In the realm of reality TV, few programs spark as much debate as The Bachelor and its counterpart, The Bachelorette. For years, I have silently critiqued the life choices of friends who ardently follow this show, often rolling my eyes at their enthusiastic posts. Among friends with impressive academic backgrounds, many seem enamored with a man who turns to television as a means of finding a partner. I often wondered why intelligent women would engage with a format that presents a scenario where numerous contestants vie for the affection of one man, whose social skills appear dubious at best.
Over two decades, I’ve observed friends hosting premiere parties, complete with roses and custom cocktails, only to witness their emotional breakdowns when the finale leads to heartbreak—”Why did the blonde prevail over the brunette again?” I would think. As I listened to stories shared during moms’ nights out, I often questioned, “How did we reach this point? What is this bizarre phenomenon? Why should we care about a woman named Emily breaking a man named Arie’s heart?” And don’t even get me started on The Bachelorette; I found it utterly perplexing.
Until, against my better judgment, I found myself under the influence of Nyquil three weeks ago, tuning into Season 22’s premiere episode. Blame the Nyquil, but also my inability to grab the remote and save myself from this.
To my surprise, I watched my first episode of The Bachelor and experienced a flood of emotions—SO. MANY. EMOTIONS. My husband, who was unwittingly roped into this viewing, had no choice but to join me on this chaotic journey. If I was going to dive into this world, he was coming along for the ride.
As we settled on our couch, we were captivated by the unfolding drama. It was as if an invisible force had taken hold of us, preventing us from switching to a more intellectually stimulating program like Jeopardy or National Geographic. We observed contestants, or whatever term is appropriate for them (forgive my inexperience), arriving at a lavish estate in increasingly imaginative ways. One contestant, Jessica, quickly captured my husband’s attention by driving up in a vintage car, while we both sensed that Kat would be a handful. Meanwhile, I couldn’t fathom why Lucy was prancing around with a mask on her face for half of the episode. There was so much to dissect.
As the episode progressed, we resolved not to become “that” couple, insisting we were merely watching to poke fun at Arie and his entourage of meticulously styled sidekicks. We agreed, “Just this one episode to see what all the fuss is about.” Fast forward to three episodes later, and we’ve fully committed to this reality show—a decision that has transformed our lives in unexpected ways.
“Did you set the recording for The Bachelor?” my husband asked last week, a statement that would have previously led to a serious conversation about our relationship. Yet now, his newfound enthusiasm for our late-night TV ritual had me feeling quite affectionate.
In our bewilderment, we learned the structure of the show, noting the distinct categories of dates—one-on-one, group, and even demolition derbies. On one occasion, Arie took his contestants to a dog park, where they performed with new canine companions in front of crying preschoolers. Quality television at its finest! I regretted having missed out on a decade of such entertainment.
As the season unfolded, we found ourselves genuinely invested in the fates of the contestants. When poor Jessica faced disappointment after a date at a winery, my husband and I felt sincere empathy for her plight. She had just five days of acquaintance with Arie, yet her heartbreak resonated with us.
Despite the absurdity of Arie’s antics—like meeting parents on the first date or dog training as a date activity—I couldn’t help but cheer for him and Jessica. We were all in this together. Please don’t break my heart, alright? And by the way, consider this an invitation to my Final Rose Ceremony party; I’ll be crafting a signature cocktail.
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In summary, my initial skepticism about The Bachelor transformed into an unexpected enjoyment as I navigated the eccentricities of the show alongside my husband. What began as a reluctant viewing turned into a bonding experience, full of laughter, surprises, and a hint of emotional investment.