Chris Harrison blogs 'The Bachelor': episode 1
Jan 6, 2009, 01:00 AM | by Chris Harrison
Categories: Reality TV, Television, Things That Are Awesome!
Let me start this off by admitting that this is my first ever blog. It's not that I'm against it, but I'm not exactly the Facebook/MySpace kind of guy. When I heard that my friend and Survivor host, Jeff Probst, took on this task (and enjoyed it), I decided to give in and join the masses. I hope you enjoy this journey, and I will try to give you as much insight and behind-the-scenes scoop as I can without ruining the amazing proposal we end up with (I hope you knew that part!).
I fully supported and even campaigned a little to get Jason Mesnick as our newest Bachelor. He's a great guy, very down-to-earth and, like myself, always puts family first. He's extremely genuine and loves his son, Ty, more than anything in this world. But one of the things I like best about Jason is he has NO poker face. As you saw in the first episode, he just can't hide what he's feeling -- good, bad or downright awkward. I find that very endearing as it allows all of us to really see and feel what his true emotions are. My interview at the beginning of the show this season was one of the easiest I've ever done. Even with people I know and like it's a bit awkward as the bachelors and bachelorettes aren't quit comfortable in front of the cameras yet. Jason and I have a lot in common. We're about the same age (okay, I'm a little older) and both dads, and I think that's why his interview was very easy and comfortable, yet still revealing. Sometimes this 5-minute (TV time) interview can take a couple hours to shoot.
Because this first episode is two hours long and full of names and roses and we're all just getting warmed up here, I'm going to cheat a little bit this week and just throw out random thoughts and notes from this show. (If you have a problem with this take it up with your local blogosphere representative. You people have those, right?) After this, we'll deal with the women.
*Reliving Jason's half proposal to Deanna at the top of the show was tough. Still not sure why she left him down there so damn long.
*Not sure why the producers never put slow-mo shots of me working out at the gym or doing push ups by my pool in the show. Oh wait, yes, I do know why.
Bachelor Season 13 fun facts:
*This is the fourth time we've used this house. Brad, Matt, Deanna, and now Jason.
*The women start getting ready at 9 A.M. but the arrivals don't take place till about 9 P.M. The first rose ceremony isn't till about 4 A.M. We all get to bed around 8 A.M. That is except me because when I get home my kids are getting up and are ready for breakfast and are off to school.
*A couple of guys with garden hoses wet down the driveway to make it look good on camera for arrivals. Not so good if you have a full-length gown!
*The driver of the third limo is a gentleman named Caesar. He's a great guy who's appeared on the show as a driver I believe since the beginning. If not, pretty darn close to it.
The Arrivals and Cocktail Party:
*It only takes about an hour to get five limos with five women each unloaded, introduced to Jason, and in the house.
*Because Jason is a father and the girls knew this coming in, the cocktail party was very subdued this season. There wasn't much drinking and nobody really got out of control. In fact, Jason actually had the same drink in his hand the entire first night.
Deliberation and Rose Ceremony:
*Once I grab Jason we go straight into the deliberation room. This room
is a converted bedroom on the first floor of the girls' house. The
women are all dying to see this room and see what pictures we use. They
aren't allowed inside ever. While we're deliberating the living room is
being torn down and being set up for the rose ceremony.
*The cruelest part of all is the fact that the girls arrive in a limo, but once rejected they go home in a van.
Now lets talk about the girls on night one. Again these are going to be quick takes as we're all just getting started here. During arrivals Lisa taught us Idaho is a great place because of...wait for it...potatoes! (The Idaho tourism board just hired her.) Treasure had the best line, explaining to Jason that "Treasure" was in fact her real name, not her stage name. Shannon, really with the teeth bit? Ask Dr. Travis Stork how that move works out.
Once inside the party a couple girls left quite an impression. Shannon, if you have to tell a man you're not a stalker...well, guess what? Sharon, not a great idea to tell a man you quit your job just to meet him. Jillian "It's important to know what a man puts on his pork"...I like you a lot (by the way I'm a mustard, ketchup guy myself). To Renee and all other women out there who have them. Vision boards scare men and not in a good way. Molly gets the award for best steal of the night. When you see your man dancing with a hot Brazilian, put an end to it fast. Some things you didn't see in the first episode but were pretty darn funny (editing room floor, sorry). Dominique did pretty good impressions of all the girls. Ann did the entire flight attendant routine for Jason. Sharon used every letter in the alphabet to describe something good about Jason (hard to believe we didn't leave that in, huh?). As has become the norm, a few of the girls did their best Chris Harrison impersonation, some of them are pretty good.
Again, we're just getting started here, so I hope you enjoyed week 1 and my first official blog. Next week we'll get more details as the girls move in, the dates begin, and this thing really starts cookin' as we quickly get our first kiss. Did you happen to notice Deanna is back? Until then, please take a moment and say your goodbyes.
Watch our exclusive bonus video below, and read Kristen Baldwin's Bachelor TV Watch.
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