i Steve,
Long time reader, first time writer. Big surprise, right?
Anyways, I have a few thoughts about last night (doesn’t everyone!?) and was hoping you might be able to shed some light.
I haven’t been a big fan of Colton this whole season but my heart was breaking for him. At the same time, I don’t understand why he didn’t just tell her “I will send the other two girls home right this very second.” Is he contractually obligated to go through the motions and fulfil a certain number of commitments i.e. four hometowns, three overnights, etc.? Or maybe he said that but we just didn’t see it? Regardless, he ends up ripping off his mic and going off the grid anyways so maybe he didn’t care about contractual agreements? It would be interesting to see a copy of a contract between ABC and one of the leads. Do you think we will ever be able to get our eyes on a copy, even an old one from past years? Publicly? No. But I’m sure if you scoured the internet long and hard enough, you’d be able to see the basics of one.
Also, the morning after his overnight with Tayshia was AWKWARD. That so isn’t happening. I mean, I already knew that because you already told me. But. Wow. I felt like he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open in the morning, he was so tired. Did you notice that? I know we’ve heard leads say before how sleep deprived they are while filming. Ten bucks says he fell asleep in the middle of her talking about something. What do you think? According to them, they spent a lot of the night talking. So maybe that was it.
And lastly – super STOKED that Hannah BEAST will be the Bachelorette. She is hilarious, authentic, and will be FUN to watch. She handled her break up with Colton well, too. I just hope the whole storyline isn’t about how “insecure Hannah who thought she wasn’t loveable finally comes into her own and finds love” ala Ben Higgins. I’m sure it will be and whatever I just wish it was a little more original. But I can already see the season poster slogan – “Unleash the Beast!” Their marketing team should hire me. 🙂
Kay, that’s all. Thanks for spoiling and making the seasons that much more entertaining!
Comment: I’m sure they’re working overtime on it now. “Fierce love” I would expect to somehow be a theme, as we saw last night.
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Hi Steve,
Who do you think from Colton’s season are locks for Paradise? Anyone in particular you think from past seasons will be going/returning to Paradise?
Comment: Half of Colton’s women will eventually end up on Paradise. Pretty much every big name you can think of will be there, since that’s how their formula works. As for past seasons, I’m not sure. It’s way too early now. We’re still 3 months away. As we get closer, I usually start hearing stuff.
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Hi Steve,
Can you give us a little more insight into how you know officially it will be Hannah B for bachelorette? In the past when the new lead is picked you usually are in the dark because, as you say, the lead is the hardest part to spoil. Without giving away your sources, what makes you so sure this time? Were you given different intel than you have been in the past?
Comment: I don’t know how to answer this without giving away sources. All I can say is it’s gonna be her, they’re not deciding between her and someone else and there will be some last minute change, and you will see her announced next Tuesday night at the ATFR.
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Hey Steve,
When that first night bachelor cast photo (the photo with all the contestants and the lead in the middle) is taken, do producers purposely put someone who they think has a high chance of winning next to the lead? Cassie is next to Colton, Lauren was next to Arie, Jef was next to Emily…(or is it just purely coincidental since a lot of the actual winners aren’t next to the lead) Purely coincidental. That’s only 3 in 38 seasons. I’ve seen winners be in the back row. That stuff doesn’t mean much to me.
also
Is there anything you think viewers would be surprised to learn is filmed after the fact/not in the moment? Like how “ITMs” aren’t always filmed in the exact moment.
Thanks!
Comment: ITM’s would be the biggest thing. And voiceovers that are out of place. If you read Sharleen’s blog every week, she breaks it down real well on how many things editing screws up on a weekly basis.
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Hey Steve,
Just wanted to say thanks again for all of the posts and spoilers for this season, can’t wait to hit your site the next days after and read up on your thoughts and reactions.
I might not be the first one to say this to you, but I went back and watched it a couple times, and I’m almost fairly positive that the production filmed Chris Harrison walking over AFTER Colton did the fence jump. Sorry, I guess we should call it automatic gate now. I mean it would be pretty easy to do that staged up- being in film production we film people all the time and edit back and forth to make it seem like someone is “there” when they’re really not. Plus its dark out, so there’s no light changing from day to night to indicate it would have been later – it does look like the same time (which works great for hiding this fact).
