Steve,
As much as I disagree with Chris Harrison’s political beliefs, I don’t think he would have let this ending happens No one wants to see an ending where a woman rejects the Bachelor’s proposal.
We needed the host to take charge here and warn Clayton that Susie wanted to self-eliminate. He could do all this behind the scenes and then let Susie leave.
Clayton could then choose another woman and either become engaged or date her. But at least he could save face. I personally think Serene would have been a good choice for him.
I think Harrison did more behind the scenes than we realized. This season was just out of control with no one taking the reins.
Comment: Totally disagree. Chris was an executive producer on the show. Anything that gets people talking and makes the show relevant, he’s all for. He would’ve loved it just as much as the next person because people will be talking about the ending when it happens. It’s when people stop talking about your show and become indifferent that you’re in trouble. Do you see indifference from people online after last night’s episode? I sure don’t. EVERYONE’S got an opinion. They win.
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Hi Steve! Since you broke the news today, I have a theory: I really think that production has been grooming Susie to be the Bachelorette since she was cast, which includes this updated story arc. If this is true, wouldn’t it make sense for production to find out that Clayton of course has her as his top 1, then after she “self-eliminates”, they convince her to come back and say no to him (since they know he’s going to propose) to make a dramatic season ending and perfectly set her up for a Bachelorette run? Crazy theory, but you know what producers are capable of. This also reeeally depends on if the audience either loves her or hates her for saying no. Let me know your thoughts!
Comment: Well as we saw, she didn’t self eliminate. But sure, Susie is clearly a production favorite and someone on their radar. She’s the name I’ve heard, but that’s nothing solid. As I said earlier, I’d be shocked if it wasn’t one of Clayton’s final 3. Each one of them has a fanbase to build on. And I think moreso Susie after last night because people feel sorry for her. But just like anything, if they choose Susie, Gabby and Rachel fans will bitch and say they won’t watch – and they will. If they choose Gabby, Rachel and Susie fans will bitch and say they won’t watch – and they will. And if they choose Rachel, Gabby and Susie fans will bitch and say they won’t watch – and they will. It’s the same thing every season.
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Hi Steve! I just read your latest column…great job! Very interesting for sure. Of course now I’m dying to know what would have happened had Susie had her fantasy suite date first. I need to go back and watch the promo they showed at the end of last night’s tell all. There was a shot of Susie where it looked like she was at the Rose ceremony with Gabby and Rachel. I thought Rachel would be the next bachelorette because they love having pilots in the lead role, but Susie would be great as well. She’s so similar looking to Hannah Brown that she just seems to fit the role! I can’t blame her at all for wanting to be bachelorette rather than giving Clayton a second chance, after he slept with Rachel and Gabby. Oh Clayton! His dad is right when he tells him he’s really messed things up! Clayton to me is like a Disney prince character in real life. Thanks for all you do!
Comment: I mean, it’s a hypothetical that was never going to happen. The whole point of last nights episode and how it was framed was made by a production company that was looking to get the most dramatic effect possible to draw the most conversation from their show. Susie going last was a calculated move by production done on purpose to achieve the most dramatic outcome. Bingo.
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Hi Steve,
Here is my random word vomit on the WTA…
Cassidy’s back home fuck boy story was not a big deal. Having FWB is very common, hence the term. Her only mistake was verbalizing it so it was caught on camera and they could run with it and use it against her. I am sure producers are just listening and waiting in the wings for someone to say something, anything that could be misconstrued into a narrative the show is creating. Gotta have some shit on someone just in case a natural villain doesn’t emerge. Villain = viewer$.
Throughout the years I have always been reminded that once u resort to name calling and/or cursing, the point you are trying to make (no matter how valid) is lost. You have poisoned the possibility of credibility. That is what made watching the WTA so painful.
Shanae’s comment to Genevieve about how when Genevieve was sent home, she hung out with Bachelor Nation. Shanae implied that if Genevieve was truly into Clayton that she would have been so heartbroken that she would not have been up to going out; and that hanging out with Bachelor Nation somehow means u are looking to immediately hook up. (How long did Shanae practice that little speech to lay on Genevieve, thinking she had some kind of scoop?) Seriously? Of course Genevieve sought to commiserate with fellow Bachelor Nation folk after coming home. I would too! Who better than them to understand how u are feeling and what you just went through? Duh.
Sierra needed to pump the brakes. She made some worthy points at the start, but then she needed to STOP. Less is more in this case. It became overkill and eye rolling. Not the best look. (However, not knowing how much alcohol plays into it, wanting to get on BIP, being on TV, or just being plain torked over the bullshit, I can see how it’s hard to stop once u are on a roll. We have all been there in life, just not on TV.)
