I’m just curious, is anyone waiting on pins and needles for today? I wasn’t sure. All the DM’s and tweets at me yesterday telling me to hurry up, and “finally,” and “why couldn’t you get this sooner,” were really uplifting I tell ya’. And you wonder why I call this a thankless job. And I hate even saying that because then immediately people seem to think I want people to thank me nonstop. It’s not. That’s the opposite what I want. It’s thankless in that, I’ve done this for so long, people expect it. So when they get it, it’s like, “Well yeah, that’s his job. It’s what he’s supposed to do.” And if I don’t have it on their timeline, you know, a service I provide free of charge, they bitch that they don’t have it yet. And that bitching continues non-stop UNTIL I have it. I’ll never quite understand it, but, that’s what it is. For 3 months I’ve said I don’t know the ending. If I knew it, I would’ve told you. I’m not holding back. Trust me, I don’t wanna listen to people whine and complain for 3 months. I want the ending out as soon as possible every season. It doesn’t benefit me that I don’t find out early. This season is proof of that. I’d heard things all season. I had ideas of how this thing ended, but never got the confirmation I was looking for. Until Tuesday night. And since it happened so late Tuesday, I didn’t have time to post yesterday, but here it is today. You can also listen to me talk through everything in the first 20 minutes of today’s podcast before I start “Reader Emails.”
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So the basics I’ve laid out from the time filming ended until now were these:
-It was not a normal final rose ceremony where two girls arrive, one gets dumped, the other gets picked, and he left Australia an engaged man.
-There was no engagement in Australia.
-Madison self eliminates. But she definitely leaves the show and goes home before the end.
-When Barb is saying “don’t let her go…bring her home to us” that is the same day as when they met Madison.
-Hannah Ann is 100% not with Peter right now.
-This was always between Madison and Hannah Ann. That’s all I was trying to figure out all season long. I even said, this was never really about the “who”, it was gonna be more so about “how” it all came together. And why Peter was saying this season wouldn’t be spoiled.
However, people got swayed all season long by Tik Tok videos, and Venmo accounts, and golf bags, and pregnancies, and what you saw in the trailers, etc. He’s not with Hannah Brown. He’s not with producer Julie Laplaca. This was never about them or anyone outside of his final 2 women. But so many stories were being told to me and to the public, I just didn’t know which one was legit. Because stories were being told to me that supported Madison that sounded legit, but also ones with Hannah Ann that did. Definitely more were pointing towards Madison, but there were a few out there that said he was with Hannah Ann, and some made sense. But clearly only one could be right. However, in the end, late Tuesday night, is when I got the confirmation I needed.
This was the confirmation I was waiting for all season. In Tuesday’s column, I actually said I didn’t expect to get any confirmation of things since why would I? I hadn’t gotten it for 3 months. So maybe by saying that I spoke it into existence. I don’t know, but I certainly was glad to finally get it. So even what I said on Tuesday ended up changing because I told you then, “Hey, I’m not gonna probably have the confirmation I need, so I’ll lay out for you how I think things go down based on a consensus and some decent sources, but stuff is gonna be left out that I still don’t know.” You know I’d been saying to you almost for the last 3 months, “Hey, the overwhelming thing I keep hearing is “he’s with Madison now, they’re dating, but not engaged.” 90% of the stuff I was being told was along those lines. But never had any proof of it. But when that many people are telling me, I figured that’s probably what it was. And not to mention, what we were seeing on TV kinda bared that out. It wasn’t far fetched to think it.
My biggest thing was what the hell happened on final rose ceremony day. Seemingly if he wanted Hannah Ann, once I got it confirmed Madison left the show, if he wanted to be with Hannah Ann, it seems like Madison just made his job on final rose ceremony day a hell of a lot easier. Now, he doesn’t have to dump someone at the altar. If he wants Hannah Ann, there she is, Madi’s gone, so lets pick Hannah Ann and be done with the season. But that’s not what happened.
So here’s what I have regarding the final rose ceremony…
-As we know, Madison doesn’t show up to the final rose ceremony.
