Hey Steve!
Do you know who gets the final say in picking the bachelor? Is it just one person?
Comment: No. It’s a collective effort from higher ups at the network.
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I had to write in bc of your Chris question. I’m a Christian Evans girl all the way. Can’t America!!!
Comment: Ha ha funny. Then you won’t be happy with me. You’ll hear on tomorrow’s podcast with Taylor Nolan that I eliminated Chris Evans from that question since not only has no one chosen him in the numerous times I’ve asked so far, but some don’t even know who he is (like Taylor).
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Hi Reality Steve,
Relatively newer reader but have been following since the last couple of bachelor/bachelorette seasons. Absolutely love your spoilers and articles in general!
Just had a couple of questions for you.
First,
In regards to precious bachelors or bachelorettes coming onto paradise or other shows, are they produced again? Like they would be in a normal show setting or is it more of a free reign on what they can do and just told to do this or that, like with the past people coming onto paradise and going on dates with Colton and Tia or how Becca came back? Produced? Or little more lenient yet still told what to do? Just as much producing, if not more, going on in Paradise than the “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette.”
Second,
I’m curious if you think any of the engagements are designed in more of a “business deal” type or contract type with one another? Like they agree to be together for x amount of months/years for publicity, followers, ads, etc? Then once that time frame is up they make the split and announcement and make it seem like it’s mutual. Just curious, it seems a lot of them dive straight into ads and extra way to make money and promote things and it’s always like a couple thing to do it.
Thanks so much! Hope your little puppy is behaving and doing well! Can’t wait for the bachelor announcement on Tuesday! Although I’m sure we already know.
Comment: I don’t know if it’s blatantly spoken about in those terms between the two people like, “Ok, we’ll stay engaged until February of next year then end it,” – nothing that precise. However, do I think there have been couples from this show who’ve chosen to stay together as more of a business deal? Abso-f***in-lutely. And sometimes, it’s not both parties. It’s one party that looks at it that way, and it’s not til after filming is over does the other one realize it. Hint: Go listen to my podcast with DeAnna. Basically happened to her.
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Hey Reality Steve
Since my hopes and realty Tv dreams have been dashed, I still am curious as to why Colton would be chosen next to be the Bachelor.
I know most are upset that he was picked. Keeping in mind you never reveal sources, so interesting that ABC or whoever was able to leak this scoop to you.
Yes, sadly I have been following the twitter feeds of Fleiss and Mills and others, it seems like the “clues” lead to Jason. Colton (of course I don’t know him) seems like such a crazy choice especially now with the bad press with Leo, the guy charged with assault and the never really addressed stuff with Garrett. Garrett falls in a different class though- Just wanted it to be addressed more honestly. BUT that’s reality tv.
Do you think it will be Jason and Colton is just a way to mislead us and overall the franchise gets more publicity?
That was my question for you really. Sorry so long. I know you are a busy guy. I’m just holding out hope…still.
Comment: Obviously this was sent before yesterday’s official announcement. Just goes to show that anyone can read into anything that production tweets or posts about this show to make it fit the narrative THEY want. You said everything pointed to it being Jason. And it wasn’t. So, I guess in your mind it pointed to it being Jason, and I’m guessing it was because you wanted Jason.
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Just looking for your thought on this given your knowledge of the inner workings of the show.
When you broke Colton was gonna be the bachelor you referenced a Sean lowe comparison – which, I see how you came to that. However, (and I don’t have anything against Colton), in my mind, I can’t can’t even compare the two. That opinion may have a lot to do with the social media climate, Sean probably has less exposure, and just that I don’t really keep up with Sean.
In terms of choice, I think it’s less about the similarities between him and Sean.. I think Colton may be the type that producers think they can control/manipulate things out of (I.e that HORRENDOUS fantasy suite talk attempt w. Chris Harrison). And they may listen to producers over fans. It’s clear they’re not going with viewers favorites- call me insane but the audience wanted either Jason or blake. Or maybe they couldn’t pick between the two as Colton served that purpose..
Again would like to affirm I have nothing against Colton. I don’t want to turn the virginity storyline into an even bigger one, am I mature or is it just not a big deal to me? None of my beeswax! Also, overexposure. At least with nick and arie we had some time between them. Not interested with Colton Bc he’s been readily on my screen almost since the week he was eliminated.
Hope it didn’t come off as a rant.. just think their latest bachelor pics are interesting. They keep going rouge but bachelorette pics seem so easy and natural.
Wish I had my own podcast so I could continue on my tangents. Take care!
Comment: The virginity thing is a big storyline – and it isn’t. It’s not big because it’s not like Colton is the only 26 year old virgin on the planet. However, on a nationally televised show watched by 7 million people a week where the premise is filled with fantasies, and sexual undertones, yes, being a virgin becomes a big deal. That’s just the way it is.
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Hi Steve,
Was it me or did you notice the shoes Ashely was wearing completely different from the pictures. She had high heels on while he was proposing then somehow all her pictures are with her wearing flats. Am I going crazy or did they edit this proposal a few times?
Comment: I never noticed because I had zero interest in the engagement.
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Hi Steve,
You’ve mentioned a bunch that the dream for Bachelor producers would be to get a professional athlete to be the bachelor. Is that why they chose Colton, despite all the red flags? I would not call Colton a professional athlete. If you’ve never even suited up for a professional game before, you can’t put yourself in that class. That’s too strong of a characterization.
