Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The Final Rose Report: That'll be a venti with an extra shot in my latte please

Yawn. Wow…that was a lotta bachelorette tonight. The grande finale and the After the Rose. Even avec PVR…oh whatta long show. Before we get to Ali’s big decision, I thought the producers were shameless in how much recycling and repackaging of previous episodes were done in order to make this show. Note to producers: I didn’t quite my job and give up my apartment for this show….so if there isn’t a need to make it 3 hours, let’s do the economy and workplaces across Canada and the US a favour and not make this show so freaking long.

So…it’s decision time for Ali. Will she finally find true love?? Her choices were narrowed down (by Frank’s voluntary exit strategy) to Chris and Roberto. And Ali’s family are aboard to Bora Bora to ‘help’ Ali with the decision making.

You know..a rose doesn’t fall too far from the rosebush. You can see how Ali comes at love from a passive stance just by looking at how her parents interact and interview the potential beaus. It was more like they were trying to see if the guys really liked Ali..rather than questioning about goals, life direction etc. When Roberto arrives to the family hut, Ali’s family is kind but not really probing of Roberto. Ali’s mom doesn’t really ask Roberto any questions and when Roberto asks her the question “what can I do to make Ali happy” she answers: I think you already are. Then she throws down some espanol and throws him a line about his heart being pure. I think he would have understood it better in English. Ali’s dad-who looks like he got his beachwear from the 70s (did you notice his platform sandals)…had a flat affect and didn’t look engaged by Roberto. Ali’s brother and sister looked very much alike…it was apparent that stylists are for the contestants only.I thought it was funny that Ali’s sister said Roberto’s name as “Roh ber (rolled r) toe”. Other words I would have liked to know if she would pronounce Mexico “Me-hi-ko”. Maybe she was showin’ some love to the Hispanic viewing population. Speaking of love, there was some more salsa love..with what else…a family salsa lesson!! That Roberto was feelin’ hot hot hot.

Chris had the lion’s share of showtime. It made me think..is Chris going to be the last bachelor standing. Chris looked lovely in his white shirt….I’m not sure if unbuttoning it that low was necessary. He came bearing fruit. What a nutritious and useful gift! (I’m not sure what was in Roberto’s bag that her brought). Chris was charming and kind and lovely. The family did cut him off at times early in the visit…when they asked about his mom…Ali’s mom said I’m a nurse too. When Chris said he was a teacher..Ali’s dad said “I’m a teacher too”. Sigh..it bugs me when people don’t listen. But at the dinner table…the family did do some active listeing about Chris’ mom. Then Ali’s sister and brother took Chris out for a communal foot soak on the patio. Odd. Then the whole family jumped into the water for family swim time. Then back in the house for another chat. That was one long family time.

To help with the final decision..ali gets a wee bit more time with each guy for a date.
Roberto and Ali spend a day on the beach, sea doo, then jump in with some stingrays. Ali, hoping not to get stung trusts Roberto with the encircling stingrays. I totally missed this as foreshadowing. I was amazed that jumped in the the de-stingrayed stingrays without a public service message of “don’t try this on your next tropical vacation’. After some surf and turf…they both head for the hut for some quality time. Roberto gives her a crafty frame with a lovely sentiment on the back of it..and I think that sealed the deal…and I didn’t notice Ali leave the hut …(which breaks bachelor protocol.the last date is supposed to be a date and not an overnighter).

Well cut to the next day..Ali…looking slightly sleep deprived heads over for her last date with Chris only to cut it off..the date I mean. Which was a very considerate move on Ali’s part. Big shout out to Ali for not dissin’ Chris. And what about that rainbow…that was actually the most moved I’ve ever felt during this show!! I love that Chris didn’t crumble over this….he’s been through worse and his true colours were beautiful like a rainbow

And the moment of truth….
I didn’t know that Roberto would propose….up to the very end…I thought he’d back out. I guess there is such a thing as love at first sight….Roberto sweatily delivered his sentiments…and Ali said she loved him..and they love eachother!! Did you feel the love tonight?? I’m not sure that I did exactly…I know Ali wants to be loved unconditionally and Roberto says she loves her..so that’s all good in the ‘hood then. According to After the Rose they will be moving in together and will be looking at getting married next year.
And that lovely Chris had one last surprise…the lovely couple was surprised with limo ride over to the helicopter which is taking them to the Catalina islands. That good ole Chris was showin’ them some California Love.

And that wraps another season!!! I wonder who the next Bachelor will be???? Well dear readers…this journey has been amazing for all the right reasons. I just want to take a moment and say my good bye to writing the rose report. Rest assured that I’ll be waiting with bated breath the next instalment of the show….but alas …I’m taking a break from rose reporting

Until next time….I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Men (and mainly Craig R) Tell All: Rated Why

As much as this show is awesome, the 'tell all' episode is not. It really recycles and repackages of most of what we already know and delays what fans really want...the answer...who will be chosen.
So this episode left me with more questions than answers....
Why did Ali's stylist go sparkle crazy for both dresses?
Did Chris H's purple shirt and blue tie go together?
Why did Craig R get so much air time?
Why does Jonathan always wear a jacket?
Does anyone really care that much about Rated R?
Do you think the women in the audience hope to hook up with the jilted Bachelors?
Did anyone think Jesse's story about Jessica and Justin was way too long and completely uninteresting?
Why isn't Frank coming on the show till After the Rose?

Sigh..this show was not so great. Nice to see Kasey off the glacier and is open to love.
Kirk was the so genuine, lovely and honest in his interview. He pulled off wearing Converse sneakers in this episode.

Well..that was the longest 1 hour and 12 PVRd Bachelorette minutes of the season.

Oh! One more question...did Ali give off a vibe that she didn't pick anyone?? Chris didn't ask her if she was happy or engaged.
Hmmm....

Until next week...I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, July 19, 2010

This episode was a bit bora boring

Let me be frank...I was really looking forward to this episode. But it did drag a bit. First shots were of Chris, Roberto and Frank packing. Chris messy, Roberto very methodical..and Frank packed his suits...when did Frank wear suits? The boys and Ali are enroute Tahiti ...on La Taha'a to be specific....but the end proved little to laugh about.


Roberto..if you can't stand the heat...stay out of Tahiti
Seems like the only heat that Roberto can stand is on the dance floor. Either that or he had some kind of Island Fever. I like Roberto and he's adorable..but he looked pale. They couldn't stop the camera's rolling long enought so that he could swap out of a sweaty t-shirt... or mop his sweaty brow, cheek, neck, chest..you get the picture. Roberto was one sweaty dude. I'm sure he was overjoyed to see he was up for a helicopter ride and to a lagoon without running water...or an absorbent towel. Back from the lagoon , Roberto freshens up and wears a long sleeved t-shirt!!??? He professes his love to Ali after much hemming and hawing..I think the fluid loss from his body impaired his ability to concentrate...but he did decide to accept the offer to spend more time together. Apparently there was a key to the hut...never saw any locks on the hut sliding doors. I'm sure it got a little caliente when they were getting to know eachother better.

Chris...pearls of wisdom
Out of all the contestants in the history of this show..Chris brings so much depth, meaning and wisdom to the importance of love in one's life.
Chris seemed to adapt well to the Tahiti heat. He looked rested, refreshed and excited to see Ali. They did Islandy things...yacht, jumped off the yacht to swim over to the Island...and in the mean time someone passed them water socks..and then some dry clothes waited for them on the island.then they found some pearls! Were those planted?? Or is Cape Cod Chris used to clam digging that he naturally forages for shelled creatures? He referred to the banana leaf picnic similar to the clam bake? I've never been to a clam bake, but I didn't get the parallel. So the picnic was romantic and Chris eagerly accepted the key to the fantasy hut..where he professed his love. He might be too enthusiastic for Ali..she seems to go for dazed and confused guys.

Frank..I left my heart in San Francisco..oops changed my mind..I meant Chicago.
Frank....What's in a name? He was anything but. The deception. Who knew that he was confused..I thought Frank was just insecure all this time. So to clarify, he's going to go to Chicago and talk to his girlfriend to see?? What I wasn't sure. So Frank gets to Chicago and seems to have to cross a lot of streets to get to his girlfriend. I think Nicole lives in a Holiday Inn. So he gets to her..and she answers the door....gasp!...wearing yellow!!!!! The nerve!! So he blabbers on about how he's got a great connection with Ali (not a cool thing to say to your ex), but he redeems himself (right) to say that he would think of Nicole every night. So after a few minutes of me thinking that Nicole was mute, Nicole speaks..and she misses Franks kisses ..and they hug and hold..then Frank tells her what a hard job he has to go to Tahiti to tell Ali everything. Did he expect Nicole to console him? Frank is so annoying and what a narcissist. So Frank gets to Tahiti to break the bad news to Ali and what was so much more annoying was that Frank wasn't comforting to Ali..all he could do is parallel cry with her. What a child! Ali was pretty eloquent in her retorts to Frank..but they seem alike..both consumed with their own issues of who will love them and are the loving for the right reasons. Ali has to leave, but a few short steps down the beach she is overwelmed with the need to sit in the sand...kinda like when she gave Jake a melodramatic good-bye and had to plant herself in the hallway. Chris Harrison comes to comfort her looking cool and pressed matching blue shirt and is able to offer her comfort and support of a good friend.

Do you really accept my rose?
Well...not really a need for a rose ceremony, but we have time and traditions to fulfill. Ali cleverly uses this as an opportunity to communicate that Frank was not for her and she really wants the two men here. Nice move on her part not to take the important ceremony and sully it with negative comments about Frank. Good work Ali.
Roberto did pick a shirt that made his sweating less prominent..but he was still sweating up a storm. Chris looked calm and collected and both men happily accepted his rose. Ali then announces they are going to stay on the island. Roberto looks happy on the outside..but on the inside he's probably hoping they sell Gator-ade on island.

Until next week..when we meet Ali's family..I love this show!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Love is the only reality

Oh my aching heart. This episode was filled with a little too much genuine emotion. Maybe the show could warn the viewers with a Rated R for Real. Yikes!

Four for fighting...

It's time that Ali visits the American Towns....the four hometown dates. First up to the plate is Roberto...

Robert-oh..is oh so cute. I could learn to love baseball if everyone was as adorable as Roberto in a baseball uniform. The stirrup style pant is not a flattering cut on most..but he looked most smashing. So Roberto picks her up on campus..and several times after that he swings her around in the air. Ali did a lot of jumping on this date...jumping up and down when she saw him..jumping when she saw him in uniform..and then some more hip to the hops when she was jumping around after the ball. What I don't understand is what happened to Roberto's career. The guy is in he 20s..what happened? Maybe life as an insurance agent throws less curveballs.
Back at salsa HQ, I mean Roberto's house...there seems to be a lack of first names. I counted two Olga's and two Robertos. Roberto Sr. seemed like he was going to be difficult...sweet how he called his son a real prize (well certainly he has the hardware to show for it in the trophy room). Olga Sr. gave Roberto Jr. a spanish blessing..and what better way to end the date that with...a group salsa dance!! Ah yes..Roberto did promise in Lisbon that there would be more moments like this.

