This past season fans got their heart broken when Colton Underwood chose Cassie Randolph on “The Bachelor.”
The fairytale love story we all know ended without a shiny ring. These two lovebirds are dating now — but is that what Bachelor Nation is all about? To find love?
I’ve always had a fascination with love, which means I have to watch each episode of every “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise.” But it makes me wonder — how do they put on a show where millions tune in every week?
Lindsay Trombly | Argonaut
“Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure,” a novel by Amy Kaufman, has the answers, and they are appalling. This book lets fans know how the show started, how contestants are picked and it even gives an inside look into the scandalous fantasy suite dates.
To be honest, I haven’t read a good book in a long time, but reading this led to me turning page after page at a rapid rate.
“The Bachelor” franchise started with just one man — Mike Fleiss. He studied journalism at Berkeley before deciding to go into the television industry.
After trial and error, he ended up getting a writer and a team to create the well-known franchise.
First off, the contestants are picked by a series of guidelines and tests they have to take before being chosen to battle for someone’s heart. One basic requirement? Contestants need to be 21 years of age. After that, the contestant needs to answer a serious of questions, submit photos and a video with specific instructions.
If accepted, the contestant is flown to Los Angeles — expenses paid —and are given a series of tests. A personality test, psychological test and medical exam.
Did I mention you basically sign your life away if you decide to go on “The Bachelor?” Because you do. Contestants sign a form and give producers permission to dig up skeletons from their closet. All this to go on a television show? Geesh.
Plus, when you’re on the show contestants lose access to the outside world. No cell phones, music or movies are available. Even if someone needs something at the store, they can’t leave the mansion.
You’d think contestants at least get paid for all this right? Wrong. Contestants get paid the amount their expenses are and keeping a job is always a gamble. But becoming a social media influencer after the show is ideal, right?
Contestants get rewards for starting drama in the house. Producers bribe them to start a fight for rewards such as watching a movie.
These are just some appalling facts about “The Bachelor” franchise, which are hidden behind closed doors.
Everything in “The Bachelor” franchise is planned with such precision. Reading this book made my jaw drop — more than once. This seems like an awful lot to put up with for a slim chance of falling in love.
After reading this book, I realized most of it is basically just for show. Reality shows aren’t “reality” shows.
For the most part, it is a controlled environment. When viewers watch the show I think people tend to forget the footage is edited.
Bachelor fans — I recommend you buy this book before “The Bachelorette” May 13 premiere. You will have a totally new perspective on the show, especially how the show interacts with fans on a psychological level. It is quite fascinating.
This book proves that the franchise isn’t a real reality, so remember when you watch the show, the contestants are real people, too — not just celebrities.
Lindsay Trombly can be reached at [email protected]