Re: Ashley and J.P - General Media Discussion - Thread #1

[tigertiz]

One of the interesting things I learned from one of the interviews was that they did use a safe house in New York. That must have saved a lot of travel time for both of them.

[chaslom4]

Here's a report on the new tabloids:

PEOPLE have the Ashley/JP cover story.
US has a 2 page spread on Ashley/JP, no mention on the cover.
OK has a little feature (like close to half a page but a little less) that's not their main cover story but is one of their cover stories called "Ashley: In Love Or In Hell?"
IN TOUCH looks to continue its 0-fer streak with a "JP's Family Says Don't Marry Ashley" story that is one of their cover stories but not their main one.
STAR has a story called "Ashley: Engaged & Miserable!" that's one of their cover stories but not their main one.
LIFE & STYLE has a 2 page story on Ashley & JP that's much much more positive than the "Ashley & JP: Jealous Fights Already!" headline on their cover would make you believe. Not their main cover story.

People's story covers what the teaser on the cover says so it's actually surprisingly focused on negative stuff. There are a bunch of cute pictures including one on the Table Of Contents page and a bunch in the story. My favorite one is in the story where Ashley's grabbed JP's tie to pull him close and they're smushing noses together and smiling big. The story starts out with Ashley talking about finding love then goes on to say it hasn't been all peaches because while the show has aired, JP's had to endure watching Ashley getting close to other guys including Bent and Ben. In the context of talking about Ash falling initially for Bent and talking about him there's a quote from JP saying that he reminded himself he had signed up for this and it's the nature of the show but it still stung. JP says they'd talk through stuff, call it "show misunderstandings" and move on. But it was hard not being able to be together and be public. The article mentions tabloid reports of JP not being over his ex with JP saying he got his heart broken in 2008 but he wishes the girl well and has nothing bad to say about her. Later in the article there's talk about how humiliated Ashley was and all the judgment she endured because Bent was talking out of both sides of his mouth. JP says you can tell a person not to read what's being said about them but it's almost impossible to resist. He said he kept telling Ashley, "They don't know you." There's an inset on Chrystie that ends with her saying "How could you not love JP?" There's an inset on Ben F talking about how shocked, down, and angry he was that Ashley rejected him. The article mentions Ashley's "steamy makeout session" with Ben F the night before FRC. Ashley says she understands there will be backlash for how she handled the FRC situation and the article says she can't really explain the whole thing. [My note: how can she? It's not like she can say the producers made me do it.] She said she tried to talk first but Ben F insisted on going first. Ashley and JP say going through what they've been through and surviving, they're stronger together now than they would've if they'd just met the normal way. Ashley isn't going to convert to Judaism but that's not an issue between them. They confirm Ashley will finish dental school at UPenn then JP and Ashley will move in together in New York. They say they believe the toughest time is behind them and now that they survived it there will be good things ahead.

Us actually has the most positive story out of anybody. It uses pictures from the FRC and the article talks about how Ashley and JP were all over each other even when the cameras were off at ATFR. The article quotes an anonymous insider saying they're really in love but not rushing into a wedding. the insider says JP wants to accomplish more professionally before they wed and Ashley still has to finish dental school. The article confirms they'll be moving in together as we know and also says JP and Ashley will be taking a month off to just be together. The article speculates that will include the trip to Fiji they won. They quote the insider saying it doesn't matter where they are, they'll very much in love. On a sad note I think it's the Us article that says Ben F was devastated and crying over the rejection. Us says the next Bachelor hasn't been decided yet but it's between Ames, Ben F, and Ryan. The article says Ames won't do it because of his relationship w Jackie though I thought RS said that was over. Who knows if that's true.

OK's little featurette basically has a positive side with gushy Ashley quotes from JP (that we already know) and a negative side talking about her insecurities that JP still talks about his ex Stephanie Kerman and because guys on the season like Ben F were distant and Constantine and Mickey left.

In Touch has a little story across the bottom of a page saying JP's family wants him to marry a nice Jewish girl and his ex Stephanie Kerman fit the bill. So they're against this marriage. I guess In Touch didn't read Ashley's blog after HTDs

Star has this week's nastiest B/ette story. Basically says JP hasn't been able to handle Ashley's hookups with other guys on the show. It claims Ashley slept with Ben F the night before the FRC in the fantasy suite (pretty sure the story's already fallen apart right there) and Ben F's been telling people about their "raunchy romp" and his jabs at JP about it are exactly what JP can't handle. There's a quote from an anonymous "friend of Ashley's" saying Ben F's immature and is only saying that stuff because of his bruised ego because he was really upset and mad over Ashley's rejection. They interview and quote Jesse C saying most leads hook up with both of their F2 and he's heard it happened in this case too. I don't know what Jesse C's definition of "hook up" is but Star's obviously spinning it as sexual intimacy.