Love is all around ...wet wet wet
Yup..at Chris L's hometown...there's a lotta love. Oh gosh...I nearly cried three times..and really this show is not usually this emotionally wrenching. I'm not sure how Chris is doing with his grief...but I just felt for the guy. So he's back in the Cape on 'his beach' with his cute dog Jenny. Ali arrives, looking very cute, for a very wet walk along the beach. Back at Chris' house they look at pictures and share hugs. Chris' dad comes, then the family. That is one seriously supportive and loving family. Almost felt a bit for Ali...like it was a lot of pressure to make Chris happy. Miraculously dinner appeared even though Ali and Chris didn't make it and dad wasn't home. Chris dad got very Viktor Frankl in his reflection "love is the only reality". Nice sentiment and someone pass the Kleen-ex...this juxtaposed to last week's Jake/Vienna shallow exchange had put me on an emotional rollercoaster. Well..to end this hometown on a sappy note and much more bachelorette-esque..Chris takes up Ali in his tower that is in his backyard. Right....this is the reality show I know and love.

Back to Life....However does Kirk want Ali
Over to Green Bay we have sporty Kirk with a zest for life. He runs to meet Ali and is thrilled to see her. He first takes Ali to see his dad, step mom and adopted sister. Mere seconds after coming through the front door, Ali is asked if she wants to go the basement....and that's where we see some excellent taxidermy. I'm not down with mounted deerheads but they did look remarkably lifelike. What was more off putting was the sharing of freezer space...foodstuffs alongside the soon to be stuffed. Over to Kirk's mom place..all I can say is pass the cheesey potatoes!! Grandma was clear there were two types of potatoes! Kirk's mom seems really sweet...a little in need to relinquish the 80s makeup..but so sweet and supportive of Kirk. And Kirk divulged to his sister..with the 90s style hair..that he was ready to settle down with Ali.

Save the Best for last

Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes 'round the moon
I see the passion in your eyes
Sometimes it's all a big surprise
'Cause there was a time when all I did was wish
You'd tell me this was love
It's not the way I hoped or how I planned
But somehow it's enough

And now we're standing face to face
Isn't this world a crazy place
Just when I thought our chance had passed
You go and save the best for last

I'm not sure what I love less this song..or Frank...What is up with Ali liking Frank? Is he a super awesome guy but the producers make him to be an insecure, emotionally labile, insolvent and uncertain guy? Is the power of editing that strong...or is love blind, deaf and dumb? I don't get the appeal of Frank. I don't get the apparel of Frank either. We've seen his cardigan before...but what was with the low cut drapey white tank top? Did his mom's laundry get mixed up with his? His parents seem emotionally stable, upbeat and fun. This apple fell really far from the tree but still lives in it.

Kicking Kirk to the kurb
Well...we all know the drill three roses, four guys..one has gotta go. Ali was really not feeling this rose ceremony...i almost thought she'd pick a rosette off her dress and give it to Kirk as a parting gift. Kirk was upset and angry..did you note that he didn't hold her hand. His parting words were curt, but not mean. He was also nice enough to produce a hug for her...which was selfish of her to ask..I mean she had 3 hugs waiting for her in the ceremony room. A litte ego came out when Kirk said usually was doing the cutting of ties in relationships but this time the tables were turned...that karma is a chameleon. It comes and goes. Maybe he should have worn a Yellow tie?

Until next week (in Tahiti!)...I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Shortest Rose Report Ever

-Lisbon is beautiful
-The spontaneous salsa dancing with Ali in the middle of a road was a bit much...even for Roberto. And he promised her there would be a lot of moments like this....whah? like in Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Safeway???that would get weird.
-Does Chris L really like Ali? He seemed so awkward in this episode..the bracelet gift was very sweet...nice to see he waited to give her the bracelet. Too bad he was awkward because he's really funny.
-Frank announced he lived at home...and Ali was okay with it!! Y'know why?? She gave up her apartment to be on this show...she knows what it's like to be homeless.
-Happy to see Ty gone....who picks his shirts?? the stylist for Rascall Flatts??
Loved her dress for the rose ceremony:)

And as if the Bachelorette wasn't enough....there was a Jake/Vienna tell all.....



Jake Interrupted
Oh my....I felt like a fly on the wall in the office of a relationship therapist. I hope Chris Harrison renegotiated his contract over the years...he's gone from glass clinking, final rose announcing, Fantasy Overnight Date card writing...to probing interviewer....(move over Larry King...this may be your replacement..thx Mare)
That exchange was hard to watch..initially I was on Team Vienna...only b/c Jake seemed so fake...but when she announced that she was staying in LA she lost some of her cred. What was very disconcerting was how he sternly told Vienna not to interrupt him. The guy has some serious issues...well that was evident when he cried after being booted off Dancing with the Stars. Vienna...sounds like she needed some TLC from Jake...she did need some blending pointers on her eyeshadow. Oh well....another failed pairing....why did they insert it at this juncture....is this some foreshadowing that Ali does not find love????

Until next week...I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Running Afoul in Turkey

It's true it's true!! This is the most dramatic season ever and the drama unfolds against the colourful, mysterious and picturesque city of Instanbul.

Got Game? (thx Nat)
What we got was a lot of bull from Rated R. The Bachelor family comes through for Ali. Jesse (remember make up artist from 'On the Wings of Love' Bachelor that wore too much eye make-up) well she reached Ali via Chris in Instanbul to tell her that Rated R has a gf named Jessica . Jesse then put Jessica on the phone Jessica spoke to Ali and told her that Justin was on the show to further his career (how original!) AND he's been calling Jessica, but Jessica found out he also has another girlfriend so she just wanted to stop Ali from any further pain. Got that? That one messed up love trapezoid. I'll get back to Rated R...but was Jessica reaching out to Ali out of a place of love and concern for another woman's feelings? I don't think so...seems to me that Jessica wanted to out Justin because she was dissed that Rated R had one more girlfriend. After all...Jessica was in on this master plan to further Rated R's career..she even took Rated R's headshots for the application. So after Ali gets off the phone she eloquently tells Chris H that she's p#$%*#$ (rhymes with dissed). So she marches down to the room to confront Rated R. Rated R responds by grabbing his passport and manbag and exits the room...and then hops around the hotel grounds like a chicken with his head cut off trying to exit the Hyatt hotel compound...he dashes through flower gardens and tries to re-enter the hotel but is politely refused by a waiter. Not exactly a macho exit for the wrestler..but it certainly was entertaining. So after Justin realized he couldn't find his way off the hotel grounds..he comes back to talk to Ali...and I'm not a proclaimed bulls$%* detector like Craig..but Rated R was lying through his teeth. He was so busted by the voice mails that he left for Jessica that were playing when the camera was filming him trying to leave the hotel again. Yikes...he got his fame but not likely as he imagined. I was expected Kasey to swing down to guard and protect Ali's heart during all of this....guess he's still stuck on the glacier in Iceland.

Ty
Okay the cowboy thing was cool in Iceland..but the redneck came out in Instanbul. Ty and Ali had a one on one in a Turkish bath. That was difficult to watch. I think Ty was really trying to create some moment with all the turkish towels, steam and bath salts. At least he took off his unsightly necklace for that part of the date..but it did come back on for the waterside dinner. Unfortunately what also came up at the dinner was 'traditional' views. He has learn that women are presidents of companies and CEOS and stuff. Yup. She still gave him a rose.... I dunno...i just don't get it.

Two on Twos for some One on One
Perhaps the most masochistic challenge for one on one time with Ali. The guys have to wrestle with professional wrestlers while doused in olive oil. Painful and risky. I wonder how Rated R would have fared in a wrestling match? Craig emerged victorious over the other guys..because he really really wanted time with Ali. Craig and Ali had the date (after Craig degreased)...but the lack of chemistry was so obvious on the date.

Frank
Frank gets the last one on one date. Frank's been getting very antsy about not being with Ali..and Ali has been saying that she really wants to reignite what they once had (nope not 20 years ago.more like 20 days ago). Again, I'm no expert..but I think this term describes them...

D. H. Lawrence called an "égoisme à deux": two people banded together, not because of love or an increasing understanding of each other, but rather because of their over-entanglement and mutual self-deprivation- a result of two underdeveloped egos.
They seem to just really need eachother..but it seems a little unhealthy...what do I know..I thought Jake and Vienna were going to last? But at least Frank got an awesome carpet and a rose from the date.

Painful goodbye...
I felt Craig's departure coming when Ali announced she didn't want a cocktail party and Ithink Craig knew too..he looked so nervous...so she cut Craig. During the long and painful walk to the door..Craig left on a high note..and told Ali that everything he said he meant (aww nice....) and Ali in her wisdom decides to rub some turkish bath salts in his wounds and tells him she didn't really feel that there was a romantic connection. A legitimate reason to cut Craig loose? Definitely! Necessary to tell him on his way out the door? No at all. Craig is likely smarter than most guys there..he likely got it that she wasn't into him when he didn't get rose.

Next stop..Lisbon...looks like it's going to get piri piri!!!
Until next week...I LOVE THIS SHOW

Monday, June 21, 2010

Chillin' in Iceland

How very international. Wonder if Jillian feels jilted that all she got to do was take the train from BC to Alberta. Ali and the 11 'studs' go to explore the fire and ice of Iceland..on what looked like very chilly dates. Hmm maybe it would have been cheaper to vacation in Alberta or the Bachelorette enterprise have improved securing sponsorship. You'd think they'd try to keep it USA to help along the economy. But really who cares...let's hope Ali tries to get the lockdown on a connection and to make love l'ast'.

Tick Tock on the Clock
But the party don't stop no. Nope...the boys are immediately put to work. They land in Iceland and head to the clock and have 60 minutes to make Ali's heart melt. Some of the poems made my stomach turn. The quick studies learned from the Lion King that one must approach Ali and be near her. That was Kirk and Frank.Poetry be damned. It's proximity that mattered. So Kirk won (yay!! Kirk is kute:)

Shopping and Lobster
First Ali and Kirk got suited up in matching sweaters. You know Kirk could put on a company issue promotional jacket jacket with his name embroidered on the side and he'd still be adorable. So off the two go in matching sweaters for coffee..then dinner (so far great date!) Producers made it sound like Kirk had a sordid dating past but alas it was his college dorm that was sordid..and poor Kirk got sick!! Now that we know his issue was spore related. Phew. Kirk's a keeper!!!

