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Hi Steve!
I am quite new to your site and Bachelor franchise but here I am, first time writing to you. Greetings all the way from Poland!
Congratulations on your new dog! I hope you and Luka will get along great and have wonderful time together.
Some people might let you know by now that Bibiana was not only instructed to give Colton a rose but beforehand she had promised giving it to Wills. At least it is his view on that. It doesn’t show her in a good light though.
This season of BIP is really anticlimactic for me. In previous seasons there were couples I was excited about and wanted them to succeed after the show. This year despite the number of engagements at the end it feels different but not in a good way. We’ve heard sooooo many times in Becca’s season as well in Paradise women saying ”he is a good guy” about everyone while I have problems in selecting one which is. Jordan whose behaviour is insulting and childish? Chris with his worthless promises? Colton changing his mind so many times? Leo with his attitude towards women? David- proud to be mama’s boy who only enjoys teasing Jordan? Kenny with his unclear intensions? I can go on and you have much more stories which put them in even worse light. Therefore I am extremely irritated by misuse of this phrase.
The lack of logic in behaviour and words of Chris, Jordan and many more contestants in Paradise makes me question the humanity. It just doesn’t make any sense. Because of your insight and comments I realized I am not the only one seeing that so thank you for that. I agree with a lot of this. I think the spoiled people aren’t finding this season entertaining because the people they know get engaged aren’t people they care to have a happy ending – Chris & Jordan. If Joe & Kendall got engaged, people would love that. Chris & Jordan aren’t coming across as likable and I think that plays a major role into why the spoiled don’t seem to care.
Do you have any idea how many more episodes we will see Tia-Colton drama? I am so tired of this that I don’t have words. I don’t know what Colton’s deal is. What is happening with them right now? Nothing. They’re friends. Not dating.
I get why comparing Ashley and Jared to Colton-Tia situation is annoying for you. In my opinion A&J relationship (if really genuine) is the exception that proves the rule.
I really enjoy your podcasts. Recently I listened to the one with Jason&Cortney Carrion from „Married at first sight” and I loved it. They seams genuine, kind and funny. Regarding MAFS franchise – have you tuned in to watch Season 7? There is some major drama with arrest of one of the newlyweds. In podcast you said that after season 1 there was no much success in this show. And whilst I agree I want to let you know there is one couple from season 5 still married and another expecting pair from season 6. I’ve never watched MAFS outside of season 1.
Podcast #100 is coming so I decided to share my little idea with you. I know there was a podcast with you but it was some time ago. Many fans (including me) would like to have you answer questions about podcasts and its backroom (Here are some examples – what was your favourite guest(s)? Who surpised you the most in a good/bad way? Who would you like to have on podcast but you cannot? Do you regret having someone as a guest? If possible, will you have Becca on?)
I get that Q&A live podcasts are usually chaotic and not easy to listen to, so questions might be sent before recording to put them in order. Let me know what you think about it ?
I appreciate your work and opinions. Thanks for what you do!
Comment: Interesting idea for #100. Can’t say I’m gonna do it, but I wouldn’t rule it out. We’ll see.
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Totally random question but do you know if grocery Joe did any child acting? I was just at my kid’s school watching a mandatory video for 3rd graders about “tricky people” and what kids should be on the lookout for. There was a “Yellow Dino” kids band, and the older boy on drums looked strikingly like Grocery Joe. Might not have been him but it was pretty uncanny.
Comment: I have no idea.
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Hey Steve, big fan!
I’ve been listening to some of your older interviews with Josiah and Kenny from Rachel’s season and a few other random ones. I’ve noticed a lot of alums talking about who they were in the limo with on night one, and it seems like they bond quickly with these people and maintain these loyalty throughout the show.
Ive also watched unreal, and I know in the show they grouped the girls by likeliness to win (not sure now they phrased it, but I remember something like a limo with all the top producer picks for front runners).
My question is, is there any truth to that limo grouping in unreal? Is there any significance to the limos the contestants are put into?