Life & Style's story is 95% positive. The whole first part is about how happy Ashley and JP are but then there's a part where it says there was a time a few weeks ago that JP couldn't handle what he was seeing and either wanted to end it or did end it but that didn't last long. I think there's also something about how when Ashley is out somewhere and JP can't reach her it's hard on him because he wants to know where she is (obviously more of the jealousy angle). The article says JP was overheard on July 14th at a party at Casa La Femme saying he was in the market for a townhouse, not just a floor but a whole townhouse. The article talks about Ashley and JP moving in together and how now they've made it through the tough times and are very happy to move on with their lives together. Lots of gushy happy stuff that we already knew and there's a page in the middle about whether they can break the curse, mentioning again that they were allowed to spend more time together than other couples because the producers want to help them make it work. I think the L&S article claims they had time together in New York and also in Philly but I don't know if the Philly part of that is true. The article says Ashley is always on JP's mind and he's gotten her lots of nice gifts like earrings and stuff like that.

I'm interested to see if the tabloid coverage next week (other than In Touch anyway LOL) is more positive after JP & Ashley's media tour this week.

Well all this negative press is kind of taking the wind out of my sails today. :Frown: Guess I was hoping for a lot more positive stuff on them. Did Ali and Roberto get this much negative press afterwards?

[gurlbrit]

Here's a report on the new tabloids:

PEOPLE have the Ashley/JP cover story.
US has a 2 page spread on Ashley/JP, no mention on the cover.
OK has a little feature (like close to half a page but a little less) that's not their main cover story but is one of their cover stories called "Ashley: In Love Or In Hell?"
IN TOUCH looks to continue its 0-fer streak with a "JP's Family Says Don't Marry Ashley" story that is one of their cover stories but not their main one.
STAR has a story called "Ashley: Engaged & Miserable!" that's one of their cover stories but not their main one.
LIFE & STYLE has a 2 page story on Ashley & JP that's much much more positive than the "Ashley & JP: Jealous Fights Already!" headline on their cover would make you believe. Not their main cover story.

People's story covers what the teaser on the cover says so it's actually surprisingly focused on negative stuff. There are a bunch of cute pictures including one on the Table Of Contents page and a bunch in the story. My favorite one is in the story where Ashley's grabbed JP's tie to pull him close and they're smushing noses together and smiling big. The story starts out with Ashley talking about finding love then goes on to say it hasn't been all peaches because while the show has aired, JP's had to endure watching Ashley getting close to other guys including Bent and Ben. In the context of talking about Ash falling initially for Bent and talking about him there's a quote from JP saying that he reminded himself he had signed up for this and it's the nature of the show but it still stung. JP says they'd talk through stuff, call it "show misunderstandings" and move on. But it was hard not being able to be together and be public. The article mentions tabloid reports of JP not being over his ex with JP saying he got his heart broken in 2008 but he wishes the girl well and has nothing bad to say about her. Later in the article there's talk about how humiliated Ashley was and all the judgment she endured because Bent was talking out of both sides of his mouth. JP says you can tell a person not to read what's being said about them but it's almost impossible to resist. He said he kept telling Ashley, "They don't know you." There's an inset on Chrystie that ends with her saying "How could you not love JP?" There's an inset on Ben F talking about how shocked, down, and angry he was that Ashley rejected him. The article mentions Ashley's "steamy makeout session" with Ben F the night before FRC. Ashley says she understands there will be backlash for how she handled the FRC situation and the article says she can't really explain the whole thing. [My note: how can she? It's not like she can say the producers made me do it.] She said she tried to talk first but Ben F insisted on going first. Ashley and JP say going through what they've been through and surviving, they're stronger together now than they would've if they'd just met the normal way. Ashley isn't going to convert to Judaism but that's not an issue between them. They confirm Ashley will finish dental school at UPenn then JP and Ashley will move in together in New York. They say they believe the toughest time is behind them and now that they survived it there will be good things ahead.