-Peter then calls off the final rose ceremony until he can talk to Madison. But she’s already left to go back to USA, so they have to all leave and go to USA for him to talk to her.
-Basically he’s saying, “To know I’m making the right decision and have a clear conscience, I need both of you to be here.” He’s not like “bye Hannah, I pick Madi.” He doesn’t even make a pick either way and says he won’t until he at least has a chance to talk to Madison and have them both be there. He doesn’t want Hannah Ann to feel like he picked her bc Madison left and she was the only one left standing. He needs to figure this out, and he can’t do that without speaking to Madison.
-Once they were back in the states, Peter really had to win over, not only Madison, but her family as well. Madison’s parents were not overly supportive of this, and Madison did NOT take him back right away either. There was definitely some down time where nothing was happening between them.
-Peter had to finagle his way back in and prove he was being authentic after what went down in Australia. Lets just say there was a lot soul searching, some real tough conversations, and he really had to win over the family. Peter and Madison were able to talk about stuff but realized how hurt she was by what she did and it was very intense.
-In the end, Peter and Madison are together right now, but not engaged. We will see footage of how it all came to be after filming in Australia ended, because that’s when his “courtship” of Madison had to happen. From everything I was told, this happened in Alabama.
-A couple weeks back, when I had first heard mention of this and where they’re at now, I hinted in an answer somewhere, “I can see where their love story is this season.” And that was basically it. Not to downplay Arie and Lauren’s relationship after he broke it off with Becca, but we all saw the footage of when Arie went to see Lauren. It seemed like she immediately accepted him back in the first 10 minutes and forgotten what he’d done. I’m hearing it did not go down that way with Madison. It took a while and Peter really had to work hard to get her to trust him, and get her to believe he was sincere in all this. He ultimately did it, and that’s where they’re at now.
Continued on Page 2…
thecuriousgeorgette
March 5, 2020 at 7:06 AM
Thanks for this post!!! I think it all makes the most sense. You’ve been in the right direction with your theorizing all season long. I still have a hard time seeing Madi and Peter working out in the long run, though she was definitely my favorite girl this season. I really respected how she kept her concerns between herself and Peter and didn’t take the producer’s bait to lash out and make things personal between herself and Hannah Ann and Victoria F.
fusion26
March 5, 2020 at 7:15 AM
Thank you! Now I don’t have to watch this lame crap play out. I think Madi needs to find someone who views and feels their faith just as strongly as she feels it and Peter can just enjoy his new “celebrity” status.
michellemua
March 5, 2020 at 7:32 AM
Thank you ???
jdubtrey
March 5, 2020 at 7:33 AM
So in that aspect, I can see why he’s saying, “Look, I cannot make a decision here until I hear from Madison.” Because in that moment, if he goes with Hannah Ann after Madi left, she’d no doubt feel like a runner up and only picked because she was the only one there.
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Thank you for all you do, Reality Steve!
I just wanted to remark that I disagree with the above. He’s simply (possibly even selfishly) keeping his options open. This shouldn’t be a case of, “Pick the best of what is left.” If you want Madison, go after her. If you want Hannah, stay and choose her. Madi not physically standing there is of very little consequence.
If he sincerely wanted to be with Hannah even as the only suitor left, he could have convinced her of that, easily, whether Madi was there or not.
irisvioletgrey4
March 5, 2020 at 7:33 AM
My thoughts exactly. I lost the energy to watch the final 3 ceremony and TWTA and have been trying to figure out how to avoid the rest of the episodes, too, while still not having to wait until afterward to learn the whole outcome. I feel like my brain needs a good sanitizing after the s**t show it’s been through. Looking forward to Clare, though.
irisvioletgrey4
March 5, 2020 at 7:37 AM
I wish for Hannah Ann’s sake that she had the maturity to have recognized that when Peter cancelled the rose ceremony in order to talk to Madison first that she (Hannan Ann) WAS the second choice and had just removed herself at that point. But these humiliating snubs are, unfortunately, how we gain that kind of maturity
ashleyspaustat
March 5, 2020 at 7:44 AM
Yessss. Freaking love you Steve!!!!
jlal
March 5, 2020 at 7:59 AM
“So in that aspect, I can see why he’s saying, “Look, I cannot make a decision here until I hear from Madison.” Because in that moment, if he goes with Hannah Ann after Madi left, she’d no doubt feel like a runner up and only picked because she was the only one there.”
