Well hello, my friends — oh how I’ve missed you. Just look what you people have done to me: This time last year I had never even blogged before and now I Twitter. I Twitter! What has happened to me? I’m so hip next thing you know I’ll be wearing Ed Hardy shirts and riding a motorcycle. (By the way guys, if that’s your thing no offense — women really love that!) The last season was so mentally and emotionally draining I wasn’t really sure I was ready to jump back in the water so quickly with another season. I arrived the first night and found Jillian getting her makeup done. She hopped up with that infectious smile of hers and gave me a big hug. She was a breath of fresh air, and I knew right then we were ready to go again. I’ve done so many interviews where I’ve tried to describe what’s so great about Jillian; the best way to sum it all up is what you see is what you get. She’s the real deal and any of these guys will be lucky to end up with her — and I’m truly hoping that happens. Notice I said hoping: For the first time in Bachelor/Bachelorette history, the show is premiering while we’re still in production. So if somebody tells you they know how all this ends, you should also ask them for future lottery ticket numbers.
After the jump: Bilbro, breakdancing, and more roses than ever
I’m sure you noticed we are back in the same house. I love shooting at thishouse; not only is it close to where I live, but it looks great on TV.Once again, huge props to the art department and lighting for makingeverything look so fantastic. I wish you all could meet the small armythat works so hard to make this show so good. The first night is alwaysa long one and this one was no different. We did have one littletwist for Jillian: About half way through the night, I brought fivemore guys in. I really didn’t think much of this, that is until I saw everybody’s reaction. I figured it would be fun and Jillianwould be excited — the more the merrier, right? The original 25 guys got pretty territorial, and Jilli got a bit overwhelmed. Ithink she had just gotten a handle on everything when I threw her thecurve ball. She ended up handling it like a pro and that’s a goodthing, because she ended up keeping most of the new guys.
Speaking of,lets talk about the guys and the cocktail party. (Hold on, ’cause herecomes a bunch of random thoughts about the guys and the night.) "On ascale of one to Bilbro… I’m Bilbro." Greg, I’m gonna miss you themost of all. Greg was certainly not the one for Jilli, but damn he would havebeen outstanding entertainment. Brian, "Hot tub Harris"… great line.That’s gonna stick. Kyle, if your gonna roll up on The Bachelorettein a Members Only jacket, you can’t think you have game — you better havemajor game. No rose for Kyle, and we lost our only member. Greg andMike challenge each other to a break off — not since the ’80s has sucha battle been waged. Know this people: The rec center not only wasn’tsaved this time, it burned to the ground. In the end, in my humblebreakin’ opinion, Greg did get served and Mike stomped the yard. (Cansomebody get Kyle’s Members Only jacket for me please?)
Tanner P’s footfetish… Let me tell you, at this point Jillian didn’t know anythingabout his odd desires. Don’t worry — this story isn’t over yet! You canbet your left pinky toe on that. Dave got the first impression rose — what a perfect example of what a great women Jilli is. Dave really fell allover himself trying to speak when he got out of the limo, and I thinkJillian knew his ego had taken a bit of a shot and he was embarrassed.Jillian really gave him a shot in the arm by giving him the firstimpression rose. Class move, Jilli! Wondering what you guys think ofWes and his song for Jillian. I know some of the guys were put off,but it worked on Jillian, and isn’t that what really matters most?
Thefirst rose ceremony was one of the weirdest scenes I’ve ever walkedinto on this show. It felt like there were 50 guys in that room. Iknow it’s only five more than normal, but it just felt very crowded inthere. We went from 30 down to 20, so obviously the numbersare going to be a little different each week. This, oddlyenough, really changed the show. (We’ll discuss this more in the upcomingweeks.) Let me say this before I go, after nineteen roses I know youwere confused, and thank God I was there to let you know there was onefinal rose left. What would you do without me? Wait, don’t answerthat! I need the job. It’s good to be back, and I’m glad you’re back with me. It’s a great season and I think you’ll all enjoy the ride.
