Tag Archives: Emily Maynard

Best Season Ever? Emily Picks Jef!

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What a fantastic season.  I look back at how I thought Emily might be dull or fake and I’m so happy I was wrong.  In one of my first blogs regarding Emily’s season I said that I thought she had the potential to be the best Bachelorette ever. I’m not willing to put her above Trista Sutter at this point but I think she’s on equal ground.  I think this may be the first season since Trista and Ryan where I one hundred percent like both parts of the couple.  Oh, I’m sorry – in case you didn’t watch – Emily picked Jef!

The fact that I could just have easily put Arie’s name in that last sentence and felt the same way just goes to show that, finally, creator Mike Fleiss and his crew got it exactly right.  My only fear is that they will take the wrong lessons from their success.  Emily didn’t succeed because she was a beloved past contestant.  I hope they learned from Ben F. that you CANNOT rely on America’s love of the 2nd or 3rd place contestant to have a successful season.   Instead, you must focus on whether that person has real presence on camera and truly is looking for marriage and true love.

The night started with the family visits which were almost exactly the same for both men, with Emily’s family unable or unwilling to help her choose.  Jef was smooth and genuine and Arie babbled like a baby (adorable if not suave).  Emily’s family is strange.  Her mom reminded me of Arie’s mom, her dad was sweet but quiet.  Her brother came off a little scary psycho but chilled out a little the more he spoke with the guys.  Both guys asked for the blessing to propose and got it!

Emily didn’t think she was going to introduce anyone to Ricki but after talking with Jef on date day she decides she’ll take him.  The best part of watching this decision-making process was the discussion beforehand.  It seemed like she was really going to tell him he couldn’t come, but then we saw something rare that confirmed for me the coming success for Jef.  They had an actual conversation.  A real, back and forth, thoughtful conversation where they decided TOGETHER.  It was exactly the thing a real couple would do and the consideration they gave to each other and the points each was making told me that Arie was toast.

When Jef met Ricki, it was obvious they were going to be a family.  They all fit together so well.  I started to feel a little sorry for Emily that she had to spend the day with Arie, but in a Bachelorette first, she didn’t.

Probably the most painful awkward part of the evening came when Emily told Arie (after a deep discussion with Chris Harrison to figure out what to do – right!) that she wouldn’t be able to go on their date because she picked Jef.  However, she was woefully bad at explaining this and Arie just had to infer from her behavior, tears, and small comments that she had more confidence in Jef that he wasn’t the one.  I felt really bad for them both.

Fast forward to the proposal. Can Jef speak or what? That boy has a golden tongue and his words were romantic and confident.  He swayed Emily to say yes even after she was unsure she would actually get engaged again.  If we are to believe them both (and I only halfway do), she didn’t expect the proposal because they hadn’t talked about whether he would do it. Uhuh, right. But I have to say it brought tears to my eyes and I felt like I was watching something real.  When they brought Ricki out after it was obvious that this was a family.

As far as the live show with Chris Harrison? I think it was a bust.  I didn’t care for watching the show with the audience and his questions were dull.  Then we had to sit through a half hour with Arie, who we discovered flew to Charlotte unbeknownst to producers and left his journal from the experience for em to read.  He didn’t go see her out of respect for Jef and she didn’t read it out of respect for Jef.  I think everyone, including Arie realized after watching the show that Emily made the best choice for herself.

There was so little time to hear Emily and Jef.  We had to sit through them watching their own proposal scene again and Chris asking stupid questions like tell us how you feel about Emily.  Chris! I just sat through a whole season about how he felt about Emily! Tell us about wedding and baby plans. Apparently Jef is moving to Charlotte (Did anyone doubt Emily would come out victorious on that point?) and will have his own place until they get married.  Of course a couple who didn’t use the fantasy suite wouldn’t live together before marriage.  Emily says she’d like a spring wedding.

Another thing that disappointed from the live show was the lack of time with Ashley and JP.  They didn’t even get to come to the stage! Here you have a couple that is actually happy, living together and planning their wedding and you don’t give us an update? Arrrghh…at least we did get to see them and their spark is still there and real!

For those people looking to know who the next Bachelor is…rumors still say Roberto.  I’m OK with him but I’d rather have Arie.  I think Sean would end up being another Ben (not in the geeky way b/c Sean is awesome) because of his lack of conversational skills.  The lead in this series has to talk! If you go back and watch any of Sean’s dates he never brought up anything besides he’d be a good husband or dad, his faith, or his family.  Good man but despite how much America loves him now, the wrong choice for Bachelor. Arie on the other hand? Brilliant choice – better than Roberto – but doubt they can pull it off this fast after the word is out that they already signed Roberto.

What a great season! Looking forward to Bachelor Pad, Ed and Reid, and watching Chris B rebound with three different chics! Debauchery!

Bachelorette Emily: Finally! An Entertaining Men Tell All Episode

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You know, I usually hate the Men/Women Tell All episodes of this franchise, but for some reason I loved this one from Emily’s season.  I think it has something to do with the fact that despite my initial belief they cast a bunch of ugly, boring guys (review blogs of first two episodes), I ended up with real feelings for these men.  Love (Sean, Wolf, Charlie…) or hate (Kalon!) I ended up caring and you can’t ask for more when it comes to reality TV.

The show started off with a nice montage of memorable moments and moments we didn’t see.  I agreed with the choice of Kalon’s baggage comment, Ryan’s don’t gain weight comment, and Doug’s uncomfortable first kiss! I cringed at seeing more of Travis and the egg and Emily spilling wine before she didn’t give Joe the rose on his date, but loved-loved-loved seeing Arie’s younger brothers spying on their kiss!