Us actually has the most positive story out of anybody. It uses pictures from the FRC and the article talks about how Ashley and JP were all over each other even when the cameras were off at ATFR. The article quotes an anonymous insider saying they're really in love but not rushing into a wedding. the insider says JP wants to accomplish more professionally before they wed and Ashley still has to finish dental school. The article confirms they'll be moving in together as we know and also says JP and Ashley will be taking a month off to just be together. The article speculates that will include the trip to Fiji they won. They quote the insider saying it doesn't matter where they are, they'll very much in love. On a sad note I think it's the Us article that says Ben F was devastated and crying over the rejection. Us says the next Bachelor hasn't been decided yet but it's between Ames, Ben F, and Ryan. The article says Ames won't do it because of his relationship w Jackie though I thought RS said that was over. Who knows if that's true.

OK's little featurette basically has a positive side with gushy Ashley quotes from JP (that we already know) and a negative side talking about her insecurities that JP still talks about his ex Stephanie Kerman and because guys on the season like Ben F were distant and Constantine and Mickey left.

In Touch has a little story across the bottom of a page saying JP's family wants him to marry a nice Jewish girl and his ex Stephanie Kerman fit the bill. So they're against this marriage. I guess In Touch didn't read Ashley's blog after HTDs

Star has this week's nastiest B/ette story. Basically says JP hasn't been able to handle Ashley's hookups with other guys on the show. It claims Ashley slept with Ben F the night before the FRC in the fantasy suite (pretty sure the story's already fallen apart right there) and Ben F's been telling people about their "raunchy romp" and his jabs at JP about it are exactly what JP can't handle. There's a quote from an anonymous "friend of Ashley's" saying Ben F's immature and is only saying that stuff because of his bruised ego because he was really upset and mad over Ashley's rejection. They interview and quote Jesse C saying most leads hook up with both of their F2 and he's heard it happened in this case too. I don't know what Jesse C's definition of "hook up" is but Star's obviously spinning it as sexual intimacy.

Life & Style's story is 95% positive. The whole first part is about how happy Ashley and JP are but then there's a part where it says there was a time a few weeks ago that JP couldn't handle what he was seeing and either wanted to end it or did end it but that didn't last long. I think there's also something about how when Ashley is out somewhere and JP can't reach her it's hard on him because he wants to know where she is (obviously more of the jealousy angle). The article says JP was overheard on July 14th at a party at Casa La Femme saying he was in the market for a townhouse, not just a floor but a whole townhouse. The article talks about Ashley and JP moving in together and how now they've made it through the tough times and are very happy to move on with their lives together. Lots of gushy happy stuff that we already knew and there's a page in the middle about whether they can break the curse, mentioning again that they were allowed to spend more time together than other couples because the producers want to help them make it work. I think the L&S article claims they had time together in New York and also in Philly but I don't know if the Philly part of that is true. The article says Ashley is always on JP's mind and he's gotten her lots of nice gifts like earrings and stuff like that.

I'm interested to see if the tabloid coverage next week (other than In Touch anyway LOL) is more positive after JP & Ashley's media tour this week.

Well all this negative press is kind of taking the wind out of my sails today. :Frown: Guess I was hoping for a lot more positive stuff on them. Did Ali and Roberto get this much negative press afterwards?

Unfortunately positive stuff doesn't sell; it's been proven time and again that negative always wins out, makes me sick to my stomach but ppl seem to prefer negativity over positivity.

Cfck, thanks for the summary, JP and Ashley both spoke about the Tabloids and what they would have to look forward to, seems to me that at least they know what's true and what's not.

Not sure about Ali and Roberto and their press at the time. Hopefully, the negativity will die down and if and when they are in print media again it will be mostly positive (which is what Ali's media coverage is lately).

[cfck2222]

Well all this negative press is kind of taking the wind out of my sails today. :Frown: Guess I was hoping for a lot more positive stuff on them. Did Ali and Roberto get this much negative press afterwards?

Aliberto didn't get this much negative press but I remember there was usually at least 1 tabloid a week that was looking to rain on their parade. But also bear in mind Ali's season got better ratings and Ali got a better edit especially in the final episode. On the bright side this is nowhere near as bad as what J/Ed had to endure of course the difference being there was something concrete for Us and the tabloids to go on there. It's also not as bad as Bremily but again, the difference is there was something concrete for the tabloids to go on there too.

I'd give it time. This week's tabloids were shaped by the final episode and the whole drama arc of the whole season. Next week's might be shaped more by this week's interviews. Ashley & JP can do little things to change the tabloid spin with little photo ops here and there over the next weeks and months. I think they're over the PR game but they may play it a little. I think Ashley will probably seek and get some good advice from Jason and it sounds like Ali's been very supportive too.

