Bachelorette 9 - General Media - Discussion

The Bachelorette's Chris Harrison: James Is Going to Blind-Side Everyone

The Bachelorette is usually lighthearted and full of fun, but this week's episode, which incorporated the tragedy caused by Hurricane Sandy, had a more serious tone.

As part of the episode's one-on-one date, Desiree and James headed to the New Jersey shore where they met a couple whose home was destroyed and who had to celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary in a Red Cross shelter. Des and James then gave the couple their date and instead spent their night grabbing pizza and eventually joining the couple for a private concert by Darius Rucker.

Despite the amazing date, the previews hint that James might be in trouble! In our weekly chat, host Chris Harrison previews next week's episode, which leaves the guys questioning James' intentions. Plus: Who does Harrison think should've really won Mr. America?

You co-hosted a mini Bachelor reunion on Katie today! How was that?
Chris Harrison: I had never met Katie [Couric] so it was great to not only meet her, but work with her. It felt like an episode of The Is Your Life because she asked about Alex Michel and Trista was there, but it was really cool. I get along great with all these people. Not all of them are my best friends, but even Vienna gave me a hug and she seems to be happy and healthy and the same thing with Courtney. I met [Jason and Molly's] baby Riley. Backstage, I saw Jason changing a diaper and it cracked me up. And Sean and Catherine seem like they're doing really great and are really happy.

Brad had the episode's first one-on-one date and it was a bit awkward. Should Des have given him another chance?
Harrison: I don't think so. First of all, he has a son and this happens every season where the Bachelor or Bachelorette feels like as soon as they have a doubt [about someone with a child] they need to let them go. I get that. And there was just nothing there. Des is so big on chemistry and there was just none.

Who surprised you the most during the Mr. America group date competition?
Harrison: Zak, in my opinion, should have won. Everyone was having a good time and when Zak started singing it was like, "Oh you can actually sing." Nobody else had a talent. Chris probably stole the show walking out in high heels, but, on a creativity level, the story Kasey wove into the tap dance was really funny. But the poor mayor who was a judge. The guys would come out [in boxers] and bend over and they were in his face the entire time.

You were right when you said Zak would be the surprise of the season.
Harrison: Well all he could do from that opening was redeem himself. It's almost the way to go: bombing on Night 1 as long as you don't get booted off. I told people he'd be the biggest surprise of the season because when you first seem him you're like, "What a cheese ball!" But then you find out he is a great guy, and then he got this week's group date rose. What an amazing recovery.

The next one-on-one date was more intense. Why was it important that you incorporate Hurricane Sandy?
Harrison: It was something we definitely wanted to do in this episode. Part of the reason we went there in the first place was to do something meaningful and to shed light on Hurricane Sandy and the fact that it's not over. The couple we used was spectacular, and the fact that we ended up giving them the date and refurbishing their lost photos was really special.

Do you think James got the rose because of the intensity of the date?
Harrison: The date obviously had a lot to do with him getting the rose, but it very much had to do with how he reacted on the date. It could've been a disaster. The fact that he made it so easy and genuine was very appealing to Des.

Once again, the guys were ripping on Ben. What do you think about the situation?
Harrison: I think Ben brings it on himself and he doesn't do anything to make it easier. On the other hand, there is this mob mentality. Once you get going on that road it's impossible to fix. I don't know if he's using his son. That's a little extreme, [but] maybe he just doesn't like talking about him to the guys. When you see him around Des, you want to believe that's who he is. I think there are some genuine qualities when he's with her.

Bryden expressed concern about his feelings for Des. Why do you think she sent home Zack instead?
Harrison: I think it came down to the numbers. She had a rose to give out, she knows they have some chemistry, and he's a good guy. So, why not give it another week? She knew there was nothing with Zack. But now that he said that, women don't forget that.

Next week's preview show the guys saying James has ulterior motives. What can you tease?
Harrison: It really is shocking considering the guy you just saw on the Hurricane date. He really blind-sided everybody. Ben has been Ben from Day 1, but James really surprised people. And whereas Brian went down with the ship because he knew he was sunk, James does not go quietly into the night.

What did you think of this week's episode?

Herewith, my scores, on a scale of 1 (human birth control) to 10
Drew: 8.5 (I deducted half a point because some of those muscle ridges on his stomach look unnatural.)
Mikey: 2.0 (The male-boob bounce is never sexy.)
Zak W.: 6.5 (Seen it; the thrill is gone.)
Brooks: -- (My brain tried to register him as a sexual being, but all I got was a 404 Not Found error.)
Ben: 5.0 (Eh.)
Zack K.: 6.0 (Can't really get past the no-neck thing.)

charriotoffire wrote:Is Jesse Csincsak gonna be sued for this? Take this however you guys want. Sorry if this was already posted.


EXCLUSIVE Jesse Csincsak reveals Bachelorette secrets: The Final 4 chosen on the 1st night and more!