Seeing Ryan and Kalon reinforced all the beliefs I’d formed throughout the season.  I wondered if maybe they’d be better in person, but neither one seemed to be able to look back and see what was clear to the audience. Ryan wouldn’t take back his, “I would love you, but maybe not love on you” weight comment and Kalon couldn’t see why the guys had such a bad reaction to the helicopter entrance.  He would have found it “interesting”. Funniest moment had to be when Chris Harrison actually asked Ryan, “Is there a chance you just might be an arrogant ass?” His answer that he couldn’t be arrogant? PRICELESS and predictable.  He wanted to be the next Bachelor so bad he could taste it and was, I think, genuinely hurt when Chris spoke for ABC and said it’s not gonna happen! Ha!

Chris B. still loves Emily.  Poor guy.  It’s true what they say, he was a little immature – BUT I’d rather have an immature guy like him than a 35 year-old Doug, or a 30 year-old Ryan any day.  I think that the best thing to say about Chris is he was in it with his whole heart and truly believed in the process.  It sucked to see how much he still was hurting…hope he finds love on Bachelor Pad! If not he’d be a viable Bachelor option in a few years.  The ability to be that vulnerable and open to the experience is exactly what’s needed in a bachelor! I did a total turn around on Chris from the first show of the season.

The discussion with Sean was tough to watch.  He obviously still has strong feelings for her and truly believed she would be his wife.  It hurt to watch him ask, “What am I missing? Am I not bringing something to the table”? No one wants to feel inadequate but the sad truth about love is that sometimes you’re just not what the other person needs and there’s nothing you could do to make it so. He also admitted he’d never really had a broken heart and this is the first time he’s been broken up with! Aww…Sorry Sean but it had to happen someday! At least he said she showed him what he wanted and opened him up.

Everyone wanted to know why didn’t Sean make the final two? Well, I think people were watching with their hearts instead of hers! Emily said Sean is a great looking guy, a gentleman, confident without being cocky, and sensitive with a vulnerable side.  When you listen to what she said in the voiceovers it still seems like, “What? How did that happen?” But seriously, if you watch their interactions and the difference in her conversations with Jef and Arie, it’s crystal clear they didn’t connect on the same level.  Still, Sean said he did love her with “every ounce of his being.” Again, a great Bachelor quality. He was fully prepared to be a husband and father. Haven’t had a bachelor like that since Jason Mesnick! Emily admitted to ugly crying in her room when she watched Sean’s episode and I think that says a lot.  She really had feelings for the man – just not the feelings she had for Jef (hahaha she didn’t say that last part obviously).

Emily’s conversation with Kalon rocked! From the previews I thought I might feel a little bad for him but the boy showed no remorse and fed her more lines! She ended with, “I hope you find faith in something bigger than your Prada shoes and rented helicopters. You go girl!

Chris Harrison ended after bloopers by saying, “Normally I’d ask how things were going…” but he didn’t.  He said we’d all have to tune into watch.  PLEASE!  They are so trying to milk some drama out of this.  And truthfully, I ‘m not sure why.  The audience loves Jef an Arie.  We’re already psyched to see the end.  This all feels so contrived and unnecessary! UNLESS – and here’s an out on a limb wacko guess in case she doesn’t let either guy propose – we get a live proposal from Jef on Sunday night.  Slight, small, miniscule possibility that Jef won’t propose until she meets his parents, or something along those lines.  A live proposal would justify the first ever LIVE After the Final Rose.

Don’t forget the finale is SUNDAY!  Not Monday – Monday is Bachelor Pad and it looks like a sleazy, entertaining, cheesy festival of love, hate and lust.  So excited to see Reid and Ed from Jillian’s season together again!

Bachelorette Emily: Final Two and What’s to Come?

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Last night was the first night I felt really bad for Emily.  Having to let one of those three guys go had to hurt.  Even though there was a statement to Chris that noted she knew who she wanted in the end and just had to get there. (It was quick – if you blinked you might have missed it.) If you’re looking for a clue as to who that guy might be, I’ll give you one you may have overlooked.  The whole show seemed to be about Emily dealing how hard it was going to be to send one guy home.  She was really worried about hurting feelings and dealing with the guilt of knowing they are all three in love with her.  When she talked about what a good guy Sean was in the beginning she teared up.  When she talked about Arie in the end, she teared up.  No tears for Jef.

No tears for Jef actually means the exact opposite from what you might think.  No tears for Jef means no guilt about Jef.  She doesn’t have to worry about hurting his feelings because she knows she’s going to pick him. And, as much as I like Arie and agree that he’s hot, I just can’t deny that Jef and Emily have a deeper connection.  When she mentioned she saw him while she was making breakfast? When she said she wanted to turn him down with the fantasy suite and he beat her to it?  All more signs.

When Emily told Arie she didn’t know what he did on a Tuesday morning I was thinking about how she wouldn’t know what he was doing on most of his mornings if he married her because he would be traveling.  I know the producers and editors cut the scenes to make it seem like she was great with their conversation but if you dvr’d it, go back and watch her face as she listens to him.  There are moments of realization that hit her where you can see her thinking, “but that’s not us” (her and Ricki).

I felt horrible for Sean when he was sent home but that exchange on the bench was a perfect example of why he was sent packing.  They sat there not knowing what to say.  They sat on there date not knowing what to say.  In scenes with Jef and Aries you can hear them whisper and talk as they walk before the edit in the actual conversation.  With Sean there was so much dead air.  I get that he was probably extremely uncomfortable revealing love on camera.  feel sorry if that in any way influenced how she felt.  Still, I don’t think there was anything he could have done.  She’s head over heels for Jef and 100% physically attached to Arie.