Group Date!!
Well in the US people go mini-golfing...why not go mini horse back riding... on a glacier??? Ali looked like the jolly blonde giant standing beside her mini horses...reins in hand. Those reins were soon handed over to the Ty the cowboy. You can take the cowboy out of Nashville but not the cowboy out of Ty! Giddy up...Ty had the situation under total control. Nicely done....Chris L was a little jealous but I'm sure if they were building an ice hotel..he could have handled that well. So naturally after some glacial horseback riding..the date takes a natural turn to under glacier caving. Anything that required safety equipment is not my idea of a romantic date...but I'm sure Roberto was down with all of it..given his Cirque de soleil like performances in this last two dates. To wrap up and wind down...the group heads over to the very misty Blue Lagoon...it looked so beautiful. Ali happens to have her bikini on under her caving equipment...hmm and in the cave she only complained that her fingers were cold. Ali has to school Frank further that he must be more visible and pay her more attention on the date. Ali tells Roberto that she would never approach him in teh real world..to which Roberto responds "I'm not that hot" and Chris L is his lovely, warm charming self. And the frozen rose goes to!!! Ty!! Not surprising....he was jumping all over to get 'r done.

Rated R and 'nut' Kasey (thanks Mel:)
Prior to the date...Justin sets out his game plan. But really all he did was talk a big game and then get his cast sawed off...then he threw away his crutches. (I thought Reykavik was supposed to be one of the world's greenest cities). Well not really...there were still a lot of limos and helicopters used in the filming of this episode. So a helicopter came to pick up the threesome and off they went to get a great look at the volcano...hmmm didn't that major eruption happen around the timing of the filming of the Bachelorette ... you gotta wonder how safe landing a helicopter is by an active volcano. Speaking of safety...some bachelorette producer didn't have his/her safety thinking hat on when planning the date. Rated R just tossed his crutches and you are making him walk on ice?? Obviously not physios or occupational therapists consult this program. So they all approach an ice cave with ice furniture..Rated R and Ali go inside. Inside Rated R's performance was luke warm. i don't think they have a connection. Outside the cave was Kasey(guarding and protecting the cave??? thx Mare) So after some one on one..Ali goes outside to Kasey and in a nutshell Kasey explains his tatoo. You know..when Kasey was explaining it..it did sound like he got it to represent his dream of... you guessed it..to guard and protect someone's heart..and he didn't make it sound all about Ali. What made me giggle was that her referred to the 11 'studs' in the shield. Last episodes he referred to them as diamonds. Ali wasted no time to give Justin the rose. Hmm wonder who was going to pick up Kasey??

Cocktail party
Most guys stepped up the charm. Craig is a pretty funny guy..smart too..but you'd think he could have come up with something better then making fun of a guy that was left on a glacier. Kasey had the wherewithal to get a tatoo in NYC and Rated R tracked down some healthcare to get his cast off...maybe he could have got her some type of souvenir...like some lava rock representing their time in iceland..and to tell her he hopes there love-a lasts or something like that. Roberto didn't have to do much..just put a jacket on her and kiss her..Chris N on the other hand...the guy looked stunned on most of their one one one time...and all he could come up with was that he likes Mexican food?

Least dramatic rose ceremony ever.
Chris N...sent home. Hey Mr. Limo Driver...any Taco Bells in Reykavik??

Until next week (in Instanbul!) I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Rose Report: Tattoo

Oh my...this show cannot get better. It has never been more entertaining. But this episode was overshadowed by the tattoo.
Did Jordin Sparks (or her songwriters) foreshadow this?Check these (abbreviated) lyrics to her song entitled "Tattoo":

I keep coming back for more
Keep my hand in the fire
Sooner or later I get what I'm asking for

No matter what you say about life
I learn every time I bleed
The truth is a stranger
Soul is in danger I gotta let my spirit be free
You're on my heart just like a tattoo
Just like a tattoo
I'll always have you (I'll always have you)

How did they (the Bachelorette producers) let Kasey get a tattoo?? It's one thing to let Justin hop 2 miles to the Bachelorette's house...but they let Kasey loose in NYC to get a tattoo? Kasey obviously is a little out of touch with reality...with his random a capella (and off tune) seranades to her at the Night at the Museum. I thought the producers did some type of psychological screening of the candidates for the show...it just seems irresponsible for them to let him do that. Speaking of irresponsible..why didn't Ali cut him loose..just just left him on the shag rug in the middle of a dark museum alone with this thoughts to prove his worthiness to Ali. There should have been an intervention.

The show was overshadowed by the tattoo...seriously..the Broadway performance is just a dim memory. Speaking of that performance....Roberto seems less spicy and more saccharin...from caliente to cheesey...salsa to ketchup...he kinda seems like a performer...maybe even moreso than Justin (Rated R) R. And what is with Ali and Roberto needing to be suspended by wires to find romance. Real life will be a let down to them (heh heh).

Kirk is showing more and more promise. He (and his abs) shone a few episodes ago at the photo shoot on the beach. He was both caring and smooth in encouraging Ali to get some rest and was kind enough to walk her to her room and tuck her in AND he left early not to overstay his welcome. Excellent work Kirk!!

Who didn't shed a tear at Chris L's story about caring for his mom. Chris L seems incredibly kind and compassionate and family oriented. And the story of the rainbows..yikes...I'm reaching for Kleen-ex again.

The Sky is Crying.....a little Stevie Ray Vaughn shout out to Jonathan..I'm so sad Ali let him go...and his parting words..'you didn't even get to know me'. Okay, the guitar playing/seranade was horrible and entirely unnecessary...maybe I just feel a little sorry for Jonathan...I don't know if he was sad because he really liked Ali or that Ali didn't like him...awww Jonathan.....hopefully the weather clears and there are sunny skies in your forecast again...Jonathan made this show so entertaining....hopefully he still has his job in Houston when he gets back.

Who is Chris N?? The dude keeps getting a rose, but does not have one conversation with Ali. How does he keep staying on without proving that he's so into her, will care for her...or worse yet ..guard her heart?? He's clearly a dark horse in this competition...I mean quest for true love and marriage.

So, Bachelors get to cool their heels (and Kasey his wrist) in Iceland next week....why Iceland??? But really who cares...this is the best installment ever!!!

Until next week..... I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, June 7, 2010

This episode...Rated R for Really???????????????

Unbelievable. This show was jam packed with emotion, drama and romance(?)

The show started with not too much of a suprise..Ali chose Roberto for a one on one date. She chose for the two to be choppered over (in their yellow helicopter) despite her fear of flying. Those are mean producers. She did have a chance to be reassured by Roberto that it would all be okay. Phew. They made it to their rooftop date safe and sound.Except....they'd have to walk on a tightrope 20 storeys up over to that romantic date. Silly helicopter couldn't land atop the correct building that was set for the date. Hmm..who doesn't want a side order of nausea with a romantic dinner. Roberto is smooth..not only can he salsa and sweet talk (in
Spanish nontheless)...but he also glides with ease over the tightwire and manages to give a Ali a passionate kiss mid-air.


Ali and Roberto had a quick change of clothes (where did that happen?)..the sun is a about to set and Roberto says he wants to watch more sunsets with her. Then they eat and lie down on the rooftop...must have been chilly up there because Roberto kept his suit jacket on...that must have been a bit uncomfortable. But who cares?? Roberto got a rose...not a surprise.

Group date with the Barenaked Ladies
Sounds Rated R...but this group date had the most...Really?????? So the chosen ones get to shoot a video for the new Barenaked Ladies song Run Away..a song about a woman who is running away from love. Hmmm kinda the opposite for Ali....she seems very eager to find true love and to hug, kiss and cuddle her way to eternal love. The guys have various parts in the video and Ali is in all of them. The tormented writer..Frank is first and he's tormented in his part...9 takes in the video and he's slapped by Ali in each of them. John C...steps in the Ali's bubble bath and Ali quickly gets out. Then comes Jonathon...likely THE most awkward moment(s) in Bachelor history. He has a shot where he kisses Ali in the library. He starts the scene trembling...stage fright...maybe..but the guy is on TV daily. Houston..we have a problem. He can't kiss Ali...I think he kissed back of her ear. Anxiety reared it's nervous head and then he started to cry. Yikes. Ali then gives him a pity I mean passionate kiss in the next take. It looked quasi convincing...then he ended it by giving Ali a weird pat on the back followed by a few quick scratches on her back. To juxtapose...Kirk's scene followed...I'm not sure what was on the script but it looked like a scene on a fantasy overnight date. I think the producers yelled 'cut' twice..but the two didn't. It was a bit much. Has Ali even talked to Kirk before this. Not sure..but I know he did look fetching in the photo shoot from the last episode.
The wrap up party happened at a pool (of course). Much of the bachelor/bachelorette happens around pools, hot tubs and watery locales. This party would give Ali a chance to get to know the guys a bit better. Not much happened at the party, well especially for Jonathon who whispered to Ali that maybe they could go somewhere and have their real first kiss. Jonathan really has a junior high vibe going on. (and what was with his white sunglasses...at least he paired them with his green zippered jacket instead of his white one). Kirk gets another passionate kiss from Ali and that sealed the deal and he got the group date rose.

Justin is in the entertainment industry...so no surprise that he's going to make an effort to stand out in the crowd...so Justin sets afoot (literally a foot....the other is still in a cast) and determinedly hops for two miles to spend some QT with the cutie Ali. Does Justin really like her that much? Well it doesn't matter..because Ali is very impressed with him and presses herself against the sweaty wrestler in appreciated. Justin had the forethought to pack pictures (but not a water bottle ) on his journey to Ali. Justin's sojourn to Ali cuts into Hunter's date...

Barbequing Burgers with the Bachelorette
Not only is Hunter cheated with time...but also with the Bachelorette's budget. How much did this date cost. Hmm about $10 worth of food and maybe $2 worth of gas (and a cab ride:) and Hunter had to cook too. Hunter didn't live up to his name...he didn't pursue Ali enough...didn't profess enough affection..didn't make any moves. Ali really likes the moves and pursuit and effort. (not that anything is wrong with pursuit and effort)..but tick tock Hunter...Ali's gotta find love..remember she gave up EVERYTHING to be on this show. So Hunter left roseless in the big yellow taxi.

More and more drama
This series of the Bachelorette has had the MOST DRAMA EVER!!!! And they say the girls are more catty than the guys. We have lawyer Craig R self-proclaimed "bull$&6t detector" assessing that Justin isn't here for the right reasons. They guys, led by Kreepy Kasey, confronting Justin the pool about his reasons for being here. Poor Justin even shed a few tears (yeah right) because he was so upset that everyone was after him. The guys spent so much time talking about this...why didn't they bother to talk to Ali instead of eachother.
Steve tried to take initiative :) and made an impromptu picnic (read champagne and two glasses) with Ali during the cocktail party. That was cute and endearing.

