Ben Higgins - Lauren Bushnell - Bachelor 20 - Discussion

sosleepy wrote:Well, I don't think one flippant comment from them - that in a loving moment they said they wanted to start wedding planning- should be taken as Gospel as that is exactly what they are doing. They were just being playful, loving and fun with each other and the interviewer.

I've watched pretty much all the seasons. I know the drill about how they all say the same things. I almost never believe the couples. With Ben and Lauren, I freely admit I drank the Kool-Aid. I believe them. I believe that they *want* to work anyway, whether they actually do is life, and we'll see. I don't see anything about either that makes me think they are immature or acting childless. If anything, I think they are actualy INCREDIBLY mature, rational, and level headed for a couple of 27-26 year-olds. Not taking Twitter endorcement deals, going back to real work, living in the house Ben owns, getting families very involved, going to church together, praying together.

But whatever... I'll just sit over here and sip on my Kool-Aid and watch the feet.

Sosleepy, do you mind if I sit with you? :cutesmile!:

Just out of curiosity what are the reasons you (all of us) watch The Bachelor. Do you believe that love can be found on this show? What are your perception of love? Do you think leads/contestants genuinely are looking for love?

I vaguely remember Season 1 and then started back with Firestone season and loved it but not his pick however I wished them well. Throughout the years I watched off and on depending on who I liked and in a sense was attracted to both male and female. I like romance and love love.
I watch to see a connection, not what I want but an honest genuine connection. If I don't see it I won't watch but in the scheme of things I always wish these people well.

umngirl wrote:I haven't really seen the real world steps quite yet from them that indicate they are ready for marriage. It's only been a month so it's not absolutely 100% necessary at this point because they are still in the bubble/honeymoon stage. In the fall if they are all settled in Denver, starting to talk about a wedding, maybe taking some premarital counseling through their church, etc. then it will feel more real. Until then, it's too early to tell IMO.

I agree and key words..."real world steps." Of course most here wish them well, but some are just being realistic and come to the boards to voice opinions, positive or negative. That is what is so great about the board, there are threads here for everyone.

Again, agree with the above post. Too early to tell if these two will make it, but wishing them the best. ;)

The last reason I watch this show is for romance or love.
With that being said, should a couple find love from this situation, IMO, it's an extremely personal thing. There is no right or wrong timeline. Real world? What is that exactly? What my real world might be may be a form of psychosis for someone else.
It's great to discuss this, but only the couple themselves can answer that for them. And really that's all that counts in their world.

Ha! The more the merrier, nannymargie!

Why do I watch this show year after year? I don't know- I started watching in the waaaay beginning (Aaron was my first season) when I was in college with all my roommates and college girl friends. It was stupid and fun, easy to snark at. And then as the show evolved, I kept watching... I actually love that they recycle leads. I like that The Bachelor melds and turns into The Bachelorette, which kind of evolves into Bachelor in Paradise/Bachelor Pad and repeat. It's like a real life soap opera that just keeps going and going. It's fun to snark at and over analyze.

I've seen most every season except for a few in the PLo/Travis/Andy Baldwin era. I got bored of the show for a while, plus I was busy in grad school. They sucked me back in with their current format around the time of DeAnna/Jason/Jillian, and I've seen every edition ever since. Honestly, I find most seasons painfully awful. But I have to keep watching, the show is my crack. A lot of seasons I only half watch. I expect most of the couples to break up. I have believed a few would work - a few that I have believed from the get-go are now married, even though I never really fan girled them. Regardless, I do think it's pretty cool to see the start of something really special, like we have on a handful of occasions. Some couples may resonate with me more than others, but I honestly respect all 5 that have actually made it from this show - kudos to all of them. It was a pleasure to watch them beat the odds.