Next week is the Men Tell All.  While I will enjoy getting the chance to hear from Sean and some of the other guys, I can’t say I’m that interested.  I don’t really want to see Ryan, Kalon, Doug or any of the others again.  All season it’s been Jef, Arie, Sean and Emily and that’s what I want to watch. The following week we get meet the families, the proposal and a LIVE After the Final Rose all in the same night.  Previews do what they always do…try to get us to believe that maybe she doesn’t pick anyone.  They show her crying and her family making crazy statements.  Trust me, they would never have edited Emily’s love story the way they did this season if she wasn’t getting engaged in the end and I’d put all my money on Jef at this point. (5% of me that thinks I might lose that money…great season!)

Jef, Arie, or Sean – Who will get the final rose + thoughts on hometowns!

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If it was that hard for Emily to get rid of Chris last night, I don’t know how the lady will make it through this final three.  There can be cases made for each one of the men to receive the final rose…and I’ve already made most of them.  After the hometown dates I thought maybe Jef and Sean had a slight edge because I didn’t think Emily could see Ricki in Arie’s life as well as she could at Sean’s family home and Jef’s family ranch, but who knows? The chemistry between Arie and Emily is definitely off the charts.

I’m not going to even say much about Chris’ hometown date in Chicago because it was obviously the least eventful of the four, BUT I have to give it to the producers, editors, and to Em as an actress, they almost had me thinking maybe she would go for him.  I think it was a little out of line for her to tell Chris’ dad she was falling in love with Chris.  She had to have known at that point that the other three men had a stronger hold on her heart.  Maybe Chris’ sister telling her to let him go if he wasn’t the one sunk in too late and she was just caught up in the excitement of his loving family, but I think, unfortunately, that her statement was more of a calculated move by the show to keep us guessing. Yuck.

Jef’s date in Utah couldn’t have been better.  Who would have guessed he had “a little country in him” as Emily said.  It was fun to watch them shoot and she seemed to really connect with his sisters.  I have to admit when they left the family gathering, I thought, “That’s it?” Cut to the scene of them on the picnic blanket and him reading her the letter…heart melt.  It was so different from the last letter Emily had read aloud to her on the show ( Ryan Bowers!).  It’s obvious that Jef has fallen head over heels for Emily and, I think, from the way she looks at him with goo goo eyes – she’s fallen for him as well. However, once again, we are watching a show and you will have noticed that she didn’t tell his family she was actually falling in love with him. (Calculation and acting – no!)

Saving Sean and Arie for last totally sets the viewer up to think they will be the final two.  The fact that she told Arie she had missed him and she called Sean “honey” were just two of the little clues being dropped that, hey – these two are sure things.  The show is totally setting us up for the ouster of one of the big guys next week.  I can’t even begin to guess which one it might be…unless I look at Emily’s behavior with Sean’s family which on the surface seemed really cool.

When Emily was with Arie’s family there was a moment of tension with his mom but then we saw their one on one conversation and it was clear that they liked one another.  With Sean’s family we had the practical joke about him still living at home (and if you watched the credits – the armadillo for dinner).  With both of the jokes, Emily’s smile never reached her eyes.  She seemed uncomfortable and a little out of place.  The other clue we got was the absolute overuse of the term perfect with Sean.  Everything about Sean is “perfect”.  In the Bachelorette that usually signifies an upcoming issue or problem.  True, he ran after her for one last kiss and he’s romantic, but if you watch the way she kisses all three of them he’s the one that she looks the least comfortable with.

To close, I will say that if you contrast the way Emily used the word perfect with Sean to the way she used it with Jef, her tone of voice says it all.  My prediction after hometowns: Jef is final two – probably endgame – but I still have no clue about Sean and Arie.  Leaning towards Arie.  What do you guys think?

Bachelorette: No recap, just thoughts and predictions…

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I’d have to be living in a hole to not have heard the rumors that Arie, Jef, and Sean are Emily’s top three guys in the best installment of The Bachelorette since Trista Sutter’s season.  Knowing this takes a little of the edge off the upcoming hometown dates next Monday.  It’s pretty pbvious from the episode last night that Chris B. is her fourth the out of the four.  I have to say that for the first time in a long time, I have no clue who she picks and I’m excited about it.  I think it’s because out of Arie, Jef, or Sean, I think she’s found love. Still, if I had to hazard a guess? My gut after last night is leaning towards Jef.

Sure, the chemistry with Arie and Sean, who both snuck out to see her, has been off the charts as far as TV chemistry, but the chemistry between her and Jef on that library floor? It wasn’t just physical.  It was the shared dreams type chemistry.  Emily has been burned before by Brad and this time I think she’s going for his exact opposite.  Jef is an intelligent, self-aware, respectful man who wants a life just like the one Emily’s envisioning.  The one caveat with Jef? His Mormon family.  They haven’t said it out loud yet as far as I know, but you have to think religion will somehow come into the discussion when Emily goes to meet them! One more thing…will she uproot to start a life with him? I’ve read he’s in L.A. which makes it much more likely than Salt Lake.

As far as Sean goes, I LOVE him.  He’s strong, adorable, smart, and seems to have compatible goals with Emily but I haven’t heard any discussions yet about who Sean really is? I feel like we don’t even know the guy.  BUT, she seems very into his kisses and he seems pretty sure of his place in her heart.  Wonder what they haven’t been showing us?

Arie is the odds on favorite right? But I think in the long run Arie and Emily only have chemistry. I know she was fishing for him to tell her about the producer but that conversation at the lunch table was so strained and forced.  Have they ever really talked about life together? Every time they say something he leans over and kisses her.  He may be an awesome kisser and a beautiful man but I think she’s looking for a situation to jump right into.  When Jef told her he wanted babies yesterday I think it sealed the deal.

We’ll see what hometowns hold and who the final two end up being.  Right now I would say Jef and Arie but that’s the beauty of being so into a season and not knowing what’s going to happen! You can totally enjoy it!

