Hi Steve!
I am loving this season so far, I wasn’t going to read the spoilers – but I always like to make sure I don’t get invested if it’s not the outcome I want. I LOVE who she ends up with, regardless of what you or Ashley S have to say about him.. from what I see on TV, he’s super charismatic and they mesh really well together. I hope they’re super happy from here on out… but on to my question:
1) Do you remember JoJo’s season, and what a bad rep Jordan had and how people were rooting for Robbie? I think the roles have reversed by about a million… I think everyone is actually team Jordan now and from what it looks like, he and JoJo are really happy and I honestly think everyone would be ok if they never see or hear from Robbie again. Do you think he ranks up there as top 5 biggest “tools” of Bachelor franchise? Also, please rank your top 5 based off your knowledge of them…There are too many to pigeonhole into a 5. But Robby is definitely up there.
(ps) I don’t think Josh Murray is a tool, he got a bad rep but I really love what he does for charity so he’s won me over – so please exclude him from your list. Lol He’s not in my top 5. But just because someone does charity work does not exclude them from being a not-so-great guy. Not specifically pointing to Josh, I’m just saying that’s kind of letting people off the hook a bit, no?
2) Is it just me, or does it seem like Wills always talks with his eyes closed? He definitely has that “chill” vibe to him for sure. Doesn’t get too animated over anything it seems like.
3) I know you haven’t heard about the next possible Bachelor yet, but it’s got to be Blake. I just think he’s so handsome and sweet (maybe a little boring) – IF not him, and I really don’t think Peter would do it, although he would be my absolute first choice.. do you think they would ever bring back Roberto from Ali’s season? I don’t even know if he’s single or not, but he was so freaking handsome, and always seemed too good for Ali. Would that be waaaaaaaay to far back in the vault? If they can bring back Ari, then surely Roberto could be a possibility?
OK – sorry, had a lot of random thoughts/ ideas.. have a good one!
Comment: See how people can watch the same exact person on TV and have total opposite opinions? The email right before this one can’t stand Blake and doesn’t want to see him as the next “Bachelor,” yet you love it. It’s the exact reason why this show is on the air 16 years and 36 seasons.
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Steve,
UGHGHHG. Could this season be any more boring? I thought Arie’s was bad and this is just painful. Honestly, if I didn’t have your spoilers and gossip to read — and I would totally tune out.
Last night I was scrolling through Instagram and noticed that Amanda Stanton was liking many of Kacie McDonnell’s posts. I’m from Philly — so Kacie McDonnell was a pretty big personality here and obviously was Aaron Murray’s fiance for all of about three months. It made big news around here when they broke up two weeks after Josh and Andi. It’s interesting to me that Kacie is friendly with both Andi and Amanda (especially Amanda because her relationship with Josh was so long after these other relationships failed). Did you ever hear anything about the Kacie – Aaron breakup? Seems like these girls have bonded together for some reason (I’m thinking there is some craziness in dealing with the Murray family). No, didn’t hear the reasoning behind that one. But definitely was kinda bizarre that two brothers engagements were broken off within a couple weeks of each other.
I think I’ve asked this before but would you ever consider having Lauren Murray as a podcast guest. Andi has sort of told her side of things, as has Amanda — just would be interesting to hear from the Murray mouthpiece (although I’m not sure anyone would believe what she says).
Thanks for all of your work!
Comment: No. That’s over and done with and there’s no reason to bring her on at this point. The Amanda podcast talking about that whole situation was 15 months ago and from what I’ve seen, there hasn’t been any sniping back and forth since. No need to even begin to bring that to the forefront again. Amanda seems happy and in a new relationship. Bringing Lauren Murray on now would be pointless.
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Hey Steve,
I know we are still very early in the game here and you’ll go on to answer this question 268 more times until we know, but any word on Ben 2.0?
I happened to tune into his podcast episode today for the first time out of random interest. In the episode, they were hinting at Ben missing a previous episode (as we know he was in paradise thanks to you). Ashley I. “joked” she felt Ben would leave her on the podcast to be the next bachelor. There was no denial on his part and considering he’s never discussed his relationship with that girl (forget her name), its stirring up some speculation to say the least.
Thanks! Always enjoy reading your stuff and seriously considering attending the fan appreciation party next year.
P.S. voting for you to add Boston to your summer tour!
Comment: I guess Ben will always be a possibility because the franchise loves him so much, and he loves being part of the franchise. So it can never 100% be ruled out. But it’s still too early to tell.
