Image Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABCA new season of The Bachelor begins tonight (ABC, 8 p.m. ET) with an old face: After rejecting both DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft in 2007′s season 11 finale, Brad Womack was momentarily the most hated man in America. For some reason, the Austin bar owner — who told EW in 2009 that people only calmed down after Ellen DeGeneres, who had called him a “jerk” on her show, let him explain to her audience that he never asked producers to fly Pappas’ father in for the finale — is back for another go. In a brilliant/cruel move, producers didn’t inform the Bachelorettes that Womack was the man they were vying for — and in the promo, we see how well that turned out for him (slap!). But you know what? I think that underscores how unlikely a love connection is on this show. The priority isn’t a match; it’s making a TV show. (And that’s fine, because by now, if contestants don’t know that, they only have themselves to blame.) Even if producers are hoping Womack scores a wife this time ’round – and that’s why he starts with 30 suitors — ask yourself this: How many dating site profiles have you looked at, and how many of them did you seriously date? When the show’s producers bring back DeAnna and Jenni in the premiere, will they address how, according to Brad, he told producers two weeks before the finale that he didn’t see a future with any woman there and they told him to go ring shopping anyway? “Per my contract, there was gonna be a final ceremony — whether I picked anybody or not,” Womack told us in 2009. I wonder. If 38-year-old Brad doesn’t feel a connection with the Bachelorettes they’ve handpicked for him this time, will he be the devil again?
I can’t help but wonder why the oldest woman in the group is 32. Then there’s four 30-year-olds, and the other 25 are under 30 (three 24-year-olds; six 25-year-olds; six 26-year-olds; five 27 year-olds; four 28-year-olds; and one 29-year-old). Was that his choice or producers? That’s presumably the highest median age of any season to date, but having two-thirds of the contestants be more than 10 years younger than The Bachelor seems unnecessary. (Or are most single women over 30 too smart to add potential TV humiliation to their life plan?)
Hearing about the 30 bachelorettes, I’m 99.9 percent sure I’ll be breaking my New Year’s resolution to only have ONE drink before watching the show each week — limo night is always the most nerve-wracking for me as the women attempt to make memorable first impressions. Tell me how you’re preparing for tonight’s premiere. Are you already searching for spoilers, or do you avoid them like the plague?
P.S. Serious Bachelor fans will be happy to know that Entertainment Weekly executive editor Kristen Baldwin will once again be recapping the show for EW.com. Chris Harrison will resume his weekly behind-the-scenes blog for PopWatch.
Read more: The Bachelor season preview: Brad Womack to face DeAnna and Jenni, dance lessons, and… fangs
I try to avoid spoilers, but I’ve already had the season spoiled for me thanks to comments on a Bachelor article on this website a few weeks ago. People, please don’t ruin it for the rest of us!
SPOILERS BELOW. Seriously, telling the age of the “winner” is equal to spoiling with a name. You suck. This isn’t a site for spoilers. People who spoil outcomes here are nasty trolls.
Yes, he picks me, the slapper!
Chantel OBrien, the slapper!
chantal o?! I was hoping for madison. I will commence removing it from my dvr season pass
No one cares about this crap.
Ya, right. Nobody but ABC. Cha-Ching !
This is clearly the highest quality show on television, as it only stars very smart and intelligent people using the brief time they have on earth in the best way possible. All of these contestants and the prized man himself are paragons of social value.
@Brian, and such integrity too, not!
You’re a real piece of trash. We don’t want this stupid spoilers. Why do you take pleasure in ruining things for other people? FOAD.
He picks me! The slapper!
Jpoerk, don’t tell anyone but he picks me, Chantel!
Very sorry, comment intended for spoiler below. Please forgive me for being too stupid to click the correct button.
Seriously folks, this show wrapped up filming before Thanksgiving. Everyone that reads Reality Steve knows Brad’s final choice. Do not freak out if Brad doesn’t pick the girl you like. Given the fact that the final one is 28, I feel okay calling her a “girl” rather than a woman.
