The Bachelor 17 - Speculation/Spoilers - Discussion

Wow. So I see that the "strong dislike" is not just for Jef, but for Sean also.
I didn't think Sean was saying anything about Arie we didn't already know. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt before we assume he was trying anything manipulative or hateful.

I honestly do not think Sean would purposely try to put Arie down and be racist about him. I would guess it was a totally innocent statement.

kate123 wrote:

lori8481 wrote:

kate123 wrote:

Ladybug82 wrote:From an interview Sean did about the RealBeanz scavenger hunt...

How would you feel if it went to Roberto [Martinez] or Arie [Luyendyk Jr.] instead?
I don’t actually know Roberto, but everyone I talk to says he’s a super nice guy. And I know Arie very well. Arie’s a great guy, he’s a sweetheart. But he’s very different from me. He’s a European race car driver, I’m more the all-American type. But I think either of them would make great Bachelors.

I posted my displeasure with this quote on the other thread and I'm going to post it here. Yes, Sean, point out how "different" and "foreign" Arie is. Make sure you tell everyone that his parents are immigrants and that they barely speak English. And then let everyone know that you're the "real" American and by virtue of that, you're much better than any foreigner could ever be. Never mind that Arie has lived in this country for more years than you've been alive. He's still "different." What an absolute dick Sean is. I am officially through with him.

First of all, I'd like to say that I am most definitely NOT trying to tell anyone how they should feel. However, I wanted to say that I believe you may have misinterpreted Sean's comment or are reading more into it than is written. Sean is an upstanding guy with many friends (and ex-girlfriends) of varying races, backgrounds, even nationalities. I don't think he meant to degrade Arie in ANY way at all, and as far as I can tell, he never actually used the words "immigrant" or "foreign" in reference to Arie or his family. By virtue of simple fact, yes, Arie is a European race car driver, and correct me if I'm wrong, but that isn't exactly a derogatory term. I believe Sean was simply saying that they would produce very different shows with completely different audience draws.

How is it a fact that Arie is European? Arie has been in the U.S. longer than Sean has been alive. He came to the US when he was two, has lived in the U.S. virtually his entire life, gone to school here, worked here. His parents might be European, but he's as American as I am. Two years as a toddler living in the Netherlands does not make him European. And as far as producing different shows, I don't see how their nationalities would make any difference, since they're both American. So why did Sean bring it up? Because I think he believes that being "all-American" (and not a bit foreign) gives him an advantage over a European and a Latino. Would it have been appropriate for Sean to say that he was different from Roberto because Roberto is a Hispanic insurance agent? Sorry, nothing you can say is going to change my now confirmed opinion that Sean is a dick.

My apologies, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I'm most certainly not trying to change yours. I merely wanted to give a little educated background that might help others understand Sean's intent with that comment. And I'm truly sorry if my words further offended you.

I think Arie is pretty great too, though I do not know him personally. Thank you for sharing his bit of background with me. You're right, they're both equally American and I mistakenly assumed that even he might consider himself European, if not European-American. I didn't realize you couldn't be both.

For the record, my opinion is that either one would generate a good season. Notwithstanding anything related to their nationalities, I still maintain that their fans/audiences/supporters would be vastly different... neither one better or worse, just different.

Sean hasn't been openly or actively campaigning for the role at all as Arie and Ryan Lochte have both done. He never mentions it unless asked about it in an interview. So, I don't think he's trying to "knock" the competition to get a leg up. I think he was searching for a differentiator because he was asked to do so. Isn't part of Arie's appeal that he has a European flair to him that's "different" than some of the other guys that were on the show?

lori8481 wrote:
First of all, I'd like to say that I am most definitely NOT trying to tell anyone how they should feel. However, I wanted to say that I believe you may have misinterpreted Sean's comment or are reading more into it than is written. Sean is an upstanding guy with many friends (and ex-girlfriends) of varying races, backgrounds, even nationalities. I don't think he meant to degrade Arie in ANY way at all, and as far as I can tell, he never actually used the words "immigrant" or "foreign" in reference to Arie or his family. By virtue of simple fact, yes, Arie is a European race car driver, and correct me if I'm wrong, but that isn't exactly a derogatory term. I believe Sean was simply saying that they would produce very different shows with completely different audience draws.