More Bachelorette on EW:
The Bachelorette season premiere recap: A (very) few good men
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Thanks for the blog as always Chris. I was looking at that one rose and wondering… is there another one left that I can’t see? I’m glad you let everyone know that it was, in fact, the final rose.
Hi Chris…thanks for coming back. I know you took quite a beating last season and it even got a bit personal. (No doubt you’ll stay away from anything to do with politics this go-round!) Anyhoo…I really enjoy your insights and comments; it’s clear you put a lot of thought into this…unlike others. (Probst, I’m talking about you!)
My question for you: how were the five extra guys chosen…was it random? Like, there was a pool of 30 and 25 names were selected. Did you feel it was an advantage or disadvantage for the five latecomers.
See you next week!
Chris, I am a fan of yours since you worked on another network hosting a little designing show.
I haven’t watched The Bachelor since Bob was the ’star’, and I only watched Trista’s show, so you guys need to thank Dancing With The Stars odd running time for the fact that I watched tonight. I don’t know if I’ll keep watching because all the hot tub scenes and “sleepovers” skeeve me out, but she seems like a good person, so I wish her the best.
My question to you is, would you have ever done the show to find your wife?
I am SO VERY HAPPY that you have Jillian Harris as The Bachelorette. I loved her on the Bachelor and was very disappointed when Jason turned her down. But, I’m happy that she’s back and she’s got the choice now. You are the Best, Jillian…!!!!
Chris, as always, love the insight. Looking forward to this season–Jillian’s a hoot!
Jenn:)
http://bachgirlfan.blogspot.com
Hi Chris. Welcome back. I saw the Season Premiere on Monday Night. That was an interesting show. Could you believe the guy who kept calling Jillian “Hot Tub Jillian”? Man. That guy ain’t going to last too long. I loved the breakdance battle. That was fun. I was shocked that Jillian gave the first impression rose to that one guy who was so nervous that he couldn’t even talk. I look forward to the rest of the season. Although I do have a funny feeling that Jillian will flake out at the end and not marry anyone. She just gives off that vibe. But hopefully she will prove me wrong. Talk to you later Chris.
Chris…so glad you are blogging again!! You make a great read.
Glad the show is back, the only thing that would have made it that much more interesting was if the addditional 5 guys were previously on the Bachelorette i.e. Jason, Graham etc……….is the show going to shoot longer now that there are extra guys?
I got to the point in the Rose Ceremony where it seemed she was just calling out the ones whose names she could remember. The poor girl, after all that wine, trying to sort out 30 guys, five of whom she’d just met (comparatively speaking). I couldn’t have done it, stone sober.
I don’t normally watch the Bachelorette but I am just to watch a fellow Canadian on there. My only comment for the night…”What no Canadian men?” I thought maybe there would be one or two that were Canadian. When you brought out the 5 guys I was hoping you were going to say they were all from Canada.
I was okay with the Wes serenade. I’m a sucker for guitar players/singers. Would have been my weak spot as well.
My other faves are Ed and Kiptyn. I like the guys who seem really laid back and genuine. Those two seem that way to me so far.
I don’t even watch the bachelor(ette) but I love this blog. Chris Harrison, you are hilarious. Who knew from the five minutes I spend with you on Designer’s Challenge that you had all this personality lurking inside? I wish you could mock the tacky crap people pay tens of thousands of dollars for on that show.
Hi Chris,
First off, regardless what anyone says your defff the best host the show could have. Even with you lil scences throughout the show, your someone noone forgets. As for Jill being the bachelorette, im am sooo excited!, and after seeing last nights premiere I cannot waiiiit for more episodes, it seems like its gonna be a good season. The producers always somehow find a way to throw in some extra drama for us fans to keep staying tuned. As for the guys, theres some many good ones (for now) its soo hard to pick a favorite! They seem like a fun group of guys, who are going to be very interesting to watch. PS. Dont mess with Jill, because theyll kick your ass haha
Thanks for the blog Chris and Jillian is the best!
Hey Chris – still mad at you about last season, but love the blog – you are as witty as ever.
–== Cougarster.Com ==– It’s where Cougar (women who are mature, rich and experienced) and men who like them can meet.