WHAT? RS is either very naive or well I don’t know what.
Peter/production kept Hannah Ann hanging for the drama value, to string out the end, and confuse the spoilers. If you’re in love with someone enough to marry them you don’t settle for second best. Peter wasn’t in love with Hannah Ann, period. He knew he would never pick her, it was Madi all along. Production just had him string it out for the drama and timing purposes.
jlal
March 5, 2020 at 8:00 AM
I also don’t think it will last. Peter’s value system does not match Madison’s and I don’t think she can compromise that for the long term.
jdubtrey
March 5, 2020 at 8:01 AM
irisvioletgrey4,
I know you aren’t saying this, but I am really disappointed in Peter. Yes, Madi gave him an ultimatum (and sometimes that’s wholly appropriate). However, the choice was still his to make: A) don’t have sex in the SS and keep EVERYONE in the game or B) have sex and risk having Madi question his commitment. He chose B and that is his right.
Now, he’s pushed aside two different ladies that have been unwavering in their support, spent the night with him in the SS and have stood up at the rose ceremonies waiting to receive one. In hindsight, he’d picked Madi all along and strung along Hannah and VF. All three should be pissed at him for not respecting both them AND the process in the most human way possible.
jdubtrey
March 5, 2020 at 8:04 AM
Sorry, I meant FS (Fantasy Suites) and not SS. Must have been a freudian slip….
nuts
March 5, 2020 at 8:07 AM
Thanks Steve!! THRILLED you one upped ABC again!!
all4one
March 5, 2020 at 8:36 AM
Thanks for all you do Steve!
Praying for Madison and Peter. And Hannah Ann.
crushonspivey
March 5, 2020 at 8:42 AM
Who at Next Entertainment spilled this time? LOL. LOve what you do man.
Madison needs to have dumped his pathetic arse by the time the After happens. Show some self respect. Pete is just a selfish child who needs to grow a pair and man up.
justsaying
March 5, 2020 at 9:19 AM
Is indecisiveness a turn-on?? Or keeping his spare a turn-on?? Or when Pete actions said f-u to Madison?? Decisions, decisions..
bealight45
March 5, 2020 at 9:54 AM
Yes!!!! Agree one hundred percent! She needs to show some girl power and dump him! Don’t waste your values on a dude who couldn’t keep it in his pants and think it’s okay to screw two girls then dump them. He totally used them for a piece. Madison can do a lot better and keep saving herself until she finds the perfect one and not accept a dude who couldn’t keep it in his pants for two nights!
bealight45
March 5, 2020 at 9:57 AM
And he’ll rush the proposal and marriage just so he can screw her. Makes me cringe and it’s disgusting a family that has such high values will accept someone like that into their family who couldn’t wait.
tinyred500
March 5, 2020 at 10:01 AM
…..’ Peter/production kept Hannah Ann hanging for the drama value, to string out the end, and confuse the spoilers. If you’re in love with someone enough to marry them you don’t settle for second best. Peter wasn’t in love with Hannah Ann, period. He knew he would never pick her, it was Madi all along. Production just had him string it out for the drama and timing purposes.’
I totally agree with this!
tinyred500
March 5, 2020 at 10:03 AM
Agree with you both! 😉
rosegoldea58
March 5, 2020 at 10:03 AM
Peter is low key manipulative, selfish, and sleazy, even though he presents like a boy scout. Gross that he kept Hannah Ann on the string, knowing he wanted Madison. I feel like that’s why Madison left in the first place– because of his selfishness in refusing her ultimatum without talking with her more fully about it, and thereby showing that he puts his own interests first and his love did not run that deep. He just wants to win her back for his ego, and I pray Madi rejects him. If he proposes on t.v., it’s just confirmation that this is all for show and not genuine. If it’s real, he’ll propose in a more personal, private way that would resonate with Madison.
joanne
March 5, 2020 at 10:16 AM
This is pathetic. What kind of a “love story” is this? He strings Hannah Ann along just in case Madison refuses to give him another chance?