There were 2 concrete and specific things that I thought were interesting even if they come from tabloids. One was Us's claim Ashley and JP will take a month off to just be together. If that's true then that's a sign of them of them being extra willing to do the work to make their relationship work, even beyond moving in together. The other is Life & Style's overheard JP comment about being in the market for a townhouse which we know would be for him & Ashley. Since they pinned that to a specific date and location, I think that one's probably true though you never know.

[Alanna]

I think it was an equal amount of negative stuff. Roberto was flirting with women while Ali was in the bathroom and she wasn't the type of girl he would marry because she wasn't Latino and traditional. Nice.

Thanks for the recap, cfck! What would we have done without you all season!

[mare2]

This is what I have a hard time dealing with: Ashley and JP revealed on R&K that she said I love you first. Fine, she bent the rules because she was head over heels and probably wanted JP to feel a little safer. I'm fine with that.

But could she not have extended the same courtesy to Ben and bent the rules a little? She didn't have to let him go prior a La Ali and Chris L, but she should have tried MUCH harder to make sure he didn't get down on one knee.

I love JP and Ashley together, don't get me wrong, and I do think they had a stronger connection, but the fact that she completely blindsided Ben bothers me, and for that, I can't put them in the same category as Ali and Roberto. If I had had the kind of hometown date she had with him, and the date night before the proposal, I would have been so sure too!

[skitts]

This is what I have a hard time dealing with: Ashley and JP revealed on R&K that she said I love you first. Fine, she bent the rules because she was head over heels and probably wanted JP to feel a little safer. I'm fine with that.

But could she not have extended the same courtesy to Ben and bent the rules a little? She didn't have to let him go prior a La Ali and Chris L, but she should have tried MUCH harder to make sure he didn't get down on one knee.

I love JP and Ashley together, don't get me wrong, and I do think they had a stronger connection, but the fact that she completely blindsided Ben bothers me, and for that, I can't put them in the same category as Ali and Roberto. If I had had the kind of hometown date she had with him, and the date night before the proposal, I would have been so sure too!

Casualties of the show...very sorry to say and manipulations of the producers. Brad 'bent' the rules and they even showed it with Emily ("I am falling in love with you" on the fantasy date). Brad had an excellent HTD and LCD with Chantal and she left with her head held high...all casualites of the show! No help for it!

[Rosepetal]

This is what I have a hard time dealing with: Ashley and JP revealed on R&K that she said I love you first. Fine, she bent the rules because she was head over heels and probably wanted JP to feel a little safer. I'm fine with that.

But could she not have extended the same courtesy to Ben and bent the rules a little? She didn't have to let him go prior a La Ali and Chris L, but she should have tried MUCH harder to make sure he didn't get down on one knee.

I love JP and Ashley together, don't get me wrong, and I do think they had a stronger connection, but the fact that she completely blindsided Ben bothers me, and for that, I can't put them in the same category as Ali and Roberto. If I had had the kind of hometown date she had with him, and the date night before the proposal, I would have been so sure too!

Casualties of the show...very sorry to say and manipulations of the producers. Brad 'bent' the rules and they even showed it with Emily ("I am falling in love with you" on the fantasy date). Brad had an excellent HTD and FD with Chantal and she left with her head held high...all casualites of the show! No help for it!

On the Bachelor Beatdown Ashley S. said that Ashley wanted to let Ben go earlier "ala Ali" but she was told no.

[luvstx]

This is what I have a hard time dealing with: Ashley and JP revealed on R&K that she said I love you first. Fine, she bent the rules because she was head over heels and probably wanted JP to feel a little safer. I'm fine with that.

But could she not have extended the same courtesy to Ben and bent the rules a little? She didn't have to let him go prior a La Ali and Chris L, but she should have tried MUCH harder to make sure he didn't get down on one knee.

I love JP and Ashley together, don't get me wrong, and I do think they had a stronger connection, but the fact that she completely blindsided Ben bothers me, and for that, I can't put them in the same category as Ali and Roberto. If I had had the kind of hometown date she had with him, and the date night before the proposal, I would have been so sure too!

Casualties of the show...very sorry to say and manipulations of the producers. Brad 'bent' the rules and they even showed it with Emily ("I am falling in love with you" on the fantasy date). Brad had an excellent HTD and LCD with Chantal and she left with her head held high...all casualites of the show! No help for it!

