…I’ve become utterly hooked on The Bachelorette.
The “this” of the above—if you haven’t heard me squeeing on FaceBook—is the fact that a Mills & Boon cover shoot was one of the show’s first group dates…and lucky me ended up with one of the covers. If the truth be told, I ended out with the BEST cover. ;-)
Don’t get me wrong, I love them all…but mine is the most traditional…and there’s a definite smoke factor happening there, don’t you think?
I’ve never watched much reality TV (except for GoggleBox and I believe I’ve blogged about my love for it before). Big Brother, Survivor, and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here have never appealed. You know, I’m not even drawn to things like The Block or Master Chef because…well…it seems to me that these shows thrive on a rather large dose of participant humiliation. As I have a tendency to identify with the losers rather than the winners, this doesn’t make for comfortable viewing. And, believe me, the rose ceremony in The Bachelorette is far from comfortable viewing either.
The set up of The Bachelorette is utterly artificial too—one girl gets her pick from eighteen guys (none of them have ever met), with the view to finding true love…while an entire nation watches on. Would you do it? I sure as heck wouldn’t. Are these people crazy!!!
So why have I become hooked? Do I believe I’m seeing the whole picture onscreen or that I’m privy to everyone’s motivations? Not a chance! I think that might be part of the show’s beauty—trying to work out what’s really going on.
But the thing is…I’ve found myself liking some of these people. Quite a lot if you want the truth.
Sure there’s game-playing, competitiveness, and out-right rivalries, but there’s also friendship and bromance. There are moments of real sincerity that catch at me. I love watching the interactions among the guys and thinking: “He behaved well, what a nice guy,” or “OMG! I can’t believe he just did that!” And Bachelorette Georgia is so perky and so much fun, and yet she seems really down to earth. She doesn’t shy away from asking the hard questions or letting one of the guys know when he’s made her feel bad. And you know what? I think the world has far worse role models when it comes to the subject of love and how to treat people, than this show.
Oh, and one more reason I love The Bachelorette—Cameron! Cam features on my cover. If there’s a Mr Congeniality Award for the house, Cam will win it. Not only is he HOT, not only does he have the cutest smile, but he’s also a fireman. Swoon. And on their date he and Georgia played with puppies. It doesn’t get much better than that. :-)
Who else has been watching The Bachelorette? Come on, ‘fess up—do you love or loathe reality TV?
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Hi Michelle
ReplyDeleteI am not a TV watcher at all and especially reality TV although I confess that I do love The Voice. As for these covers they are fabulous I love them it must have been fun watching the episode where they were shot :)
Have Fun
Helen
As a rule, Helen, I'd rather read a book than watch TV too. Normally Mr Douglas has custody of the remote control...and he has been sending me the kind of looks that seem to say "Is this the woman I married?" LOL.
DeleteOh, and I know more than one person who love The Voice!
Michelle, I agree, you did get the best cover! Love the pop of red that goes so well with the smoky heat of the picture. I saw that episode of the show and thought I must watch again to see what happens but it's fallen off my radar. I found the dwelling on the rivalries a bit much though I do understand what you mean about the lovely moments. If only it were possible to watch only the good bits!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I agree, you did get the best cover! Love the pop of red that goes so well with the smoky heat of the picture. I saw that episode of the show and thought I must watch again to see what happens but it's fallen off my radar. I found the dwelling on the rivalries a bit much though I do understand what you mean about the lovely moments. If only it were possible to watch only the good bits!
ReplyDeleteAll the covers are fun, Annie...but, yes, my cover is kinda perfect.
DeleteAs for the show and the rivalries (and sometimes the awkwardness-es too)...it can be like watching a train wreck and not being able to look away. I'm wondering if it's not these cringe-worthy parts that throw the lovely moments into glorious relief.
So love the cover, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch The Bachelorette but my nieces are completely addicted. I can see the appeal and I must give it a chance. Will try to tune in soon.
I love that cover so hard, Jen. LOL.
DeleteAs for the show...it's the craziest premise...and yet it has a definite addiction-factor. ;-)
Hi Michelle, I love the cover! I havent watched the Australian Bachelorette but I can highly recommend Australian Masterchef. I know it's finished over there now and the judges are changing next season - but they are the nicest judges and if anything goes wrong they dont put the contestants down, they offer sincere and practical feedback and it's just quite an amazing show all round :)
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle, I love the cover! I havent watched the Australian Bachelorette but I can highly recommend Australian Masterchef. I know it's finished over there now and the judges are changing next season - but they are the nicest judges and if anything goes wrong they dont put the contestants down, they offer sincere and practical feedback and it's just quite an amazing show all round :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, now that's good to know, Tash! Baking is fun, and I do love to ooh and ahh over amazing creations...so if the judges are kind rather than cruel then that's definitely a show I could get behind. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteLove that cover, Michelle! I totally agree, you got the best one ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a big 'no' for me on The Bachelorette and most reality TV. It's not really my jam, too much drama. But I make an exception for Masterchef and So You Think You Can Dance because I do love cooking and dancing. I feel like those shows are more talent than drama, so that suits me fine :)
I'm hearing you on not being interested in most reality TV, Stef -- I'm shocked that I've become so hooked on this. Though, it's been a great creativity exercise -- I keep playing with different scenarios and motivations for the character...and that has been a lot of fun. :-)
DeleteYou definitely got the best cover, Michelle :-)
ReplyDeleteWas so excited to see this promo - how awesome is it?
Like you I'm not a fan of the cooking or construction reality shows but I do love the singing ones - watching X factor at the moment. I used to watch Survivor back when it began too.
Amy, I watched that episode with the biggest grin on my face and practically bouncing in my seat. The team at Harlequin Australia have been working on this for over a year! I'm so lucky to have been a part of it. :-)
DeleteAnd now I can see now how the whole world of reality TV can become so hopelessly addictive. ;-)
I confess that I barely watch any TV these days, Michelle! Between my TBR and social media, I have NO time for it! I know if I turned it on though, I'd be suckered in--I get hooked easily and then I'd be a goner! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing you on the time thing, Fedora! But I'm finding it a bit hard on the eyes to read in the evenings if I've been writing and typing all day. So TV and movies have been featuring a little more in my life these days. And like you I'm easily hooked! ;-)
DeleteMichelle, I have a vested interest in The Bachelorette because Georgia Love is from Tasmania! She was our newsreader on a commercial channel and I was so surprised when she announced she was going on the show. I was thinking...if she can't find love looking as gorgeous as she does, then who can?!
ReplyDeleteI know, Melanie! Not only is she beautiful, but she seems really fun, and honest. But, as she says, she's always prioritized work in the past and now she wants to prioritize her personal life. I hope she finds what she's looking for! :-)
DeleteI can't stand 'reality' TV. I usually end up watching it when there is nothing else on since the TV is usually on for 'white noise' in the background.
ReplyDeleteWho else got Bachelorette covers? I keep forgetting to ask.
LOL, Lyn...that's what I used to say. And after this series is over I'll probably not watch any reality TV for an age.
DeleteOh, and the other Bachelorette covers belong to Marion Lennox, Barbara Hannay, and Emma Darcy. I am in the most divine company on the planet!