Ok, now I’m going to be way out there… I was listening to a Bachelor Party podcast this winter (I think it might have been the one with Juliet and Nick) where Juliet mentioned that they would love to have an athlete and there was a potential one for S23 of Bachelor. Was it Colton all along and this whole thing was planned? Probably not, but makes you think why they wouldn’t be smarter about putting him on paradise. I’ve said this numerous times over the years and I’ll say it again. This show can never have an actual pro athlete on the show (at least one currently playing) because their seasons are running while the “Bachelor” is filming. NBA and NHL start in October – dead in the middle of “Bachelor” filming. NFL starts in September – dead in the middle of “Bachelor” filming. MLB is still playing in September. So the best you’d do is a former athlete who’s retired, injured, and/or out of the sport. There’s a reason why Colton could do “Bachelorette” and be the “Bachelor.” Because not on any team and he’s no longer playing.
As a side note, I’m just shocked at how delusional the producers are. It’s funny to see people complain on social media about how annoyed they are at colton and tia and other various storylines and then look at Elan’s instagram and see him talking about how “beautiful” the stories are and other cliches. They’re just so out of touch and I almost feel sympathy for them that they think they’re doing a good job. They need new producers (It’s why Winter Games was so enjoyable!).
I know it’s early to ask, but so far, do you think the reaction to Arie or the reaction to Colton has been more negative? To me, it all runs together. I can’t say one was more than the other because what am I basing that off of? I’d literally have to go back and count how many negative vs positive tweets there were for Arie versus for Colton. Put it this way, they were both massively hated in terms of who responded to my tweets, wrote me emails, or DM’ed me.
Is it true that the producers picking Juan Pablo was “listening to the fans” (since he wasn’t in final 4) and since that ended so poorly, the producers will never “listen to the fans” again? I don’t know that to be true. I just don’t think they care about their fans when it comes to their selection. They’re going to pick who they want. Since it’s so subjective, you’re always gonna have detractors on who you pick.
Do you think the reaction could reach a point where it’s SO BAD that they choose 2 bachelors a la Kaitlyn and Britt as a twist? I don’t see them ever doing that again for either “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette.”
I’m not going to waste my time watching this man with the emotional intelligence of a 13 year old this season but obviously I’ll still be following your site religiously. Sorry for all the run on sentences and if this was all over the place, trying to finish this email before my boss gets in.
Comment: Hope you didn’t get fired.
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Hi Steve,
It seems every year that people get their panties in a bunch over who is announced bachelor but it never seems to be that way for the bachelorette announcements? Curious as to your take on it. Is it just that the women contestants tend to be higher quality people in general / less shitty humans that the bachelorette just tends to be less polarizing? I’d say so.
Why is it that Andi Dorfman thinks herself above the franchise now? Was there a fallout with production? Does she have no appreciation for all the opportunities it afforded her? She doesn’t exactly have a way with words if you’ve read her books so she would never have been a best selling author without this franchise (in my opinion).
Thanks for the spoilers!
Comment: Hard to answer for her. The best answer I can give is something I’ve been saying for years: this show changes people.
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Hey Steve —
I’m curious about where the contestants go immediately after they leave paradise. Obviously the way Tia was dressed when she left, she didn’t go directly to the airport. So where do they go afterwards? Back to the hotel. Either their flight is later that night or the next day. So they just have to wait.
Oh, and the Bachelor Franchise in whatever form should not be labeled reality TV. It should be more aptly labeled, “Manufactured Drama TV”.
I can understand why they picked Colton. Although I didn’t watch last season’s the Bachelorette and not particularly invested in any of the guys. I can see the headlines now…..”He lost at love with Becca and then tried again and failed in Paradise. Now can he finally find love this time around???? Stay tuned!!! Hahahaha. Manufactured Drama, that’s what I’m calling it from now on!
I kinda feel like they were setting Colton up in Paradise to be the Bachelor in much the same way they set up Nick for the part. Makes me curious about what went wrong last year, that made them pick Arie????
Thanks for the spoilers! Just remember you can’t please all of the people all of the time.
Comment: Arie was and always will be a head scratcher. That was completely out of left field.
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Dear Steve,
I’ve watched the very first bachelor, Alex Michel and only missed five of the bachelor/bachelorette shows when my kids were younger and I was too busy to watch. I’ve listened to podcasts and followed many of the people that were on the shows on social media. However since they announced Colton as the bachelor, I’m unsubscribing to many podcasts including yours and unfollowed many reality show participants. I really don’t like Ashely Spivey as I’m not listening to your podcast to hear about how I should vote and what I should believe in the political arena and also on social issues, so I was already fast forwarding through your podcasts with her.
I’ve had a good time following you and listening to your podcasts, but with Colton being the bachelor and Ashley telling people to stop worrying about the bachelor and worry about the supreme court nominee hearing, it put me over the edge today. Best of luck in your future.
Comment: Great.
You do realize that in the 4 podcasts that Ashley and I have done (with the 5th being recorded today), she has never once talked politics, nor will she ever, because that’s not what the show is about and I said that from the very beginning. But hey, you do you and Ashley and I will continue to put out fun and informative podcasts. I think we’ll manage just fine with knowing that you won’t be listening.