***Random thoughts:

I thought it was time for Doug to go.  Great guy but as he said, his girl radar is way off.

I thought the way they handled the producer situation was cheesy and anti-climactic BUT mature.

Nice cheesy writing last night:” sitting on top of the world” with Arie as they were on top of the boat, “need to go deep” with John as they descend into a dungeon.

You KNOW the lock they gave John to use was one with issues.  Total set up.

If John would have opened up sooner and was more comfy on camera he’d be a great Bachelor.

Bye Bye Ryan! Hello Final …Six?

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Last night’s Bachelorette episode in Croatia was a feast of beautiful scenery, but if Ryan was to be believed, the only scenery worth looking at was Emily.  Thank God she finally came to her senses and sent the pro football player packing! After the most uncomfortable “post rose” conversation I’ve ever sat through, he walked out, ego intact, sure she was making a mistake.  It’ll be interesting to see if he has the media savvy needed for redemption on the upcoming “Men Tell All” episode.  Perhaps if he took a lesson from Humble Doug he would have a shot at being the Bachelor, NOT.

His parting words about hoping the editors “cut” things so people would see who he really is and that he wouldn’t come off as an “an arrogant ass” were priceless. Almost as good as the scenes of the boys (I have a hard time calling them men.) sitting back in the room talking about how he’s just that! I almost felt bad when he mentioned that he had made good friends with them, knowing that he would have to hear what they were saying while he was gone, but then again, if Ryan really is going to be a better person like he says he wants to be, he needs a huge reality check.

Chris had a good night getting the rose and the “Bravery Cup” after seeing Disney’s new movie and competing in the Highland games. I just have to take a moment to thank the producers for the kilts and sleeveless shirts.  Who would have thought that six men in skirts would look that hot. If the award had been given to the traditional winner it would have no doubt been Sean, but Emily went for her own definition of bravery and gave it to Chris.  We did get a moment where Em reassured Sean of his place in her heart.  Even though, and perhaps because, we didn’t see much of him in last night’s episode, there’s no doubt that man is final two stuff.

Earlier in the show Emily let Travis go on his one on one date.  Not much to say about it.  Travis was really sweet and he was obviously a great friend but there was no chemistry and she didn’t have trouble being honest with him.  It was the first time this season I’ve really felt sorry for a contestant.  Listening to him talking about how he has “such a big heart” and was so ready for love again made him sound like the perfect next Bachelor. Unfortunately, he just doesn’t cut it in the looks department.  Why can’t we mix Travis’ personality with Ryan’s looks? Oh wait, that was Jason Mesnick. Too late.

Another guy that almost got the boot but was saved at party, if we believe things happen the way we see them, was John. Such a handsome guy, but what does Emily know about him? Not a lot. He saved himself by pulling his grandparents funeral cards out of his wallet and confessing that his parents didn’t even know he carried them.  It was sweet and cool that he was finally opening up but does anyone think it’ll get him more than a week?  Ditto Doug, he made a small move on Emily but it’s too late – he’s eating the front-runner dust.

Speaking of front-runners, the producers are giving us a good rotation of Arie, Sean, and Jef.   Hmmm….final three anyone?  Of course.  In last night’s episode Arie made the season’s obligatory sneak out visit to tell Emily how happy he was she sent Ryan home. Their chemistry is off the charts and she gave him the rose she didn’t give Ryan. It seems like that would seal the deal, right?

BUT oh, no! He dated a producer? Now we are supposed to question everything? Manipulation, manipulation, manipulation. For those people who watched the previews, we know that it’s revealed that Arie dated a producer from the show and Emily will find out next episode! Knowing that Arie has had a relationship with a producer all along should make us question every move he’s made. So, he just happened to decide on his own to visit her.  He just happened to find her apartment in Croatia.  She just happened to have the rose from Ryan lying on her bedside table?  Total set up scene – question is – do we care? I’m not sure we do.  He’s such a hottie and their attraction is obviously real, so it’s easy enough to overlook.

This has been a great season so far!  The editing tonight with making us wait to see what would happen with Ryan and then on the last two roses (I almost believed she was letting them both go.) was awesome.  I’m feeling really positive about Emily and the men that are left! What about you?

Bachelorette: Did Jef take the lead? Will Sean give her babies? What happened with Arie?

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Ashley Hebert tweeted that, “When s%*t goes down…the guy with the next date is the one! #secretformula?”  I laughed out loud because she could be right on the money.  DeAnna Pappas Stagliano tweeted about the music change they used for Jef and said it was “frontrunner” music.  These girls know that of which they speak.  If we look at the edit of the show and past season experiences it’s very possible that Jef Holm could end up Mr. Emily Maynard.  Last night was a great episode, and not just because Kalon’s smug behind finally took a hike. Last night’s episode had real romance with two guys we KNOW are 100% there for the right reasons and want to marry her!

Sean’s tour date through the city of London showed a natural chemistry.  I loved the cute pics they were taking together.  You know those will end up in the family album.  When he got up to speak I almost believed the producers didn’t walk them past that spot on purpose.  He spoke from the heart and he had her from word one.  At dinner in the Tower of London – HOW COOL  –  she twirled her hair nervously and asked him about babies! Points for him he didn’t look scared.  One caveat: when she asked him how many and he said two, he looked like he was hedging his bets because he didn’t know how many she wanted.  There’s no way he’s intentionally holding back but I’m not sure he’s not just agreeing because he’s so in love.

The group date added drama and it was highly enjoyable to watch.  I did feel al little bad for Dad Doug when she didn’t give out the rose because no one had her back enough to tell her about what Kalon said. Huh? Did the scene we watched seconds before not actually happen? How did she describe what Doug did? Anywhoooo…It was awesome to see her come alive and go “West Virginia, hood rat, backwoods” on him! That was as true to life feisty as we’ve seen her.  That’s the Emily I want to know, not that southern belle, polite, submissive stuff.