And the only long shot you have from Chris Harrison’s point of view, there’s camera guys in the background around the fence, but that would have been SUPER easy to stage those two guys standing there to make it look like they had just “followed” him over. Never once from filming from behind Chris (which they never show until the end getting to the gate) do we see Colton. Also the cuts were just too PERFECTLY timed back and forth, to be one hundred percent believed. It’s really all in the editing, which to the casual viewer is believable. If Colton really went “rogue” were two cameras available to perfectly follow both his “Run” and Chris Harrison’s jog after him? No way.
I have no proof of this theory, just me in Fox Mulder mode and knowing what I know about production from my own personal background.
Keep up the awesome work!
Comment: I mean, it makes sense, and you work in production. But you’re right, at this point, it’s just a theory and I guess we’ll never know.
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Hey Steve,
I know you said you’ve gotten some questions from fans who clearly heard you say Colton ends up with Cassie but don’t know the details of how that came to be. So now I’m curious what your web traffic is like when you post different spoilers. Like, do you typically have a lot more clicks when you post the winner but not as many when you post the full episode-by-episode spoilers? Would be interesting to figure how many of your readers want to know the winner but avoid episode-by-episode spoilers because they still like to have some surprises throughout a season.
Or maybe this is just all interesting to me because my company is currently in the middle of a web redesign and so I’ve been up to my eyebrows in web analytics, haha. That could be it too.
Comment: I’ve never really broken it down that way, so I don’t know the answer to it. But I do hear a lot “people only care about your spoilers,” and that’s just coming from trolls with nothing better to say. Based on what? If that were the case, wouldn’t the only two days a year my site have any traffic be the day I post the episode-by-episode spoilers? I say it every season, but people are finding out about my site all the time. This has been one of the highest traffic seasons I’ve had, yet, all I hear is how much Colton sucks. People know where to come to get their info on this show. Been that way for 10 years now, and I’m not going anywhere. If you are looking for the winner, I’d say chances are you read the ep-by-ep spoilers. And I doubt very many people read the ep-by-ep stuff, but when they get to the end, they skip the main spoiler.
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Hi Steve,
I have felt that a lot of Colton’s actions this season were predictable and rehearsed (he even admitted on Kaitlyn’s podcast that he watched earlier seasons to know what things to say). But last night, I couldn’t help but feel for him as he sat there visibly and audibly shaking. I’ve never seen anything like that on this show before. Did you feel that was a real moment from a guy who frequently puts on an act for the cameras? It’s hard for me to buy anything that Colton Underwood does on this show to be real unfortunately.
Also, do you know why Cassie and Colton didn’t have the traditional dinner set up? Was that because they knew she was going to dump him? It seemed like they went straight to where they would have slept. Production knew what was up. She basically said it while she was getting ready after her dad left that she knew what she had to do and was gonna leave. Guess they figured they didn’t want to waste any food in the process.
Have you noticed the lack of background music during some of the convos this season? I’m thinking specifically of tonight with Colton/Cassie & Colton/Tayshia, and Colton/Hannah B 1-on-1. It really makes the 1-on-1 dates seem so incredibly awkward and painful.
Comment: Definitely did for Colton and Cassie on Monday night. But that was done on purpose. Kinda like the Arie & Becca breakup.
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Hi Steve
Yet some more comments this week, long I know 😉
Is this the first time the day and night parts of the overnight have been so clearly split? In most cases they seem to set it (for those who don’t know) as if the two spent almost all the time together apart from changing clothes yet this time they clearly show that the two separate for some time as MFR gets his chance to chat with his daughter. I don’t know. Overnight dates we usually always see the day portion, then a commercial break, and then the night portion. So this was no different with Cassie, except everything that went down with Cassie just led to them staying with them longer during the night portion.
Do you reckon Caelynn scuppered her own chances? Yes she got a bad edit, but she was also the one who called people things and her comments at her final rose ceremony were just wtf. Wondering if she thought she had it in the bag with her back story, and then went too far. If you listen to her, this whole process was hell for her and she didn’t even know if she could be the “Bachelorette.” I don’t know if I buy that. I can’t imagine she would’ve said no if they came to her and said “We want you to be the Bachelorette.” No way.
