Re: Blake & Holly - Discussion - Thread #1

[ironcat]

I would also like to add that there is a difference between criticizing someone's actions, and hurling gratuitous insults at them, and I don't really see much of the latter on this board. Sometimes people just don't come across as particularly likable on the show to some of us, and it often has nothing to do with editing.

The point of my comment came at the heels of a page prior to here: "What a smug jackass. And Holly offends me because she just seems deeply dumb, although it's probably all an act that she puts on around guys, which is even worse than actually being deeply dumb." I think that qualifies 'gratuitous insults; and reason enough to encourage all to keep a perspective about what is being shown. We need to strive to keep this board a cut above the rest. There's nothing wrong with picking a favorite - but, being respective in expression is something we can all do, right?

Well, my personal opinion is that Blake does come across as somewhat smug, and Holly does put on a ditzy act to attract guys (and apparently it has worked numerous times). Calling someone a jackass I guess is gratuitous, but again, if you check out things that are said on other boards/blogs about some of these people, this is really mild, and at least it's based on behavior, as opposed to many insults I've seen based solely on appearance, or (purposely?) misinterpreted media stories and quotes.

And yes, this board is definitely a cut above the rest.

[pavalygurl]

I am probably in the minority but I have always liked and still like Holly. The way the engagement occured was not the best thing I agree, but I also see the fine hand of TPTB in it's timing. I think Mike Stag is a terrific guy but also feel he was "guilting" her a bit during BP.
I do remember the situation with Blake and Ashley in Hong Kong. As I remember he said he wanted to stand because he had been sitting a long while. I also was kind of perturbed with Ashley at the way she handled telling the guys about Bentley. Nice for JP since he was her F1 to hear it one on one, but the others deserve a bit of a break for feeling blind sided. In Ashley's defense I also see the fine hand of TPTB at work in how that whole thing went down as well. The good news is that as happens in most things Bach related, the people move on and often to better matches etc. My wish for Mike Stag is that this happens for him as well.

[ironcat]

What I've never understood is how the contestants like Blake (and Ryan) could possibly think they still had a chance to be chosen by the lead, as opposed to just being "matter of time" fodder, at the point where others are already getting second solo dates while they have had none. If it were me, I would have just chilled out by then and looked at it as a free vacation to exotic places, and not have gotten upset about whatever the lead did or didn't do/feel/say, since it would have been pretty obvious that it barely concerned me and my future anyway.

[Annie]

pavalgurl, I couldn't have said it better!! Thanks. I am enjoying the pictures and news about Holly and Blake. I am also happy for DeAnna and Stephen and hope that Michael will soon find his soul mate! It's so nice to see happy people! :D

[pavalygurl]

^^^thanks Annie!

[Guest]

What I've never understood is how the contestants like Blake (and Ryan) could possibly think they still had a chance to be chosen by the lead, as opposed to just being "matter of time" fodder, at the point where others are already getting second solo dates while they have had none. If it were me, I would have just chilled out by then and looked at it as a free vacation to exotic places, and not have gotten upset about whatever the lead did or didn't do/feel/say, since it would have been pretty obvious that it barely concerned me and my future anyway.

Not much of a free vacation to go to exotic places and NOT be allowed to leave the room unless on a date. I believe at the beginning of the show they were grooming Ryan for the primary lead on the next season. He was already likely in talk with his handler about that (which may have propelled him into being a supporter of JP/Ashley early on). He was almost protective of them. His one/one time with her in the rain after she and JP necked under the umbrella was likely just a 'decoy'. I'll bet it was discussed secretively that Ashley would take him into the F2 position, which would have worked out well for setting him up as the next lead,...but his alias plucked a nerve a concern for the producers who needed a dramatic ending.