Not sure if you’ve heard any thing about this! Thanks either way!
Comment: I really don’t think so other than they will always have a front runner exit first and/or last. Whether it’s shown that way is a different deal, but they try for it.
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Hi Steve
I live in New Zealand and have been reading your site for a number of years. I am watching the current season of Bachelor in Paradise and (like so many others) wanted to get your view on a potential candidate for The Bachelor. It seems like Jason has strong support but do you think thI franchise would consider making Eric the new Bachelor? He has been on Winter Games and is on Paradise. Although the last few episodes have been dominated by the Tia/Colton drama it will be interesting to see what edit Eric gets over the next few episodes.
Thanks
Comment: No. It will be one of Becca’s guys I’m pretty sure, most likely Jason or Blake.
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Hi Steve,
I’ve never written in before so I don’t know if the timing of this is question is good because your reader emails just went up yesterday but… Someone asked a question about Nick and Chelsea still being together, which is what I originally thought was the case. But I went back to look at the BIP spoilers and saw that John and Chelsea were there for the final rose ceremony and did the overnight date together. First of all, Venmo John (because I ship it)? And did they just have a thing on the show and then just break up shortly after and then she got together with Nick? So confused.
Thanks for doing the lord’s work. Much luv.
Comment: Pretty much. Who knows how serious their dating is since she has a son in Maine she isn’t moving away from.
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Hey Steve. Congrats on adopting Luka! Chris Randone. WTF? He posted on IG that long apology for the way he acted on BIP and said he doesn’t disrespect women. Then he took it down because he obviously got a lot of hate. I just want to get this straight. So Men Tell All Is filmed after Paradise right? And his whole apology chorus to Becca was after BIP? I guess this means Krystal made him a changed man and after BIP and Bachelor he realized he was a douche? I guess. But yes, that apology was after he’d returned from BIP filming.
Do you know if we will see some of that “character development” on BIP? Chris as a reformed disrespector of women? Are he and Krystal still together and engaged? After Paradise will just be another Randone Redemption attempt like Men Tell All. Krystal isn’t the villain on BIP that she was portrayed on Arie’s season but I don’t see her being much help to rehab his reputation. It all seems too little too late.
Comment: Yes, they’re still engaged. I think Chris thinks he was redeemed this season because he got engaged. I think a lot of fans beg to differ.
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I think it’s ridiculous Colton got another date card – obviously we
all know why – I’m just so tired of the Tia/Colton drama and glad it’s
coming to an end.
When it comes to date cards, aside from incoming people getting date
cards, there should be cards up for grabs with some kind of competition. A little throwback to Bachelor Pad but not including allthe immunity/money aspect of it.They keep saying they’re gonna change things up and maybe go to more of a competition aspect and they never do. Ever.
The editing only shows the cast sitting around either eating, feet in
the pool/hot tub, or laying on a day bed/lounge chair. I would like to see competitions like a 3 legged race, egg toss, who can eat the most guacamole in 30 seconds (they seem to eat a lot of guac there), etc just to liven the place up a bit. The winners could get a mini-date card or fantasy suite card. I’m sure they can fit this into the 4 hours of edited content per week….
Comment: Or how about this real winner of competition from Bachelor Pad. Remember this doozy?
About as insulting as you can get. Not one of their finer moments needless to say. Can you imagine the shit they’d get now if they tried that? Forget it.
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Hi Steve!
Two questions:
1: Who is Rusev? Lol A WWE wrestler from Bulgaria (or that’s where the character is from)
2: Maybe you’ve answered this before but how much money does Chris Harrison make per episode to say “Ladies/Gentlemen, Lead, this is the final rose tonight. Whenever you’re ready?” I figure it’s a lot and with all the travelling… I want his job ?
Comment: When the Sony hacks happened, it got posted in some email that made the rounds that I believe it said he was making $60k an episode. And that was what, 5 years ago? I’m sure it’s more now.
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Hi Steve,
Longtime reader, first time emailer.
