Re: Zak Waddell - Bachelorette 9 Contestant - Spoilers - Thread #1

[MVMom39forever]

I'm not a fan of Zak. To me he seems a bit obsessive. Even buying the ring. He hasn't even gone on a one on one and he's planning to give a ring? Or maybe he likes showering a girl with gifts. He's trying too hard to be front and center like he wants camera time. But I will admit he seems like a nice guy despite. I'm willing to give him more time to see if my thoughts change.

Well put.  Seriously, A RING?!  I could see a knick-knack or necklace or bracelet, but a RING?!  I wonder if he's not going to have a chance to give it to her and that's why it was cut?

He has so many gimmicks up his abs ;). I'm curious how he'll take the let down.

OMG, that's good one!  I may make that into a sig!

Exactly what I've been thinking! I just can't figure out if these are all his ideas or TPTB ... naked intro (ep1), no shirt/skinny dip (ep 1), gift of book (ep 2), smiling grapefruit (ep 3) and friggin ring shopping AND guitar singing/songwriter (ep 4). What's next? The Des tattoo on ep 5?

I have no intention of following RS show-by-show spoilers as I still like to be surprised but can someone please tell me when Zak gets his first one-on-one date? Thanks!

Did I read that Zak used to work on Wall Street or was a financial trader or something? He's crazy like a fox.

[atem]

Don't forget sitting there actually watching Des' date w/ Brad 44 floors up!

Yes, he's very smart.

We don't know when he gets a 1 on 1. Even the TV Guide description on the episode thread doesn't say if he has a date. It just mentions one 1 on 1 date (Drew's) going to an art gallery and the soccer group date (which a fight happens).

[Longhornfan]

I don't think that Zak comes across as desperate at all!!!  He just seems like he would be a thoughtful boyfriend or husband.  Keep in mind that he bought that journal for Des at an antique shop in Texas - before he ever came on the show.  To me it just appears that Zak is someone who enjoys doing little romantic and thoughtful things for his significant other.  And what is wrong with that ???

I also think that Zak marches to his own drum.  So, I don't see him being someone who is easily influenced by the producers.  I do think that they left that scene (of him watching Des and James while on their date in Atlantic City) in there for a reason, though, and it is called editing.  It goes along with the storyline that I see them building for Zak.  They are starting to show him in a different light.  He is the guy this season who has surprised not only Des, but even CH and the producers.  So, right now he is being given a good edit.

In my opinion, Zak is a breath of fresh air.  He doesn't seem to be a bullsh*t kind of guy.  And I much prefer seeing and hearing him over that whiny Michael G, who I have come to detest.

[atem]

What do you think is the storyling for Zak?

[Longhornfan]

Since I have been spoiled as to who is supposed to be in the F4, and therefore knowing that Zak goes far, then it probably has influenced what I think is the story that they are building for him.  I just wonder what the majority of the unspoiled audience is seeing though, anyone know?

I am guessing the majority of the unspoiled audience will be very surprised that Zak gets a hometown date.  I think that at the beginning of filming Zak was thought to be just a "matter of time" guy who would provide some comic relief.  But, like CH and Des have both stated, Zak has completely changed their initial opinion of him.

So, as for Zak's story that they are telling, I just think that he will be one of the guys that will get more screen time as they build toward the ending, but possibly as a narrator, rather than a real romantic contender.   It looks like he is getting a very favorable edit right now, but if he is the one who RS said that his FD (?) didn't go well, and he got eliminated at that point, then we will probably start to see some "personal interview" clips featuring Zak that will start to be foreshadow his elimination.

So, basically, I just think that Des and the producers never expected the shirtless Zak to last more than a few episodes, but he ended up with a larger role than first thought.  He was a pleasant surprise and has provided them with some diversion from the Michael G, Mikey and Ben "madeup drama".  And I think that they all like him, and he does provide some comic relief, but ultimately Des will let him go because she does not feel a romantic connection to him.  I do think that Zak is one of the good guys, and he will probably get a clean edit.

[Luvstruck]

What do you think is the storyling for Zak?

I think he is constantly surprising Desiree, the producers/viewers.  From the shirtless guy out-of the limo to being thoughtful by giving her an timeworn journal inscribed by a dad to his daughter, to making her laugh so hard on their one on one on the cowboy date, to actually writing and singing a song well on Mr America date.  He is one of the ones there for her and like she said this last episode he shows her he cares. I think some of the early dates have been curiosity and weeding out guys she was on the fence about, I do think she planeed to send Kasey home after his date but she felt sorry for the diaster it turned out to be.  Chris didn't get a date second episode and I think it was because he made a great impression on her so she already knew she was keeping him.  Chris gets his one on one next week then Drew then Zak (?) because she already knew they were all keepers!!!

In Jillan's season she knew Reid was a keeper, she even asked him on the date in Spain why he thought they went together so well. I think she purposely saved the last 1-1 for him, sking, ice castle, fire side cozy dinner.  Before their date she even said "Finally" it was time for Reid's date. In the fantasy suite before or after the bubble bath PI she talked about knowing when you are in love. She wanted him but didn't think he would commit and Ed was ready or so she mistakenly thought. She liked Kiptin he was a gentleman but too straight laced for her and I never saw a strong connection with them. Ohh, what could have been.....    