Hannah Ann was used by him and the producers. She would have every right to be angry.
I can’t see Madison and Peter lasting long, and hope their isn’t a phony “engagement” Tuesday night.
About the only thing I believe is genuine is that Peter’s mom wanting him to pick Madison.
Looking forward to Clare’s season as it cant be worse than this one.
rob22
March 5, 2020 at 10:58 AM
This shouldn’t be a surprise. When there’s a decision to be made, Pilot Pete can be counted on to f*** it up. Every damned year, the lead agonizes over the F2. They usually cry & sweat and finally have to crush one of them by dumping them on national TV when they were expecting a proposal. And, every year we hear that the lead really makes up their mind far earlier than that, despite what the show feeds us. This implies that Pilot Pete knew he wanted Madison and STILL slept with the other two girls. AND, knew he wanted Madison when he decided to keep Hannah Anne around while he went dialing for virgins post show. So he ends up screwing over both of them with his terrible decision making. Why on earth would Madison take Pilot Pete back? Her instincts to leave were right on. OMG, what a douche Peter is. My predictions are never right, but this really should be a jump the shark moment. Unfortunately, ratings will probably be high and the commentary online will be nasty…. and all good for the show. On to Clare. Clare who’s known for being seconds for Huan Pah-Blow and going on various Bachelor Pad/BIP misadventures where she basically made a fool of herself. What could go wrong? Lol. We’ve moved well into self parody territory.
jlal
March 5, 2020 at 11:30 AM
I worry Clare is going to be the “Jump the Shark” move.
crushonspivey
March 5, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Franchise jumped the shark long ago. They decided to treat it like a phony and curated epi of KUWTK, and not a show that it used to be in the e arly years. And yeah, those had drama too, it just wasn’t as fake for as long. Can we stop the pretense of falling in love with 3-4 people at once too? It;s cool to have a favorite. It’s more real. And even real relationships have struggles. So keep it real.
tinyred500
March 5, 2020 at 12:53 PM
Rob22, great comment which I mostly agree with. Peter in many ways, was almost as bad as Juan Pablo.
Clare though, I think she’ll be a welcomed relief…far better than some 23 year old whose every other sentence ends with the word ‘like’! Argh!
crushonspivey
March 5, 2020 at 12:57 PM
tinyred, teh issue with Clare is that she has all thes awkward stops midsentence. Her cadence is strange. Not Hannah Brown “I can see the hamster has slowed down” strange cadence. Just clunky. And then of course, girl is 38 and has issues. It’s gonna be cringey must-see. So I hope the guys they get are solid for her. Show needs a solid season.
justsaying
March 5, 2020 at 1:15 PM
Thank you bealight45. Pete is a real phoney baloney. I never liked him even during Hannah B’s season. He was so fake, fake, fake
justsaying
March 5, 2020 at 1:21 PM
Thank you rosegoldea58. I have mentioned his phony persona of faking confusion or pretending like he gives a s*** about any of these ladies as an act. When in reality, he just wants to keep creating chaos from the top to hurt them. He gets off on this behind closed doors when the cameras are off.
The dangerous part of Pete is he is hiding behind his clean cut looks and pilot occupation.
ashlymonica11784
March 5, 2020 at 2:09 PM
Madison WAS at the final rose ceremony. But it didn’t go the way it was supposed to
tinyred500
March 5, 2020 at 2:24 PM
I remember the awkward pauses now, hmm. I think Clare confused sexual attractiveness and lust as love. Her series surely can’t be as bad as Hannah B’s, which I gave up on before the final rose episode, and Colton’s too I struggled with.
mgb970
March 5, 2020 at 2:53 PM
> “So in that aspect, I can see why he’s saying,
> “Look, I cannot make a decision here until I hear from Madison.”
Come on Hannah Ann, you’re better than that. Don’t play into F*ck-boy Peetey’s manipulations.