And what if the producers led Ashley to believe that Ben would want to be the next bachelor and letting him propose would ensure that he got the gig? Maybe she was just trying to be 'nice' by ensuring that he got the gig.

[skitts]

This is what I have a hard time dealing with: Ashley and JP revealed on R&K that she said I love you first. Fine, she bent the rules because she was head over heels and probably wanted JP to feel a little safer. I'm fine with that.

But could she not have extended the same courtesy to Ben and bent the rules a little? She didn't have to let him go prior a La Ali and Chris L, but she should have tried MUCH harder to make sure he didn't get down on one knee.

I love JP and Ashley together, don't get me wrong, and I do think they had a stronger connection, but the fact that she completely blindsided Ben bothers me, and for that, I can't put them in the same category as Ali and Roberto. If I had had the kind of hometown date she had with him, and the date night before the proposal, I would have been so sure too!

Casualties of the show...very sorry to say and manipulations of the producers. Brad 'bent' the rules and they even showed it with Emily ("I am falling in love with you" on the fantasy date). Brad had an excellent HTD and FD with Chantal and she left with her head held high...all casualites of the show! No help for it!

On the Bachelor Beatdown Ashley S. said that Ashley wanted to let Ben go earlier "ala Ali" but she was told no.

I have noted in a previous post, IMHO, Ali was 'devastated' by Frank leaving at F3. I think she found out he wanted to leave much earlier and TPTB wouldn't let him. Being MF has said Ali is his favorite, and clearly he adores her, he allowed her to let CL go earlier. We won't see that again or, at least, not very soon. MF gave ALi a 'special' pass!

[Cecilia]

This is what I have a hard time dealing with: Ashley and JP revealed on R&K that she said I love you first. Fine, she bent the rules because she was head over heels and probably wanted JP to feel a little safer. I'm fine with that.

But could she not have extended the same courtesy to Ben and bent the rules a little? She didn't have to let him go prior a La Ali and Chris L, but she should have tried MUCH harder to make sure he didn't get down on one knee.

I love JP and Ashley together, don't get me wrong, and I do think they had a stronger connection, but the fact that she completely blindsided Ben bothers me, and for that, I can't put them in the same category as Ali and Roberto. If I had had the kind of hometown date she had with him, and the date night before the proposal, I would have been so sure too!

Casualties of the show...very sorry to say and manipulations of the producers. Brad 'bent' the rules and they even showed it with Emily ("I am falling in love with you" on the fantasy date). Brad had an excellent HTD and FD with Chantal and she left with her head held high...all casualites of the show! No help for it!

This is why Ashley's explanation is not satisfying. She can't say "producers made me do it" or "producers told me he wants to be the next bachelor." I wish Ben had looked at her face. I think she was kind of paralyzed.
On the Bachelor Beatdown Ashley S. said that Ashley wanted to let Ben go earlier "ala Ali" but she was told no.

[ironcat]

This is what I have a hard time dealing with: Ashley and JP revealed on R&K that she said I love you first. Fine, she bent the rules because she was head over heels and probably wanted JP to feel a little safer. I'm fine with that.

But could she not have extended the same courtesy to Ben and bent the rules a little? She didn't have to let him go prior a La Ali and Chris L, but she should have tried MUCH harder to make sure he didn't get down on one knee.

I love JP and Ashley together, don't get me wrong, and I do think they had a stronger connection, but the fact that she completely blindsided Ben bothers me, and for that, I can't put them in the same category as Ali and Roberto. If I had had the kind of hometown date she had with him, and the date night before the proposal, I would have been so sure too!

I'm really trying to analyze when she could have tipped Ben off. She could not have done it prior to their LCD, such as in private on their FD, and then expect him to convincingly "play along" through MTP and LCD. What if he refused once he knew he had no chance? So if she found a moment during LCD to whisper it to him without producers knowing (since they're not alone then), it could have worked, but again, he also might have reacted in noticeable shock (since he already thought he was in love with her), or misunderstood, or he might have spilled the beans to producers when then expected to still go pick out a ring and especially, when they discussed with him the probablility that he would propose at FRC.

I know it's easy for us to sit at home and think how easy it would be to clue someone in, but the reality of the situation they are in, and the consequences of it not playing out the way they expect it to, and then not knowing exactly what the wrath of the producers might amount to if found out during shooting, makes it all much more complicated than it appears at first glance IMO.

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