Any number of stuff is told to these people by their handlers. I believe that whoever was assigned to Ben was extra good in getting him to believe that he was the F1. So while Ben did not have any real intimacy or deep emotional connections with Ashley to let him believe she was really into him, his handlers were probably feeding him crap about her being shy, or uncertain of his feelings, or even tell him things like 'she talks about you all the time', etc. to lead him down that path.

I do believe many men did just what you suggest you would have done -- they yielded to JP after seeing his connection with Ashley. They couldn't let them all leave otherwise they would not have had a show.

Also important to know is that Ashley was under a lot of pressure to "act" interested and intimate on her dates. Except with JP, they were all rather lack luster/vanilla - she just was not giving them the footage they needed to edit anyone as equal to her emotion for JP.

Remember also that on Regis, she admitted to being the one to say ILU first.... and they both said that Hong Kong was THE date for them... so there's no way she would have been invested in any other guy from that point on.

[Love_Me]

I wish them much luck in the future, and I wish the same love for Michael as well.

[Eagle Eye]

I would also like to add that there is a difference between criticizing someone's actions, and hurling gratuitous insults at them, and I don't really see much of the latter on this board. Sometimes people just don't come across as particularly likable on the show to some of us, and it often has nothing to do with editing.

The point of my comment came at the heels of a page prior to here: "What a smug jackass. And Holly offends me because she just seems deeply dumb, although it's probably all an act that she puts on around guys, which is even worse than actually being deeply dumb." I think that qualifies 'gratuitous insults; and reason enough to encourage all to keep a perspective about what is being shown. We need to strive to keep this board a cut above the rest. There's nothing wrong with picking a favorite - but, being respective in expression is something we can all do, right?

Fine. Allow me to rephrase my original post.

"I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on Ashley's season, and I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on BP2. It is my opinion, and my opinion only, that he came across as a smug jackass, and I didn't care at all for the Blake that I saw on TV."

Is that better? I guess I didn't realize this was a Blake and Holly fan thread and that only positive comments were allowed. And as ironcat said, far worse insults were hurled at both Ashley and JP on this very board, so if we're going to keep it "a cut above," perhaps that respect should be shown to all contestants and not just a select few?

[Guest]

I would also like to add that there is a difference between criticizing someone's actions, and hurling gratuitous insults at them, and I don't really see much of the latter on this board. Sometimes people just don't come across as particularly likable on the show to some of us, and it often has nothing to do with editing.

The point of my comment came at the heels of a page prior to here: "What a smug jackass. And Holly offends me because she just seems deeply dumb, although it's probably all an act that she puts on around guys, which is even worse than actually being deeply dumb." I think that qualifies 'gratuitous insults; and reason enough to encourage all to keep a perspective about what is being shown. We need to strive to keep this board a cut above the rest. There's nothing wrong with picking a favorite - but, being respective in expression is something we can all do, right?

Fine. Allow me to rephrase my original post.

"I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on Ashley's season, and I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on BP2. It is my opinion, and my opinion only, that he came across as a smug jackass, and I didn't care at all for the Blake that I saw on TV."

Is that better? I guess I didn't realize this was a Blake and Holly fan thread and that only positive comments were allowed. And as ironcat said, far worse insults were hurled at both Ashley and JP on this very board, so if we're going to keep it "a cut above," perhaps that respect should be shown to all contestants and not just a select few?

I think your comments are fair Eagle. These two did not look the best on BP. Shame the whole thing was so messy. I am a fan of these two and hope they stay happy but it definitely wasn't a smooth beginning

[Guest]

I would also like to add that there is a difference between criticizing someone's actions, and hurling gratuitous insults at them, and I don't really see much of the latter on this board. Sometimes people just don't come across as particularly likable on the show to some of us, and it often has nothing to do with editing.

The point of my comment came at the heels of a page prior to here: "What a smug jackass. And Holly offends me because she just seems deeply dumb, although it's probably all an act that she puts on around guys, which is even worse than actually being deeply dumb." I think that qualifies 'gratuitous insults; and reason enough to encourage all to keep a perspective about what is being shown. We need to strive to keep this board a cut above the rest. There's nothing wrong with picking a favorite - but, being respective in expression is something we can all do, right?