Jef’s date was saved until last and even though he won me over, I wondered the whole time when it was going to pick up! Emily said she was slow but he might take things even slower.  Had he not kissed her last night he might have been taking himself home.  The cool thing about their date was his proclamation in the London Eye of what he wanted with her.  Don’t know that there were many women watching that didn’t ignore his funky hair and melt when he so GENUINELY explained how he thought she could be his best friend.  It was at that point on Twitter that he even won JP Rosenbaum’s support.  This boy (he calls Emily a girl) is the real deal…but Emily’s looking for a protector – can he beat Sean in that department?

We didn’t see much of Arie but even with the producers attempt to make it look like she was mad at him for not telling her, he was never in any danger. No doubt he’s still in contention.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.  The previews looked awesome. Romance, tears, drama.  Hoping she didn’t actually mean she really liked Ryan again but there were obviously some kisses coming up.  Did you see her walking angrily towards Chris Harrison and that woman saying, “What else do I not know?” Something big is happening there! It’s going to be a bumpy ride but a great season and I’m 100 % positive we’re finding true love! Yeah!

The Contenders…Bachelorette Episode Four

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I think it’s time to discuss the contenders.  After last night’s episode it’s pretty clear where Emily’s heart is headed.  There are two guys that seem to have made the biggest impression on our girl! Arie Luendyk looks to have a lock on Emily’s attention and affection so far.  Sean Lowe is close behind in an understated yet sincere performance, and Jef Holm seems to be making strides despite his goofy socks (shin guards?) and missed opportunities.

I didn’t want to fall for Arie.  He seems like such a set up from the producers…a race car driver like her former love? As the season progresses though, I can’t help but find myself being sucked in by his earnest focus on her instead of the process.  When he’s talking to her it’s obvious he’s into her and really wants to get to know her better.  He touches her spontaneously as opposed to strategically (Hello Ryan’s arm around her whenever she’s within 2 feet!).  She ‘s at ease with him in a way that makes it appear she may have already made a choice.  She told him when she’s alone on the porch he’s the one she thinks of? Couple that with her comment about how guys like him are hard to find? He’s an odds on favorite to be her intended.

However, none of the above means that Sean Lowe is out of the running.  Sean didn’t grab my attention at first because I’ve personally never had a thing for blondes, BUT he is steadily climbing in the “could be her true love” dept.  Emily wants to be taken care of, not managed and dominated as would be the case with Ryan, but loved and looked after.  Sean has the handsome, compassionate, protector vibe down.  And, he’s the only one she’s been kissing with the same honesty as Arie.  It’s hard to tell where this is going because the producers can edit it so many ways.  Arie could lose out to Sean, Sean could lose out to Arie…but I’d bet money that it’ll be one of the two.

Jef Holm is an enigma to me.  We haven’t seen very much of him and he’s definitely got an oddball side.  I thought they might be giving him the Jessie Csincsak edit.  I can’t figure out if he knows she’s into him and is playing hard to get to keep her attention, or if he’s really that dim and passed up beach kisses by accident.  Obviously from Emily’s conversation with Chris Harrison, she likes him and I think next week’s one on one (in the previews) should clear this up for viewers.

You’ll probably note that I didn’t add Doug Clerget and Chris Bukowski to the mix.  I just can’t see her falling for either in the long run (especially after watching Chris dance in the closing credits).  Add to that the producer’s focus on their conflict and it equals no future with Emily for either of them. I did agree with Chris that there’s something fake about Doug’s humble man act.  The more I see of him the less I like him.  Reverse that for Chris even though I don’t think he’ll make it to the finals.

Last but not leas,t let me say that this season’s hidden “Wes” is Ryan.  I said from their first date that something was off and he didn’t seem to be there for her.  Well, from last night’s show it’s clear that he’s there to try to be the next Bachelor.  Good luck with that.  Chauvinistic (trophy wife?), egotistical (how are you worthy?) players tend not to win America’s heart.  Emily seems to be catching on but the previews looked like Ryan’s not leaving yet and that they end up making out. Gross.

I’m hanging in there because I seriously think we’ll have a successful match from this season in the long run! Despite the slow start I’m getting into the guys and like her more than I ever thought possible. I love the disbelief that shows on her face when Ryan or Kalon make stupid comments and I can’t wait for her to tell Kalon to “get the _____ out” next week. From the previews the producers will give us lots of drama, but for the first time in a while it’s not drama created to hide the fact that there wasn’t a love connection. I think Emily’s engaged and happy.  Arie or Sean – that’s my bet.

Bachelorette Emily’s Lost Charisma…Found! (best episode yet!)

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Dare we hope that Emily has found her charisma? The question floated through my mind as they played the teasers for the evening and I found myself getting excited.  After watching the first two episodes, I had almost given up on Emily.  Where was the sparkly, flirty, entertaining woman that we caught glimpses of with Brad? Turns out she might have had a little stage fright/insecurity to deal with, or maybe she just felt overwhelmed when surrounded by the larger group of men, but whatever it was – last night she found her chutzpah!

I haven’t really been a Chris fan since I viewed his pic on ABC.com, but I’m willing to say I was wrong about him.  His date was the first time this season that I actually felt excited for Emily.  Sure he’s a little competitive, young, and he seems to be seriously underestimating what she may have going on with other guys (has he watched the show?), but she sparkles when she’s with him and their first kiss was undeniably romantic. He seems sincere and for the most part sweet, although I could have done without his comment on how unbelievable she looked in a harness! (Ick!)

