This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Jan. 19, 2015.
I hate to admit it, but yes, I do watch ABC’s “The Bachelor.”
I blame it on the fact that there’s not much to watch on Monday nights during the winter.
But it’s one of the silliest, more far-fetched shows I’ve ever watched.
I don’t understand how anyone can truly believe people will actually find true love on this show or its “Bachelorette” counterpart.
Not that I’m an expert on true love or anything, but the premise of the show makes it impossible to find happiness with one person.
No one can whittle down a group of 20-plus people to one soulmate. It just doesn’t make sense. I can barely make a choice when it’s four things.
And then there are all the silly dates. A group date is not six girls and one guy. A group date is a roughly even match of girls and guys. With only one guy, guess where all the focus goes?
Yes, it’s plausible to fall in love quickly. But with one person, not five, which is how these shows play out.
There are “deep” connections made with multiple partners as a season progresses, but how in the world do any of these bachelors truly get to know the women well enough?
There are only about two group dates and one or two one-on-one dates per episode, plus a cocktail party before the rose ceremony. Obviously we don’t see everything that happens, but I doubt it’s enough time to get to know someone well enough to propose to them.
Yes, that’s right, they propose at the end. Which means on the “Bachelorette,” there’s a chance for multiple proposals. And the bachelors who don’t propose at the end are not well-liked among viewers (Except for Juan Pablo, the 2014 bachelor — he was not well-liked for a multitude of reasons, enough so that even producers said they didn’t like him.).
But back to these “dates.” They’re extravagant. I saw an episode where one date included a private Train concert and another was filled with amusement park fun with no one else around.
No wonder all these people “fall in love.” How easy is it to be happy when private jets, travel, concerts and more are involved? But once the cameras stop rolling, it’s back to normal life. Sorry, not sorry, but no more private concerts.
It shouldn’t come as a shock when these couples call off the engagement months after being on the show. Once the dust settles and real life kicks in, it’s hard to face the facts: They don’t know each other that well, and what happened during the show’s taping was just a twisted fairytale.
And just because people are happy on camera doesn’t mean they are really happy. Andi Dorfman, the most recent Bachelorette, and her fiance, Josh Murray, announced they were over days after appearing on the “Bachelor” premiere live event.
Of course they were going to act in love. But in case you didn’t notice, Dorfman repeated the same few phrases over and over, which to me was a sign of hiding something.
I will say it’s fun to watch these people fall for the bachelor or bachelorette. I guess I should say funny, because a lot of times, these people sound so naive and dramatic.
It’s such a trainwreck of a show, with its made-for-TV drama and all the crying and beautiful gowns and suits, that you almost can’t keep yourself from watching.
“The Bachelor” is in its 19th season, while “The Bachelorette” finished season 10 during the summer. But the absurdity keeps going, which leads to lots of quality watercooler moments, if people want to admit they watch.
I appreciate that people believe in love, but “The Bachelor” just isn’t the way to do it.
I should probably just make a drinking game out of watching this show. Any suggestions?