As of right now, after Chicago, I think that’s my last summer tour stop this year. Maybe I’ll do one later on this year. Or maybe do three more cities next year. Not sure. But I’m very much a creature of habit. Doing this has definitely been fun and brought me out of my comfort zone, but I don’t know how much more I wanna do this summer. I mean it’s almost July already and I feel like I’ve been living out of a suitcase.
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Hey Steve!
Odds on the producers casting Wills as the “First Black Bachelor” purely to make up for all their screw ups? “I know we let a sex offender and some dude who thinks offensive things are funny on the show, but look! we believe in diversity and inclusion so you should talk about that instead!”
Or just wishful thinking on my part since he seems pretty normal and likable….I don’t see it.
I felt really bad when Jordan was talking about his mom on the show. She’s in a Bachelor spoilers Facebook group I’m in, therefore sees a ton of crap people are talking about her son. She posted there last week about Jordan and people were so rude and hateful that she deleted it shortly after. No matter what dumb sh*t came out of his mouth, I wish people would realize the effect that editing does on our perception of these contestants. Knowing his mom has had mental health issues in the past, you have to feel for her and their family.
Comment: If people were writing those comments before Monday’s episode when we learned she’s suffered from mental illnesses, unfortunately, she’s fair game. Anything after Monday night, then those trolls need to get a life.
I’m starting to go back to what Michael Carroll said on the podcast a couple months ago. It’s been 16 years now and 36 seasons. If you don’t know by now what you’re getting into by going on this show, it’s on you. Sure, there are some extreme examples where blame can’t all be put on the contestants, but I’m just talking about specifically if you don’t understand the ramifications of social media and how it works with this show in 2018, that’s your fault and no one’s else’s. Translation: You, your friends, and your family better have thick skin if you go on this show. If you don’t, it won’t be pleasant for you.
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Hi Steve,
Have you been watching the Bad Chiller recap episodes that Nick, Jared and Dean have been doing? They’re suprisingly really funny. I watched one on Twitter. I just don’t get it. The humor is so simple, it’s just not funny to me.
Wills standing put while Chris begged for more time is one of my favorite moments ever. How did he not realize just how desperate he looked??
Comment: Yeah, he pretty much put him in his place. I don’t really know what Chris was thinking. Especially after Becca told him she’d come find him later and he still begged for time. She was completely turned off at that point, as she should’ve been.
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Hi Steve.
Great recap as always. A few observations/questions:
1. Garrett’s wedding video was totally bizarre. As a 40 something who has been married for a while, it looked to me like 2 kids basically fresh out of college who had a very expensive party and were way too immature to get married. If I’d been Kayla, the marriage wouldn’t have lasted 24 hours (much less 2 months) if my groom was such a doofus that he thought it was appropriate to put into our vows that we make comments about people’s private parts on Naked and Afraid. Garrett-DUDE-this is your wedding. Who told you this was cool? He looked like a babbling 16 year old. Kind of hard to believe he’s matured that much in less than 3 years but oh well. I didn’t actually watch the whole thing until I read this email. You are right. That is an awfully weird thing to say in your heartfelt vows to someone. I get he was trying to lighten the mood with humor combined with some seriousness, but that just completely missed the mark to me.
2. Did you notice the guys hardly even cracked a smile when Becca said they were going to Richmond VA? Whooo Hoooo. NOT! So funny. Didn’t she also preface it by saying it was the place of love or something like that. Since when?
3. If Becca says “I’m not gonna lie” one more time, I may have to go and throw myself under a camel. I need to pay more attention to that since it hasn’t caught my ear.
4. Who told Wills that plaid suit looked good? What about his romp-him?
I fast forwarded through almost the entire Wayne Newton date.
Comment: Wayne’s date was painful. Not as painful as it would be for a tear to escape his face if he ever cried, but painful nonetheless.
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Hi Steve,
I love reading your site!
I’ve noticed that Becca hasn’t been writing her blog on People beyond the first week, and it’s the first lead I can think of who has skipped writing it (though I haven’t followed every season…). Do you think it’s because of all the contestant scandals? Like, she addressed the Garrett stuff initially but it would be awkward to do it every week. And Lincoln must be even worse. I bet ABC isn’t happy that she isn’t writing it though! I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks!
Comment: It’s certainly possible, but unless the show or her address it publicly, I don’t think we’ll ever know why.
