One of the things that Tim and I do to bond is to share a show together. The current one is a comedy called “The Bachelor.” The premise is that a man tries to date twenty women at the same time. I can not believe this show is still going. It has been on for more than twenty years and they still seem to have no shortage of doe-eyed dummies signing up for it.
The energy at the beginning of the show is decidedly pageant and all the young women are twirling around in evening gowns trying to stand out in the crowd. There’s the account executive from Missouri, the entrepreneur from Atlanta and the radiochemist from Santa Fe. Basically, they are a physical embodiment of the wall of Barbie dolls in the toy section.
And then there’s Ken. This season’s fellow is a tennis pro named Joey. Not a professional tennis player, but the guy at the resort who teaches families on vacation how to lob the ball over the net. He has the energy of your brother’s friend who works at the convenience store where he talks about being in a band, but he’s afraid to play his guitar in public because all the girls might fall in love with him. Is that the best they could do? Were all the other single men killed in a freak accident?
So, all these gorgeous, talented, hard working women are competing for a guy who looks like he wandered out of any bar in any town. His one asset seems to be an ability to wear shorty shorts in public without blushing. He’s just a regular male person as far as I can tell, and it is hard to believe that without cameras and lights there would be much interest.
Despite its dismal track record for lasting marriages (6 from 28 seasons), the show is popular and has a massive budget. The contestants are flown to exotic locations like Malta and Spain. They lounge on yachts and stay in mansions. It’s a nice virtual escape for those of us in midwinter malaise. As for reality, I get the feeling that if everyone is seriously looking to get married they are all going to be massively disappointed.
The first problem is there is just one man, so nineteen women are not going to have anyone at the end of the show. Second, the guy gets used to dating a harem of girls cooing over him. He’s starting to believe all the hype and will become even more insufferable. Thirdly, the women are getting used to dining in castles being serenaded by opera singers. At some point it’s just going to be two people without cameras wondering if they have time after her shift at the hospital to grab a bite to eat at the local Olive Garden. Also, I keep wondering if they will actually live in Hawaii where the Bachelor is currently working. Unless they have TV money, there’s no way he can afford to his own place from the tips from tennis lessons.
We’re getting down to the last handful of show where everyone is questioning their life choices. If you read any spoilers don’t tell us. It’s Daisy, isn’t it? Maria? Does Rachel even have a chance? Don’t let us know.