Ali spent more time with Roberto and told him that Justin spent time with her at her house...and she was surprised that noone knew. She hoped that it wouldn't cause problems with the guys (yeah right)

Most surprising at the cocktail party were the choices that she made ...well maybe that's the second most suprising..what was with that dress that she wore? Speaking of outfits...some outfits are called effortless but Jesse's was literally effortless. I know the dude is from Peculiar...but he now has two suits..one he bought for the show and the one Ali gave him..why didn't her wear one??

Why keep Kasey? The weatherman?? What???? Why let Steve go?
This show is too much! Really.
Until next week....I (Really) love this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Cloudy with a Chance of Meathead

Not even Ali's sunny disposition (oft feigned methinks), could disperse the clouds that hung low over the Bachelorette compound. Ali's quest for true love took a backseat to the hate-hate relationship between Jonathan (the Weatherman) and Craig M (bully that does dental sales). There was a very high pressure system brewing between the two...that I thought would resort to blows. But between Jonathan's monologue of hate-ons for Craig..there were two individual dates and one group date. This is how it shook down.

Individual date #1: The Importance of Being Earnest
Frank gets the first one on one and he's Wilde on Ali!!! Frank's claim to fame is that he's following his passion and he sure does follow. Ali seemed to lead him around..drives the car, hails a cab when she decides the date will go on despite the car breaking down. (don't think Frank offered to see if he could fix the car) then she leads him down the steep rocky hill and had her hand out to support him. Little does she know that will likely be very literal if he continues on in the show. I'm not sure if Frank yet shared that he is back with mom and dad while he pens screenplays. I think he's already written the ending to this show. He seems very much in wildly in love with Ali kissing passionately on the hood of the car. Oh Frank, get a roof (that was from Iron Man 2:)

Group Date: Sun, sand and style (?)
Malibu!!! Woooo-hoooo!!! (Ali said that about 5 times). The guys go on a group date beach front and do a photo shoot for charity. (did they mention the charity?) I felt a little for Jonathan. He felt a little insecure in his briefs that he was handed. Eventually he came out of the changing shack. I didn't think he looked that bad in them. Gotta give it up to the Nivea cream commercial tagline "Beauty is confidence". Arrogance was a few short steps away with Craig working the photo shoot with his brandy snifter, cigar and butt shots. Ty did a very lovely song for Ali and actually sounded pretty good. Save for that odd necklace/choker accessory he had...I started to like Ty a bit.
At the photo shoot wrap up party, the tension continued to grow between Jonathan and Craig M..Jonathan called him a "Category 6 A@#hole". Kind of funny...but Jonathan said that to camera and not Craig..apparently Jonathan didn't want to pull out his brown belt moves as the threatened he might push Craig out of his face.(that was scary talk Jonathan) One thing that was not so threatening about Jonathan was that white jacket. I was perplexed...what was that?? Is there a name style of jacket?? Where does one buy that?? Is it sporty or dressy??
Quote of the date: (from Justin-Rated R-: "Ty pulling out that guitar was pretty fake". That coming from an entertainment wrestler.

Individual date #2: Jesse's girl
Bachelor producers really went overboard to make this seem like a modern day fairytale... the princess comes and picks up the pauper from Peculiar and gets him all dolled up for a fancy night in the big city of Vegas. Was Ali really freaked out on the flight over to Vegas. It seemed a bit like she just wanted a little TLC from cute Jesse. He didn't seem overly comforting, but apparently Ali found him to be so. Once in Vegas, they have a hotel pool to themselves and continue to stumble over conversation...it doesn't get much better over dinner but Jesse seems like a very down to earth guy (who does over spike his hair in my opinion). I think he would have much better if he put less dippity in his 'do. The fun (?) continues when they go to the hottest club in Vegas called Haze and.....there's noone there!!! Well except for a singer..who sang the two a song as they swayed on the dance floor. Ali kinda seemed to throw herself at Jesse. And they locked lips. Can't blame the girl..Jesse's pretty cute.
MEANwhile back at the house, Craig takes some of Jonathan's clothes and does an impersonation of Jonathan. Kinda funny, but Craig has no boundaries...and apparently no sense of remorse (after all he called in sick to work from the bachelor house on a daily basis..this guy is too much!)

Cocktail party...
So much to say...but Jonathan and Craig M had the most to say....... to eachother...but with Ali it's a different story. Jonathan can't string two sentences together when he talks to her and Craig M couldn't be more indifferent to Ali. He didn't even try to tell her how much he likes her (Ali likes to hear that guys like her). She did point out his closed body language and calls him out on being dangerous. Craig M marches back to the house and calls a huddle to see who is the traitor. Justin hops in for some one on one time, then Roberto (sigh:) pulls out his baseball gloves and plays a game of 'catch' with Ali. No worries Roberto..she already thinks you're a good catch....we could tell that last week.
What was with Kasey's illfitting suit? Wow..that was ugly..complete with a burgundy shirt.and why did he take his shoes off when he had one on one time with Ali. This Kasey guy seems a bit odd.
At decision time..didn't it seem like quite a few of the guys had some type of bumps or abrasions on their heads and faces?
Not surprisingly..Craig M was let loose. He didn't seem too bothered. Tyler V seemed a little choked. I'm so glad that Chris L from Cape Cod got to stay..he seemed pretty genuine. Happy that Hunter got another go around...he seems funny. I don't get the fascination with the weatherman...her judgement is a bit clouded...but she was very clear about dumping the meathead Craig. Good on you Ali....
Until next week..I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Lovin' it for all the right reasons

It's baaccccccck! The Bachelorette!!! It is back to being my favourite show ever!! I missed it over these past few months. Ali reported back to work and Jake reported to the dance floor...but Ali had an epiphany..she wants choose love over her job. I didn't know the two were mutually exclusive.
I was a bit iffy about this one...because I'm not sure if Ali was really on it for all the right reasons. Even for a reality show, Ali as a Bachelorette rung hollow. But this season opener was SPECTACULAR! This group of guys are literally and metaphorically a colourful bunch...from the shirt/ties,jobs, trinkets, scrapbooks chivalry, backflips and romantic intentions. They are 25 of the right reasons to watch this show!

Ali looked very cute as usual..odd choice of bling on the black dress. What was up with the backlace (the necklace on her back) and then what was that shiney cluster of her dress. I thought it was her microphone pack...but then I realized she was just bed-ass-led:)

It's tough to keep track of all the guys in the first episode...but some of my faves...
Derek- don't remember much about him other than he could have used some type of blotting papers for excessive shininess and that was the worst fitting jacket I have ever seen.
Hunter's ukele seranade- adorable, funny and clever
Kreepy Kasey's proclamation-that he would be the 'protector of her heart' regardless of how far he goes in the show..how would he make that happen? Perhaps he's the first patron saint of the Bachelorette
Roberto-charming, cute, relaxed and slightly vulnerable. (so far I heart Roberto)
Craig from T.- I heart him for all the wrong reasons..so great for the show...bad tie, bad hair and what an attitude. I think he wants to be the Wes of this Bachelorette. I'm so glad he stayed!!! Hopefully he brought enough Dippity Do and extra hold spray to carry him through.
Kyle ..the mountain man from Colorado..just a man who gave up his gun, auger and live bait to do some huntin' and fishin' for love. The guy says he's from Denver...I think they live in houses and not off the land. Does he just get up in the morning, grab a Starbucks and head for the hills?
Justin-Rated R...his first shot on the show was a shot of his toe cleavage. Poor Jusitn broke his ankle during 'entertainment wrestling'. I don't know about this guy.....hmmm is he here for Reasons of Ratings?
speaking of which...i'm a bit iffy on the weather guy too. Maybe he's on the show to further his career. I did like the sunshine button though.
Jay..That 70s guy....the lawyer that has hair like Craig from TO sans hair product...looked windswept..but far less voluminous.
and last but not least.
Shooter was shot down. Good on ya Ali...you did that for all the right reasons. Why on earth would you tell someone that story? Let alone to millions of viewers???

And that my friends...are some of the reasons that...I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!

Monday, March 1, 2010

The Rose Report: On the Wings of Blah

I don’t know what it is….it seemed so perfect, the setting, Jake’s abs, the tropical locales…but something just wasn’t there for me this Bachelor season. It’s like Jake’s tepid feelings for Tenley. The show seemed perfect…but there was no chemistry for me. I really wish it could have worked out for me..but alas…the show drew to an ho hum close…one of the highlights was hearing the words to On the Wings of Love. That song is a classic.

Meet the family…
So we meet Sallie and Jim (the parents), Laura and Lesley the sister in laws and the two mute brothers.
Tenley…scores a 10 with the family. She looked fetching in her pink number and brought along a lovely floral arrangement. Tenley and Jake both had pink on. Jake’s shirt could have used a press. They LOVE Tenley….and they all think (don’t know exactly about the brothers ‘cause they don’t say much)…but that Pavelka family sure likes to turn on the waterworks. For some reason that is unbeknownst to me, Jake thinks that he and Tenley should jump into the pool right before she’s going to jump into the gaz guzzling vehicle that the average St. Lucian can’t afford to own. Off the soap box and back to the show. So Jake sees if he can tap into Tenley’s playful side and sees if he can take the plunge with Tenley..well he goes first and Tenley follows (of course). She had the good sense to take off her microphone pack. Weirdest moment of the show: Family swim time. After crazy fun lovin’ Jake jumps in, his brothers follow suit…then his mom wades in and his sister in laws too.

Vienna…will she be the crazy glue??
Vienna arrives with a fruit basket wrapped in yellow cellophane. For some odd reason the fruit basket was left on the floor. A bit of a diss to the food gift. Not sure who put it there.
One of Sallie’s pontifications is about the strong role of women in a family. They are the glue. So Sallie needs to see if Vienna will bond with the sister in laws. Vienna is off putting at first..but momma and the sister in laws kept grilling her about her relationships with other girls in the house. That seemed dumb. You’d think they’d ask Vienna about her relationship with her mom, friends or if she has any female role models. To ask how well you bond with women who view this show as competition seemed like momma was lookin’ some drama. Then a peep of wisdom from one of Jake’s bros- “her brutal honesty is an immature defense mechanism”. Whoa you don’t hear word from him then he gets all Aristotle. Then as they say in psychology circles..there was a breakthrough. Vienna’s personality shone and won over the hearts and minds of the Pavelka clan. They heard how much Vienna adored and loved Jake. Then the Pavelka’s felt bad-then cried-then apologized. They judged her, how bad they were. Vienna graciously accepted their apology.

