If you haven't heard of the ABC hit TV show "The Bachelorette" by now, you've most likely been living under a rock for the past 14 years that it has been airing. Whether you're a believer in the show or an outright hater, this reality hit has taken the TV dating world by storm. The premise of the show revolves around one woman, the bachelorette, dating 25 or more men at one time while slowly sending a few home each week until she narrows it down to the one man who ultimately proposes to her. There are many people who are cynical about the truthfulness of this show, and for good reason.
However, there are also real connections made between these reality stars on screen that have proven themselves to be genuine in life after the show. "The Bachelorette" was only a spin-off to the first season of "The Bachelor" which has branched off into even more equally successful adaptations of the show such as "Bachelor Pad" and "Bachelor in Paradise".
Whatever your viewpoint is on the show, the fact is that America can't get enough of it. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. The drama is unmatched by any other show.
If you know one thing about "The Bachelorette," you know that it is chalk full of D.R.A.M.A. There's nothing reality TV fans love more than watching other peoples' drama unfold. Although the Bachelor franchise is known for hyping up drama that never really lives up to what was expected, there are still many cringe-worthy, 'can't look away' moments that keep fans across the nation hooked. So, as Chris Harrison puts it, get ready for "the most dramatic season yet" (a.k.a every season.)
2. You get to stare at 25 hot guys on a screen for 2 hours.
One thing that girls love about "The Bachelorette" over "The Bachelor" is getting to see a group of hot guys all pining for the same girl. We get to watch these men through a screen and make our own judgements of them and maybe even pick one for ourselves that we can start an imaginary future with. She can't have them all, right?
3. The dates make you happy and overwhelmingly depressed at the same time.
"The Bachelorette" is known for having extreme and totally unrealistic dates. It's okay though because we as fans can live vicariously through these people. It's fun to watch the stars go on these dates and see the joy and love on their faces. But then, after a while of watching helicopter rides and yacht dates, it dawns on you that you'll probably never get to do any of these things in your lifetime. It's all part of the emotional roller coaster that is reality TV.
4. The proposals make you believe in true love.
At the end of every season, there's always a magical and emotional proposal that has everyone breaking out the box of tissues. Both "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" take everything a step further than any of us would expect which keeps us all intrigued. When the final couple gets engaged in the end we think they'll celebrate simply by walking off into the sunset or drinking a bottle of champagne. But no, that's too mediocre. Instead, as soon as they get engaged the couple is whisked off into a helicopter or ride off into the sunset on an elephant all while drinking ten bottles of champagne. We accept it though because LOOK HOW IN LOVE THEY ARE.
5. Watching grown men cry.
There's nothing more heartbreaking (or weirdly entertaining) than watching a grown man cry. While other men are probably laughing and making fun of this guy, us girls are crumbling apart on our living room couches at the fact that this man is secure enough with himself to show his emotions on national television.
6. Watching grown men fight.
While girl drama gets kind of annoying and exhausting to watch after a while, boy drama is always fun to watch (especially if the fighting is over a girl). Men have huge egos. So when it's time to fight, you know it's going to get ugly. Unlike girls though, guys don't believe in the whole "holding a grudge" thing and the problem is usually history by the next day.
7. Seeing unexpected bromances unfold.
With 25 guys stuck in one house with no connection to the outside world, bros are going to come together. And even more than bros sometimes, we see broMANCES. If anyone watched Kaitlyn Bristowe's season of "The Bachelorette" we all remember the big bromance (*cough cough* JJ and Clint). Not to mention, Chad and Daniel's bromance from JoJo's season was also another fan favorite. The producers loved to play on this relationship but honestly, we loved every second of it.
8. Chris Harrison is the best TV show host of all time.
What are "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" without Chris Harrison? Nothing, that's what. Chris is the backbone of this franchise and without him holding everything together, nothing would be the same. There can't ever be an episode without his voice narrating the dramatic season highlights or coming in at the end of the rose ceremony to say, "I'm sorry, if you did not receive a rose, take a moment and say your goodbyes."
9. "The Bachelorette" shows girls how to be a total boss.
If you've ever watched an episode of "The Bachelorette" you know that there are always guys who are not "there for the right reasons." We have seen many uncomfortable and anger-filled goodbyes but, in the end, the bachelorette always shows us how to stand up for ourselves and get rid of guys who are not genuine.
10. It's the best show to watch with a group of friends.
There's nothing that gets more girls together and talking than an exciting episode of "The Bachelorette". The show itself is a conversation starter that can get people talking for hours and is just a fun way to hang out with friends. It's honestly how I met my college roommate after talking about the show over Facebook messenger. So there, real life friendships and relationships can be made from the show.
Although many people think "The Bachelorette" and all of its spin offs are superficial and fake, and a portion is, there are a lot of real emotions and real relationships that come out of them. Even if you can't get passed your mindset that it's all staged, it's still a fun show to watch and talk about on Tuesday mornings. So grab some girlfriends on Monday nights, make some popcorn, and enjoy the show.