When Emily lets it slip she’s been thinking about someone since the beginning, I tend to believe that’s her voice and not the producers.  It’s obvious he’s on her list of potentials. There date was a pretty cute set up, but you can’t convince me they couldn’t have checked the weather forecast – scaling the building with a threatening thunderstorm seemed an unnecessary risk. The Charlotte people running into the dance floor after their kiss was a little contrived as well, but cute.  Overall, this date brought me back into the process! Hooray!

The group date was one of the best ever, in my opinion.  Never has a Bachelorette had the chance to get so much scoop on her men before.  Emily’s friends preformed to the best of their ability, not shirking the harder responsibilities like viewing the push up performances or the pectoral magnificence of various men.  If you hung around to watch the credits you caught a glimpse of the reasoning behind Emily’s party time conversation with Alessandro, too.  Would she have kept him by mistake had her friends not been looking out? Maybe!

The group date also gave us the chance to get to know Sean and Ryan better.  With Sean, well, let’s face it – is anyone not head over heels for this guy yet?  He’s handsome, sincere, wants to be a husband and father and talked about family and faith.  He seems like he could be her perfect match! With Ryan – wow – the warning signs that cropped up last week made a full-on appearance tonight.  Could a guy be any denser than to say he wouldn’t be “loving on” Emily if she gained weight?  And to say it in front of her friends? Loser! His behavior at the party before the rose ceremony was like that of  a snotty toddler.  Seriously, I know he may have been sincerely jealous when he saw her kissing Arie, but it’s what he signed up for and Arie’s a race car driver not a ballerina! He called him girly! His face as he lifted his glass for a toast spoke volumes.  She’s picking up on it, too – so it’ll soon be sayonara Ryan!

Emily’s last one-on-one date with Arie showed why he’ll be around until, my guess, the end.  Not sure about the very end but probably top four, at least.  Her actual words after her date with the daring driver, “Guys like Arie are really hard to find.  I feel like I finally found him and I don’t want to screw it up.” My only concern with Arie is that Emily has a bit of a transference issue going on.  First she transferred all her excitement and idol worship of Dolly Parton in to the experience of the date, then she transferred her feelings about little Ricki’s daddy to Arie.  She said he reminds her so much of him – good for Arie, maybe not so psychologically good for Emily finding true love.  She’ll have to get past the image she’s imposing on him to see the real him.

My favorite moment and line of the night had to be when Kalon reprimanded her for interrupting him. In reference to his rudeness she stated, “I do like tall, skinny, and funny but I don’t like tall, skinny, and condescending.” It was at that moment I fell in love with her.  I just wish the producers would have let her kick his skinny butt off the show like you know she wanted to! Sadly, it was Kalon’s nemesis, Stevie, that took the walk out alone since she had already sent Tony and Alessandro packing!

Three moments to keep in mind for future shows: Sean and Emily’s first kiss at the rose ceremony party (oh my goodness!), Arie and Emily’s make out session at the rose ceremony party (oh my goodness gracious!), and Jef’s confession of his crush on her – courtesy of her friend’s advice.  We only caught a glimpse but it was apparent in that moment that her friend’s dug him.  They gave him the edit they gave Sean last week and look what that got Sean this week…I’m just sayin’.

Looking forward to next week’s show – Golly, I’m so happy to be able to say that!

Bachelorette Emily Maynard – Episode Two Thoughts

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Those of you who read my Bachelor and Bachelorette blog regularly know that one of my biggest obsessions and complaints regarding the series is producer interference. I’m not naïve enough to think reality TV is reality, but I would like to be able to watch it without thinking it’s fake. One of the reasons I think the Bachelor/Bachelorette works so well is that actual chemistry usually finds a way to trump the cheesy storylines producers feel compelled to manipulate, but last night’s episode was hard to watch. While there were occasional glimpses of chemistry between Emily and a few (very few) guys, it was hard not to notice the script. Whether it’s because they cast really boring guys to fill “roles” they thought would be exciting, or because Emily’s charisma is only present when acting, my hopes for the season have lessened.

Emily’s first one on one date with Ryan could have been a really cute date, but I don’t think I was the only viewer that got bored. While I have often said I’m looking for a man who can make every day errands romantic and fun, Ryan didn’t seem all that into it. He said the right things but they didn’t feel sincere. During dinner when Emily posed her “challenging questions”, he threw them right back at her. It was then that I got the sinking feeling that he thinks he’s better than her but wants to date her anyway to be able to say he did. His seven page letter seemed forced and too early, and really – couldn’t he have told her to read it later. It’s hard to imagine Ryan Sutter (the original and only Ryan worth loving) allowing Trista to read his thoughts in front of another guy for 15 minutes. The other thing missing from this date? Emily’s pizazz! She couldn’t even pull off the Chuck E. Cheese joke.

It was on the group date with the Muppets that I came to a sad realization. Emily only has charisma when she’s acting. The scenes with Kermit and Piggy sparkled more than her sequined outfits (I really wanted her pink skirt!), but only highlighted the dull interaction with most of the men. I find this a mystery. When you hear almost every guy say after talking with her, “No one else could have had a conversation or moment like ours,” it’s obvious she knows how to make someone feel special, but it’s not showing on-screen.

The group date wasn’t as boring as Ryan’s date, but I did contemplate turning it off and watching it on dvr later. It was evident the group date rose was going to Jef. Did anyone else find it painful to watch her throw herself and her insecurities at him? He looks like a child and I can’t figure out if he is sincerely that clueless. I think he’s playing a part, just like Kaustic Kalon, Squirrely Stevie, and Competitive Chris. This is where I started to see the producer’s fingerprints. You knew they would give Charlie something to freak him out. Kudos to him for actually asking Emily for a different part, and to her for offering to let him sing. She must not have asked permission first though, as the producer’s just gave him something slightly less nerve-wracking – an interview with Piggy. Alas, my thought after the group date was that Emily shined brightest and was most herself in her moment with Ricki after singing (which she should never do in public).