Thanks for continuing to post with us, Lori. I wasn't offended by what Sean said but I guess I can see why others might have been. I'm trying anyway, because I really respect and love some of the posters who are offended. During the season, there was discussion about Arie's family being more "European" in their values, etc. Not a lot of European immigrants of Arie Sr's generation living around here but I'm sure if there were, they would be seen as "different" from the locals. Not necessarily bad, but different.

nutty1 wrote:I honestly do not think Sean would purposely try to put Arie down and be racist about him. I would guess it was a totally innocent statement.

The problem is Sean seems to have a big mouth and IMO has said more than one inappropriate thing. He started by saying too much about knowing the F1 in his first radio interview when the show was airing. And he's tweeted a couple of IMO sexist comments and now this. I'm not a fan.

I posted this in the Arie thread earlier when it was being discussed there, but since the topic is on going here...was going to bring it over, to save myself from having to type it all out again!

Ladybug82 wrote:
I didn't read that way when I initially read the article. I can see how it could be read that way, though. I'm by no means defending Sean. I like him, but don't want to see him make himself look better an the expense of Arie!

I maybe being totally naive about the comment and all, but I was think thinking he meant, in looks they are as different as night and day. Sean's the typical southern, good looking football star, which is why I think he used the term all-American type. Having grown up in the deep south all my life, that would be a term most would use to describe him, around here where I was raised. While I know Arie is American, and as American as Sean... There's something about his Netherlands roots that give him an edge. He's most definitely American, but with an edge that Sean will never have because of that.

Not sure how Sean meant it...just wanted share my original interpretation of it! And say, I can see how your interpretation could fit too!

lori8481 wrote:

kate123 wrote:

Ladybug82 wrote:From an interview Sean did about the RealBeanz scavenger hunt...

How would you feel if it went to Roberto [Martinez] or Arie [Luyendyk Jr.] instead?
I don’t actually know Roberto, but everyone I talk to says he’s a super nice guy. And I know Arie very well. Arie’s a great guy, he’s a sweetheart. But he’s very different from me. He’s a European race car driver, I’m more the all-American type. But I think either of them would make great Bachelors.

I posted my displeasure with this quote on the other thread and I'm going to post it here. Yes, Sean, point out how "different" and "foreign" Arie is. Make sure you tell everyone that his parents are immigrants and that they barely speak English. And then let everyone know that you're the "real" American and by virtue of that, you're much better than any foreigner could ever be. Never mind that Arie has lived in this country for more years than you've been alive. He's still "different." What an absolute dick Sean is. I am officially through with him.

First of all, I'd like to say that I am most definitely NOT trying to tell anyone how they should feel. However, I wanted to say that I believe you may have misinterpreted Sean's comment or are reading more into it than is written. Sean is an upstanding guy with many friends (and ex-girlfriends) of varying races, backgrounds, even nationalities. I don't think he meant to degrade Arie in ANY way at all, and as far as I can tell, he never actually used the words "immigrant" or "foreign" in reference to Arie or his family. By virtue of simple fact, yes, Arie is a European race car driver, and correct me if I'm wrong, but that isn't exactly a derogatory term. I believe Sean was simply saying that they would produce very different shows with completely different audience draws.

I totally agree with you. I don't think that Sean meant any disrespect to either Arie or Roberto. How come the part where Sean said that "Arie's a great guy. He's a sweetheart" wasn't also shown in bold letters? I think that this was taken entirely out of context, and it now has been blown completely out of proportion. Arie and Sean ARE very different. That is a fact, one which Arie would agree on. That is one reason they each would be very different leads as the Bachelor.

In an earlier interview a few months back, Sean said practically the same thing about Arie when he was telling the interviewer why he thought that Arie would make a good Bachelor. Sean said then that he thought that Arie would bring a certain European flair to the show that he (Sean) would not, because all of the prior Bachelors from the show have been more in the All-American mold, like himself. Sean had nothing but nice things to say about Arie and went on to say that he thought that Arie would be a great choice as the next Bachelor.

I just hope that those of you who are done with Sean will at least give him the benefit of the doubt here. And I don't think that Sean was campaigning to be the Bachelor in that interview. He was simply answering the questions that were asked of him. And, as a fan of Sean's, I truly hope that he isn't the next Bachelor, because he opens himself up to criticisms like this. I hate to see anyone that I like do these shows for that very reason.

lavenderred wrote:

nutty1 wrote:I honestly do not think Sean would purposely try to put Arie down and be racist about him. I would guess it was a totally innocent statement.