Which brings me to my next point: Do u think the women who chose to remain calm, poised and articulate regret it? Um no. Those women looked classy and smart. Immediately have credibility. It reminds me of Sharleen Joynt (my hero, love her) on Juan Pablo season’s WTA. He said a lot of insensitive things on the show and in the media after the show. The women were (rightfully) going after him. Sharleen remained quiet until asked for her opinion where she spoke calmly and fairly, her words had a much bigger impact with the delivery and people listened.
I know the WTA is the usual dumpster fire, but this one was embarrassing. Who would have thought that Cassidy would be one of the least aggravating women? And Lyndsay’s “…from the bottom of my heart, fuck you…” to Shanae was cringe worthy. She could have left that part off her statement. Not necessary.
Are these women looking back at their WTA “performance” patting themselves on the back, thinking the viewers are giving them props like “Wow, she brought the heat, What a bad ass?” When the dust settles and the smoke clears, you made yourself look just as crazy. Do not get me wrong, I think Shanae’s behavior was horrible, just horrible. She is scary. She is responsible for her own behavior. I didn’t like seeing the other women fall victim to licking the spoon from the bowl of crazy Shanae whipped up. You could just tell by looking at Shanae when all that vitriol was being slung her way that she was LOVING it; look everyone, I have the power to create chaos. She loved lighting the match over and over again; and then shrugging it off with her zero fucks given demeanor.
Which (finally) brings me to my final thoughts on Shanae. I am not a fan, but I am amazed she withstood all that without so much as a tear or softened statement. She is a true enigma, which may be on purpose, who knows. She has balls of steel, refuses to show weakness, but did she cry by herself when it was all over? Is she really that unfeeling that she cannot show empathy or compassion? Is she incapable of reading the room? Was this all planned out ahead of time? Was she in with the producers? Was all of this an act and the joke is on us? How do u watch urself back on TV and not feel bad about the hurt u caused or that ur behavior was despicable? Can u imagine the amount of confidence (delusion) and hubris it takes to pull off what she did? She NEVER wavered. Even Courtney Robertson was able to be contrite and self reflective at her season’s WTA.
I like to think women like Shanae are the exception, not the rule. I think that is why everyone is so shocked by her. However, she would make the perfect soldier, her impenetrable bravado would serve Ukraine well. (No, I am not wishing anything to happen to her, what I mean is that she reminds me of someone who would kick ass and take names and should use that demeanor of hers for the good….so don’t come at me for that, u have to admit she is brave. Crazy brave. Feels infallible.)
Ok I’m done.
Comment: Thanks for sharing.
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Hi again Steve – while watching your live last night, I remembered that you said someone posted something on Instagram that could’ve possibly been a spoiler to the end of the season. What was this now that you know the end? Thanks!
Comment: It was a video of Rachel with her dad and family at a dinner “cheersing” each other and someone congratulates her filmed a couple weeks after filming ended. I believe it’s still on her highlights on IG. It’s why I said at the time could mean something, could mean nothing. Ended up meaning nothing. Probably was a congratulations for dodging a giant bullet looking back now.
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Do you think the show is OK with there being no real love story coming out of this season? No engagement, no dating post-filming, Clayton not being in contact with any of the final 3 women (supposedly)? If all of that is true, I feel like the show wouldn’t want viewers to think the season was a waste, so they might try to force some sort of reconciliation and dating attempt at After the Final Rose, similar to Madi and Peter. Thoughts?
Comment: Whatever attempt they try, if they even do, will be futile at this point. I just don’t see any lasting relationship coming out of this season after what we saw last night. Clayton should just cut his losses and move on.
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To be perfectly honest, if this is how the season ends with the Susie situation, why would the franchise want her to be the bachelorette? It just seems weird and almost cruel to Clayton? There’s something that just doesn’t sit right with me hearing she is most likely to be the bachelorette after hearing she rejects his proposal. They always promote the lead choice as that person getting a “second chance at love” and it’s like she was given that and rejected it. Especially if what we see on during the finale is raw and emotional at times for either or both of them I just think she being the bachelorette is cringy. Thanks for your time.
Comment: I look at it completely different. She may reject her chance, because it wasn’t on her terms. I mean, the storyline is there for a setup to have her season. Whether they choose to go with her is a different story. It’s their decision and they have made some random ones in the past based on whatever the hell their own criteria is. But to me, Susie seems to have a stronger built-in storyline heading into a “Bachelorette” season now that Gabby or Rachel. But that’s just my opinion. If either one of them got it, I’d be fine with them as well.
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I’ve been late to the F Boy Island game but I just finished binge watching the season and was addicted. Do you have any updates on any of the cast members?
Comment: None of the final 3 couples lasted very long.
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Should be an interesting ATFR. Any thoughts on if the final 3 will all confront Clayton?
Comment: I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t. I expect all 3 of them to be there.