In between these dates we get glimpses of the house and the men left. Woo hoo, more staged conflict between Kalon and anyone else he can insult. These scenes were another area of the show where the script overshadowed the men. The only interesting edit in the mix was Sean’s. Here’s a guy we didn’t see much of last week and who didn’t get a date this week, BUT is obviously getting the good guy edit. He comments were rational, friendly, and showed he’s got friends in the house. There’s a reason they did that. They’re trying to put him in our subconscious. They want us to like him and see him as the hidden hero.

The last date of the evening was with Joe, who Emily describes as looking like Matthew McConaughey. Too bad for Joe – there was no spark. We were treated to a glamorous date that you could tell Emily knew was going nowhere. I think the producers thought that by having a “shocking” early elimination we would be able to tell she was serious about finding love. Even though she cried, it didn’t seem that hard to let him go. At the rose ceremony Emily had to eliminate two more guys. That however, seemed anti-climactic following her scene with Kalon. Anyone who watches the Bachelorette knows that the villain always gets the attention of the Bachelorette early on (Wes? Vienna? Courtney?), but I truly didn’t think Kalon could pull it off. However, when they were chatting it was pretty clear that she did find him attractive and that she bought his, “Oh woe is me, I’m the youngest in the house,” spiel. Yuck!

If I didn’t look up the names of the guys she got rid of, I would only have remembered Aaron because of the glasses – that’s how dullsville these guys are. Truth be told, I wanted her to eliminate a lot more than three guys last night, but that would have been too easy. I guess I’ll suffer through until the producer’s hand me semi-real stuff in the final three or four.

Golly, That’s a Gorgeous Bachelorette…

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Gorgeous! Beautiful! Amazing!

Gag me! If I heard the description gorgeous one more time last night I think I would have been physically ill.  I’m still excited about this season, but I feel really bad for Emily.  I think it’s pretty obvious from their tongues hanging out, nervous, panting reactions that she’s going to have a hard time getting a guy to look past her exterior to really see who she is on the inside!  Then there’s the fact that what should have been a bumper crop of good-looking men is a big group of really average Joes. Thank goodness that there seem to be some men that might have brains, be in it for the right reasons, and look better on TV than their pictures at ABC.com suggested.  Yes, Emily might have a chance for true love after all – IF she can fight through the masses of worshipping idiots to find the keepers in this sorry group.

The limo introductions were pretty pathetic.  I’ve never seen a more jittery group of guys.  Their lines came off as rehearsed and cheesy.  I mean, come on! Prince Charming? Tony’s a nice looking guy but that was way over the top! He, along with Kalon were obviously just looking for that first impression rose (Which she was smart enough to give to a genuinely nice man – but more on Doug later!) Thank God she gave fitness model Jackson the boot after he maligned her with an overused quote that only makes the teen girls I teach swoon! And poor grandma guy – he probably thought he was making a witty comment on the girl who had her grandmother come to the party last season but I don’t think Emily was smart enough to catch on in the moment…probably too overwhelmed by the number of men and names to keep straight.

It was interesting to see her first impressions of some men though.  If you watched her carefully, it seems she would giggle and blink a lot after talking to guys she was attracted to.  Men that fell into this category were Arie (race car guy), Jef (water bottle company owner), Charlie (Mr. Normal Nice Guy), Nate (who she touched first and said smelled good!), John (also known as “Wolf”), Alejandro (San Fran boy) and Ryan (ex – pro football guy.

Twitter was buzzing with comments from fans all the way through the show.  It seems the fans out there were torn between super hot Ryan and normal guy Charlie! I think both will stay around awhile. It’s also fairly observable from the previews that Jef has a future on the show.  He got a really good edit as someone who is looking to see beneath her surface to the real her…still, he was quoted saying, “Her fiancé died so I think she deserves the best.” Um, yeah – that’s logical, right? Jef does have another thing going for him though.  She described him as the “cool guy” and hoped he thought she was “cool”, too.  Sooooo high school, BUT soooo telling.  He’ll be sticking around.

Daddy Doug received the first impression rose for his ability to make her feel relaxed and the way he manipulate their conversation to be about their kids without making it seem like he was using his son.  That letter was an ace in the hole to get him through the first rose ceremony and it looks like it paid more than he expected with the first rose.  He may end up on her nerves eventually but he’s there for a few more weeks.

If I had to place bets now that we’ve met them all I would change my top five to the following: Ryan, Jef, Arie, Charlie, and Nate.

Other guys that will stick around simply because the producers need conflict will be Chris (They were already setting him up to be Mr. Competitive), Stevie, and Kalon.

I like the places they seem to be heading this season and it’s cool she gets to take Little Ricki with her.  I just sincerely hope she can curtail her use of the term “Golleeeeeeee!” so I can make it through the rest of the season without strangling her.

***I haven’t been reading spoilers but in a straight up article I looked at it appears Sean Lowe plays a bigger role in the season than I woul dhave thought – especially since I didn’t mention him….hmmmm 🙂

Emily’s Men: Bachelorette Pre-season Chit Chat

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Well Ladies (and any male readers who may be following this season because…duh…it’s Emily), the men for the new season have been revealed and, I have to say, from the horrendous photos ABC deems fit for the website, I’m not impressed yet.  There seems to be an interesting array of professions, ages, and types and the producers have stayed true to form with their little twist that always makes sane viewers call bad form.  But what I really want to know is: Where are the hotties?  If you open another browser window to ABC.com, you can scroll the pics while you read…I almost follow the order.

My main reason for thinking this season would have potential was that there should have been beautiful men begging for a chance to date Emily.  Instead, we get: a 25 year- old mushroom farmer (just doesn’t seem up Emily’s alley does it?), a Canadian (We know she’s never gonna be able to take little Ricki that far away from her daddy’s family), and a grain merchant from Brazil (who does have hotness potential). Those are the first three guys we see on the site and they don’t seem to bode well for real life love.

