Ever wonder what happens to the rejected bachelors and bachelorettes? Well, they usually wind up going back to their lives before reality TV, but now, 19 of the “funniest, sexiest, craziest, most memorable” contestants (according to ABC anyway) are returning to the small screen in The Bachelor’s latest spinoff series, Bachelor Pad.
This time around, 11 gals and eight guys will live together under one roof, Big Brother-style, while competing for $250,000. There are more women than men because there have been more seasons of The Bachelor, but according to co-host Chris Harrison (he’s sharing duties with former Bachelor contestant and Dancing With the Stars alum Melissa Rycroft), they’ll eventually “even the numbers” — my guess is by bringing back a few surprise castoffs. And, of course, as the previews allude to, everyone’s hoping for “a second chance at finding love.”
I’m not sure about the whole love aspect — longtime viewers of this franchise know most of the couples, engaged or not, wind up calling it quits. But lust, however, is always prevalent, particularly when the contestants are all bunking together in the same room — and are all drop-dead gorgeous. Remember swimsuit model Gia, blue-eyed contractor Jesse and sales manager-with-a-six-pack Kiptyn? Yup, they’re all back.
You may not recall Gwen, though, who last appeared in The Bachelor’s sophomore run vying for Aaron Buerge’s affections, or Jessie Sulidis (below) in cosmetics, who once hoped to win over Jake Pavelka in Season 14. Luckily, after screening the pilot episode (though don’t ask me who’s eliminated, as ABC wouldn’t give up that juicy tidbit), it appears we’re going to get to know the latter lady better, judging by her ample screen time. Given that she’s Canadian — from Oakville, Ont., to be exact — this makes me happy.
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Gotta support our homegrown stars, right? Even if it is just a reality show.
Another Canadian is making their presence known on Bachelor Pad. But while Jessie is sweet and looks out for others (those who watched Ali Fedotowsky’s recent journey on The Bachelorette know Jessie is the one who tipped her off about Justin’s infidelity), Craig McKinnon is better known as a villain. Or, I should say, “dangerous.” He did, after all, torment weatherman Jonathan — again, in Ali’s season — who was none too pleased to see the Toronto native show up in the pad.
Unless, of course, “Great, dickface is here” has become a genial greeting. |
If you’re wondering how the money part of the show factors in, here’s the breakdown. Each week, the contestants will compete in a challenge — tonight, for example, is the childhood game of Twister. The winner of the challenge will receive a rose, which means two things: they’re safe from elimination that week and they can go on an intimate date with three men or women of their choice. While on the date, the winner will also be able to hand out a rose to one of the three people they’re with, thereby saving them from elimination as well. And, when it comes time to boot someone out of the Bachelor Pad mansion, the girls vote for the guys, and vice versa. The last person standing will take home the money.
Naturally, drama ensues almost as soon as the contestants arrive. Some are friends from previous seasons and The Bachelor reunion parties. Some have already dated in the past — and didn’t exactly end things on good terms. Some claim they’re willing to forego the cash to make a love connection, while others are obviously just in the mood for a hot hookup.
All the while, booze — and tears — flow freely, because it just wouldn’t be very Bachelor-like without some waterworks. “I haven’t seen myself cry in awhile,” sobs Natalie in one preview clip. Like any other season of this show (or any reality series, for that matter), emotions run high, and when you throw a few — er, abrasive personalities — in the mix, they jump tenfold. I don’t mean to single out Michelle (I don’t know her personally, after all) but it’s hard not to after watching her stir the pot onscreen. Look out for the showdown between her and Tenley in the bathroom; it’s more than a little disturbing.
Or, take it from Wes, who succinctly notes she’s the type of gal that “if you hook up with her, you probably have to worry about her chopping your thing off in the middle of the night.”
Will love or money reign supreme in this weekly two-hour free-for-all? It’s hard to tell this early in the game, but if I had to guess, I’d have to say the moolah. I hate to sound cynical, as I’m a big softie at heart (I adore original Bachelorette Trista and her firefighter hubby, Ryan), but I’ve watched this show enough to know they’re only one of two couples to actually wed. I’m sure the Bachelor Pad contestants realize this too, so while it’s easy to get caught up in the romance and glamour of falling in love on TV, I bet a lot of them are putting the quarter-million prize first — whether or not they’re willing to admit it.
Click here to find out which former contestants are returning to the show.
Bachelor Pad debuts Monday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on Citytv/ABC.
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