I don’t think she was 1000% blindsided. I gotta believe Arie in his time he was spending with her at some point brought up how he was feeling. However, I do think the actual act of ending the engagement probably did surprise her. I’m sure she thought they’d just work through it.
3) I feel we know so little about Lauren. Any interesting tidbit about her background you can share? I can’t believe she is willing to take Arie back. Well, she was engaged in July of 2016 and set a wedding date of July 2017, but she ended the engagement in Dec. of 2016. I posted some of the engagement pictures yesterday, and if you dig deep enough (assuming her ex-fiance’s mom hasn’t deleted the video by now), you can see the actual engagement on her FB page.
4) Can you tell us Sydney’s thoughts on this new development?
Comment: I mean, she certainly isn’t surprised. Hell, she called it from the beginning.
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Hi,
I’m a Bachelor/Bachelorette fan from Norway, and I recently got into your sight. Interesting to gain a new level of insight into the show. Thanks.
I have a few questions for you. I know that you probably won’t be able to answer all of them, but it’s worth giving it a shot, right?
1. When Rachel’s season was filming in Norway, they actually visited my hometown for the 2 on 1 with Kenny and Lee. I couldn’t belive my eyes when I watched that on my screen! This is a really small town of only 5000 people, so what are the odds of that happening?! So random. My question is: do you know how they pick their locations. Do you think they did a helicopter ride over the Oslo area to see what looked like the wilderness, or do they use local tourist information centers? I mean, they could have picked any forest in the Oslo area. They basically contact a bunch of tourism boards in different cities and countries telling them what their show offers, and then whatever one agrees to their demands is who they go with.
2. I’ve heard from Desiree or Kaitlyn B I think that the production prefers the Bachelors above the Bachelorettes. For instance when they didn’t offer to pay for Desiree’s wedding. How come? Is it because the Bachelor has more viewers? Or is it plain sexist? I mean if you ask Kaitlyn, she’s directly called Mike Fleiss sexist. As for why some of them haven’t gotten weddings, there’s been no concrete answer as to why honestly.
3. I am a huge fan of Emily Maynard. Do you know anything about her husband? What does he do? is he rich? Uhhhh, she met him through her church. And he kinda looks like Ryan Bowers. That’s about all I know.
4. Do you know which Bachelor and Bachelorette seasons got the highest and lowest ratings? Well it’s tough because TV was different in 2002. I remember Trista and Ryan’s wedding drew like 25 million viewers or something ridiculous like that. That’d never happen now. Jason and Melissa’s finale I wanna say drew 16 or 17 million. The same thing is gonna happen this season, but Arie won’t draw close to that. It’s just different times now. Way more options for people on their TV and this show is what it is when it comes to ratings. Solid every season and it wins the women 18-49 demo for the two hours it’s on, which is an advertiser’s wet dream.
5. Which Bachelor or Bachelorette was the last to not be recycled? Brad Womack’s first season. Every lead since then has appeared on a previous season.
6. I’ve noticed several celebrities are watching the show like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, January Jones, Brie Larson and Amy Schumer. Do you know any other A-cebrities watching the show? Do you think any of them get paid to promote the show? Not when guest starring the Bachelor itself, but on other shows/interviews? I think a ton of A-listers do. Kirsten Dunst does. She talked about reading my spoilers on Jimmy Kimmel’s show. You’d be surprised how many do. But some are just more private about it and don’t admit it.
7. Why won’t magazines like People publish spoilers?
Comment: Because they have a relationship with ABC that they will not jeopardize. The final couple gets the cover once the season is over. ABC would NEVER let them publish spoilers ahead of time. That would ruin it.
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Hi Steve,
You’re going to laugh at this one but my husband thinks it’s crazy that I’m a 48-year old woman who watches the Bachelor. He actually takes it personally, thinking I watch it because there’s not enough romance in our lives and I have unhealthy secret crushes on the leads. Arie? Nick? Ben? I mean, give me more credit. Anyway, on Monday nights he goes into our bedroom and closes the door. This past Monday I walked in unexpectedly and he was texting and almost slammed his phone down when he saw me. I asked who he was texting and he said Arie. I laughed and left. He’s my age and we have a good marriage, no big problems and yes, not a lot of romance but nothing to worry about…? So now I’m wondering who he was texting and if I need to stop watching the show. I know this is a silly problem but it’s been bothering me all week.
Thanks for all you do, your spoilers are better than a box of chocolates on a rainy day.
Comment: Maybe you meant to send this to Dr. Reality Steve? So he slammed his phone down and never told you who he was texting? Uh oh.
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Here’s my conspiracy theory…what if Arie really didn’t want to come out of this show engaged, but knew it was expected of him. He definitely knows how the show works, so he goes through the show, and as time passes he starts the “falling in love with 2 women” spiel. He throws in the “I love you” to Lauren when he broke up with her so she will remember that and after the show is over he continues to say he fell in love with 2 women, BECAUSE he planned it out to get engaged, break it off and then DATE the one he was more interested in. He gets to have some fun with the person he picked, but can have the thrill of talking to the other all with the blessing of the show (feeds into the cheater profile). That then puts him JUST dating…which will allow him to tell the other girls he picks up that it’s just casual dating and nothing serious…they’re just seeing if it will work out…thus he can cheat which is his MO.
I know, silly, but he is a cheater so they are very much always thinking how to get by with it.
Comment: He’s one sick person if that was his mindset from the get go. And if I were Lauren, I’d run and not look back.
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Hey Steve, I remember you mentioned that Ben and Ashley I. would never talk about your spoilers, and I just listened to their latest podcast with Arie. I found myself with multiple “ughhhhhhh” moments because it sounds like their questions are so tailored to make Arie look good. Are Ben and Ashley just puppets of Bachelor production? How connected are the producers of their show with the podcast?
Thanks for keeping it real.
Comment: It’s hard to say because I don’t listen. But from what people tell me, they certainly don’t talk spoilers on their show, so, I guess you have to know going in what to expect. They’re going to dance around certain topics, and they’re gonna put their friends on. Which is fine. And hell, they’re going to get guests that I’m never gonna be able to get because those guests feel more of an allegiance to them. I get it. It’s up to you each individual person to determine if that’s what you wanna hear in a podcast. Some do, some don’t. To each their own.
