The Bachelor 11: Whose Romance Is It Anyway? Commentary by Donna Emery November 21, 2007
This week on the Bachelor, the "sexiest bachelor ever" delivered on ABC's promise to bring us "the most shocking rose ceremony in Bachelor history."
On Monday night, my daughter and I sat in the living room, waiting for Brad to make his decision between Deanna and Jenni. We were stocked with tissues and snacks, and ready for the "Most Romantic Rose Ceremony Ever".
We were not in agreement about which of the ladies he'd pick, but we did agree that either of them would make a wonderful choice for Brad. At the most, we were hoping for a true romance. At the least, we were hoping for a few weeks of dating. When Brad sent Jenni home, we were surprised. When he also sent Deanna home, we were stunned.
How could he, we wondered? He'd seemed so besotted with Jenni - and so impressed by Deanna. He'd said so many things to both of them. How could he let BOTH of them down?
More importantly: why had Brad also let ME down?
Despite its dismal record at successful matchmaking, the Bachelor purports to be a show where a handsome, eligible man can meet a prospective mate in just 8 short weeks. And despite my life-hardened cynical heart - which has seen most of these shows end in nothing more than a passing fancy - I have to admit I am as sold as the next gal on the possibility of the Fairy Tale ending. Even though I really do know - in my head - that it's unlikely for a couple to find lasting love under these artificially enhanced circumstances - my heart cries out for that "happily ever after."
I wasn't sure I wanted to watch the Bachelor again, this season. When I was asked to write the scoreboard, I almost backed out because at first glance, Brad really wasn't "my type." After watching Travis and Lorenzo pick dates that fizzled quickly and then seeing Andy and Tessa do their best to sustain their hasty engagement but decide, in the end, to postpone it, I wondered if it was worth it to invest my heart for another season.
Because that's what I do. I won't speak for anyone else - though, from reading the forums of all my favorite Bachelor sites - I'm not alone in getting caught up in the romance of the show. I hear the scripted lines and I know he can't mean all those nice words in equal measure to every one of them - but I find that I can't help myself. Little by little, I began to believe in what I thought was a love story. At first, I was convinced it was with Jenni. In the end, I thought I saw him becoming more invested in Deanna.
I look at the Bachelor in the same way as I look at a romance novel or romance movie. When I indulge in one of those "guilty pleasures", I am looking for a happy ending. As a happily married woman, I don't need to imagine that the Bachelor is courting me; nor do I want to live vicariously through the ladies on the show. But, in the same way that I cry at weddings - and relive my own wedding vows when I hear the ones in the ceremony - I enjoy seeing the unfolding of the love story.
So, when we apparently didn't get one this season - at least, not on Brad's side - it felt somehow like I'd been cheated. It was almost like buying a box of chocolates - and opening it up to find only the wrappers.
For me, it wasn't the dual rejection.....
Donna is a nurse and teacher, and a mother of 5. She lives in Pennsylvania and is admittedly addicted to many reality shows. You can reach her at mrsed4ever@yahoo.com.
Are You Buzz Worthy? We Want To Know What You Think
Have you got something interesting to say. We'd like to hear it. This is your chance to sound off about your favorite Reality TV show. Or the show you hate. Did somebody do something really stupid? Really smart? Is there a strategy being over looked? Is a performer for real? Or not getting the buzz they should? Here's your chance - take it.
All articles are the intellectual property of and copyrighted by the individual authors. By submitting an article to Reality TV Calendar you are granting Reality TV Calendar permission to display the article in perpetuity.
HTML Hit Counter