Something is rotten on the island of St. Lucia.
Not really, but it sure smells bad. That zany Jake is going to take Vienna to Sulfur Springs!! Where it smells like rotten eggs!! Then they will roll in and massage eachother with mud and Vienna will write an I love you message on Jake’s abs. But then they wash off in a natural waterfall. Just an average date on the Bachelor. Oh…wait Vienna has dessert and cheese and crackers back at her condo. So after Jake washes up he meets Vienna at her condo. She presents him with her “I promise not to elope again with another guy” promise ring that her dad bought for her so that she promises not to elope again..(huh?). So Jake takes the ring, takes a few moments and says his good bye. He has to prepare for his awesomely awkward date the next day with Tenley.

Kickstart my heart…please??!!!
Next day Jake meets Tenley on the beach where they will go for a snorkel. Back on board the boat…is where the awkwardness begins. You can almost always be ready for an awkward date when one party says..”Hey..are you tired?” Silence and distance in the early stages of a relationship typically means something is amiss. What was missing here was couth, tact and judgment on Jake’s part. He said he was emotionally captivated by her…but that the physical chemistry wasn’t there..not the sexual chemistry..but the physical chemistry. What?? Cue the chirping birds to fill the awkward silence…to which she says…’I think we have heat, don’t we’ and then he responded “it’s building slowly”. Wow. That was telling. So polite Tenley thanked him for being honest. I would have said..if you think there is no heat then get outta my kitchen. But how does one person feel chemistry if the other doesn’t? I think this bachelor journey for Tenley was one of recovery and that she said all the ‘right’ things…but I don’t think she was capable of being that into him. I think she was in love with being in love. Back for part deux of the date at Tenley’s condo..she asked him to clarify again…but I don’t think that needed any clarification.

(In)Decision Time
Wow..Jake had a hard time making up his mind. I think the ring dude wanted to give him advice. Jake still took two rings and had to think about things…shirtless of course. The girls did some thinking in their bikinis too. Some of the deepest thinking happens with a bikini on and some Folgers in your cup.

Long and Winding Road
So the girls are helicoptered in. This is where one wonders if the first girl is the one going home. In the Bachelor early days , the first girls out of the limo was the one sent home..but producers have mixed it up in the past few years so you never know. Tenley’s chopper was first incoming. She looked gorgeous…her long gold dress almost Grecian..perhaps a nod to the Olympics. Chris met her on the landing strip (notice that the not one hair was affected on Chris’ head with all the wind caused by the helicopter). He met Tenley, walked her across the green grass into the house, then told her to cross the bridge, up the stairs and Jake would be waiting. I’m surprised she wasn’t handed a compass and an orienteering map to find him. This whole show is quite a journey. So when Tenley approached Jake, Jake did not look well. It wasn’t just his ugly tie, but he didn’t look physically healthy. Then came the I love you ..but. We gotta give it up to Tenley for her lovely speech to Jake. Her final words to Jake confirmed to me, that this whole exercise was therapy for her. And what she said to Jake is something that quite easily could have become a journaling exercise (or perhaps an interpretive dance)..I want to feel loved, special, appreciated blah blah blah. Her words were polite and eloquent, but I wonder if she really loved Jake..or maybe she’s learned that she needs to appreciate herself.
So that leaves Vienna….Vienna did look lovely in her dress..just wasn’t sure what was up with her Forever 21 earrings…a little much for the dress in my opinion. Jake gives her back the confusing ring and had me thinking that he was not going to pick her….Then he breaks into an I love you and then gets down on bended knee. Vienna was distracted by her diamond and waited about 2 mississippis before she said yes. Because there wasn’t much action after that, the producers put together a video montage, of their journey on the show ..set to the words to On the Wings of Love. (what a song!)

Sorry kids..didn’t stay up for after the Rose….hopefully I didn’t miss anything.
Well…it is bittersweet this last episode of the Bachelor…I hope there is more chemistry on the next episode!!! Until that time….even thought this episode was kinda lame…I (still) LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Rose Report: The WTA makes me want a PVR

This part of the journey is my least favourite…the Women Tell All. It’s like a having a whole bunch of leftovers to try to make a meal. Some great leftovers some not so great and it all mixed together for mediocre fare. There is a lot of recycled clips that I wished I could have fast forwarded through.

First we have Chris and Jake having a fireside chat. Chris looks quite dapper in his crisp pink shirt and jacket. Jake’s suits always look a little tired..a little wilted- a touch droopy. Maybe it’s windblown from all the motorcycle riding. Or maybe he has found Randy River.


Sully the reputation of the Bachelor
Nope nothing to do with Captain Sully who commandeered to the plane on the Hudson river to save all aboard...but rather the Bachelor/Bachelorette reunion cruises and get togethers. What is the point of those? I’m not sure why the show would sponsor those. Are they trying to see if a relationship might come out of it? It seems like the antithesis of what the Bachelor /Bachelorette is about..or pretends to be about..true love…an amazing journey. One bachelorette..Nikki I believe…euphemistically has taken ‘a lot of naps’ with former Bachelors…and apparently Wes has had a lot more nibbles as a result of this show. Talking about Wes’ nibbles gives me the heebie jeebies.

The Bachelor…the Institution???
To get back above board..we have the Bachelor gives back…to the food bank, to Haiti, to St. Lucia…they are given back and paying forward. Nice cheque for Haitian relief. How do they exactly fundraise? Didn’t Shaye look fabulous for the food bank gig? She channelled Gwen Stefani a bit. I wonder if her and Matt are still together. Well Matt is still in the US..perhaps he doesn’t hear London Calling. I didn’t get the Portraits of Hope campaign…If it’s a metaphor for the vista that this platform called the Bachelor provides for all those that hope for true love…this show really is too much…but that’s why I love it so.


The Women
Okay..my least favourite part of the show. First, women always seem to looked dismayed and surprised at the comments they have made during the show. Second, it seems that women do tend to bash eachother and the common denominator is because if it is over the same guy. Sigh. So pointless.

All the women looked great. Michelle looked a little different than she did on the show.
Channy thankfully didn’t have anything to contribute. They did replay her infamous plane landing comment. Elizabeth confirmed this was a game “didn’t want to kiss him so soon in the game” One of my favourite comments was right after when Chris said “you’re never as cool as you think you are”. Amen Chris!

Mean
I think all the focus on Michelle was really mean. Why would you state to someone on national TV that you need help..Valishia….I thought Valishia was a homemaker…maybe she took a break from her career in psychiatry.

I think I sense a new bachelorette….
And it’s not Gia. Chris did interview Gia but the focus really was on Ali. The pointed questioning about whether she’d choose work over love. I think she stated the reasons why she left Jake were sound….a girls’ gotta pay the bills right? Not sure if I read into this too much..but Ali’s apology and her answers seemed a bit rehearsed. I guess they want the new bachelorette to be kind and enlightened. Nice qualities to have…it just all seemed scripted to me.

Then there was Rozlyn
I cannot believe how much mileage there was from the Rozlyn fiasco. She was ditched from the show, so was the producer..why must we rehash what who saw and when. Who really cares???
Rozlyn did look fantastic. She did trash it up when she said she was ready for a cage match with Chris then…went on with the jab she made about the hearsay (from the producer) about Chris hitting on the producer’s wife in New Zealand. Chris showed remarkable composure. I liked how he got all Zen and Oprah and tried to turn this fiasco into a teachable moment to wish Rozlyn well and to hope that she learned something from this.


What did I learn from this WTA…..I really need a PVR…
Until next week…. I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!

Monday, February 15, 2010

The Rose Report: On the plane to St. Lucia

It’s Fantasy Overnight Date time!!! This means that Chris neatly writes the exact same sentiment ….Dear. Jake and potential Mrs. Jake…Welcome to the beautiful island St. Lucia…yadda yadda and Chris graciously offers the couple to forgo individual suites to stay in the Fantasy Suite…that is typically replete with some hot tub, jetted bathtub, rose petals….and dessert…no really there usually is dessert.

But first…to continue with the drama from last week…..

Does Ali live in a hotel?
Ali has a change of heart. She needs to find out if she can still pursue Jake. The camera has a shot of Ali lying in bed with a monogrammed housecoat…hmm couldn’t see the monogram…then there’s the shot of her overhead bedside lamp and the phone. What was up with the hotel room shot?

Date #1…Date on a dime with Gia
This didn’t bode well. I didn’t buy that Jake was trying to see if she could ‘hang with the locals because ‘she’s usually wearing $1000 dollar shoes’. She seemed very comfortable at the market…much more that Jake’s awkward groove/grinding dance moves with Gia. Not sure what’s more difficult to watch..the kissing or the grinding. That’s a question for the ages. So after Jake bought her a coconut and an unsightly heart necklace that she chose to wear on her wrist (Gia..she’s smarter than we think)..because she smoothly stated…I wear my heart on my sleeve. Hmmm I’m guessing if it was a Tiffany necklace that it might have made it around her neck. What was up with Jake’s puka shell number around his neck…seriously..that look needs to stop (along with frosted tips on guys..after the age of 17). Back to the date…so then they jump into the water…(Jake symbolically takes a plunge on all three dates) and then they dry off, have dinner…and then dessert…I mean the date card. The FOD suite was beautiful…many roses were harmed in the making of the FOD suites more romantic…rose petals in every room.

Date #2…Tenley
Tenley is tiresome and she needs to tend to her trepidation. She is repetitive and a annoying. She’s been hurt (got it), she has her heart open (got that ), she doesn’t just spend a night with anyone (she made sure we got that message too). So I’ll repeat (see Tenley is getting to me)…if she still talking about her ex..she’s not over him. When she spouts off about her values..it sounds more like she’s trying to convince herself the most..not Jake and not us..the Bachelor faithful.The date was typical…helicopter ride, catered picnic (wasn’t the picnic basket cute)..oh and did you notice the blanket matched Jake’s wrist watch. They looked like they were picnicking on the set of Lost. Back to another part of the island..Tenley freshened up and they had a lovely dinner..the Jake kicked off his flip flops and asked Tenley to dance. Well at least he wasn’t busting the same moves he did in the market. He was pretty fly as this fly boy could get. Nice how he reminded her that he enjoyed dancing..right before he’s about to present the….FOD card. He said he was really excited by the card. Tenley reminded him how special this was..and off they went..to the rose petalled suite. I’m sure Jake lead the way…because Tenley thinks Jake should lead her (yikes!!!)