Hey, Chris. Welcome back. I was going to say thanks for not giving away too much of the ending this season, come to find out it hasn’t been taped yet. I did notice, too, that there wasn’t nearly as much repetition in the show last night (except for some of the guys’ conversations with Jillian coming out of the limo!), so hopefully that means you and the other producers did listen to at least some of our suggestions last season. I’m sad to see some of the guys might have girlfriends or are there for exposure and not just to fall in love with Jillian. I hope it all has a happy ending for her. She’s great!
Oh, and the last rose DID kind of look like 2 roses still sitting there, but we all knew you’d step in and clear that up for us. Good thing you’re keeping track!
Thanks for the blog Chris, I’m glad you brought Jillian back. I think she did a great job in picking her guys tonight. Glad Bilbro is gone looked to much like Jason for me and seemed a little stuck on himself.
Was the sun comming up at the end of the rose cermony? Looked a little on the side when some of the guys walked out? One other question, do you give the bachelors or bachlorettes any help on remembering the names on the first night? How can they remember all the names and faces? Kinda looked like she was pausing in between roses. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR BLOG.
So excited to have you AND Jillian back, Chris. I cannot wait to see how this all pans out. Although, while I see the need for teasers, can’t we tone it down a little bit? I plan to be here for the entire season as do many other loyal viewers.. but I really can’t stand seeing the entire season flash before my eyes in one teaser.
You guys could have at least kept her standing at the podium for the finale out of it… maybe that wasn’t what it looked like because you did say you haven’t wrapped up filming yet but it sure looked like the end.. and really I would like to keep that a secret.
Anyways, I’ll be there regardless. Go Jillian!!
Hi Chris. I’m not watching the show this season because of the way the producer treated Jason last time, and then covered his rear with misleading statements and bs. I really like Jillian and wish her well. I’ll look forward to your blogs.
The song serenade would have been ok. But then he pulled out the country music thing. Blech.
Chris is back, between you and Kristen Baldwin, there will be proper water cooler reading on Tuesdays. One question, night one seemed a bit overwhelming with 30 guys. Is there a “scorecard” for her with names on it so she doesn’t get a name wrong during the Rose ceremony. I remember Jesse had an issue with this a few years ago, I was just curious.
Hey Chris, glad to have you back. Just a suggestion: you might want to have the production crew lay off hosing down the driveway when Jillian has to stand there getting the train of her dressed soaked. It was a mess by the end of the limos.
Hi Chris! As a Canadian I am very excited to watch Jillian as the Bachelorette! However, I am truly disappointed that there are no Canadian bachelors in the bunch. Why not? I cannot imagine that there were no Canadian guys interested in this girl. I was seriously thinking that about 50% of the bachelors were going to be Canadian. My thought is that these guys must have been chosen before Jillian was asked to become the next Bachelorette. Is this correct?
I do feel like some of the guys chosen for this season were just taking up space as we knew from the step out of the limo that they were not Jillian’s type and would be sent home. Although, maybe that is a good thing as it then makes it easier for her to cut the first 10 guys.
Looking forward to watching the rest of the season! Although, to be honest, the first episode is not giving me a warm fuzzy that Jillian’s future husband is in this bunch of guys. Maybe I’m a little jaded? – My first choice pick right now is Kiptyn.
Yay! Glad you’re back Chris. These commenters that are still mad about the Jason thing…seriously, people – get a life! Last night was very entertaining, though aside from a few standouts all of the men are blurring together. I think I like the pilot best so far. (Jake?) I’m so glad that she send Kyle home – he irritated me from the minute he opened his mouth in the “meet the guys” segment. Other than him… I’m not sure I remember who the others were – it’s hard to keep them all straight right now. And that foot fetish? Yikes – so creepy! Made me shudder.
So i have to admit i DID need you Chris-i was losing count last night and was relieved i had you there to let me know it was the final rose. Chris you make this show worth watching.
Chris, I love you! You make the show worth watching. I’ve really been on the fence on whether I can take another ride but just being able to read your blogs make it worth it! Now….what is your Twitter name??
How did Jillian remember all those guys names so quickly??
How did Jillian remember all those guys names so quickly??