-Before the group date started, they made sure to show us a conversation between Kelsey and Tammy where Kelsey was very emotional that Peter was on a date with someone else. Tammy asks is it just because it’s Sydney, and Kelsey says no, but then immediately follows it up with “Sydney is a dramatic f***ing bitch.” Tammy then calls Kelsey a hot mess and this foreshadows pretty much everything that goes on the rest of the episode. Like that short convo started EVERYTHING we are about to see for the next, oh I don’t know, 90 minutes. It was nuts. But yeah, there was a specific reason we saw that convo between Tammy and Kelsey take place while Sydney’s 1-on-1 was happening.
-But lets get to this group date first shall we since this had some fireworks that were happening in real time as the episode was airing. Cosmopolitan did a photo shoot and told the women whoever they determine to be the winner will get the cover of Cosmo for the March edition. They didn’t specify it would be the digital cover, as Lucy Hale is currently on the printed cover for the March edition. But still nonetheless, that’s a pretty big deal. Victoria F. ends up winning the cover shoot because, I don’t know, producers told Cosmo to make her the winner she was most aggressive during the shoot by kissing him. Well, not minutes after that scene aired, the editor for Cosmo posted this column stating why they weren’t going to run Victoria F. on their digital cover. Hmmmm, well, I’d say 50% of the people will agree with their decision and 50% won’t. Just like most things in this world now. Yes, I understand the WLM that Victoria F. modeled for was for fishing apparel. However, the optics of it look horrible. She has to understand that. And she has to understand any potential consequences that might come with it. Cosmo has every right to do with they did if they feel that’s what was warranted. On their end, they did. So here we are. No digital cover for Victoria F. in March.
-All while Victoria F. is “winning” this date (at the time), Kelsey is basically stewing that more women are getting time with Peter. Kelsey: “I’ve never had to share a guy with somebody before, and I don’t like it.” Ugh. Like, have these women ever watched the show before? We see this “character” EVERY SEASON, yet, these people act like it’s out of the blue. The “I’m-having-a-hard-time-watching-him-date-other-women” girl is a staple in this show. You can name one, if not multiple, women from every season who at some point during the season utter this phrase. It’s nauseating. Yes, we know this isn’t a normal dating situation. But the second you make that feeling known publicly, just know producers are going to pounce on that, you’re going to be labeled as THAT girl, and you won’t be able to shake it. I’m sure EVERY woman on that show is uncomfortable watching him date other women. Who would be fine with that? But when you let it take over you and you become highly emotional, you’re done. I don’t get how these women, season in and season out, don’t see that.
-At the after party, Peter decided to get some and made out with Victoria F., Victoria P., Hannah Ann, and got real close with Madison. Kelsey even tells him she’s falling in love with him, which you know was her desperation attempt to salvage how she was acting. If Kelsey is being honest with herself today, on February 4th, was she REALLY falling in love with Peter 3 weeks into filming at that point, we all know the true answer would be no. But this show f**ks with your brain and makes you say and think things that are utterly ridiculous. But that’s what Kelsey laid on him during the after party, and now the sharks are sensing blood in the water. Tammy says in an ITM, “He’s never gonna know, unless I tell him,” and that’s ultimately the kiss of death for her character. Never, ever, ever, ever in the history of this show has the tattle tale ever ended up looking good. Ever. It just doesn’t happen. Welcome to Tammy’s world now.
-Tammy tells Peter about her conversation with Kelsey the day before and that “she had a mental breakdown.” Said she was drowning herself in her sorrows and was pretty drunk. All of this was completely unnecessary. What was the point of telling Peter any of this? Even if you thought Kelsey was becoming emotionally unhinged, hell maybe she truly deep down felt Kelsey had a drinking problem (and even mentioned pills), running to Peter to tell him this is strictly a selfish move and is done clearly to make someone else look bad. If you really felt that strongly about Kelsey and her drinking, go to producers with it. But even if she did, you know they would then turn it around and convince her to tell Peter about it. Whether they did or didn’t coax her, she did it, and it makes Tammy come off looking horrible in all this. Is Kelsey overly emotional? Yes. Did she cry at the drop of a hat? Seemingly. Was she crying for 4 days over a champagne bottle? Apparently. But none of this has anything to do with Tammy’s relationship with Peter. So basically, Tammy was used as a pawn in the producers game, she went along with it, and now you see the edit she’s getting. I thought Tammy came off looking horrible last night. Not a great look at all and it was her own doing.
