Well of course. Who would deny yet another week in the spotlight and a chance at love? You sign up for The Bachelor for one of these two reasons. I personally believe most "contestants" on the show sign up with genuine intentions, truly looking to find someone to spend the rest of their life with. But there have been some villains that have ruined the image of the show for everyone. Rumors have circulated that the show is scripted; that they let these "evil" people come on the show just to gain ratings. But I don't buy it. No, there haven't been many successful seasons, but there have been a few. So far, there have been 14 seasons of The Bachelor, seven of which ended in engagement. Only one of these engagements resulted in marriage (and it wasn't to the original winner, but I won't go in to that). The Bachelorrette has been more successful, with five out of six seasons ending in a proposal (with one successful marriage and one currently in the works). Despite the bad track record, ratings haven't dropped much and the show continues season after season after season.
Everybody has a desire to belong, be wanted and fall in love. I think that is a lot of the appeal of this show. You might have a hard time finding that special someone, but The Bachelor proves that fairy tales do exist and love is possible to find. These couples go on extravagant dates to places you only dream of going. They get to know each other so deeply, so quickly, and you feel like you get to know them too. All of a sudden, you know which one is perfect for the other and hope you can find someone exactly like that for yourself. It is human nature to want reassurance that your dreams are not impossible to achieve.
But then somebody gets hurt. We've seen the contestants who had hidden agendas (Wes and his country singing group, Roslyn and her affair with a cameraman, Jake and his hunger for continued fame and Justin with his wrestling career). But it doesn't seem to break the illusion; we still watch it. Season after season, ratings have proved that America can't get enough of Chris Harrison's "Ladies, this is the final rose tonight..."
After all of this, I will admit I am one of the show's faithful followers. I am sad when a couple breaks up, but what can you really expect from a show that practically forces proposal after only a few weeks of flashy, unrealistic dating? Despite this, I am a firm believer that most every contestant comes to the show with pure intentions and I truly root for those who do.
Emily, I'm not very familiar with The Bachelor but your undying optimism towards the show really ignites some interest. If most of these couples never work out anyway, I'd like to know what we as viewers gain by watching a failed relationship form?
ReplyDeleteI am sure they have pure intentions when they come on the show but I cannot possibly understand how they think they are actually going to find their soul mate this way. Like you said, it is only a couple weeks of super unrealistic dating and then they are expected to have a successful marriage? I still have a hard time understanding why people go on this show though because getting rejected by someone you are attracted to on national TV just doesn't sound fun, but maybe that's just me?
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you, Emily. I think most of the people on these shows are on them for selfish motives, and are not actually looking for love. How many people go on these dating shows who already have boyfriends/girlfriends, who are promoting something, or just flat out like to hear themselves talk. From what I can tell, a good 90%. People actually looking for love go to coffee shops and dates, and social events. Not so much national TV.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura, that I don't see how people can possibly expect to really fall in love and have their happily ever after on national tv. Very unrealistic. And to be shot down in front of the whole country is not something I would like to subject myself to. From the looks of it, not many people have found that anyway, even when they win, so it surprises me that the show continues every year.
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