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Steve —
Have fun in Chicago — it is an awesome city 🙂
Based on what I have seen in this season, Becca is a pretty cool girl – bright, beautiful, fun, adventurous….. but, just months ago, she was engaged to Arie. She brings him up often and seems genuinely hurt by their break-up. And before her, Rachel was vying for an engagement from Nick. I think you mean Peter. Nick wasn’t on Rachel’s season. She was on his, but I don’t remember her pining for an engagement. I don’t get it. I am not sure what my question is — I just don’t understand why these women went after these not-good-enough-for-them guys. Or am I just naive and maybe these women aren’t as bright as I think they are? Or are they distracted by the bright lights and tv cameras? Or something else? In their defense, I do think TV plays a pretty big role in their decisions. They’re definitely swayed a lot by what people behind-the-scenes are saying/suggesting to them.
Also, your comments about Wayne Newton made me laugh. Regarding his estate, I was just poking around online and it is unclear exactly the current status. But, it does appear that he lost the house as part of a bankruptcy proceeding a few years ago. It currently operates as a museum (he may or may not still live there and he may or may not own a small portion of it – couldn’t tell), but it just closed indefinitely for “extensive renovations”. The show portrayed him as owning and living in this estate, but shocking (not shocking) to know that the truth is a bit more complicated.
Cheers!
Comment: Interesting. Didn’t know that.
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Some questions for you this week:
This season has brought its share of controversy with the contestants, do you think going forward they’re going to try their best to vet all of these contestants via their social medias, more vigorous background checks, etc.? I feel like it’s more heightened this season, but every season there is at least one person with social media activity that shows their racism, their ignorance, etc. Because the same thing happened with the proposal. ABC is getting a bad light at the moment. I mean, Fleiss has SAID that’s what they’ll do, but until the next cast of women for the next “Bachelor” season is released, and everyone starts furiously vetting them themselves trying to find the next scandal, we really won’t know.
Can I kindly request Jemmye from the challenge for an upcoming podcast? Girl does not hold back! I think it would be an interesting listen.
Comment: Sure you can request it. Maybe it’ll happen. Or maybe it won’t.
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I feel as though as of now, the candidates for The Bachelor are Colton, Blake, Jason, or Ben 2.0. Unless ABC pulls someone out of nowhere like they did with Arie, how would you order that list as most likely to least likely to get the gig (assuming they’d all take it if offered)?
Comment: I hate to order it because the second I put someone #1 on that list, that means people would assume I’m saying that guy has the best chance of being the next “Bachelor.” I honestly have no idea who has the best chance right now. Nor do I think the show does either at this point.
jessie
June 27, 2018 at 10:49 AM
Does anyone disagree that Jared and Ashley must want their own TV show and that’s what this silliness is about. She is just to shallow, without charactr, without culture, (he is probably the same) to be interesting on TV. oy!
rob22
June 27, 2018 at 1:34 PM
So, the comment about the older Bachelor’s season, especially that Jason Meznick’s season was so pure…. and the subsequent comments by RS blaming social media and naming (of course) Ben Flatdick and Huan Pah-blow as especially bad seasons…. Well, everyone is forgetting what came right after Jason’s season. That was the Jack Pavelka sh*t-show season with Vienna. Remember now? Is it coming back to you? So, yeah social media definitely changed it, but I think the tone went really dark starting in that season and the show has bounced back and forth ever since. They had Jake and then followed it up with Brad 2.0. They then had Ben and followed it up with Sean to clean up the mess. Then they had a series of losers with Juan Pablo, Farmer Chris, Ben (cleaned it up again) then Nick and Arie, two of the bigger s*it shows ever. Though I found both of those seasons to be entertaining. I expect a cleanup version this time. Therefore, I’m all in on Ben 2.0. I like Becca, but her season is train wreck with all the scandals. Ben 2.0 definitely. The show always reacts to criticsm with a season that they try to play pretty straight.
tinyred500
June 27, 2018 at 2:37 PM
I’m unable to download seasons prior to Jake, so I can’t see how much the shows have changed over the years with regard to social media and its impact. However, the contrived drama and producer induced/produced villain(s) have made the shows just as bad if not worse overall. It has got so irritating to watch and just plain silly. Although Sean’s season was okay, Tierra was kept on far too long, the show focused too much on her and made Sean look naive and stupid in the process. Juan P season although bad in its own way (him!), there was little if any contrived drama. From Chris’s season it went downhill with the cheap contrived drama, including the bachelorette shows. Some people like the drama and villain’s, which I suppose is fine, but surely it’s better for the drama to be natural and real, and for the villain to be truly authentic, but not over-stay their welcome!