Date #3: Pirate Booty
Yep..the last date….and it’s with Vienna. Vienna gets to set sail with Captain Jack..I mean Jake on the sails of love. Did anyone notice that the On the Wings of Love was put to classical music. I don’t know…is it Vienna till the end? Will she get the booty?? Jake did ask her what type of ring she wanted. But that could be the power of editing. So Jake and Vienna did all the cliché pirate moves…the patch, walking the plank…good golly Jake even had a fake sword. Those two are just so gosh darned playful. Jake recognizes she’s immature…but maybe they can grow up together. After the boat date…they had dinner..and guess what…Vienna is in love with Jake!!!! You can actually see it in her eyes…she does this eye glazed thing…and I think she feels something for him. She thinks it’s love..because she’s never been in love before….maybe it’s that crazy feeling you get when the guy you like is dating two other women and there are millions of people watching…


Ali wants back in the ring for a chance for the ring!!
So Ali gives Jake a jingle to see if there is still a chance. By excellent editing, the producers had me thinking that Jake was going to tell her to get on a plane and get her fine self over to St. Lucia. Mais non!! Jake has fallen for three women…and he tells her to keep her heart in San Francisco. What was the purpose of that exchange? Does Ali still care for Jake? Or are producers trying to suss out if she might be the next Bachelorette. History shows future Bachelor/Bachelorettes have some history of being spurned or rejected on the show (For the record..it would be great to have a brand new person…no history..no Bachelor baggage)


Rose Ceremony...a nail biter..
Yep..the nail biter bit it. Gia was gone. Gotta give it up for Gia…she did such a great job with Jake on the bench when he was giving her the Bachelor pep talk. I felt like telling Jake to put a cork in it…you just reject someone and then go on to tell her how amazing and how she set the bar so high. Gia was kind and gracious and exited on a high note. She really is beautiful on the inside out. She did have a wee bit of a meltdown in the escalade ride out…but noone’s perfect.

Next…Jake’s perfect family is coming to visit the Island..but before that…it’s Women Tell All.
Until Next Week…I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, February 8, 2010

The Rose Report: Back to Reality...and Begging???

This week it’s back to to the reality of the Bachelor…the drama, the excitement. Besides the hometowns..did anyone notice Jake’s abundance of purple shirts? And how many forehead and nose kisses this episode? Jake is making a tour of the hometowns to beg for the girls’ hand in marriage….begging?? Has anyone heard of begging for the girl's hand in marriage?

Empire State of Mind

First date Gia. She looked gorgeous. She greeted Jake and took him on a boat ride points out the sights of NYC-the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. That’s it. Enough sight-seeing..time to take pictures!! Sexy pictures, cute pictures, kissing pictures!!
They did make nice pictures together..who needs to see the sights?
Gia take Jake to meet her family..mama Donna, step-dad Tony who was sporting a lovely pony-tail, half brother Erick ( who went wild on the spikey hair brought to you by Dippity Do) and then the younger brother. They meet in a restaurant. When the family meets in a restaurant, it always makes me wonder what the house situation is like.
Donna seemed a bit flakey. Perhaps I now understand why Gia doesn’t have much self esteem when her mother says to her…I think he likes you..the way he looks at you. Gia seemed a bit more balanced than her mother when she responds “he takes everyone’s hand and he lookes at everyone like that”
What I want to know is what Jake means when he describes how he feels about Gia..it feels organic (umm carbon containing, sans pesticides?)
I’m betting that Jake is non too scared of Erick’s threat of ‘breaking a few legs’ if Gia gets hurt again.
After the family meeting Jake and Gia walk in streets and then partake in Gia’s favourite pastime…watching yellow taxis go by…sounded a bit stoop-id to me...

Catch a falling….leaf..Like really?

Jake had a warm greeting by Ali but a chilly reception to Massachusets. He was c-c-c-cold. I hear ya Jake..I hate being cold too. But Jake..there are millions of people watching and you are trying to be a bit of a tough guy in this journey. Well Jake did manage to shake a tree so that Ali could catch a falling leaf so she could make a wish . Jake makes dreams come true.
So what does the happy couple do first..visit Ali’s grandmother’s house. You know, Ali’s fond recollection of her grandmother and her being a nursemaid to her..started to endear me to Ali. Ali does have a heart. I’m not sure why she made a point to say her grandmother was like her mother….kinda made me feel badly for her mom..who is hosting a meet and greet. So off Ali and Jake go to Ali’s mom’s place…why did they enter through the back door?? Ali seemed legitimately surprised when her mom said what a compassionate girl Ali was….guess mom hasn’t seen the Ali/Vienna rows. Ali strikes me as fake with her family...



Ex ex ex..it’s all she ever talks about
Next stop. Oregon! Tenley is excited to have Jake come to her hometown. She needs to get down to brass tacks. She needs to find out if Jake is NOT like her ex. Pick up any dating book (umm not like I have or anything) and it says not advised to talk about your ex. But seriously, whenever you talk about an ex…he’s still taking up space in your brain. ‘Kay..I think we all know that Tenley has been hurt. We got that. Sigh. So when Tenley and Jake meet up and sit on a bench against a lovely lush green backdrop. Tenley lobs questions to Jake. So her ex let other people make decisions….so she asked Jake how he makes decisions and he reassuringly (?) responds ..i pass all the big decisions by my parents..they give good advice. But he does have the last word of course. Oddly, Tenley is okay with this. So off they go to the dance studio…where she’s going to show Jake her heart, her passion. Oh and did ya know..her ex never saw her dance. Subtle as a sledgehammer Tenley is as she dances, I means shows her heart, to the tune of Pachabels Canon in D.
Next they are off to to meet the parents. Looks like the tears don’t fall far from the ducts..everyone in Tenley’s family is a crier. I heart Tenley’s dad. Robert seems so sweet and genuine. I got a little choked up when he was saying that one of the hardest things to see is a dad seeing his child go through something painful. They all seemed pretty normal..except they never let Jake finish his dinner. Robert had a second chat with Jake..which ended in them both tearing up ..and a man hug. Robert is awesome.

Vienna
Qu’elle surprise!! I thought Vienna lived a life of grandeur from the way the girls talked up Vienna. It all looked fairly modest to me. I think Vienna was named after Vinnie (her dad). Vienna reassures us that she’ll take this marriage seriously. Looks like Vinnie spent all his extra cash on Vienna because did you notice they were eating hot dogs for supper. Weirdest quote from the family hometowns ‘ treat her right and you’ll come home to a clean house and the kids raised right’ yikes! Most odd hometown occurrence…the kissing in the bedroom with dad walking in.

Do I smell Fake-out?
Now Jake is back in LA (in that oddly fitting pink striped shirt)…and then he’s relaxing in his hotel. Ali totally pulled an Ed. She came to Jake’s hotel to tell him sad news….she must either go back home and back to work or stay on the show and get fired!! What’s a bachelorette to do??? Something seemed really off….she seemed so fake. Jake told her “Life is about minimizing your regrets”. Then he went on to say “You are lucky and blessed to have a job” and . then I thought Jake was going to say she was blessed to have met him, but he said that he was blessed and happy to have met her. He didn’t tell her what she should do.She was overcome with more fake crying that she had to sit down in the hallway (eww..can you imagine the bacteria)

The Rose Ceremony
I loved all the dresses except forVienna’s. Gia looked especially stunning. Ali calls a time out and requests to see Jake (again). For the first time ever,…deliberation interruptus!! Chris takes Ali to see Jake (I like how he provides an outstretched arm…Ali seemed to have a bit of a difficult time in her heels)..but..they did not talk in the deliberation area.-where the women’s pictures are placed on a shelf bathed in candlelight…the deliberation room with the wall of photos always seemed a bit shrine-ish to me. So Ali and Jake take a moment to talk on the couch..and Ali fake cries again..then they sit on a couch and then Jake that romantic creature offers to put her legs up on his thigh. That conversation that Jake and Ali had seemed to last an hour…I’m not sure if her pouty face or constant whine was more annoying. She tried to squeeze an answer from Jake-was she going to the end… na-ah Ali…that is information that only Jake and the producers are privy too. I think Jake showed excellent resolve. Ali overstayed her welcome on the couch. Chris had to come and break up the session…yikes..she should have thought out how she was sitting in her dress….the dress seemed on the verge of providing a wardrobe malfunction. You know what this long drawn out seemed to me. Ali really is not that into Jake..she’s trying to look broken up so that she doesn’t look like a bad guy . Why else would she keep saying “I’m sorry”.Since Ali couldn’t whine her way to an answer she decided to go….after a bit more fake crying and Jake escorted to down a very long hallway where they leaned a bit on eachother…metaphorically drawing strength from eachother. He takes a moment says his good bye..couldn’t quite shut the limo door..then had to lean on the handrail a melodramatic move that was first brought to us by Jason Mesnick. Jake really likes that move though .

Least cool move of the night
With three roses and three girls left..Jake says “Well girls come and get your roses”. At least he handed them to them.

Next week..Jake and the FODs!!!!!!!!!!!
And (no) surprise!! Ali comes a calling!!!!

Until next week..I LOVE this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, February 1, 2010

The Rose Report: On the Verge of Bored

The Rose Report: On the Verge of Bored

No More Drama…Mary J Blige’s 2002 album and hit. (Shout out to Mary J Blige’s and Andrea Bocelli’s Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water duet on the Grammy’s last night. It was such a powerful tribute to Haiti)….So why am I talking about Mary?? Well besides the fact it was an breathtaking and awesome performance ….unlike this episode. No drama to be found.

I’m not sure if it’s just me…but this was a dull dry episode. Ali and Vienna are still not liking eachother…but it’s really getting old

In good news, the girls can shake the dust off their stilettos because the buses rolled into San Francisco and the girls get to stay together in a 5 star hotel. Jake meets the girls at the hotel and shows the girls their suite and passes out the first date card.

What the f….fortune?
No seriously…Tenley’s date conversation made me feel awful for her….Jake grills her at the dinner about what were the mistakes in her first marriage…and her key learning…she should have appreciated the moments..and and she really should have jumped up from the desk, couch and kitchen and greeted her husband when he came home. Ummm..I don’t quote Jake often…but as he said “cheating is a choice”.
As shucks…they both wrote kiss me in the fortune. That worked well because as we will soon learn…Jake doesn’t initiate…well maybe 80 %.

The Date Chest
Looks like Tacori diamonds didn’t sponsor this episode of the Bachelor. But instead Jake sends a chest of….clothes….to go on the castle/vineyard date. Gia did so well on her first vineyard date…that she gets to go again! So no diamonds on this date…but the producers did what they could …and they rustled up some shiny sequiny tops for the girls. Yucky.
Did anyone notice that Gia still has a bandage on her finger from last week….what happened?? Maybe Gia has sharp teeth and she accidentally bit herself b/c she always seems to keep her fingers by her mouth when she is alone with Jake.(thanks Dave) Jake and Gia and the lantern have some alone time…and have the very important conversation about “how Jake puts all of the other girls legs on his lap”….then Jake professed that he’s falling for Gia. Someone pass the Gravol because I thought I was going to lose it when she asked “is it okay to fall”. The producers send Vienna all by herself only with a lantern and the cameraman behind her to see if Jake has fallen and can’t get up. Seriously..what was the purpose of that. Vienna goes on to emabarass herself, profess how much she was hurt at the last rose ceremony…when it was time to hit the hay..Vienna went on to find Jakes room at the castle and crawled into bed with Jake. Jake was not naked-but almost! And had impure thoughts! But he did send Vienna back to her quarters….