tracywh
February 4, 2020 at 9:16 AM
How about ask Hannah B about Sydney, since they graduated together in 2013 from TCHS.
crushonspivey
February 4, 2020 at 9:38 AM
I think it is now painfully obvious that Peter has zero backbone, and is the producers gimp. Literally. They owned him so hard this season. And made him look awful as a result because they have zero scruples, and care more about drama than getting a believable result, and he just wasn’t smart enough to figure it out that his repeated gaffes made him look awful as a lead.
Proof again being Peter acting surprised by the visit by crazy Kelsey, then conveniently having a rose in his room ready to give to her after the chat. Really? I mean really? So spontaneous. NOT.
And then so many liars this season. The thing with Tammy was that she absolutely stepped in it, but she was also being truthful and got ganged up as a result of it. The girls didn’t want her telling Peter the truth because it made then all look bad. Pretty funny actually. Let’s do a recap.
Kelsey looks bad because she is just a hot mess. Ironically, a hot pink mess last night. Sydney lied herself and likes to play the victim. Victoria P got caught in another lie last night then acted like some innocent for being dragged into it. She started the pill popper thing, admitted it, then got mad at Tammy for bringing her into it. Uh, you brought yourself into it. 2nd time caught in a lie, 2nd time not owning it. And not sure why Natasha and Lexi needed to go in on Tammy. She was being truthful. I agree she didn’t need to be the one to do it, but she wasn’t lying either was she.
This is truly train wreck TV. And it is now The Office level painful and cringeworthy to watch. Except on that show, it was scripted. Here, the women are bringing the cringe themselves, helped along by Peter’s awful choices and TPTB pushing their gimp along.
I hope Peter ends up with no one. He honestly needs to. Ther just isn;t any real connection being shown at all. Too much drama, not any good stuff this season. It’s a dumpster fire.
nycgal9
February 4, 2020 at 9:54 AM
I’ve been a long time watcher of the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, and I generally enjoy the show, the speculation, talking with co-workers etc., but this season is just painful. What happened to having adults on the show? Where are the mature men and women who have careers and lives, but just don’t have the time or luck in finding someone special? There is no shortage of beautiful girls and handsome guys, and ABC sure knows how to find them, but where are the single, successful, attractive 30-somethings that used to grace this show? Was there not enough drama? This whole season has been one big crying jag – I really can’t imagine what the Kleenex bill must be! If I was Peter I’d walk away now – none of these girls are ready for marriage.
If any of the powers that be at ABC are paying attention, please don’t pick your next Bachelorette from the leftovers this season. Please conduct a new search for accomplished, attractive, mature women who are seriously looking to find a partner. Please find men who are mature and established – someone you’d be proud to take home to your mother. Please establish an age limit – 28 and above – because anything else is just a bunch of crying, whining babies who can’t handle anything.
dbla31
February 4, 2020 at 10:04 AM
A couple comments:
Most of the people who watch this show (particularly the ones who don’t read your column) are so in their own fantasy worlds, it doesn’t matter that you spell out the sports seasons and that they won’t work with Bachelor filming. These are people who STILL think Hanna B is showing up.
Why shouldn’t SNL put their skit on repeat with different performers? That’s what the show does?
Even I (and I have a lot of tolerance for this mind-numbing tv) almost turned off my set when he sent Alayah home within the first five minutes. I mean, he just asked her to stay 10 minutes ago (in terms of when one show ended and the other began.)