You may be young and inexperienced but don’t let him make you his safety net.
mgb970
March 5, 2020 at 3:00 PM
@crushonspivey
> And then of course, girl is 38 and has issues.
I met my now wife when she was 38.
She had never been married, no kids, nada, and smoking hot. Just like Clare.
My friends told me to run! Couldn’t figure out why.
Found out all this time later, there are some family members of hers who are controlling and manipulative and it effed my wife up a bit.
Now that she’s learned to love herself and doesn’t enable her family to control her anymore, she’s even more amazing.
So… there’s precedence. Every person has a story. I hope Clare’s season rocks.
anliztaylor
March 5, 2020 at 4:46 PM
This is probably silly but I always Thought I knew that Madison was the winner because Wikipedia has her as the winner. it just didn’t give details… but as the past few weeks progressed it was pretty evident what was going to happen
shenanigans
March 5, 2020 at 5:15 PM
Personally, I have never believed that any of the leads were “confused” before the final rose ceremony. The issues were actually: (1) not wanting to hurt anyone and (2) making a commitment so soon, based on so little.
justsaying
March 5, 2020 at 5:53 PM
@shenanigans, Pete’s been “confused” since the beginning unlike other bachelors. From asking Hannah B to friggin join his harem (wtf) to waffling around with Alayah, to not deciding to let go of Mykenna and now stringing Hannah along. I can’t think of another bachelor who’s so deliberate in creating anger and hurt.
unlisted
March 5, 2020 at 9:21 PM
I don’t understand why these couples who ostensibly are looking for a marriage partner rarely discuss the most important topics, especially religion, children, and sexuality!
How could a woman like Madison go on a show like “The Bachelor” in the first place, when she ia clearly looking for a husband who shares her religious faith, which Peter does not? And how could she not tell Peter before Fantasy Suites Night that she was a virgin, planned to remain that way until marriage, and expected her husband to do the same?? And once Peter was clued in about all this, how could he still think they would be a match???
C-R-A-Z-Y!
unlisted
March 5, 2020 at 9:28 PM
Attention “Bachelor” casting: please eliminate any potential contestant whose every other spoken word is “like.” Or “you know.” At least, like, only allow those who, like, are able to, like, form, like, a complete English sentence, you know?
shenanigans
March 6, 2020 at 6:01 AM
Jastsaying, I understand your frustration with Peter. However, I was actually speaking about ALL of the leads when they reach that final day. They don’t really “know” any of the contestants that well. However, they clearly have a favorite. That being said, they aren’t ready to propose – not really. And they don’t want to hurt the other person, who has done nothing wrong except go on a stupid dating show. My point: the lead finds himself in a dilemma that isn’t as fun as he expected it to be. Ideally, it would be nice if the pressure of proposing was off the table and he simply needed to decide which one he wanted to continue dating. That would probably be the kindest thing for everyone.
adelina
March 7, 2020 at 7:42 AM
I didn’t read every comment word for word but I generally agree with the consensus: Peter is d*uchey and Madison is too good for him. We can all agree that she should dump him if she hasn’t already. Also, prayers for Hannah Ann to grow a spine.
It seems that each year this show is on – the thirst factor of the contestants gets higher as they have witnessed a few standouts become “influencers.” I think the #1 person who has been able to take advantage of an online platform is Kaitlyn Bristowe. She has a line of scrunchies (people wait online to buy these – amazing), wine and she went on a tour of major cities. But meanwhile, she is almost unrecognizable with all of the syringes she’s taken to her face. She looks 10 years older and hard as concrete. I recently opened an instagram account out of curiosity and her daily posts seem like an exhausting way to live. I guess whatever brings in the dough….
Really hoping Clare will be a breath of fresh air. So far I can think of a past or present lead who hasn’t become annoying af. Even sweet Hannah Brown is coming off now as highly affected.
mn62
March 8, 2020 at 8:54 AM
You do a great job, Steve. It’s a whacky and crazy show, and the plot, producers, and cast only serve to confirm this. I appreciate getting your insight!