You know what annoys me about Jake. Don’t get me wrong..I think Jake’s probably a really good guy..I’m sure he’s a great neighbour, citizen, role model for clean livin’-but the guy does not ask questions. He has outrightly stated that he wants to find his wife…but wouldn’t you maybe let’s say..ask a few questions about the woman. Like I understand they most likely won’t be discussing the Copenhagen Treaty (especially since they take an entire rail car on a date, and travel by limo), but maybe have some more meaningful exchanges. I don’t think Jake has ever asked any woman about their careers or any questions about them….a great example of that was..Corrie’s date.

90/10 or 80/20….wrong formula
I nearly nodded off during the Corrie date. You know why the date didn’t go well…because she didn’t fawn over Jake. She didn’t profess his awesomeness. Jake says he goes in 80% and the girl has to come in 20%...umm nope. The girl has to make him feel unawkward in order for him to throw her a rose. Maybe it’s true that opposites attract. Corrie seems to be most suited to what he’s looking for on paper…..but if she’s not feeding his ego..then suddenly he’s just not that into her.

The Lame Date Card
Worst date card in Bachelor history. Jake basically gave her a card that said “I don’t want to plan the date, you plan it”. Big snore. I think he did pretty good at the Quaker tower, the Castle vineyard and the lovely park date. Maybe that was date card karma. She’s all talk no action…and now she’s forced to plan something. Not a huge fan of Ali these days. Maybe she’ll turn a corner. Not sure why Jake bought flowers at the start of the date- wouldn’t they die being carried around all day? Wasn’t Jake just a whole bunch of silly with the with the latte moustache? Then they went to the beach and Jake had a back rub…from stress of not planning a date. The both took a little dip into the Pacific…hopefully those boots weren’t suede.
PS…what was she carrying in the tote?? Did she have to cater the date too?
Worst quote of the show (Ali to Jake “you’re my big flower”…actually I think he’s more like a delicate flower)


The least dramatic rose ceremony ever.
Corrie’s gone. Jake’s eyes welled up.
Okay bring on the drama…Maybe in real life No More Drama is a good idea…but on a reality show…we need some drama. Next week it’s a Family Affair!!!!


Until New Week.. I Love this Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

The Rose Report: On the Wheels of Love

Just when you think the show couldn’t possibly get better…it does!!! Taking a nod from Rock of Love- Bus…the Bachelor goes road trippin’ up the California coast.

The lovely ladies are paid a visit by Chris at the mansion and told to go look outside….and they see…two RVs!!!! The girls squeal with excitement!!! The not so exciting part is that they are told they have one hour to pack. I gotta give it up to the girls…they pack great outfits with very little info to go on.

So after the girls have distilled their wardrobe to a week’s worth they are enroute to their first destination..a vineyard.

So here they set up camp. Yes camp. They have to live in their RV and Jake is just up the dirt road in his orange tent. Maybe they burned too much Bachelor budget with all the helicopter rides in the last episode, but everything was slashed and burned in this episode, the travel budget, the date budget, the food budget and even a rose…but we’ll get to that.

Date 1: One on One with Gorgeous Giggling Gia
Jake hands Gia a date card but tells her not to open it until he walks away from the RV Bachelorette camp…and she does..and it’s for her!!!!
So Gia has little time to get ready. Loved her outfit!! Who cares that she’s wearing stilettos camping..she looked fabulous. Meanwhile, back at the pup tent, Jake is getting ready outdoors. Loved the shot where Jake was shaving holding a make-up mirror (wonder if it was Jessie’s-the cosmetics manager). A short ride down the hill on his motorbike, he picks up Gia. Gia reminds me a little of Angelina Jolie. The jolie pretty part..not the kinda seems a little crazy part. Since camping is a big part of Jake’s life he wanted to see if Gia could handle it. She’s from New York..of course she could handle it…and she did with grand style. First a little hide a seek...cute idea..a little hard in a vineyard. Then Jake carried her through the vineyard –maybe stilettos not so good an idea after all. Then some mutual disclosure about how uncool each of them were in their adolescent years. Jake claimed to be Mr. Dateless in grade 9. Dude. It was grade 9. Who cares? What I find more disconcerting that he says he can’t get second dates at 31. Gia’s giggling seemed to be a bit much…what pushed this date over the edge was playing spin the bottle with two people. Then of course that was followed up by awkward kissing by Jake. After all that spinning and kissing – Jake had worked up an appetite for the special (budget) dinner he had planned. Funny thing is Jake said that she’s from New York so she was probably expecting steak but they were going to have hot dogs instead. Again, dude, she’s from New York….they have hot dog stands on every corner. Sigh. Maybe Jake’s flights don’t get to the east coast often. You know..besides her incessant giggling..i like Gia. Cool that she wants to adopt a child from China and that she joked about wanting a pot belly pig. Cute.


Date 2: The dirty date
Dirty, dirty, dirty, dirty. I think that’s the number of times the producers forced Jake to say dirty. I wanted to wash Jake’s mouth out with soap and send him to bed early. That’s not Jake’s MO. It sounded contrived. That’s not our Jake. Anyhow..it was a dirty date literally. First camping, followed up by a group date in the sand which ended up with a dinner of ..wait for it..fruit and wine. Seriously. That was then followed up by Jake offering up a roll down the sand dune. He wondered why only Tenley took him up on it.
The Inn-credible time continued at the Madonna Inn. What was up with that place? If someone who gets design could let me know what is appealing about that place? The girls got showered and changed only to cram into some rosey-pink leather booth in a gaudy dining room and waited to be called up by Jake to accompany him into some bizarre themed room. The first room was named the Romance room. The only romance in the room was written on the door. Cue the awkward music as Ashleigh and her shorts tried to make moves on Jake. My fave quote of the show (so far) was from Jake “Sooo…what else?”.

Next Jake called on Vienna….but she pulled a stealth move and requested to go last. So ironically Vienna passed on the Austria room and Tenly opened her heart even more (is it possible) and expressed how it is painful for a woman longing to be desired. Yup, Tenly we just witnessed that with Ashleigh’s display in the Romance room mere moments ago.

Then it was Ali’s turn…you know..everyone complains about Vienna..but I feel I must complain about Ali..all she does is pick on Vienna. It’s getting tiresome.

Date #3: Instant Death Date
Mama Ella vs Stewardess Kathryn. Ella made a remarkable transformation from the campground to Jake’s cabin date. She looked very pretty…I wonder if she smelled like campfire though. I’m not sure why Jake gets lost in Kathyrn’s beauty…sometimes I think Jake throws compliments out when he’s not sure what to say. Not a bad strategy..who doesn’t love a compliment?
You know..as much fun as I poke a Jake..you gotta hand it to him for being Straight Up (because he really wants to love you forever oh oh oh and he’s not just having fun…that was a little Paula Abdul sampling..for the 80s crowd)…anyway he cut ‘em both loose because he wasn’t feeling it. Jake truly is following his heart. Oh..this was the only date where there was a nice dinner..didn’t look like anyone touched their food though.
So he sent them both packing. Well, not literally, the anonymous baggage handlers would pick up each woman’s luggage at the RV base camp. In the limo interview, Ella ominously wishes that Jake doesn’t crash and burn in this process. Soon after, Jake throws the rose he was supposed to award in the instant death date in the fire. Oh the drama!!!!!

Cocktail Party: What would Chris Do?
The drama continued later in the party. What escapes me is what Jake sees in Corrie..well besides the awesome conversation they had that went something like this:
Corrie to Jake “do I give you give you any feelings of awkwardness”
Jake: “No”
(Rose Reporter to self…that’s because you are awkward all the time Jake)
Corrie “If a guy likes a girl he should feel nervous or awkward or on his toes”
Jake: “I’m on my toes”
CorrieL “I want you to like me”
Jake: “I do like you”
Corrie. “I like you too”
Jake: “I need to get to know you”
Corrie: “I want you to get to know me”

….and it went on…
More awesome conversations went on…one girl went on to say “I’m scared and petrified at the same time” Thankfully Christ came to clink the glass and to whisk Jake away to what I’m guessing was a modified deliberation room.
Jake is back with his charger plate full of roses to give out…and then….Stop the petals…Jake needs a consultation. The Rose Cam (thanks Mare) follows Jake out the door because he must find Chris. Chris delivers in this surprising turn of events. Chris is not just the glad handing, card giving, glass clinking bearer of “take a moment and say your good-byes”, he listens carefully to Jake..while Jake asks “Chris what would you do if you were me”. Ummm Chris is married…but regardless Chris uses reflective listening to ensure he adequately captures Jake’s angst and steers Jake to a new course of action. They will remove one rose..and Jake will send two women packing. Phew. .crisis averted…perhaps even a few tears. Jake looked like he was going to cry.
You know..Jake is taking this very seriously..and props to him for now stringing anyone along.Way to go Jake.

Next week..off to San Franscisco…..until then…I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, January 18, 2010

The Rose Report: The 3 Rs of the Bachelor

For the seasoned bachelor fans, you start to see the formula of the bachelor
Reduce: the number of women gradually
Reuse: the date ideas
Recycle: the notion that this process yields true love

My favourite definition of recycle is: to alter or adapt for new use without changing the essential form or nature of:

And that’s what our bachelor is here for…to transform from single Jake to one who finds his true love.

As the stomach turns…
The first date..showed a lot about Jake. Jake picked up Vienna on his motorbike. The motorbike ride is a bit of a metaphor for the show. Jake –protected with leathers, helmet and Vienna hops on the back with her tank top and helmet, vulnerable to his decisions and must trust in this process.

Jake is using bungee jumping to help cement a relationship-to overcome fear as a couple. He also said he’s looking for someone nuturing and someone to be the strong one. He and Vienna both admitted a fear of heights (how does a pilot have a fear of heights?)Bungee jumping was not Jake’s finest hour. He looked unwell as he gripped the bridge moment before his jump. Vienna was a champ…and I think she passed Jake’s test for a strong and nuturing women…and he sealed the head of over heels date with a kiss….Awww…who wouldn’t want a kiss with their stomach turned upside down. Speaking of stomach turning…is it just me…or do other people need turn away when they watch Jake kiss?? Oh…the Cloud Jake comment…resulted in another stomach turn on my part.


It ain’t no laughing matter

Making the bachelorettes or bachelors put on some type of entertainment for the bachelor is tried. These bachelorettes are really doing double duty for this show. The process of dating is funny enough, now they are asked to do a comedy show. Putting the petals to the mettle….It would take courage to do that. It was mainly awkward and horrible. Kathryn did well, by initiating a kiss with Jake. That’s what Jake wants..a take charge kinda women.