Ben 2 Bachelor would be perfectly okay, apart from telling two women he loved them, please not again! Arie’s season was just awful, worse then Juan’s IMO. I’ve not minded Becca’s season so far, better than some of the more recent Bachelorette’s, though I’ve not seen Rachael’s yet.
mariet
June 27, 2018 at 4:14 PM
Ben 2.0? Please, no! He was so boring! Zero personality. The only “interesting” thing about him was his mother’s subtle references to his anger issues. Joe the Grocer is on BIP. He will not find love, and hopefully be the next Bachelor! Yay!
upmyalley
June 27, 2018 at 6:44 PM
Whatever happened to the Bachelor villian Jake the snake Pavelka being brought up when villians are the topic? That dude’s anger was off the charts! As much as I didn’t like Vienna, I felt bad for her when that nut job ripped her a new one on tv. I felt like he had a lot of skeleton’s in his closet particularly with past relationships and how her probably treated past girlfriends. If soc media had an influence then, I bet stuff would’ve come out about him. He was the most desperately fame hungry person this franchise has ever had. He was of short stature too and it was obvious how insecure he was about it. A complete narcisist like many of these people in bach nation.
Watching Becca these past few weeks I find myself not liking her very much. She sure can dismiss these guys like a champ! I’ll have to wait and see how things play out but right now, she seems pretty boring and just my opinion, she’s no knockout but does have sorta average good looks.
upmyalley
June 27, 2018 at 6:50 PM
The earliest seasons I recall were Jason, Deanna and Travis the doctor. Oh and Matt from the UK?
tinyred500
June 28, 2018 at 12:40 AM
I’ve not watched prior the Ben F season, but I will watch Jake. I’ve seen excerpts of his reunion with Vienna and it was ghastly! I wish I could see the really early season’s.
I don’t mind Becca having no trouble sending the men home. 🙂 Most of the goodbyes are usually so drawn out, over the top and disproportionate given they’ve only spent between 15 and 45 minutes with her, even the F2 and F1 only have up to 70 hours spent with the lead.
jlal
June 28, 2018 at 4:20 AM
I have watched every season since the beginning and agree and have said that social media way changed this show. Also agree with upmyalley that Jake Pavelka was a total douche with major issues. Vienna was no prize and frankly I felt like they deserved each other. However, his true colors came out in the reunion (or whatever you want to call it) show and they weren’t pretty. He hid his true nature better than Juan during filming, but it sure shone through afterward.
Luke Pell needs to go away. After what he did on Winter Games to that Russian chick – what a creep!
I think Ben 2.0 would be a total snooze fest. Please find some new blood and for the love of all things holy they don’t have to have a sm following. Actually, it would be so refreshing to have a lead that didn’t have the sm agenda.
Also agree that Becca is brutal when dismissing these guys. I love it though, as she doesn’t waste time and words. On the two-on-one when she just got up and walked away with Jordan without a backward glance I was like “AW SNAP” take that you little instigator.
None of the guys shine for me though, not one. She and Garett without a doubt have the most chemistry. I may be seeing that through the spoiler lens, but she just seems to be going through the motions with all the others. Some seasons it is obvious when this happens, others not so much. But, this season I think it is glaringly obvious she isn’t one bit interested in any other these guys other than Garett.
Also, just for the record what’s his name never actually said Jordan said he would settle for Becca. He said Jordan acted like he’d be settling for Becca or something like that. And, when Chris first asked to butt in, Becca told him twice they had only been talking for two minutes. He totally ignored her and then addressed Wills and asked again. If I was Becca I would have kicked him to the curb right then. I would have said “I just told you we’d only been talking for two minutes, why are you asking Wills now?” How disrespectful to totally ignore her and what she said and then address the guy. What an a-hole!
LynnS
June 28, 2018 at 5:21 AM
May I ask where you are watching older versions of the Bachelor? I can’t find them anywhere.
adelina
June 28, 2018 at 6:49 AM
I would be disappointed in a Ben 2.0 season – nice guy but just way too vanilla.
I wish I would’ve sent Steve an email asking his opinion about Chris Soules and what’s going on with him and his case.