I’ve avoided Reality Steve so far…but this season has to be the most obvious ploy for ratings by bringing this guy back.
*yawn* the Bachelor is running out out of ideas at this point. They’re recycling actual former cast members as a cheap gimmick and its not even funny anymore. Stayed tuned for next season when for the first time in Bachelor history.. The Bachelor IS…. a PERSON OF COLOR.. VIEWERS CHOICE!! TEXT 123 for Black 456 for Hispanic or 789 for Asian.. oh wait nevermind. They would NEVER have an Asian bachelor lol. I hate this show for sooo many reasons but the lack of minority representation is fascinating.
As a minority, I’m glad that they haven’t had a minority male to add to the tally of failed relationships on this fake show. We should aim higher, shouldn’t we? As for any minority woman who wants representation, remember that hell will freeze over before the bachelor will give you that final rose. See how angry the white women in the show get when a black or Asian gets to the next level over them? Well, the producers know that white women between the ages of 18 and 35 are their target audience and they want to see a white man and a white women make it to the end together. It’s akin to Snoop Dog wanting Joe Francis to exploit black women the way he does white women on Girls Gone Wild. Boggles the mind.
Anyone who actually bothers to watch this tripe deserves any disappointment they feel afterward.
I usually enjoy watching the Bachelor – although I have not seen them all. If I don’t like the demeanor of the contestant or if it’s too frat house, I am not interested.
I generally like the Bachelorette shows more. Maybe because I am a woman and like the idea of being surrounded by a bunch of adoring males LOL.
Anyway, Brad was boring in the first show with him in it. Unless he has magically transformed into a more fascinating & likable guy – why bother.
To me, it’s kind of like DWTS. I really enjoyed many of the shows previously, but really felt played by the network towards the end of the show last season. I am done with DWTS.
It could be history for the Bachelor for me as well. Why they would pick this rather droll guy without much personality for a second run baffles me. I think the likelihood of Brad meeting the woman of his dreams in this new show, whether he picks someone or not, is not likely going to happen. Not feeling the vibe of long term commitment or husband material from him.
And, for the first time ever, I checked Reality Steve – so I don’t have to waste my time watching. I won’t spoil it for others, however. It’s my choice & opinions.
I’m not going to lie, I’ll watch the new season, but not until it gets down to at least 10 if not 6 girls. Thanks Mandy for the PS about Kristen! I will FOR SURE be reading her every Tuesday morning, her recaps are my favorite thing about the entire series!!
I’d rather jab a sharp stick in my eye, or get root canal work than watch this show.
So why do you feel the need to:
1. Read the article?
and
2. Comment?
Nostrovia ! Let the games begin.
I’m ready for it Mandi and I will be drinking along with you too. I was going to pass on this season due to Brad but then I decided that was silly. This is a tv show and that is why the women are young because of the drama they will bring.
Like Brad says … It’s all about meeeee ! Cripes .
Yay Kristin is back!
I consult in 5 continents on the correlation between a person’s name & their personality traits – so based on their names .. here’s what bachelorettes will be like! Most fun- Keltie, Lacey, Melissa, Meghan, Britnee & Jill
Most fickle Marissa & Melissa
Most likely to be there ’cause they want to marry for money – Lindsay, Keltie, Chantal, Britt, Britnee, Lauren, Melissa, Christy & Jackie
Most likely to be a drama queen – Stacy, Raichel, Marissa, Michelle, Rebecca & Shawntel
Most likely to push Brad around til they get what they want – Madison, Meghan, Michelle, Renee, Sarah L & Sarah P
Most easy going – Alli, Ashley H, Ashley S, Emily, Lisa P, Lisa M
Best match for Brad? Ashley H
There isn’t enough alcohol in the world to get me to watch this jackwagon again. This show is also one reason I never make a no drinking resolution on New Year’s
Love Kristin’s recaps! Hooray!