But I think the real reason I watch,  every once in a blue moon, this show produces a season - a lead and a couple that I just love. For me, it's lightening in a bottle. You have to wade through 5/6/7 seasons of crap, to get to something awesome. It's really only happened like 3/4 times for me out of 31 installments, so it's rare. Once was Trista and Ryan- they are married, so I feel justified falling for their story. The two other times I was wrong and the couple I loved did not work. I usually am more of a Bachelorette fan, I've never gotten into The Bachelor like I did with Ben. Ben, for me, was just the most genuine, honest, open and sincere Bachelor - I loved his "journey." I honestly agree with CH, he belongs on Rushmore. I found Lauren and Ben to be that lightening in a bottle couple that I can root for again. Will they break up like the previous 2 couples I shipped? Maybe, but I hope not. I'm hopeful they are another Trista and Ryan for me. Time will tell!

I started watching the shw for the entertainment when I was 12 years old. As the years have gone on, I continue watching for the snarking. Only 3 couples have ever really grabbed my attention enough to be a fan, 2 of those couples are now married. I never wish the final couple ill-will, I just frankly don't really care or see anything worth being a "Fangirl" for.

I watch to snark, see hot guys and be entertained.

I have liked some stories more than others, I loved Andrew F, Charlie, and found Byron and Mary compelling. Sean was entertaining. I loved Meredith and Jilly and was surprised how much I loved Ashley. Des has become a favorite and is still the best proposal ever IMO. I actually enjoyed JPG. I don't believe any of these people should get engaged on the show. JMO. I also have preferred the season's with older leads or like JP where he was a real grown up. Again JMO.

I have grown sick of the way the couples and contestants cling to the spot light. I was entertained but can't maintain respect for those who then make it their lives and professions. Again JMO.

Interesting discussion. I don't really get it, but I guess I don't have to. Why is it a better for them to move in together before they can talk about planning a wedding?

They said they are moving in together, so we're watching the feet to make sure they do that asap...and that will be a good real world sign.
They also said they're getting married soon and not having a long engagement, but when they mention starting to talk about planning a wedding, they are moving too fast.

I'm not judging anyone who is skeptical. I think they have a chance, but I'm always doubtful of these couples until they walk down the aisle (and sometimes even after that). So I get skepticism. I guess I just don't get why moving in together within a month is a better indicator that they are following through and real and mature, but starting to talk about wedding planning is too much. They said they were going to do both and that's what they are doing. And living together is hard....if they aren't serious enough to start talking wedding planning then they probably shouldn't be moving in together. JMOAA.

PS - if it were me, I would stay parked where I currently live and would be together for a year in real world before even considering that kind of a big move. And I also wouldn't get engaged at the end of this silly show. But it's not me, it's them. They (and every single other person from this franchise) make a lot of decisions that I wouldn't make.

I watched every season of bachelor and bachelorett since day 1 . Some couples that I loved and thought would last didn't (arron, firestone, Baldwin, Andi, ) Then a few like Trista, Sean, did, but so far I will say that Ben tops my list for the best bachelor yet , I think he handled the whole show really well . I was a fan of him & Lauren from night 1. Ben has such a sincere caring way and I do think this couple will make it .

I've watched every episode of every season beginning with Alex Michel. (Sad, I know ) In the beginning, it was to see a love story or connection unfold. I still wish the final couple well, but don't really invest in any of them. I think with Brad 2.0, I started really watching for the travel. I never wanted to go to Africa before, but really wanted to after Brad. Same with Ben F, I would love to go to Switzerland. I think I watch now out of habit and entertainment - not the love story.

Ben's season was enjoyable for me; seemed a little less drama as of late. I think Ben and Lauren will make it, and be a good match. I would like to see more travel in future seasons.

I've probably watched about half the seasons, and half of those I totally don't remember and it feels like I didn't actually watch. I forget the contestants the week after they are eliminated 9 times out of 10, and I don't follow the couple after the 2 day media blitz post show. There are very few exceptions to that.

I started watching because my sister made me, and I continued because I was afraid of her. Now I watch out of habit, and because I want to know the characters for BIP. IMO, that is the best show to come out of this franchise in the most wonderfully ridiculous way. But I usually have to wikipedia everyone to have a reference for what season they were on, and if it wasn't the last season it's like I'm seeing them for the first time all over again.

I've watched more or less from Mesnick's messy season. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure, this silly show.

Ben posted a nice golfing picture with Lauren's dad and brother, and I'm mortified after reading some of the comments. These commenters have no shame. No wonder Lauren seems to prefer snapchat over IG these days.