Fine. Allow me to rephrase my original post.

"I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on Ashley's season, and I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on BP2. It is my opinion, and my opinion only, that he came across as a smug jackass, and I didn't care at all for the Blake that I saw on TV."

Is that better? I guess I didn't realize this was a Blake and Holly fan thread and that only positive comments were allowed. And as ironcat said, far worse insults were hurled at both Ashley and JP on this very board, so if we're going to keep it "a cut above," perhaps that respect should be shown to all contestants and not just a select few?

I think your comments are fair Eagle. These two did not look the best on BP. Shame the whole thing was so messy. I am a fan of these two and hope they stay happy but it definitely wasn't a smooth beginning

Just goes to show how the producers can polarize the opinions of viewers to keep them talking about the show and watching. Also goes to show how they will sacrifice the people they choose to be on the show for the sake of their ratings. They will even throw their primary leads under the bus - whatever it takes to get picked up for another season. And they all skip gayly to the bank to deposit their paychecks.... most amazing to me, is how they can sleep at night after some of the antics that they pull.

Asked Trista Sutter if given a chance would she go on the show after seeing how they manipulate the show so much beyond her season. She often comments how very different it is from when she met Ryan on the show. She responded that she would consider it, but if she did, she would be very careful of everything she said and did. Sounds to me like she would struggle with trusting the people behind the cameras.

[Bronwyn]

It would behoove anyone considering doing this show to do a little research into what they're really getting into. It's all out there, all they have to do is look for it and read what has happened to others that have gone on it. And if they do that, and still choose to do it, then basically they're getting what they asked for. Which face it, for the vast majority is just to be on tv. And if they choose not to do the research, they're fools. Anyone going on this show after all that has happened to others in the past, is willingly being led to slaughter. Strictly my opinion.

[mnmhughes]

I would also like to add that there is a difference between criticizing someone's actions, and hurling gratuitous insults at them, and I don't really see much of the latter on this board. Sometimes people just don't come across as particularly likable on the show to some of us, and it often has nothing to do with editing.

The point of my comment came at the heels of a page prior to here: "What a smug jackass. And Holly offends me because she just seems deeply dumb, although it's probably all an act that she puts on around guys, which is even worse than actually being deeply dumb." I think that qualifies 'gratuitous insults; and reason enough to encourage all to keep a perspective about what is being shown. We need to strive to keep this board a cut above the rest. There's nothing wrong with picking a favorite - but, being respective in expression is something we can all do, right?

Fine. Allow me to rephrase my original post.

"I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on Ashley's season, and I greatly disliked what the editors chose to show of Blake's character on BP2. It is my opinion, and my opinion only, that he came across as a smug jackass, and I didn't care at all for the Blake that I saw on TV."

Is that better? I guess I didn't realize this was a Blake and Holly fan thread and that only positive comments were allowed. And as ironcat said, far worse insults were hurled at both Ashley and JP on this very board, so if we're going to keep it "a cut above," perhaps that respect should be shown to all contestants and not just a select few?

I think your comments are fair Eagle. These two did not look the best on BP. Shame the whole thing was so messy. I am a fan of these two and hope they stay happy but it definitely wasn't a smooth beginning

Just goes to show how the producers can polarize the opinions of viewers to keep them talking about the show and watching. Also goes to show how they will sacrifice the people they choose to be on the show for the sake of their ratings. They will even throw their primary leads under the bus - whatever it takes to get picked up for another season. And they all skip gayly to the bank to deposit their paychecks.... most amazing to me, is how they can sleep at night after some of the antics that they pull.

While this is true, it is irresponsible to blame everything on the producers. Holly and Blake are responsible for their own actions, and they certainly made their share of mistakes.

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