Thanks for the scoop on Sydney’s HS years. I was super curious about that last night but too tired/bored to bother looking into it. Knowing she and Hannah were in HS together makes me wish I’d paid more attention to her reactions when Hannah was on. I DO think they may bring Hannah back for AFTR or Women Tell All, given that she was part of the season. AND it would give them the opportunity to include her in promos and continue to fool the masses. It would be great if they were asked how much they knew each other in HS. Regardless, the people saying horrible things to Sydney online is unacceptable and they should go to online purgatory forever.
thecuriousgeorgette
February 4, 2020 at 10:37 AM
I wouldn’t put it past Sydney to be creating accounts sending herself those “hate” messages to feel validated and bullied, they look super fake and too on the nose. Sorry, I just don’t believe her. Especially since her HS account is total BS.
justsaying
February 4, 2020 at 11:39 AM
I’m the only one on this but I am on Tammy’s side. She saw someone who’s drinking away and sooo distraught and emotional since day 1. This sounds like a pattern Tammy picked up on Kelsey that’s repeating over and over and Tammy found this not normal. Therefore, Tammy’s gut told her something’s not right. She didn’t want to turn a blind eye and be complicit and by episode 5, she thought she couldn’t keep this quiet anymore. She should say something.
What the hell is wrong with that?? Maybe Tammy had a friend or family who’s abused alcohol and knows the signs?? Even if she didn’t have any experience, her gut told her it’s should be brought up and not just let it slide.
I see Tammy coming forward as brave and courageous. She’s not calling out some gossip of someone’s voice goes up when the camera comes on, Tammy’s seeing alcoholic tendencies. She didn’t call Kelsey an alcoholic but Tammy saw something alarming enough to bring it up. GOOD for Tammy!!
kabuki
February 4, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Tammy always struck me as someone who was so completely different than the others that she just didn’t fit in (like Sharleen Joynt in Juan Pablo’s season). She seems like a straight shooter and seems rational and pretty darn normal, but she made the terrible mistake of getting involved in someone else’s crazy. Yes, it is pretty obvious that Kelsey is 100% emotionally damaged goods, but it really wasn’t Tammy’s place to report her train wreck behavior to Peter. I was surprised that Peter gave her a rose, but she’s probably a plant by the producers to keep the drama going. Now that the other women have ganged up against her, her days are numbered. The lesson to be learned from all of this is to keep your mouth shut and just worry about yourself.
joanne
February 4, 2020 at 12:33 PM
It only took me about 45 minutes to watch the show as I fadt forwarded through most of it. The only women I like are Madison, Hannah Ann and Kelly, and as Steve said Madi and Hannah Ann have barely been seen the last couple of episodes.
None of the women seem ready for marriage, and the same goes for Peter. No matter who he eventually picks I can’t see it lasting long at all.
justsaying
February 4, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Surely an issue like alcoholism or even suspected alcoholism is bigger than scoring with Peter. Why not poor Tammy? Everyone else couldn’t be bothered.
Not everyone wants to live in a complicit culture. It’s hard being the whistleblower.
ganny2jax
February 4, 2020 at 2:02 PM
Sydney…I’ll start with her. I don’t for a minute feel sorry for her. She comes off as extremely arrogant and selfish. I’m kind of with another commenter that I think Sydney made those comments up herself. Honestly I can’t stand listening to her talk. Peter deems her “best kisser.” Awww would you say that again? Can’t wait to tell the girls that!
Kelsey. There’s someone like her every season. Don’t like her at all.
Victoria P. How does Peter keep her knowing she lied about being close friends with Aaliyah? She’s a shady character for sure. Does anyone think she’s looks like the redhead sent home last night?
Victoria F. I’m not mad Cosmo isn’t airing her “cover shot.” She’s another one who is arrogant and full of herself. One would think after watching the Chris Rice debacle that VF was almost engaged to the dude. Thanks for clearing that up, RS!
These women (and I use the term loosely) have figured out they can lead Peter around like a puppy dog. And while he’s the cutest puppy dog I’ve ever seen, it’s not a good look for him. He’s trying to please too many people
Anybody, like, got a count, like, on how many times, like, the word “like” has been used, like, this season???
