Well we are officially in the home stretch as the “Bachelorette” season “kicked off” last night with the reunion special. Some really good old school classic clips to see. And I’ll be honest, I think every “Bachelorette” looks just as good now, if not better, than they did when their season aired. Although if you read social media last night, you’d think the opposite. The keyboard warriors were out in full force lets just say. Anyway, in case you missed my tweet last night, there were 2 former “Bachelorette” leads that weren’t part of the show last night – Jen Schefft Waterman and Meredith Phillips. I’m not sure why Jen wasn’t there, but when I texted Meredith yesterday if she was ever approached about appearing, her exact response back to me was: “No, I was never contacted or spoke to anyone. I didn’t even know the show was happening.” Granted, after hearing Meredith on my podcast last year, I highly doubt she would’ve had anything to do with that show, but that’s not the point. Chris Harrison seemed to insinuate in this interview with his girlfriend Lauren Zima that “scheduling issues” and “vacation” were the reasons those two weren’t invited. Again, maybe that was the case for Jen, but that certainly was news to Meredith. Also in that interview, he specifically said “Jen and Meredith are represented, they’re celebrated in this thing…” Ummmm, they were? I didn’t see one clip of Jen or Meredith or any clips from their season on there. It’s possible I could’ve missed it because there were so many clips, but I don’t think either woman or their season was represented. It is what it is. Just thought you should know what Meredith said. She’s not bitter at all because she probably wouldn’t have gone if asked. But I had a feeling they never even contacted her to do this and that ended up being correct.
Ok, I know I’ve pushed of episode #19 of the “He Said, She Said” podcast for a couple weeks now, and I’ve decided to run it next week in conjunction with Hannah’s season. Just makes more sense that way. As you know writing was scarce this off season as so much of what I spoiled was on Twitter since it’s much easier that way, but next week we’re back on schedule. Recaps on Tuesday, “Reader Emails” on Wednesday, and podcast and “Dr. Reality Steve” emails on Thursday. I’d really like to have some “Dr. Reality Steve” emails every week this season so you can start sending those in whenever.
As for the Reality Steve Fan Appreciation Party happening exactly one month from today, June 7th, at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. We are sold out. I cannot accept any more people at this point. Slight chance spots could open up as we get closer, but I wouldn’t bank on it. It’s going to be the biggest one yet. I’ve decided to do away with the Annual Trivia Contest this year, however, I will be doing a raffle and actually more prizes will be given away, so that’s the make up for it. Got some nice donations sent in by some in Bachelor Nation that will be raffled off so looking forward to that. Again, if you want to go, all I can do is put you on a waiting list and let you know maybe a week or two out. Probably wouldn’t bode well for out-of-state’ers but that’s the best I can do. I have been advertising this since January, so if you’re only hearing about it now, I don’t know what to tell you. Last year was the biggest crowd we had at 99 people. Right now, we are set for over 160 people this year. Looking forward to seeing everyone who comes out.
As for the “Bachelorette,” lets just say that this has been an interesting season. I’m sure you saw the season promo that aired at the end of the special last night.
A lot of stuff in there if watch closely, but honestly, it’s really no different than any other season. I say this every year when the season promo comes out, “Same thing, different season.” There’s drama, there’s arguing, and there’s crying. What we saw last night is no bigger or smaller than any other season promo we’ve seen. A lot of editing cuts, a lot of misdirection, and you already know some things you saw in the promo won’t even make it on the show. Happens every single season, yet people will still freak out like it’s some unbelievable promo they’ve never seen before. It’s ok. Calm down. They’re all the same. You can even go back and look at past seasons promos and realize how similar in structure they all are.
Lets get down to what’s happening now, which is to say, there really isn’t a lot of news to report. The overnights and final rose ceremony are in Greece, and judging by their shooting schedule, I expect the final rose ceremony to be this Friday, maybe Saturday. I know your next question is, “Well who made the final 3?” The only one we know for sure is Luke Parker since he was seen on his date this past Friday in Santorini.
