Bachelor Ben —It’s Open Season
Reality Dish Recycled!: The Bachelor
Oh Boy —where do we even begin with this already juicy and disturbing new season of The Bachelor…?! Ben Flajnik, previously known for being jilted by Ashley Hebert in the Season 7 finale of The Bachelorette, is now at the helm of what appears to be the largest budget busting adventure ever bestowed on any bachelor on ABC. You can always count on The Bachelor to serve up a delectable dish of distinctive drama —but in truth, few shows provide more meaty material to mentally dissect and digest for beneficial leaps in your own relationship realm.
Wondering what desperation, calculation or competition looks like? Check. Want to see the difference between the woman who comes with a performance versus the one who chooses to connect quietly and warmly through the eyes? Check. Ever wondered how far strolling past a man looking more insecure than confident as if to suggest that you're all that while he's not even worth an introduction will get you? CHECK!
The Bachelor could often be known as the "What Not to Do" or "How Not to Behave" hour of reality dating shows and that's why it's my primo choice for REALITY DISH RECYCLED! Of course no Bachelor premiere would be complete without the sneak peak of carefully chosen personalities through their back stories —who will each no doubt add something significant to the initial chemistry experiment. This season's chosen nine along with their soundbites provide the perfect place to get started…!
Best Entrance Award goes to Lindzi who rode right up the drive and into Ben's heart on a horse. Her interview tape showed a warm sunny personality with brains. The only red flag (other than choosing to compete for love) was when she revealed that her last boyfriend broke up with her via a text that read: “Welcome to Dumpsville… population YOU” —Really? Are we seriously supposed to believe that actually happened? If it’s true, I’m not sure what’s worse —that fact that he did that or that she was dating someone who would do that???!!! Let's hope that was devised by producers for a jaw drop moment on an otherwise great introduction to Lindzi.
Leaping from the horse to the field, we get Amber. Honestly you gotta love a Tom boy who’s cute and knows how to shoot, however note to future contestants: Don't use the majority of your interview talking about beer nuts (aka Cow balls) before licking your lips with a goofy look on your face. Producers will choose that clip every time!
Tennessee Kacie is clearly the Caregiver of the group. Ready to turn her “me into a we,” there's just one major concern. Despite not even knowing this guy she verbally moved from admitting she wanted to date Ben, to stating she wants to love him as much as her grandparents (who couldn’t live without one another) loved each other… Yikes! Charlyism #3-10 Make sure you love your man more than the idea of being in love with him. How about meeting him first Kacie?
From caring to calculating we get Courtney from Santa Monica. We can always count on LA for the woman who doesn’t care about other women and isn’t concerned about competing. Watch out Ben, just when Courtney reveals that she knows exactly what she wants… there’s NO mention of YOU. Instead we learn her clarity relates to the specs of the ring she expects to get. In case you missed it — 2 Karats because she deserves it. At least Kacie is focused on the love…
After Courtney it's only right to bring an exact opposite in Jamie from New York who provides the story of loss, struggle, resilience and heart. Go Jamie. You deserve a great guy. But after recycling your hardships the way you have, attempting to win the affections of a guy playing musical mates with at least 16 others seems like a step down. Enjoy the experiences and travel, then go for the guy who's willing to woo just you.
The Diplomat's Daughter aka Lyndsie #2 with unique spelling, was confused when her well traveled, kooky, fun and English accented personality failed to get a rose. Here's my take Lyndsie —you seem like a cool chick, but too much performance and pomp circumstance blinds men from connecting with you. Take it down a few notches and you'll do great.
Shawn gives us the mom factor while Nicki fills the young divorcee category. Having already experienced a fairy tale wedding turned unfufilling marriage, Nicki should know to refrain from fantasizing so deeply about the life she'll have with a man who she doesn't know yet. Charlyism #5-4 When someone or something piques your interest, retain your curiousity. Don't get caught up and forget what you already learned Nicki!
The Misundertsood and Metally Tortured Award goes to Jenna, AKA "The Over-Analyst." YIKES! Charlyism #1-12 The greater your need to control increases the lower your power quotient becomes. In this case it's probably her lack of understanding that's driving her push for control. Regardless of the exact cause, poor Jenna is a well intentioned yet insanely obssessive, analytically driven victim of her own mind. Since recognizing the problem is the first step to fixing it… we should give Jenna kudos for her honesty though it's so sad to watch her continously crack under the pressure of her own psyche. —And because you shouldn't underestimate the truth in people's words, focus not on the fact the Jenna misquoted Ben, but instead on what she stated the quote was: GOOD THINGS END BADLY. Call me Jenna! I'll help you rewire your thought process so you can stop over analyzing and sidelining your chances for love —as well as sane conversations with other women. Jenna is however a producer's dream, which is the only reason I can imagine she got a rose to be housebound for round two. Stay tuned for more winning drama from that corner.
Despite having his matrimonial hopes dashed on national TV, Ben is back for love. Of course all these women should hope that he dropped his belief that good things don't end unless they end badly. along with his heartache over Ashley. If he can use his new found wisdom to choose a woman who’s actually present and connected to him more than the idea of love, the experience of being on TV or the desire for a 2 Karat diamond ring… he just may come out ahead. In the meantime buckle your seatbelts, it's going to be an incredibly scenic and bumpy ride. I'll be back next week with more REALITY DISH RECYCLED! —THE BACHELOR.…
What do you think is about to happen? Who's your fav? What do you think about Bachelor Ben?
