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TWoP 10: Ways to Fix The Bachelorette

We're currently suffering through the most boring season of The Bachelorette to date, and that's even taking into consideration the fact that Bentley was a brutally honest douchebag and that there was a guy wearing a mask for several episodes. And now we hear rumors that Emily might be the star of the show's next season. Really? Is that because her dates with Brad were just so riveting? The only one excited about this news is probably Bentley, who is likely chomping at the bit to humiliate yet another woman. So while it seems like another dull season is on the horizon, we've got some suggestions (i.e. wishful thinking) for how The Bachelorette could actually improve if it wanted to.

10. Ban the Words "Here For the Right Reasons"
We're sick of hearing them and watching as people pretend that this show is really about true love.

9. Hire a More Enthusiastic Host
It isn't entirely Chris Harrison's fault that he's a drain on this show and society as a whole. Years spent dealing with those a-holes would drive us to the brink as well. Particularly if we were kept in a closet and only brought out to have fake pseudo-therapy sessions and to restate the obvious.

8. More Physical Challenges to Prove Their Devotion
Some of the more fascinatingly bizarre moments this season have come when the suitors were forced to beat the hell out of each other doing Muay Thai boxing, or when they had to demonstrate their abilities to row a boat. We'd love to see the men endure more of these feats of strength in order to show their masculinity (or ability to survive multiple concussions) in an attempt to get a rose.

7. Add a Viewer Voting Component
Don't you just hate it when the Bachelorette dumps a perfectly good guy? Why not give viewers a chance to weigh in on whether she made the right decision, or pick who gets a second shot to make a first impression? Though admittedly, we'd probably just vote Bentley back in to make things interesting.

6. Add Some Diversity to the Cast
The casts of these shows are primarily made up of very white guys who have a romance novel model look about them. If hot women really fall for the Kevin James type as those movies have lead us to believe, let's get some plus-sized guys. And while they're at it, some more funny guys and, dare we say it, men of color (ABC's scripted shows don't seem to have the same problem).

5. Cast People Who Aren't Just Trying to Promote Themselves
Bentley basically said he was mainly on the show to promote his business... whatever that is. (At least when Wes did it, we knew he was a terrible musician.) Let's find guys who want to compete on this game show for "love" and US Weekly covers. You know, good old reality famewhores, instead of the small businessmen of the world.

4. Make a Celebrity Edition
Is there not a famous woman out there who would like to choose from nearly 30 guys by dating them all simultaneously? We find that very hard to believe. Is Jennifer Aniston available?

3. Don't Make the Men Propose
The most awkward part of any Bachelorette season comes at the end, where the final two potential husbands get down on one knee and propose to the woman... not knowing if she's already decided on the other guy. Let's just hand out the final rose like normal and then do the faux proposal. Or let's skip the proposal altogether. Make that an After the Final Rose tradition.

2. No Pre-Existing Bachelor Rejects
Because Emily and Brad were still officially "together" when the last Bachelor ended, and because Chantal decided she had a life, we got stuck with Ashley, the most forgettable of all the girls from last season. We were scratching our heads trying to remember what she did to make herself stand out. Let's widen the dating pool a bit and bring in some different women to take on this role, because right now the show is getting almost as weirdly incestuous as Game of Thrones.

1. No Emily
While we don't want Bachelor rejects, we also don't want this "winner," either. She seems nice enough, but we dread having to hear her sob story about her dead fiancé and how hard it is being a single mother again. For like 13 episodes. Or to see the new ways the show exploits her grief. We're also not ready to hear about how devastating it was to be picked as Brad's potential wife and how she had to pretend she liked him. Especially given her limited emotional and acting range.

Watch TWoP's editors preview the summer's most pleasant TV surprises in this segment airing on the New York Nonstop cable news channel:

View more videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com.

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49 Comments

July 8, 2011 8:50 AM
A.
Reply

Shouldn't that be "Chantal decided she had *a* life"?

July 8, 2011 9:31 AM
gingersmom
Reply

Take the show off air. Or start betting on how many of the guys she actually screws and make her reveil the # at the end of the show. Then "the best" wins.