The fourth guy we meet is a cutie named Arie, but guess what? He’s also from another country and a race car driver to boot! Did Emily ask to date foreigners? We KNOW she didn’t ask for a race car driver.  That’s the producer’s little way of tweaking the drama.  Let’s put a handsome man in the group who just happens to be of the same profession as her one true love that died in a fiery plane crash. Seems cruel, but she may like the type, so he could have a chance.  Especially when you check out some of the next few guys in the mix.

The 41 year-old technology salesman from Texas may be nice, but if ABC wanted to portray him as anything but a huge nerd they should have had a better stylist on set.  29 year-old fitness model Jackson from Chicago seems to be a triplet this season.  If you’re looking through the pics, try telling the difference between him, Chris, and Aaron. Real estate agent Doug even bears the three a resemblance, but he seems like his resume might give him and edge…only viewing will tell.

Jean-Paul gives the worst answer of the group when he says he’d like “pacifier powers” to keep the peace and get people to chill out.  Seriously dude, if you want a chick like Emily to sit up and take notice I’m not sure that’s the kind of power you should be trying to harness.  David, the required singer/songwriter for this show is actually cute and from Virginia (Close enough for a real chance), but come on – you know he’s only been cast so he can sing her cheesy love songs.  Another man I think might stand a chance would be 32 year-old Charlie from Massachusetts.  A northern accent can be sweeter than honey to a southern girl in the right circumstances.  Could be he’ll stick around.

My personal fave from pictures alone is John, the data destruction specialist from St. Louis, but then again I always did like my smarty pants St. Louis boys in college. Jef (with one f) the 27 year-old from Utah gets the pretty eyes vote, but who knows how he’ll translate on screen…bad pictures make him look like a nerd, but he’s an entrepreneur so he could have charisma. Kalon might also be cute, but what the heck is a “luxury brand consultant”?

Nate the accountant from Arizona looks  dreamy, for an accountant I guess. Michael the rehab consultant looks like he’s probably sweet and sensitive.  He’s handsome, but he also unfortunately looks like he’s twelve.  Randy from Wisconsin is a no go, unless someone else picked out his clothes – in which case he should get another chance at a photo. Kyle the financial planner from Long Beach also looks too much like the a few other guys in the mix and Lerone the real estate consultant is pretty average in the looks department as well.  Both men had extremely bland and predictable Q and A’s under their photos.

Travis the ad sales rep looks good in a manly way Emily might dig after choosing Brad, and if Tony weren’t a lumber trader from Oregon, I’d have given him my prettiest of the pack pick – but she’s not moving to Oregon no matter HOW pretty he may be. Stevie the party MC and Ryan the pro sports trainer have that too perfect, well-manicured look I hate in a man, and Sean, the 28 year-old insurance agent from Dallas is adorable, but their babies would be albino!

So who then would I pick for Emily? Going on looks in really bad photos alone, I’d list my top five as:

Nate, Tony, Sean, John, and Arie

I HAVE NOT  read any spoilers so if you choose to comment, keep it spoiler free! We’ll see what happens when we put some personalities with these faces! The count down is on!

Hey Ya’ll! I’m (Maybe) Excited about Emily Maynard as the Next Bachelorette!

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Emily Maynard is the next Bachelorette.  Old news, I know, BUT for the first time since hearing it, I’m sort of excited.  My initial reaction to the reveal wasn’t positive.  I was disappointed that the franchise would again go with a runner up instead of bringing in fresh blood.  On the heels of my disappointment in goofball Ben’s fiasco of a season, I was ready to give up on all things Bachelor/ette.  I guess I could just be feeling the need for optimism, but I think there’s potential that Emily’s season could be one of the best ever.

There’s no denying that Emily has the “it” factor.  The camera loves her.  After catching part of the episode this season where Ashley and Ally helped her dress shop, I was charmed by her charisma. It seems like a given that the Bachelorette should be beautiful (inside and out, but for now let’s focus on the out), but how many seasons have we dealt with disappointments in this area?  Sure we fell in love with Ashley, Ally, Jillian, and Jen, but not since Trista have we really seen the total package.  Part of the fun of watching the Bachelorette is to see gorgeous, dreamy men fall all over themselves and compete for the girl!  For the first time in a great while there’s the chance a group of men will indeed, truly be gorgeous AND dreamy because it seems like all men find Emily to be gorgeous and dreamy!

Then there’s the fact that she might be beautiful on the inside as well.  I’ll admit that after her season with Brad, I indulged in the gossip and rumors that she was probably in it for the publicity and fame, but I think I may have to revise that opinion. I started thinking about the fact that the show is making the unprecedented move to hold events in her hometown instead of making her come to LA. The fact that she demanded this shows she really does put family first and isn’t just interested in another Hollywood experience.  She wants the men to see where and how she lives and to be able to make a commitment fully knowing what they’re getting into. That’s savvy.

Finally, I’m excited because after a season like Ben’s, how can this one not be better?  Anything in comparison will seem like a success.  On Ben’s season watching the women was tiring and icky.  Men are always more interesting to watch in the house.  The villain angle with Courtney really hurt viewers buying into Ben’s final choice.  We’ve already seen the “Bentley” character that wanted Emily over Ashley, so hopefully there won’t be any major villains involved.

The elements are in place. You’ve got the girl that every man desires.  There will be men that every woman will want to watch.  The tragedy of Emily’s past with her first love and her experience with Brad will have the audience hungering for a true “love that heals all” experience!  If the producers can keep their grimy hands out of it and let a realistic and genuine love story unfold, this could turn into one of my favorite seasons ever.