The problem is Sean seems to have a big mouth and IMO has said more than one inappropriate thing. He started by saying too much about knowing the F1 in his first radio interview when the show was airing. And he's tweeted a couple of IMO sexist comments and now this. I'm not a fan.

And the fact that he (and Ryan) considered Arie and Jef "dainty men" as opposed to "manly men." He stated this in a video interview and I didn't like that either. Is he calling them weaker? Or more feminine? Do they handle a tea cup or a napkin differently? What exactly does he mean by that? I don't find Arie any less manly than Sean. Muscles don't make you manly. I just get the feeling that Sean has a very high opinion of himself and it comes out in some stupid things that he says.

Doesn't Arie describe himself as European? Much ado about nothing!

I think Ryan and Sean may have had one too many concussions or head bumps during their years of football and other sports. I don't think malice is behind what they say, just lack of judgement along with some politically incorrect statements added to---neural synapse delays and mouth stuck in open drive.

Longhornfan wrote:

lori8481 wrote:

kate123 wrote:

Ladybug82 wrote:From an interview Sean did about the RealBeanz scavenger hunt...

How would you feel if it went to Roberto [Martinez] or Arie [Luyendyk Jr.] instead?
I don’t actually know Roberto, but everyone I talk to says he’s a super nice guy. And I know Arie very well. Arie’s a great guy, he’s a sweetheart. But he’s very different from me. He’s a European race car driver, I’m more the all-American type. But I think either of them would make great Bachelors.

I posted my displeasure with this quote on the other thread and I'm going to post it here. Yes, Sean, point out how "different" and "foreign" Arie is. Make sure you tell everyone that his parents are immigrants and that they barely speak English. And then let everyone know that you're the "real" American and by virtue of that, you're much better than any foreigner could ever be. Never mind that Arie has lived in this country for more years than you've been alive. He's still "different." What an absolute dick Sean is. I am officially through with him.

First of all, I'd like to say that I am most definitely NOT trying to tell anyone how they should feel. However, I wanted to say that I believe you may have misinterpreted Sean's comment or are reading more into it than is written. Sean is an upstanding guy with many friends (and ex-girlfriends) of varying races, backgrounds, even nationalities. I don't think he meant to degrade Arie in ANY way at all, and as far as I can tell, he never actually used the words "immigrant" or "foreign" in reference to Arie or his family. By virtue of simple fact, yes, Arie is a European race car driver, and correct me if I'm wrong, but that isn't exactly a derogatory term. I believe Sean was simply saying that they would produce very different shows with completely different audience draws.

I totally agree with you. I don't think that Sean meant any disrespect to either Arie or Roberto. How come the part where Sean said that "Arie's a great guy. He's a sweetheart" wasn't also shown in bold letters? I think that this was taken entirely out of context, and it now has been blown completely out of proportion. Arie and Sean ARE very different. That is a fact, one which Arie would agree on. That is one reason they each would be very different leads as the Bachelor.

In an earlier interview a few months back, Sean said practically the same thing about Arie when he was telling the interviewer why he thought that Arie would make a good Bachelor. Sean said then that he thought that Arie would bring a certain European flair to the show that he (Sean) would not, because all of the prior Bachelors from the show have been more in the All-American mold, like himself. Sean had nothing but nice things to say about Arie and went on to say that he thought that Arie would be a great choice as the next Bachelor.

I just hope that those of you who are done with Sean will at least give him the benefit of the doubt here. And I don't think that Sean was campaigning to be the Bachelor in that interview. He was simply answering the questions that were asked of him. And, as a fan of Sean's, I truly hope that he isn't the next Bachelor, because he opens himself up to criticisms like this. I hate to see anyone that I like do these shows for that very reason.

Agree with both your great posts (and I'm one that really hopes it will be Arie, but would enjoy either). I think using the work European was just Sean's way of highlighting that they are very different, come from different lifestyles, have different interests and probably would go for different women. They are different and would generate very different seasons. I think that's clear and all I took from Sean's answer.

Unrealted to that, what jumped out at me is that he was totally using the usual Bachelor lines I can remember future leads using back to Ali "I had to think about it really hard. Not an easy decision to come back. Knew the process could work. Etc. " Sounds like a spiel the show gives them. Don't know if that means anything?.