July 8, 2011 9:48 AM
Bentley Williams Apologists
Reply

You forgot

BRING BENTLEY BACK FOR EVERY SHOW

http://bentleywilliamsapologists.wordpress.com/

July 8, 2011 9:49 AM
Bentley Williams
Reply

ou forgot

BRING BENTLEY BACK FOR EVERY SHOW

Search: Bentley Apologists

July 8, 2011 10:47 AM
Uncle Igmar
Reply

How about number 11 - End it. This is nothing more than a conspiracy of the Military-Industrial-Entertainment-Flower Growers cabal and it must be stopped!!!!!!!!

July 8, 2011 2:06 PM
Shelly Murray
Reply
replied to comment from Bentley Williams Apologists

Bentley is a joke! How he ever got on the show is rediculous!
Also, while I have the chance to comment I feel there way to much "Drinking" Alchohol on this show!!!

July 8, 2011 3:51 PM
rick
Reply

Hell, if they are going to recycle contestants, why not bring back Trista and Ryan and have Ryan compete with 29 other dudes to see if he can recapture Trista's heart.

July 8, 2011 5:00 PM
Nemesis
Reply

"The casts of these shows are primarily made up of very white guys who have a romance novel model look about them. If hot women really fall for the Kevin James type as those movies have lead us to believe, let's get some plus-sized guys."

Do they cast The Bachelor with plus-sized women? I tend to doubt it, but I don't bother to watch, so I have no idea.

The only idea on here that makes any sense at all is the comment that the show should be ended. I don't hate reality TV. I watch a lot of it. I just find this shit unwatchable. To think, people actually claim that gay marriage would damage the "sanctity" of marriage, while this kind of crap has been on the air for years.

July 8, 2011 11:16 PM
Quickbeam
Reply

Bentley is the only reason I watch this show. I find him fascinating. If he's selling, I'm buying!

July 8, 2011 11:16 PM
Quickbeam
Reply

Bentley is the only reason I watch this show. I find him fascinating. If he's selling, I'm buying!

July 9, 2011 1:46 PM
Twilight Man
Reply

"4. Make a Celebrity edition"

Wasn't Charlie O'Connell on for one season way back?

And before you go saying "that's a pretty thin definition of celebrity", look at some of the other "celebrities" on some of these other reality shows.

July 9, 2011 2:01 PM
Jeff
Reply

How about just one way to fix it.
Cancel it.

July 9, 2011 2:35 PM
idledandy
Reply

I've got a radical idea. Pick a woman, one we've never seen before. Then cast 25 fairly diverse guys, none of whom is a Bentley. Then let the show run its course. No scripted twists, no fake complications. No producer plants in the field. Put some small amount of "reality" back in the proceedings.

July 9, 2011 6:14 PM
guyute42
Reply
replied to comment from Shelly Murray

But Shelly, pretty much every single person who has ever been on these shows has been a ridiculous joke.
The point is at least make them interesting and possibly diverse ridiculous jokes. Lord knows the cookie cutter guys left now could put a world at war to sleep.
And for that matter the thought of having to deal with pretending to love some complete lame idiot for national tv exposure? Hell, I'd have to be half crocked all the time myself.

July 9, 2011 7:50 PM
JK
Reply

Re: Suggestion #6 on adding "Diverse" people; Fat, Thin,black, white, whatever...It was done once in the form of "Average Joe". And we all know how THAT turned out.

July 10, 2011 12:10 AM
Cheryl
Reply

Let's make a rule on all reality shows, old contestants are not brought back! That goes for Survivor, Big Brother, etc. There's enough people out there that would love to be contestants on these shows that we shouldn't have to watch repeats!

July 10, 2011 12:22 PM
AM
Reply

Have two bachelor/bachelorettes wooing the same group of suitors. Gives the latter group at least a semblance of choice and could be really interesting for us viewers

July 11, 2011 1:12 PM
beebee
Reply

I'd bet that the bachelor/bachelorette indicates at least a racial preference at the start. So this may not be a reflection of the network, but of the participants.

July 13, 2011 7:53 AM
Carol Peters
Reply

i AGREE ABOUT ASHLEY - SHE IS DOWNRIGHT IGNORANT. TELLING ALLTHE GUYS (BOTH KISSED & NOT KISSED) THAT SHE HAD A THING FOR BENTLEY, BUT NOW SHE'S GOT CLOSURE, SO WE CAN CONTINUE KISSING. PLEEEEZ! GET OUT THE TISSUES AGAIN!

July 13, 2011 9:47 AM
rosemary hirsch
Reply

I never understood how those polite men could just stand around while Ashley cried endlessly for that ass Bentley. Those men should have walked out en mass, disgusted with Ashley for wasting their time.