With regard to the race to be the next Bachelor, do you see a clear front runner? I know it’s hard to tell because of the stunts they pulled choosing Nick and Arie the last two seasons. Do you think anyone on Paradise is a strong contender? (especially considering they chose Nick because of his performance on BiP)
Thanks for everything you do!
Comment: No. I think it’ll be Jason or Blake. I’ve been saying since Becca’s season I’d be surprised if wasn’t one of them or Ben, and now we know Ben is out of the running. I expect it to be one of those two. I don’t think they’re going back and pulling an old school alumni again.
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Hey Steve,
In your podcast with Bri, you mentioned 7 of the 8 girls who went home the first night started The Rose Girls. Who was the 8th one? Any idea why she didn’t do it? Thanks!
Comment: Amber Wilkerson (IG: everyonceinastyle). Not sure why she wasn’t involved.
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Dear Steve,
Thank you for always making your recaps satirical and sarcastic! It makes watching BIP a bit less agonizing. I have a few questions about some current casting rumors in bachelor nation.
1. I saw that Blake Horstmann has been posting things about dancing and seemed to be in California during this past week. Is he a likely candidate for DWTS? No.
2. Have you heard about any other people who are being seriously considered for the bachelor besides Jason and Blake? Possibly Colton, but I think he’s a long shot. Or the dark horse in all this.
3. Have you heard about any other couples who may possibly get engaged at the Live After Paradise show? Nobody did. It was pretty uneventful.
4. Olivia who is going to be with John at the end of paradise was from Arie’s season?
Thank you
Comment: Yes. She was one of the first eliminatees and one of the Rose girls.
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Hey Steve,
Leo seems to be digging his grave all on his own. I think Kendall hit it spot on by calling him out for trying to mess with her head. But seriously, doesn’t his explosive reaction just prove how badly he wanted to cover it up? If Leo intended to tell her anyway, and didn’t feel like he had done anything wrong, why didn’t he just apologise that she had to find out that way and then explain himself calmly? He makes zero sense. Clinging to some integrity card about not ‘snitching’ seems pretty weird as well. Dead on. His defensiveness only proved he knew he was in the wrong, got caught, and didn’t know what to do.
A random question: when they show a drone shot of Paradise, there are a bunch of huts along the beach. Do you know if they rent the whole stretch out? Otherwise couldn’t members of the public snoop around pretty easily? Sorry if you’ve answered this already. They keep it pretty separated from the rest of the public. I mean, it’s been 5 seasons and I’ve never seen any pictures come from people staying close. Only pics are from people on dates, not at the resort.
Also, how many crew members would you guess are on set, if you had to take a stab? Those huts look pretty big just to house 15 cast members in bunks, even if you added, say, a few producers and camera crew, and used a couple of rooms for ITMs. I remember UnReal made it look like there were a couple hundred at the mansion, with all these trailers etc parked out back.
Cheers and keep up the awesome work! Love your beautiful new dog, please keep us updated.
Comment: Crew stays back in a hotel about 45 min away. They aren’t in the huts.
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Hi Steve,
I’ve written before for Dr. Reality Steve and you actually used my email. I forget why, but I remember your advice was validating and on point, and all is well. So congrats, good doctor!
More of an observation about BIP…. I feel like this season was majorly hyped up, but it is by far the worst season of BIP in terms of producer driven drama, casting and lack of interactions of the cast divulging their sorrows to the bartender (Wells). I wonder if Yuki, who is amusing but serves no real purpose, changed that dynamic? Yeah, having a bartender, let alone two this season, seems pointless. Wells has done nothing of note all season.
I also feel that perhaps this season’s cast was too much saturation of current castoffs of Bachelor/Bachelorette, instead of the original premise which seemed to be fan favorites across multiple seasons. I know the ratings started on point, but would have to look at your previous columns to see how viewership is this season. Your thoughts?
Comment: Cast has always been made up mostly of the most recent seasons. That’s not just this season. Look back at the rest of the casts. Same deal. I think the biggest thing honestly this season? There aren’t a ton of likable people.