Tonight, fans watched as The Bachelorette Desiree Hartsock navigated through her final thirteen men on the show — and she did so in Atlantic City. While the entire experience of being The Bachelorette and speed dating tons of hotties seems like a very romantic and fun process, there’s a lot that fans don’t get to see on camera.
As we watched Monday’s latest episode, we came up with a few questions about why certain things happen on the show. Here to answer them is someone who knows all the juicy behind-the-scenes details – The Bachelorette Season 4 winner, Jesse Csincsak!

Starcasm: The guys that are left are all so different. People usually have a type, but it never seems that the final guys are all that similar. Is this the Bachelorette’s way of giving herself a lot to pick from, or is this what producers push for in order to keep the drama going in the house?

Jesse: The Bachelorette actually picks her final four all on night one! I mean come on, if you were in a room with 25 guys for 10 hrs you could totally pick four guys to travel with for the next two months to get to know better. So, out of the final 13, nine of them will actually be sent home by producers, and the actual real eliminations start at final four.

Starcasm: On tonight’s episode, Desiree and the guys left Los Angeles and embarked on an “Around The World” journey starting in Atlantic City. What is the point of traveling to so many different locations? Is it to channel the many different personalities of the men? And doesn’t this just make it harder to adjust to “regular life?”

Jesse Csincsak: The reason why almost none of the couples ever last after being on this show is because of the producers! They travel the world so the producers can produce an interesting season. However, if Dez is smart, she will find her man and stay as far away from the limelight as possible — to get back to real life, to really get to know her choice!!

Starcasm: In general, do producers try and cater to what they think will keep certain guys around, or do they let the guys’ real personalities shine through?
Jesse Csincsak: It’s all about ratings! If the show doesn’t get good ratings it gets the boot, so if a guy being himself gets ratings then they leave it be, but if not, they step in.

Starcasm: One guy even said, “Traveling takes romance from one level to the next.” Is this what the producers are going for?

Jesse Csincsak: Absolutely. They want these guys throwing themselves at her, fighting with one another over her, and they will do whatever they need to to make that happen as it generates ratings.

Starcasm: Is it harder or easier on the guys to be on vacation together? Or in the house?

Jesse Csincsak: Vacation is way easier as they are away from each other more!

Starcasm: As far as the dates go, is there a reason why Dez would want to do the one-on-one first, or is this a producer decision? Are one-on-ones typically because the Bachelor/Bachelorette really likes someone or is leaning towards letting them go but wants to give it one last shot?

Jesse Csincsak: Everything until the final four guys is all producers.

Starcasm: Throughout the season, a guy named Brad has sort of become known as the dullest of the bunch. So, when they arrived to Atlantic City, he and Dez headed out to an amusement park. Was this an attempt at making Brad more fun for Dez? After all, anyone can be fun at an amusement park.

Jesse Csincsak: Again the producers just need ratings, so amusement park? Sure, everyone likes an amusement park.

Starcasm: Dez’s first one-on-one ended in her sending boring Brad home — at the top of a lighthouse. Why the elaborate break-up? Couldn’t she have done it during dinner?

Jesse Csincsak: All production = every good reality show needs a few key things = problem, drama, solution.

Starcasm: The guys could see the date happening on the boardwalk from their hotel room — what do you think about that? Totally planned?
Jesse Csincsak: Totally planned by producers as that’s the drama part.

Starcasm: Dez brings 11 guys to compete in a “Mr. America Pageant” in front of a live audience. They are judged on interview questions, talent, and, of course, their looks. Oh and they had to wear speedos. Why? Is this partly just to put a show on for the viewers and partly to cause tension with the men?

Jesse Csincsak: Again all production for producers to get good footage.


Starcasm: They take a helicopter ride to see Hurricane Sandy devastation and then meet a couple affected by the storm. It was emotional. There were tears.

Dez and James ended up giving their romantic date in AC to the couple, deciding that they would appreciate it more. Is this meant to be an educational message or is it meant to channel the emotions of Dez and James?

Jesse Csincsak: Mike Fleiss, the executive producer, is all about $$$$, so if he did Hurricane Sandy footage, it was probably because he was paid money to do it.”

Starcasm: Are the order in which the names are called thought out in advance, or does the Bachelorette just get up there and start naming them off? How long does a typical rose ceremony last?

Jesse Csincsak: The names are done 3 at a time. She calls 3 names, leaves the room, gets 3 more names, then comes back to the rose room and stands back on a piece of tape right where she was to continue with the next 3 names.”

And there you have it! Thanks so much to Jesse for taking the time to talk with us!




[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

atem wrote:Dang, WetPaint already is showing the two proposal rings!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

atem wrote:Dang, WetPaint already is showing the two proposal rings!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Peppermom wrote:

atem wrote:Dang, WetPaint already is showing the two proposal rings!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

As soon as I clicked that link, I got virus warnings!!

I had a bit of a steamy session with Brooks in the spa. Whew!

Peppermom wrote:

atem wrote:Dang, WetPaint already is showing the two proposal rings!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

As soon as I clicked that link, I got virus warnings!!