Was laughing my arse off up at Chris’ “He just jumped the beep fence” comment and follow up. Hahahaha. In some ways this is the most realistic season with all the shit going down and Cassie’s comments about there still being two others. Wondering if Colton did reply saying “they’re gone” or similar and that got cut.
Interesting he took his wallet though right, obviously calling an Uber would be tough given.. no phone. Maybe he planned to buy one (after a 30 mile trek lol). Honestly think he just wasn’t thinking at this point. Now if Chris had been wearing his full suit when he appeared.. maybe that’d be odd, he did appear awful quick.
Then finally didn’t see it before, and agreed with your take but after last night reckon it’s decent odds we’ll see a proposal. Yes it’s only been a few months but four months is very different to five weeks. I didn’t see anything (from what we saw edited) about it being about her age, just the limited time. And the whole multiple woman thing. Also don’t see them wanting to turn down a free $150k Neil Lane. Cynical perhaps.
Of course they only keep the ring if they somehow make it 24 months. And I put the odds on that somewhat lower than seeing a proposal.
And cos you mentioned it … Hannah B wasn’t my first choice but I’m sure I’ll hate watch again. Is there a reason you feel more confident they’ve not signed up 2-3 women this time that you can share?
Thanks as always!
Comment: I still would be surprised if we got a proposal on the ATFR. I don’t think Cassie had a change of heart in 3 ½ months. Is it possible? Sure. But unlikely in my eyes.
Nothing more I can share. It will be Hannah B. announced next Tuesday on the ATFR.
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Good morning!
Love that Hannah B is going to be the new bachelorette. My daughter and I like Caelynn and Hannah G, but we can’t figure out what we know about Hannah G. AT. ALL. (except that she raps?) She does not seem to have the personality to carry a season. Caelynn seems nice, too, but seems like it would be a very down and emotional season. Hannah B will be all over the place. She is fun and bubbly even when she is upset. She seems very forthcoming with her thoughts and emotions, and that will play well with the audience. Not since Kaitlyn Bristowe has there been a bachelorette with this much of a bubbly personality. One thing my daughter thought of…wouldn’t it have been interesting if the producers had Caelynn and Hannah B compete on the first night to be the bachelorette like they did with Kaitlyn and Britt…it would be like the Miss Alabama pageant all over again. If I had my guesses, I would guess that Hannah B would rather be the next bachelorette than last year’s Miss Alabama.
Now to last night…I know the producers have a lot of time of fill, but I like that they were showing Cassie struggling with her feelings. I don’t know why she could not have just said, “Hey I know I’m not there yet, so if you propose to me, I will probably say I just want to keep dating you!” There were many things that could have been said between the two of them that would have allowed them to continue from that point. If Colton had said, “I will go break up with both of the other girls tomorrow just for the chance to keep dating you,” THAT would have been interesting. Colton seem to feel that his feelings are genuine, and Cassie seems very genuine in her caring for Colton, but unsure of the future. I do wish her father had been more accepting of the thought of Cassie continuing to date Colton rather than jump into an engagement. We don’t know what all the dad actually said, but that might have made Cassie feel “allowed” to move forward with Colton.
Lots of speculation on so many things at this point, but this has definitely added to the allure of the season. Thank you for all you do.
Comment: Yeah, for all we saw, there was still probably a ton of more footage we didn’t see. I doubt Cassie said that in particular, but you could tell she was definitely struggling with what to say and do. It certainly plays into exactly what some of the women thought, in that they didn’t think she was ready. It will be interesting to see it play out next week and what makes her come around.
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Steve,
Has anyone mentioned Wells Adams instagram story from last night about his commentary while watching the bachelor? One of the stories shows when Matt F***ing Randolph is walking into Cassies hotel and there is a women standing in the background who realizes she is being filmed and runs out of sight. I watched it a couple times and it actually kinda resembles her…What do you think? Maybe the show forgot to reshoot this moment and they are caught red handed proving Cassie’s reaction when he shows up to her hotel room is totally fake…or do you think it;s just some random who doesn’t want to be on tv? Did I think that was Cassie in the shot that ran off? No. It clearly wasn’t. I didn’t think it looked like her at all. Just some randoms staying at the hotel who got in the shot.