July 13, 2011 10:27 AM
PEBBLES46
Reply
replied to comment from Shelly Murray

Amen! Too much drinking, is right! They always have a glass in their hand, c'mon who r they fooling here, u have to be drunk to compete ont his show..And, Ashey is a waste of TV time, she wont last with who ever she picks. The men should have walked out when the Bently mess was going on. What a bunch of desperados..I mean really? And yes, where are the everyday people, not perfect figures, and looks?? the show is so BBOORRIINNGGG!!

July 13, 2011 11:05 AM
RC
Reply

Nice blog. The show is a disaster and bringing back former contestants just makes it worse. I still find it mind-boggling that someone like Ashley - who HAS to be relatively intelligent since she made it into one of the best dental schools in the country - has the emotional maturity of a teenager. And how on earth did she get so emotionally attached to that Bentley character in such a brief period of time? My lord.....The other guys should have bolted while they could still maintain what is left of their dignity.

July 13, 2011 11:20 AM
vera
Reply

Put Charlie Sheen on he'll pick the right goddess.
Then the show may gets some ratings.
or just cancel the stupid show.

July 13, 2011 11:22 AM
VB
Reply

Put Charlie Sheen on the show, he'll pick the right goddess. & maybe the show will get some ratings.
Or just cancel the stupid show.

July 13, 2011 12:20 PM
Danci
Reply

This show has run it's course. End it. Although I would have loved to see Maxim Chmerkovskiy series, I was not willing to move to Ukraine to see it.

July 13, 2011 1:30 PM
Buddyboy
Reply

I would agree that this Bachelorette is the most boring.
I do like Emily though she is a real southern belle. Why not bring Bristol Palin on and have th showm originate from the Aleutian islands.

July 13, 2011 1:56 PM
Liz
Reply

Have written before how unfair it is to have a "reject" come back and be flown all over the world to experience exotic countries and sample the extraordinary for a second time. I agree with others, bring in new blood, more ethnicity, let's have a cross section of workers and send them to Disneyworld for crying out loud! How about we care about the economy and send them to different places in the good ole USA who can benefit from their presence! Show has reached a real low!

July 13, 2011 3:50 PM
Anita
Reply

I enjoy the show, if you dont like it dont watch. Yes bring some new women in, Ali, Black haired girl who didnt marry her pick, but another Batchelor contestant, were the best and made the show very fun to watch

July 13, 2011 4:30 PM
Marin
Reply
replied to comment from Uncle Igmar

That's it - Just end it NOW!! I'd call it a farce, but that would be insulting to farces everywhere

July 13, 2011 4:39 PM
unlisted
Reply

Don't allow anyone on who has children. This is not fair to the kid(s)!

July 13, 2011 4:42 PM
unlisted
Reply

How about a Bachelorette who is age 50+? That would attract a whole different group of (wealthy) viewers. And all her candidates don't have to be older.

July 13, 2011 4:59 PM
Terry
Reply

I love Chris Harrison. He is the only reason we still watch. But Ashley? Really? Seriously? Why?

July 13, 2011 4:59 PM
Terry
Reply

I love Chris Harrison. He is the only reason we still watch. But Ashley? Really? Seriously? Why?

July 13, 2011 5:38 PM
Mondo
Reply

This show is one of the funniest on tv.Everything is so fake,but whats with this Ashley? She reminds me of Jr high.

July 13, 2011 8:37 PM
Lois
Reply

Ash;ey is the silliest,immature girl yet.She is not too much of, a "beauty either.Mickey was the smartest of all, to walk out. The others she eliminated dodgrd the bullet,so I amhapy for them. As for the guys left, they must be being paid a good sum to stick around, or are just plain desperate. Can't beleive JP would be. If Emily is brought back the show loses our "club",parties and all.