What intrigues me is it seems they ususally let the F3 go then because theirs is the hardest breakup since they have decided who is final one is and want to spare that person and themselves the stress of the finale.  The RS spoiler of Zak and Des fighting at the end is ...surprising!  They have shown him say he is ready for marriage and this last episode they showed him say he wouldn't be jealous if it was the right guy but Brad is not the right guy and maybe that is why he cares so much. I think Brooks may have been her final one but Zak was a close second they both have that sense of humour. (Sorry to those Chris fans he is a great guy but they do not have that spark!) It is hard to see her matching Sean now after seeing her season so far he seems lackluster to these guys she is drawn towards with great personalities. Didn't she say in an interview that she found out during the season that what she wanted (Sean.. maybe even Bryden)Sean?) and what she needed were different things (Brooks/Zak)? Then their is the word Fleiss uses to describe the ending "Weird" and didn't he also say "they should have seen it coming" could it be because of surprising Zak?

[MVMom39forever]

I watched first 4 episodes unspoiled and thought Zak was 100% producer pick. Come on ... who introduces himself to America by standing naked on porch sipping cup of coffee?!

I said while unspoiled Zak is being set up to be the "superstar" Fleiss needs for BachPad 2014.

Yes, I liked the journal. But each episode he has a gimmick and you know that producers had to give him some help in that ring purchasing scene while everyone else was stuck in hotel.

[BarbB222]

I don't agree Des liked Zak more than Chris. But I do agree by F4 the lead actually knows whom they really is.

[Longhornfan]

I watched first 4 episodes unspoiled and thought Zak was 100% producer pick. Come on ... who introduces himself to America by standing naked on porch sipping cup of coffee?!

I said while unspoiled Zak is being set up to be the "superstar" Fleiss needs for BachPad 2014.

Yes, I liked the journal. But each episode he has a gimmick and you know that producers had to give him some help in that ring purchasing scene while everyone else was stuck in hotel.

Okay, I will admit that Zak leaving the hotel to go ring shopping does seem like it was a producer setup, or at the very least, the producers liked the idea and went along with it.  Because it sounds like you are saying that Zak's "reward" for supposedly doing whatever the producers asked of him is that he would be given a CHANCE to appear on Bachelor Pad - that is IF ABC is even interested in and is able to bring back Bachelor Pad in 2014.  I guess that I am just not seeing that as his motivation for giving Des the journal and for trying to create a special moment with her, while even using a grapefruit to do so.

From what I have seen so far in pictures of Zak, older pictures of him doing some pretty interesting (and out of the ordinary) things, he doesn't seem like someone who needs any coaching to come up with these ideas.  He seems like such a free spirit, and therefore does not seem to be overly concerned with what other people think of him.  He is his own person.

I don't quite understand why Zak picked a ring like that for Des, but we will probably never see him give it to her anyway.  Otherwise, they would have left that scene in, but they didn't show it, so it does not move the story along and was not needed.

[MVMom39forever]

Longhorn -

Did you see Fleiss interview around June 10th or so when he said:

“I thought it might be good to give it a break for a little while — let the fans starve for it a little bit so that next summer when it comes back…” WAIT, WHAT?!? Bachelor Pad is coming back? “I have a good feeling it will be back next summer,” revealed Fleiss. “I really wanted to give it a break because I did not feel like we had enough superstars to populate the pad.” Link to EW article

I immediately thought that is what Fleiss is doing with Zak: giving him loads of opportunities to make a last impression. I can also see Fleiss bringing to 2014 BachPad Ben and his adversaries to let the fight continue fueled by all the BachPad booze.

I am sure Zak is a fine guy. I just don't believe that he (or anyone else at this point) is so into Des. I gave him a second chance after he gave her the journal on ep 2 but I just don't take him seriously anymore after ep 4. His actions have been ... IMHO too contrived...esp for a guy who has not even had a 1on1 date.

But, I am sure I will find him a hoot on BachPad.

[Longhornfan]

So, that would mean Fleiss is wanting to bring back the Bachelor Pad during the summer of 2014?  If the ratings for Des' Bachelorette season don't improve drastically, then I have my doubts that ABC is going to be interested in either of those shows by the summer of 2014. 

I, for one, would hope that Zak would not even consider doing that dreadful show.  The last BP was a complete train wreck.  Even Michael Stagliano's character ended up taking a beating.  And Michael was someone who was well liked prior to doing that last BP.  Nope, that is definitely not a good career choice for anyone, especially if you actually want a career outside of the reality entertainment business.

Zak seems to have a lot going for himself back home in Texas, like a good job, so I hope that he is smart enough to say "no thank you" to the Bachelor Pad, if it is indeed offered to him.

[BarbB222]

I saw an article of what the suggested income was for the guys. Zak was one of the highest. 84k Yearly

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