If you’re new to this blog, and it appears we have some new readers, I usually start off by answering or responding to some of your comments. But this week I want to start by letting you know I’m writing this the night before our final rose ceremony. By the time you read this, the season will be officially wrapped. This is the first time in the history of the show we have still been in production while the show is on the air. Now, on to your comments.
Teacher, you are correct — I am not a master of the written or spoken word. I should be better with my grammar and set a better example for my kids. Just not sure that ain’t gonna happen… oops! No, it didn’t rain before episode one. This is where TV and common sense run in different directions: The director wants the driveway wet so it looks good on TV. Meanwhile, wardrobe puts Jillian in a full-length light colored gown. Not a good combination. What you guys didn’t see is when Jillian was walking in and out of the house, I was trailing behind her holding her dress off the wet cement so it wouldn’t get trashed. It didn’t help much. Somebody mentioned at rose ceremonies that names are written on the roses to help Jillian know who to call. Not true, but that’s a really cool idea. Not sure the art department would be up for that little plan. For those who asked, you can find me on twitter @chrisbharrison. Sorry, just not up to the Facebook challenge yet — baby steps. Glad to see there’s still some outraged haters out there. I’d hate to think that everybody was happy and content. Oh, and not sure what you meant by asking if I like to get wet like Jeff Probst — but all of a sudden I felt as creeped out as Jillian’s feet. Now, on to episode 2!
It’s always fun to move the guys into the outhouse, or "bunkhouse" as these guys end up calling it. It’s not a huge surprise, but this season moving 20 guys into that space was pretty funny. It was so packed in there they were sleeping in single bunks right next to each other. One outdoor shower and one bathroom — stuff we would never do to the group of women, sorry fellas. I know you love the behind the scenes tidbits, so here’s a bunch from this episode you won’t read or hear about anywhere else. The group race for Jillian was fun. Pretty funny leaving Michael up on the balcony, as he was acting all cocky expecting the rose. Wes ended up winning the competition and dinner. More importantly, this is also where the guys begin to question his motives and intentions. One of the coolest dates this year (especially for Jillian, given that she’s such a country fan) was the concert with Martina McBride. The date started out with Jillian looking sexy driving off with Jake in this purple Stingray. What you didn’t see that wasn’t so sexy was Jillian having to sit on three pillows so we could see her on camera and she could see over the steering wheel. Turns out, Martina is a big fan of the show and really wanted to be a part of it. We had conference calls where Martina was pitching ideas on how to get involved in the date. She was awesome on stage and awesome to deal with. Thanks Martina!
On the group date, Mike ran into the ocean in a bikini. He actually bought those off of some random guy on the beach for $10. Jillian thought that was very funny, and he ended up getting the rose for it. (Running in a bikini, funny… Brian going full nude at the party, not so much. We’ll discuss that more later.) Many of you commented on Tanner P. and his foot fetish. The truth about his obsession came out in this episode. I talked to Jillian today, and she told me she found it unique and kind of funny, not creepy. They laughed and had fun with it, unlike Brian going full frontal at the party. Okay, let’s just deal with that now. Jillian put it best in the deliberation room — sorry you didn’t get to see that this week; we just had too much stuff to cram into the show. Jillian said she likes to have fun and wants to see the guys be themselves, but there’s a line of decency and it was crossed. There’s fun and cute, and then there’s a lack of respect — and unfortunately for Brian, his choice was the latter. Jillian felt very uncomfortable, and in the end that helped her decision in sending him home. On a personal note, that’s just not something I ever need to see again. Brian was right — the skinny dip did volumes separating him from the rest of the guys.
One little surprise for Jillian and the guys during the cocktail party was the vote. Tensions were already running a little high, and I don’t think the ballot box helped. At the time I kind of thought Brad would get the most votes, but he didn’t get any. Juan really started to rub some of the guys the wrong way but Jillian decided to save him. One thing I didn’t mention on the show is that I got one vote to be sent home — that was pretty funny. In closing, I’d like to say I hope you or your significant other isn’t hung like a "light switch," and on a scale from zero to Bilbro, I hope you’re all feeling Bilbro! See ya next week, and I will continue to read all of your comments — the good, bad and the ugly.
