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
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.