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Hey Steve –
Any interest in the upcoming CBS reality show Beyond the Edge? I think they are trying to make it look like Celebrity Survivor, but, from what I read, it is a totally different structure. Despite Colton being in it, I’ll check it out. Isn’t it airing right after “Survivor” on Wed nights? I think I’ll give it a look to see how it is.
I thought Joe Millionaire was, again, more real/entertaining then Bachelor last week when Kala (spelling?) It’s Calah friendzoned Kurt and Steven gently dumped 2 women for sound reasons. I still want to know how Amanda’s grandfather made his money and if we are talking about the kind of money her mother hinted at. Did I mention I have podcasts coming out on Friday and Tuesday with Joe Millionaire contestants?
WTA – I felt bad for Clayton as I believe he was being a good soldier instead of yelling “Of course I should have gotten rid of Shanae much earlier but this is a TV show and the producers pushed me to keep her instead of filler women!” Pretty sure most of the women know it is the truth and they are also playing a part by criticizing him on the show. I also get annoyed when unmemorable early exits try to be a presence on the WTA to audition for BIP. Prediction – no redemption on BIP for Shanae. Jesse montage was fun. Think about how short the blooper segments would be without insects. Ha ha good point. I think you can pull up blooper reels from every MTA on YouTube. Go do it. And report back with how much time in each one is someone fending off a bug, or screaming at a spider, or swiping something that flys in front of their face while running away screaming.
I read an article in the past couple weeks where “Pilot Pete” predicted Clayton would end up alone. My guess was someone leaked that to him vs brilliant analysis. I’d say you’d be correct. Not to mention the guy literally told a story of how he met a relative of Rachel’s & they spoke about the show and now all the sudden he’s Nostradamus about the season.
2 + 2 = 4.
Given all the people pressuring you for the ending spoiler, it got me thinking – why do they care so much? For me, I just like to see if a lone investigative reporter can crack a corporation’s attempt to keep a secret. Ultimately, I don’t particularly care whom he picks. Do you have a sense why people want the spoiler so much? They are so excited about the love story and can’t stand the suspense? They want to “predict” the end to non RS readers and look like Bachelor Nation geniuses? Something else?
Comment: I think it’s a combo of those things. Some people like reading the end of books first. Some people hate surprises. Some people do wanna pretend they’re “guessing” to impress others. Don’t forget the faction out there that wants me to be wrong because, I don’t know, they get pleasure in that since they’re perfect in their lives. There’s definitely that group.
I mentioned it briefly on yesterday’s live, but it’s gone now since I deleted it, but it bears repeating bc it truly is confusing. To get mad at me for taking so long to get this seasons spoilers makes absolutely no sense when all season in the same breath those same people tell me I know nothing, I’m useless, and I have no spoilers anymore. Huh? Whaaaa? Then nothing I say should matter, yet, everything I post is discussed ad nauseum. It’s literally the 9th Wonder of the World how people can do nothing but say all day long how irrelevant I am, then get mad at me for not posting spoilers at their convenience. If anyone could explain that to me, I’d love to hear it. Hint: You can’t, because it’s impossible.
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Hey Steve ~
Thoughts of all the NFL news lately?
Aarons anticipated massive Green Bay contract, Russell going to Denver, Ridley betting on games (his rebuttal/response).
Excited for the draft and also the trades that will begin.
It made no sense for Rodgers to leave the Packers. They’ve boat raced that division for the last 4 years. They could go 11-6/12-5 in their sleep, win that division, and guarantee themselves a home game, if not home field advantage throughout the playoffs every year. The AFC has a bunch of young, good talented QB’s. Would you rather have played in a division (AFC West) with Mahomes, Herbert, and Carr? Or would rather play with who your familiar with, and 6 games a year you get Goff, Fields/Dalton, and Cousins? It’s a no brainer. It never made sense for him to leave there. Russell Wilson on the other hand has his work cut out for him.
And as much as I like gambling, it’s pretty clear in the NFL: you can’t bet on games if you’re a player/owner. Period.
Comments regarding Joe Millionaire:
I’m glad I listened to your initial podcast with Steven and Kurt because I wasn’t planning on tuning in. I just had it in my mind it would be so gimmicky and I didn’t watch the original because I was 17 when that came out.
It really is so good and more enjoyable than Bachelor/ette. Maybe that’s because Bach is 20 years in and there are no longer “exciting” or original themes any season.
My comment is simply that I hope you will be able to have on many if not all of the final six women (and obviously Steven and Kurt which I know you will). They all have such different stories and seem interesting in their own respects.
I don’t know how another season of JM would look, but certainly would love to watch it again.
Looking forward to TI as well.
Have a good evening
Comment: I’m not gonna get all final 6 women, but I’m going to have people on from the finale this Friday and next Tuesday, so stay tuned.
