Alright, I’m just going to say it: "The Bachelorette" is one of the most ridiculously vapid shows on TV. The show is filled with both artificial feelings and boobs. We all know one thing to be very real though: the alcohol. It’s like a modern day, semi-sexless brothel, but with one-on-ones and group dates. Romantic, I know. The goal of the show is to fall in love with just one of the 25 or so men or women presented to you. Simple. Here’s the catch: you only have six weeks. What can go wrong? If you’ve ever watched the show, you know that just about everything can and does go wrong.
The concept
They say love happens when you least expect it; this show very much expects it. They put the bachelors and bachelorettes into a setting where the end game is supposed to be an engagement. With that expectation in mind, it’s not crazy to think that the contestants may try and fabricate feelings that aren’t really there. It’s like when your friend sets you up and you really try and like the guy—he’s nice and cute, but nothing’s really there. Maybe you’ll prolong the fling a little longer to see if something is there, but there isn’t so you end up cutting it off. I dare you to Google how many couples have stayed together since their "love story" first aired.
The timespan
Finding love in 6 weeks seems a little unrealistic, especially when you’re expected to select "the one" from a pre-selected pool of people. I’ve struggled to finish an online summer class in six weeks, so I can’t imagine finding love in the same amount of time. I get that it’s possible to find and feel love in a short timespan, but that doesn’t mean it’s a great idea.
The setting
Of course the people on the show “fall in love”; they’re taken to some of the most beautiful places in the world. When everything around you is magical, so is the person in front of you (in this show, at least). Now, take the same two people and put them in the real world, the every day life they were used to before the show. Not as romantic, huh? I can’t say I’m shocked when these relationships don’t last once the show is done. The romantic spark isn’t always as strong when they roll over in bed with the view of their neighbor's siding, not the coast of Thailand.
The crazy ones
We all know the contestants that stay on the show much longer than they should. Why do they keep getting roses? It’s likely the producer is giving them a rose, not the bachelor or bachelorette. Let’s be real, half the entertainment in the show comes from those one or two lunatics yelling and streaking. They keep the viewership high, that’s for sure.
All that being said, whether you hate it, love it, or love to hate it, you still watch it sometimes. It’s like a bad accident—you know you really don’t need to look, but you can’t look away. Intentional viewer or not, there are benefits to watching the show.
The confidence boost
This is one of those shows that makes me feel better about myself because I’m not crazy, I’m not on reality TV, and I have a firm grasp on my perception of love. Not only that, but I’m confident and patient enough to not have to go on a TV show to find love. I’m perfectly content staring at the hot guys I see around, occasionally going up to them and hoping for the best.
Drinking games
You can make Bachelorette Monday’s much more fun with your alcohol of choice! Be careful with this one though. Depending on what you wager a swig on, you can get drunker than you’d like to be before the second commercial break.
Call me a love hater, but if this show is what truly embodies love, count me out. I’m more than happy staying single, cuddling with my warm laptop.