July 14, 2011 1:19 AM
Nicole
Reply

worst year ever
Ashley is a joke, BENTLEY OMG!!!
going all over the world (when we need money spent in America)
does not even help her inept personality..pity any husband

July 14, 2011 1:19 AM
Nicole
Reply

worst year ever
Ashley is a joke, BENTLEY OMG!!!
going all over the world (when we need money spent in America)
does not even help her inept personality..pity any husband

July 14, 2011 10:45 AM
ANGELWINGS44
Reply

I haven't watched one of these shows in a very long time. I have watched 1 complete series of the "Bachelor." I don't understand Bentley at all. Didn't Ashley see the statements in between episodes about how he didn't have feelings really for her and he just didn't feel anything for her? And then when he was with her he acted as though he really cared for her? Really?? She was already warned about him to begin with. Why would she even considering getting close to him in the first place? Doesn't at all make sense to me. I really don't know whether this is true or fake. She is very emotional on the show. And, she seems very sincere. I could never go on there and act like I was having such a relationship with all those men. Especially kissing all of them. The only show I have watched wasn't like this one at all. And who in the world would get down on their knees and propose only after 6 weeks? A lot of them act like they are really falling in love with her. Too fast for me. JP is my favorite even if he shows a lot of signs of jealousy which could be a potential problem. I still don't understand why all the guys hated Ryan. I could tell he has an "A" type personality and very assertive and aggressive. He was very good looking, but JP is too. I have been very hooked on this show for some reason. Most everything said here about the show and the individuals are negative. There must be something wrong with me! hehehe I hate the waiting!!!

July 14, 2011 12:14 PM
Mitzi
Reply

End it. I would rather watch the old reruns like "Everybody Loves Raymond".

July 14, 2011 1:39 PM
Mary
Reply

Even if they trained Emily not to say "you know" every sentence, she is boring. Hope they don't bring her on as the the next one, Ashley has been bad enough. Get some new blood.

July 14, 2011 1:39 PM
Cynthia
Reply

Take the show off the air.The contestants are just looking for their fifteen minutes of fame. This is especially true of Emily and Ashley. Take it off!

July 14, 2011 2:49 PM
Wendy
Reply
replied to comment from Carol Peters

I hate that show! Just happened to turn it on awhile back - that Ashley is nauseating! I want to slap her - crying in bed about that goofy Bently! The guy is a dufus! Why would you cry over a dude you hardly know who gives a....about you! Stupid show!!

July 14, 2011 3:32 PM
BrokeDog
Reply

What I want to know is this ... how would Bentley feel if HIS daughter was the "Bachelorette" and some snob of a guy (like him) came on the show just to mess with her feelings and downgrade and make fun of her? I know that this was probably ALL staged/scripted but, if not, he is the lowest of scum!
And, one other thing ... I DO believe in "love at first sight" but, if Ashley had come in and (basically) told the remaining "guys" that "Bentleys leaving REALLY screwed me up" ... what would be the point in ANY of them staying? She just said (for all intents and purposes) that she had fallen HARD for Bentley, and only Mickey leaves? Reality should have been 4 or 5 (at least) leaving! She lied to them, and yet, they all (except Mickey) got right back in line!
P.S. Please, please, PLEASE ... don't bring Emily back ... what an "all-out" BORE! And oh so phony!

July 15, 2011 3:55 AM
james
Reply

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December 5, 2011 9:23 AM
Where To Party in New York
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December 8, 2011 1:19 AM
Online January Sales
Reply

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April 14, 2012 3:40 AM
Sarah Conning
Reply
replied to comment from A.

I must say, you took the words right out of my mouth. Excellent article!

A few comments:

I agree with what you said about ''here for the right reasons''. Okay sure, they want to find love.. but seriously sometimes.. okay MOST of the time they overdo which leads people questioning whether they are real feelings or not.

I don't think an audience will ever have a say in it coz it is TECHNICALLY the person find their love and a 1m viewers can't affect that.

And also, I love Emily on Brad's season, they were a very cute and perfect couple, in the beginning itself, I knew Brad was madly in love with her... sad they broke up but seriously? Her as the bachelorette... she's so... reserved... idk... hopefully it won't be a boring season.

April 14, 2012 3:40 AM
Sarah Conning
Reply
replied to comment from A.

I must say, you took the words right out of my mouth. Excellent article!

A few comments:

I agree with what you said about ''here for the right reasons''. Okay sure, they want to find love.. but seriously sometimes.. okay MOST of the time they overdo which leads people questioning whether they are real feelings or not.

I don't think an audience will ever have a say in it coz it is TECHNICALLY the person find their love and a 1m viewers can't affect that.

And also, I love Emily on Brad's season, they were a very cute and perfect couple, in the beginning itself, I knew Brad was madly in love with her... sad they broke up but seriously? Her as the bachelorette... she's so... reserved... idk... hopefully it won't be a boring season.

April 20, 2012 7:13 PM
GinaClements
Reply

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