Forgive me as Im sure you’ve gotten this question a million times already but have you heard if Colton’s lost his virginity to Cassie yet? Do you he has?
Comment: No, I haven’t heard either way. Nor would I expect to.
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Hi Steve:
I have two thoughts: first related to the podcast with Ashley, second related to the show.
On your last podcast, the girl whose husband wanted her to lose weight – ugh! My heart broke for her! I empathized with her so much as she talked you both through her struggles throughout the relationship, but what really got me was when she discussed losing the weight at one point.
She mentioned losing a lot of the weight when her and her now husband were broken up, and I couldn’t help but think that he was her emotional turmoil. They broke up, she started a life on her own, built healthy habits and had success. As soon as they reunited, the weight started creeping back on. To me, what he said to her and his presence in her life are what prevent her from losing the weight today.
While I can’t tell her what to do with her life, and I know having a child makes the whole thing so much more complicated, I wonder if splitting up with him is what would make her happiest in life? Her child should be able to see her at her happiest so that he/she can grow up to live a happy, fulfilling life.
Is this a crazy thought process or did you/Ashley think the same thing at all? That was a heartbreaking call. If things don’t change with him, I think it’s her only option. That wasn’t a healthy marriage, and she’ll never be able to live down the comments he made. That’s going to be a cloud over their marriage forever.
Onto my Bachelor related question – last nights episode. GEEZ. Once we got to Cassie’s date (really, when Colton tells her he didn’t get her Dad’s permission), I couldn’t help but think that there was a lot of staged drama. They were so happy and having the best time, but once Colton told her that, it’s like something changed for her.
You mentioned in your column today that everything Matt f’ing Randolph said was reasonable and fair. While I agree, I also think that what he said caused her to second guess everything she was feeling and how she envisioned things playing out with Colton. I think he’s the reason she went home.
My husband (who doesn’t watch the show but happened to be sitting in the room while this all unfolded) thought the whole thing was crazy. He couldn’t understand why Cassie left even after Colton repeatedly said they didn’t need to get engaged if she wasn’t ready.
What is your take on why Cassie left despite the multiple assurances that an engagement wasn’t necessary?
Thanks!
Comment: That was just as confusing to me as anyone else. But when ultimately we know they’re together, now I just think that particular night when it was all going down, she just had to remove herself from the situation because it became overwhelming. So instead of maybe just saying no to the fantasy suite and saying she needed time to herself that night, she made the decision to “leave.” But they’re together now, and reconciled shortly after that night, so it seems like she just needed a time out to think about things. I don’t think it’s gonna be any sort of major revelation next week. I think she’ll maybe have slept on it for a couple days, Colton comes back, and she decides to pursue it.
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Hey Reality Steve,
I’ve been reading your site for years and love your work. I’ve told so many people about your site and tell them the only real way to deal with the show is to read your site to see what you have to say about it! Anyway, two questions:
1. On hometown dates, do the leads HAVE to ask for the father’s permission for marriage? I mean, if they guy is pretty clear he isn’t going to pick one or two of them, why put the family in that position, and on top of it look like a fraud when he’s asking FOUR fathers for permission to marry their daughter and then he turns around and sends one of the girls home shortly after (well, at the end of the episode). I don’t understand why more of them don’t push back if it isn’t a requirement. HAVE to? No. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want on this show. You just usually end up doing what they say because you don’t want to burn any bridges. The whole asking four fathers permission is a joke. We all know it is. I say it every season on the hometown dates. So ridiculous.
2. Also on hometown dates, when the couple leaves the house, everyone says their goodbyes, but then only one person gets in the car and drives away. After the good byes, does the person go back into their family’s house? I ask since that’s a bit awkward to say bye, then go right back in. Or do they have another car show up and take them to a hotel?
Comment: They don’t get much extra time with their family. They are picked up, taken to a hotel, and flown back to LA the next morning where they wait until the next rose ceremony.
