I know, I know, I know…. I just put the United Nations and The Bachelor in the same post. But let me say this. I know this show is already awkward and degrading – especially if it’s not handled well by the main star.
I also realize this is “just another reality TV show.”
But, in a way, it’s not.
The Bachelor and The Bachelorette still have a certain amount of credibility. Why? People watch it because they hope to see people find true love. I’m proof. It happens.
But here are three reasons why they should never have two women on The Bachelor:
1. It’s downright degrading for the women – for the two chosen and the women watching at home. This move transfers the power back to the men on the show specifically designed for the women. As one tweet said, “Once again, you’ll have women competing for the attention of men.”
2. Bringing on two Bachelorettes is just a rating ploy designed to bring The Bachelorette out of a two season ratings slump. (Yes, The Bachelorette performs more poorly than The Bachelor – for these three reasons.)
3. When I was The Bachelor, the producers selected girls for my season whom they thought were well suited for me. (Yes, some were selected for dramatic purposes, but others were chosen because we might be compatible.) There’s no way they can stack the decks with good possibilities for such two different women.
When I write about the show – as I did in my new book – I talk about the care the producers showed me. I wrote about how the producers in the Suburban when my heart was broken on The Bachelorette were actually crying more than I was. I write about how the executive producer gave me actual advice on the night before I proposed, based on his years of marriage.
I’ve always said the people who put on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette believe in true love and have given the show and it’s producers a lot of credit. They’re able to produce crazy dramatic episodes all while genuinely hoping the bachelor/ette finds love.
This latest development just doesn’t support that “finding true love part.”
Judging by the tweets I’m seeing, an overwhelming majority of people agree this is a bad idea:
(yeah, yeah, I see the poll/pole typo!)
Judging by the hundreds of tweets I’m seeing, no one likes this duel bachelorette idea. Also, @clmgiudici thinks it’s disgusting.
— Sean Lowe (@SeanLowe09) March 10, 2015
@SeanLowe09 It’s sexist and unfair to both girls. Do NOT like.
— KJB (@kristy_joy) March 10, 2015
@SeanLowe09 no. It should have just been Kaitlyn. It’s just for ratings and so Chris could say “The Biggest Twist Ever in History” AGAIN
— Hollie (@TexanHollie) March 10, 2015
@SeanLowe09 great 4 ratings, awkward & painful 4 the woman not “picked” on the 1st night, horrible idea as a viewer. Hotmess.
— Surprise_Island (@Surprise_Island) March 10, 2015
@SeanLowe09 sexist and awful. It’s the bachelorette for a reason, the girl should do the picking. Kaitlyn deserved to be the only one.
— kiera (@hometown__glory) March 10, 2015
@SeanLowe09 I think the show has finally #JumpTheShark!
— Annie (@Annie__Cole) March 10, 2015
@SeanLowe09 I don’t like it but I’m going to watch to see who the guys pick
— charlotte shady (@charlotteshady1) March 10, 2015
It bothers me how happy Britt is about this… #TheBachelor
— Kelly Travis (@kellytravisty) March 10, 2015
So much for feminism. #TheBachelor — Kelly Travis (@kellytravisty) March 10, 2015