(SPOILER): Going by their shooting schedule, today is the third overnight date with the rose ceremony tmrw. So we know Luke definitely made the final 3. Here’s Hannah and Luke today in Santorini pic.twitter.com/Ga34A7FV6t
— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) May 4, 2019
(SPOILER): More pics from yesterday’s date with Hannah and Luke pic.twitter.com/rn0G4Pt2Ec
— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) May 5, 2019
Let me just say this so there is no confusion. There is a lot of speculation about this season. A lot of hearsay. A lot of information coming from all different places that probably has a lot of people confused. This season has been different for me in that I’ve heard things that happen this season, but haven’t gotten the details behind it which makes it harder to report on. I’d like to get the details, but if I don’t, I know the second I report it, it’ll be “But what does that mean? How? What happened?” And right now, I don’t have those answers. That’s what I’m trying to get you. I’m pretty sure I have most of the dates and eliminations up to final four that I’ll try and post for you next week. It’s the behind-the-scenes stories that are a little trickier this year. Hopefully I’ll get it so I’m not bombarded with questions I don’t have answers to when I post your episode-by-episode spoilers.
For example, we’ve known in the past usually within 24 hours of who got eliminated at the final four rose ceremony. Hell, I think Dean was on his phone DM’ing people within like an hour of getting eliminated on Rachel’s season. This season? Hasn’t been the case. Peter, Jed, Connor, and Luke have been social media silent and we know one of them got eliminated at final four. The show has never seemed to care in the past about who got eliminated at final four hopping back on social media. Apparently for whatever reason this season they do, because I’ve heard that they flew the final four guy to Greece just to hide him. Again, I’ve HEARD it, but haven’t gotten details behind it. Seems like kind of a ridiculous thing to do since they haven’t done that in 37 previous seasons. If they were going to hide him, maybe keep him in LA til filming is done, but bringing him to Greece? Just seems like a stretch when it’ll eventually get out anyway. Whatever. I’m not them. I’m just telling you that’s what I heard. The fact that NONE of the final four have resurfaced does lend some credibility to it though. We’ll see. We know Luke is in the final 3. And I’m pretty sure Tyler is too. So it was either Jed or Peter who got eliminated at four.
Another sentiment going around social media is just on Hannah herself and people think she sucks and why is she the “Bachelorette,” she can’t form a sentence, blah blah blah. A lot of that is based on how she came across on the ATFR live show when they brought out the five guys. Did she have a great night? No. She gave a lot of one word answers, Chris Harrison almost had to pull teeth to get her to talk, and parts were definitely uncomfortable. But here’s something to remember: that’s the first time any of us have seen Hannah live for anything. Anytime you’ve seen her, or most people from this show, in an interview it’s taped. So yeah, while she wasn’t great on that live show, none of what we’ll see for the next 11 weeks is live so it’s not like it’s gonna be that all season. We know Hannah is a hot mess. She admits it herself. She’s not polished like previous “Bachelorettes.” That’s the appeal they’re going for this season. And just like any other season, some will love it and some will hate it. Just know that because she wasn’t great on the live ATFR it has nothing to do with how she will be on the season. She doesn’t have to do anything live on this season until the live ATFR in July.
Episode #1 should be released to the media sometime this week, so once it is, I’ll watch it and have your episode spoilers for you. At the beginning of the season for the first time ever, we know that ABC released 33 men on the “Bachelorette” Facebook page. I can tell you that 3 of those guys never made the cut: Joe Romeo, Matt Dione, and Ben Granger. Hannah’s season started with 30 guys, with 8 going home on the first night. I know 7 for sure who got cut night one. The 8th guy is the one I’m trying to figure out. But once that episode is released to the media, I’ll have the episode 1 spoilers for you of what to expect.
Send all links and emails to: steve@realitysteve.com. To follow me on Twitter, it’s: www.twitter.com/RealitySteve. Instagram name is “RealitySteve,” join my Reality Steve Facebook Fan Page, or listen to all my podcasts at Apple Podcasts. Talk to you Thursday.