More Bachelorette on EW:
The Bachelorette recap: Dropping the ball(s)
I hope Jillian does not chose David. I find him to be extremley cockey and arrogant. He’s also a potty mouth
Ha. Do you know who voted you off?
Love Reid! Glad he’s still around.
I think it was a mistake to not show Jillian’s deliberation.
Since the show was still in production when the first episode aired, was Jillian able to watch the first night and see the things that went on when she wasn’t around? And will she be on talk shows doing interviews now that the season is offically wrapped?
Chris,
You said on Bonnie Hunt last week that you feel a little more protective over the Bachelorette’s then the bachelor’s But Jilli seems to be a pretty tough, Independent person so do you still feel the need to be protective of her.
And have there ever been guys, weather they are The Bachelor or in the group of men on The Bachelorette that you have felt needed a little more protecting and softer approach? Take Jason for example, there was a small child involved so did you feel that for Ty’s sake if there was some one who was just not right for him you hinted at it a little more heavily?
All I could think about when the guys took off in that car was I hope they hadn’t spent the morning drinking around the pool!
Please tell us it wasn’t so!
I was so creeped out by Brian’s little escapade but even more so when he came out of the pool and forced a kiss on the cheek out of Jillian. I wish she hadn’t given in. What he did was so disgusting.
I keep hearing that three guys have girlfriends and one is gay. I’d rather know sooner than later in the season. I don’t think it’s fair to manipulate the audience with that. Don’t you guys do any research on these guys? The show makes so much money; there are only 30 guys. You can afford to check.
I love the show! Jillian is awesome, so warm and genuine.
Chris, can you address the rumors that some of the guys were paid to be in the final 4 — or that the show intentionally hired some guys with girlfriends to ramp up the drama?
Last question, was the FRC filmed at the Orchid or a private residence.
Thanks, you are a great part of the show and I look forward to watching your parts as much as the contestants.
Why on all of the blogs do they have Wes’s last name plastered everywhere but not any of the other guys? Does ABC have a contract with Wes to get him publicity? If so, I feel sorry for Jillian!!
I think Michael cast the vote for you, Chris. He looked absolutely lost in trying to call up someone’s name to vote for. I haven’t seen any ill will out of that guy. Good guy. Though I call Jake and Sasha as the final 2.
LIke your blog this week, Chris… The only thing you didn’t mention is David’s violent streak. Talking about tying a guy to a tree and beating him is not acceptable under any circumstances–and even less so on national television. I hope someome tells Jillian he’s a threatening, insecure creep. What happened to the guy who couldn’t get his words out last week? He seemed sweet… and now he’s obsessed with throwing punches and the “mancode.” Gross. Goodbye!
Jake and Kiptyn are the hottest guys there, and at the moment they both seem great. Hope there’s no big surprises with either of them!
LIke your blog this week, Chris… The only thing you didn’t mention is David’s violent streak. Talking about tying a guy to a tree and beating him is not acceptable under any circumstances–and even less so on national television. I hope someome tells Jillian he’s a threatening, insecure creep. What happened to the guy who couldn’t get his words out last week? He seemed sweet… and now he’s obsessed with throwing punches and the “mancode.” Gross. Goodbye!
Jake and Kiptyn are the hottest guys there, and at the moment they both seem great. Hope there’s no big surprises with either of them!
At the start of both episode 1 and 2, Jillian has made a comment about “not being the prettiest bachelorette”. By including these comments in editing, it seems that ABC seconds that thought…? Yes? No? Not only does Jillian translate as gorgeous on TV, but the guys seem to think that she’s a stunner in person too. Why the emphasis on not being the “prettiest” from the editing room? I’d like to hear a whole lot less of these comments!
I haven’t seen any chemistry with any of the men. It was really rude that the men just stood around watching Jillian hanging from the basketball hoop until finally Juan came to the rescue … I hope she took notice of that. Thanks for the blogs chris! …I enjoy reading them..bad grammmmmaaar or not!
i am dissapoited at jillian,this is not who i tot she was,omg she is slutty and makes the whole thing seem like a joke, i hope it gets better cos jillian is not even close to class act.