Back at the roof top rock star after party (that was a joke), the mood went from not so funny, to serious, to tears. First Jake launches into the fun saying…”I don’t want to take it to a serious level, but it is exciting that my future wife may be sitting her..to keenly remind all the women that it is a competition. So Miss “Savin’ All my Love For You” Tenly gave a very teary recount of her story of a woman spurned. Jake comforted gave her the awkard kiss/smile combo and all was good again. The tears continued with Michelle who again proclaimed she was here for love, marriage and children…because ‘it’s her turn’. Then came the kiss of death. She asked to be kissed (good move because Jake rarely initiates)…the she humiliates Jake by saying “seriously that’s it”. Uh oh. Not the right thing to say to the guy who is ‘too perfect’. The mood changed..Jake hung his head. And the next thing you know….the girl green with envy is sent a back in the green taxi. Yup..you don’t diss Mr. Perfect. Bad things happen. Jake holds Michelle’s hand down the elevator (dunno why) then gets her a cab. Jake comes back to the party to announce that the party did not go as he planned…and it’s time for Jake to get into his jammies and go to bed. This dating thing is tiring. But Jake is slowly reducing the numbers and counting down to true love.


We’ve seen a lot of this before
Ella…the lovely single mom from Tennesee had quite a few recycled dating ideas. She gets the second helicopter date in the show, she’s off to Seaworld (remember the Trista/Ryan date…where Ryan bought Trista a Shamu stuffed bear??) and then Jake brings Ella’s song Ethan along for her birthday…hmmm seen that before…I believe Jason did that for a bachelorette from the south too. I kinda share Ethan’s response to Jake….distant and slightly disinterested. But it did seem that Jake had the least awkward kiss with Ella. I think she might be what Jake is looking for nuturing, strong and mothering. She also seems this least petty of the girls..and she (as well as the Canadian girl) did not jump on the Vienna hater train.



I think the reduce and reuse strategy just might be helping Jake on his amazing journey. I love how he called Elizabeth on her duplicitous ways. Aw shucks Jake….clarifying Elizabeth ‘s non kissing strategy was a spiritual stab in the dark. As milk toast as our Bachelor is, I’m happy he sent Elizabeth away. I’ll drink to that….


Maybe, just maybe, this tried (but not always true) formula for love might work for Jake… in the end…there maybe a shiny something for a special lady.
Until next week….I love this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh..one more thing..Velishia..the other girl that was cut loose…how can she be a homemaker..does that mean she is unemployed??

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Rose Report: Watching the Bachelor for All the Right Reasons

What a show!!! This show was extra special for me. While watching this episode…I was feeling the Rose Report might be brought to you by the letter A.

Airheads…for some obvious reasons
Awful…where Jake tucked his rose before presenting to Rozlyn
Airplane ….we all knew that Jake would fly at least once during this episode…
Awkward (the feeling I feel every time Jake’s kisses anyone or expresses his romantic sentiments and musings)
Amusement Park….because I was amused that it was called Six Flags…just thought the park should be called red flags….sooo many red flags that are so easy for viewers to see..but not our dear bachelor.
(in) Appropriate…Rozyln’s (again..reminds me of the kinda cheap hotel on the northside…but what is in a name) behaviour with the producer

As I was prepared to review how this show, as with the many before, was rife with the examples of Hollywood cliché romantic date and ‘shocking’ twists and turns in this quasi juicy episode I stopped and realized that Jake is here for the right reasons. He really wants to find someone to marry on this show..and he’s not just going through the (e)motions.

As Jake clumsily attempts to make connections with these women, maybe he feels like he’s a 14 year old trapped inside one fine 30 something year old body. Maybe that’s what’s with all the 80s references…the On the Wings of Love Song, Chicago’s “You’re the inspiration”. (Do you think Ali knew who the band Chicago was?). Regardless..Jake is in this for the Glory of Love (it’s a Hard Habit to Break :)

So Jake’s not so elegant with the ladies…even though he’s got some textbook dates….I did find his capable nature in safety-checking the airplane kinda hot..(safety is hot:), then him flying the plane…pretty hot too. He pretty much cooled off after that with his bad grammar “You did good Ali” and odd dance moves in the park.

He also jumps into serious relationship-speak with any one on one time he has with anyone. Just showing..he’s trying to vet out the serious contenders..you know those here for the right reasons…for him, to fall in love with him and to marry him.

Now that is where our very earnest bachelor may encounter some turbulence while on the wings of love. All a girl has to do is tear up, tear him away from the girls or tear off some note paper and write him a little special note . What was up with the nanny’s note…what did she mean..’it’s naked and natural’..more like it was odd and uninspiring. Elizabeth the nanny cleverly threw down the ‘no kissing’ challenge unless Jake was serious. Hmmm I wonder if he/she or they will cave during the FODs. Elizabeth did say she was playing hard to get..and the only game Jake is playing is playing for keeps.


Speaking of playing…I don’t think Michelle aka Debbie Downer is playing with a full deck. She was packing and unpacking, crying then happy. Michelle makes me tired.

Then this it all came to a screeching halt. Chris came in and summoned Rozlyn for a talk on the patio. In the past few episodes, Chris has shone as a host. In Bachelors past all he seemed to do was clink the wine glass to cease the cocktail party, announce the final rose and ask the women/mean to ‘take a moment to say your good-byes’. But Chris has handled some difficult Bachelor sitches…Trevor not choosing anyone, the Jason /Melissa/Molly fiasco and now the lyin’, cheatin’, double dealin Rosyln’. He did it with grace, finesse and composure.

This is the moment where I saw that Jake was truly troubled about what transpired. I did feel for the guy. This is serious for Jake….and he felt a little dumb…as anyone would who has been duped or misled. Jake really believes in this show and what it will do for him. His naivete about a reality show is silly but just a little endearing too.

What I did find ironic is when Chris said to Roslyn that she had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer and that is not what the show is about. So Fantasy Overnight Dates are appropriate then?? This whole show is inappropriate…. But I guess everyone knows what the ground rules are. Just because there is transparency, it doesn’t mean the process is right or appropriate. But I’m no ethicist..I just love this show.

And I love it for all the right reasons…..

Until next time…I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, January 4, 2010

The Rose Report: First Impressions,Falling, Football and flight-y girls

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! Well, maybe the second most wonderful time...it's baaaack...my favourite show ever! The Bachelor...and this time 'round we have Jake Pavelka..best known for trying to rescue former Bachelorette Jillian from Wes' wily ways . Now Jake will have his time to shine. For the unintiated, Jake is a commercial airline pilot with killer washboard abs, an electric smile and sadly, he's been pegged as being too perfect. Sigh. He may be first in charge on an airplane but he certainly does not have a commanding way with words.

.."noone is engineered to be alone"

..."flying is a drug that bites you in the touche like love"

..."love is more powerful than flying"

Well..he ain't no Yeats..but given that this episode is named after a cheesey '80s love song (note song lyrics excerpt below) we can't really expect too much from the show..



ON THE WINGS OF LOVE (Jeffrey Osborne)
Just smile for me and let the day begin You are the sunshine that lights my heat within I'm sure that you're an angel in disguise Come take my hand and together we will rise
On the wings of love Up and above the clouds The only way to fly Is on the wings of love On the wings of love Only the two of us Together flying high Flying high Upon the wings of love

..'kay..that's enough of On the Wings of Love..I was starting reach for an air sickness bag....back to the show!!!!

The first episode of this show is my fave! I love the insight into Jake's life. Jake, like many Bachelors before him, spends a lot of his life shirtless :) building, thinking, running....
Jake also dons his aviators and leather jacket and rips around the city on his motorbike (and his really large helmet..way to go Jake..safety first). I think the producers were trying to bad boy him up a bit. Guess the limos were all booked in Malibu because Jake had to ride over to the mansion (with his leather jacket over his suit jacket) to meet. Judging from his outfit, I think the budget line for Bachelor suits was eliminated. What was up with his tie....no matter...remember he'll likely take his shirt off soon.

First Impressions...
The ladies in the limo all seemed to have odd little tricks to get the Jake's attention..but by doing so it just makes them equally as difficult to distinguish. The double headed coin, the dirt in the palm, the broken picker solution(what's a broken picker??), the aviator glasses, the nose trick, jelly beans..wha??? What was memorable was the assortment of very very shiny dresses. There was a lot of everything, cleavage, leg, crinolin, glitter and my personal fave..the full length green sequined dress. Some girls were just stunning...Rozlyn (which apparently means little rose..but when I hear Rozlyn..I think the northside hotel..shout out to my northside peeps)...and the nanny was gorgeous too.

Falling..
A few notable falls...one girl fell right into Jake coming up the slippery stone sidewalk to greet Jake and the second one was the girl in the yellow flowy dress..who proclaimed "i'm already falling for him" egad...no shortage of cliches....too much..this show is too much.

Football
What better way to get Jake's attention but to throw the pig skin around. The nanny brought out a football to see how Jake could throw a ball....apparently you can tell alot about a guy by the way he throws a football. That foray into football led to a spontaneous game of touch football. Call me paranoid, but playing football in long dresses on cement seems a little dangereuse for me. I think Jake should supplied some heavy duty helmets for them. Good thing there were not bachelorettes hurt in the filming of this episode.

Flight-y girls....
Well no shortage of examples. The most obvious example is the teacher who transformed into a stewardess. The stewardess cap did not fit her head (because she's so brainy she said)...turns out she's getting a PhD....good for her. Another indication that education does not mean one always makes smart choices.
But who comes to help Jake sort out all his choices....but the sober (literally) second thought of the Bachelor but the Ed/Jill panel!!! Jill's looked lovely in her sparkly dress which personified her disposition. Ed (thankfully he wore a suit and not his signature tank tops) gave some excellent advice to Jake that he did not take. Ed...very wisely said that he didn't get a good vibe from Michelle (who seems a emotinally labile and certain that Jake was for her). Jake sees sincere in Michelle...I see someone a wee unstable.
Oh my...then there was the airplane girl....who told Jake to lie down on the floor and then he supported her lying horizontally with only his feet. I was confused watching that. It looked like some crazy chiropractic intervention..but apparently it's called 'playing airplane'.
Tenley aptly made a top 10 list about her personality traits. Nearly reached for the sickness bag again when she said was a 'cuddle bug'. Seriously..who talks like that?
The most spacey monologue was done in Cambodian by Chammy. I won't repeat it......this blog is rated PG 13(Pretty Good 13 posts)..I mean....PG-13 rating...Glad to hear that Chammy hit the highway.

The only thing I that really suprised me was that Jake didn't pick the Captain in the airforce. She seemed sweet and genuine. Maybe Jake is right....nice guys (and girls) don't finish last..they just have to wait a bit longer....

Until next week bachelor faithful...I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!