I followed him on Twitter after he killed someone while driving drunk (“allegedly”) out of curiosity to see if he would tweet. He made a return to Twitter on Monday making a couple comments about the show. For some reason I find his presence on social media offensive. I think he should just go away. Anyone else feel the same way or differently?
tinyred500
June 28, 2018 at 6:50 AM
If you’re in America you might be able to download them for free. I’ve bought mine via iTunes and one from Amazon.
tinyred500
June 28, 2018 at 7:32 AM
I think out of respect for the circumstances, whether he’s guilty or not, Chris S should probably refrain from tweeting especially about the shows because they are high profile.
Reading some of the other comments about Social Media I can see how many would have been annihilated for their behaviour etc., on the shows and thereafter had it been around. I was thinking more a long the lines of how contestants use it for their own quasi-fame now etc.
rob22
June 28, 2018 at 9:47 AM
Ha, pretty funny the comments about our buddy Jake. I’m sure he’s hoping everyone forgot his season. As I recall, it’s all coming back, wasn’t he the “snitch” during Jillian’s season. He was the one who came back, I think, after being booted to rat out someone who “wasn’t there for the right reasons”? Usually “the snitch” kind of then attains a very low status where they are only eligible for BIP or BP….. which Jake also did. I seem to remember that it was Jake vs. Vienna in BP… another total S*it show. So to recap, Jake was the snitch in Jillians season, then got the Bachelor gig where he picked Vienna, leading to a completely volatile s***-show, especially on the ATFR or some afterwards show. Then Jake went to BP where he was pitted against Vienna … they were on opposite teams somehow and Vienna was hooked up with, I think, the “guard your heart” guy…. Kasey, right? And if I recall, I think Kasey came from the same season of The Bachelorette as Jake. What a mess! Jake was arguably the worst all around contestant from the franchise. Wherever he went, things were totally f’d up. The other thing I remember from Jake is that he gave out a sort of gay vibe. I really wonder what that dude is up to. I’m sure it’s a mess whatever it is.
LynnS
June 28, 2018 at 2:46 PM
Thanks – I’ll look around!
LynnS
June 28, 2018 at 2:52 PM
I believe Kasey came from Ali’s season. Wasn’t he the one who she left stranded on that snow-covered mountaintop? Ali left with that guy (started with an R) in the helicopter. Reggo or something like that – the one with the broken leg.
upmyalley
June 28, 2018 at 9:25 PM
@rob22 Yes, it was Jake who snitched to Jillian. Don’t forget he went on DWTS too and then pimped himself to other shows. He was so obviously out for fame and his frustration always shone through on all the shows. I too think he was/is a closet gay man. One of those who are afraid his manhood would be in peril if he came out. I also feel he expected to be loved and famous for getting the bach gig and didn’t know how to handle it when it didn’t go that way. He publically blamed Vienna for everything. He sure wasn’t “on the wings of love”. More like a plane crash for that so called pilot.haha!The meanest bachelor ever. The franshise buried him deep.
upmyalley
June 28, 2018 at 9:37 PM
The people who snitch do not usually fare well with the lead in terms of keeping them around. I sorta think Becca is really down about not being worshiped by the guys even though she does have Garrett and Blake. It reminded me of Deanna Pappas just a little when her guys seemed to be enjoying the other guys company more than hers. To be fair though she’s had to deal with so many bad guys with issues. Deanna was just into herself so much and wanted all the guys to prove themselves to her by treating her like a diva. Does anyone remember, wasn’t Jason Mesnick one of her final two?
LynnS
June 28, 2018 at 9:50 PM
Yes and she even let him get down on one knee and propose. I think her ego couldn’t resist it.
tinyred500
June 29, 2018 at 1:10 AM
Have a look on the ABC’s website, they had some if not all the previous seasons, (whilst Arie’s season was airing) they might still be there. I couldn’t view even with a VPN.
jlal
June 29, 2018 at 4:35 AM
OMG I forgot about Deanna and how she let Jason get down on his knee before dumping him, brutal! And, she did get pissy when they weren’t paying attention to her.
So, the franchise hasn’t buried Jake Pavelka very deep, as he was in Vegas promoting Bachelor slot machines at the MGM this past May. I guess he has found love now with an attorney from Arkansas. Can’t believe he is still around after eight years.
tater82
June 29, 2018 at 11:38 PM
Dr Travis Stork, whoo wee!!! Lol <3
upmyalley
July 2, 2018 at 7:12 PM
Jake may be pimping bach slot machines but I highly doubt it is with the franchise blessing! Sounds more like he’s looking for recognition- still- again! Haha! What a fool idiot.