jillmarie
February 4, 2020 at 4:15 PM
My takeaway from this episode is that Peter kisses way too many girls in front of the other girls. My favorite contestant by far is Kelley- I would love for her to become our next Bachelorette. She handles herself with grace and class. I also think Peter and Sydney’s makeout was very much like him and Hannah B. They were laying on rocks, that did not look comfortable! Victoria F. just annoys me- I hate that she embellished her relationship with Chase Rice. I fully hope Chase does Steve’s podcast- I did a shoutout on Twitter! 🙂
irisvioletgrey4
February 4, 2020 at 5:18 PM
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned MyKenna and her weird tongue action. WTH? Seriously, girl, develop some self-awareness. In an episode that managed to make about two-thirds of the women all look like unstable freaks, her ongoing tongue acrobatics were one of the more disgusting examples of unflattering behavior. I have found myself increasingly relieved when Kelly, Hannah Ann, Madison and Lexi have been on the screen because they aren’t acting like bratty 12-year-olds. There were a few others who seemed to have their heads on straight, but of course they got almost no screen time and are all gone now. Even Victoria F. (during the last couple episodes) has actually seemed normal and likeable. Unfortunately, Tammy got taken down in this one and she was my favorite, although I knew there was no way she was ever going to be a contender. She just seemed like someone I’d like to be friends with. I’m glad a few people stuck up for her here in these comments. I agree she may have some experienced radar about Kelsey’s addictive tendencies, and may have had good intentions, but probably went about it wrong. ANYHOO, as much as I understand what actually goes on behind the scenes at this chronic crap trap that gets worse every season — and yet remains mysteriously addictive — this season is trying my patience even more than Hannah B’s. I was going to stop watching after that season, and only lasted as long as I did because I wanted to see Luke P. finally get his comeuppance — except I really liked Peter, so I had to watch. But then when I realized early on that Peter has no idea how to read women and was given very little to choose from as well, I was too curious about how things would develop, hoping that somehow the season would improve. You’d think I’d have learned by now … And speaking of, producers please don’t bring back The Beast for Round 2. Essentially, I think she’s likeable, but enough is enough. She has already saturated the market. It reminds me of having to suffer through an entire year of Colton. Again, he seemed nice enough, too, but if I never have to see him on my screen again, I’d be okay with that. You can’t convince me the producers have so little imagination that they can’t come up with better alternatives than repeating a has-been plot from before (yet again).
shellylite
February 5, 2020 at 1:51 AM
It’s so hard for me to believe Peter is a pilot. Why would a smart guy with such a great job do something like meet women on this show? This show makes him actually seem kinda dumb.
Anyway, it’s hard to believe anything Sydney said about her high school days . . . she was beautiful and involved in so many things. She won awards! Come on, people in the South aren’t calling “mixed race” people “Oreos”. That’s just dumb. I live in Georgia and about 40% of the people here #1 are “mixed race” and #2 we all live and work and get along with each other. It’s totally common in the South to be “mixed race”. NO one gets bullied for it. I’m guessing Sydney was an overly sensitive girl and too defensive and that’s why she was bullied if she was. The racism towards “mixed race” people is in the northern states. I have lived there too.
rob22
February 5, 2020 at 7:02 AM
OK, look. It could be true that Sydney was a homecoming queen & was popular with a lot of students. It could also be true that others bullied her and used racial slurs. If we all look back at High School, we probably all had really great moments AND moments where we were being picked on. That’s kind of what HS is. Do we remember the negatives even more strongly than the positives? Yeah. That’s kind of what we do. I give Sydney a pass on this.
As for Victoria P, her lies about her friendship with Alayah color everything. She’s a blatant liar and really not a nice person.
Then we have the house train wreck and the house tattletale. They never win.
So, I often feel early on that none of the girls is into the lead and that the show is really going nowhere. I think that’s how everyone feels this season. After tonight, we’ll be down to the last 6. So, maybe the show will work overtime to try and make a couple of them look better. But, to me, this is headed for a Juan Pablo type ending where you really have to struggle to find women that are really into the lead. Granted, Juan Pablo was a jack-a**, and Peter is not. But Peter is wholly unattractive for a completely different reason. He’s a complete wimp who has no ability to handle his own business. If he wanted to keep Alayah around the first time, he could have done so. And he could have told the women to back off about it. We’ve seen many leads, in the past, do something similar with unpopular contestants. But when he let her go and then had her back, he created drama that didn’t need to be there. Then honestly, he sent Alayah home, who despite her flaws, was the most interesting woman in the house. And that’s not a compliment either. The bar is very low this year for the women. We’ll see if one of them manages to stretch themselves over that low bar and win. But I’m starting to think this is headed for a Brad Womack ending, of sorts. How in the hell is Peter going to propose to one of these women?