We all have guilty pleasures, but watching ABC’s reality series “The Bachelor” surpasses them all. This show is centered around finding the most eligible Bachelor and 25 Bachelorettes every year in hopes that the contestants will find a romantic interest [and possibly a fiancé(e)] through several rounds and types of eliminations. Although the show follows this general guideline, each season does not have a specific structure, so each episode and its coinciding eliminations are the source for many controversial plot twists. These subtle variations and nuances give the show high rankings by provoking conflict and unnecessary drama—making it a show we all love to hate. Here are just a few of the contestants that made the show worth watching.
The Worst:
5. Aaron Buerge (2002)
Although he holds an impressive reputation by receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, earning an MBA in International Finance, and opening his own restaurant at the age of 29, his career peaked at the start of the show's second season. Buerge eventually ended his engagement with Helene Eksterowicz after only a few weeks and declared bankruptcy a few years later.
4. Prince Lorenzo Borghese (2006)
While Borghese may fulfill all the requirements to be "Prince Charming," he certainly revealed his superficial temperament during Season 9, "The Bachelor: Rome"—proving that charming does not always denote chivalry.
3. Jake Pavelka (2010)
He seemed like a promising bachelor, but as the 14th season of the show progressed, it became clear that Pavelka had little to no substance to his personality. After he chose Vienna Girardi over Tenley Molzahn, Pavelka dissapointed viewers across the nation, leaving him at the third worst contestant of the season's history.
2. Brad Womack (2007 and 2011)
A close second of the most hated bachelors, Womack not only abandoned both finalists in his first appearance in 2007, but also broke Emily Maynard’s heart after breaking off the engagement from his appearance in 2011.
1. Juan Pablo Galavis
With only a 6.2 percent approval rating, Juan Pablo was the most hated bachelor in the history of the show. After appearing on the previous season of "The Bachelorette," many women simply adored him; however, after several shocking comments in Season 18, the audience started to question his true intentions.
The Best:
5. Andrew Firestone
Andrew Firestone (grandson of the Firestone Tree and Rubber Company founder Harvey Firestone) is Principal and Founder of StonePark Capital, a firm based out of Santa Barbara, CA. In the third season of "The Bachelor," Firestone proposed to Jen Schefft, but they decided to go their separate ways nearly a year later. Firestone ended up marrying actress Ivana Bozilovic, and they welcomed their first child in 2009.
4. Chris Soules
Chris Soules, a small town guy from Iowa, appeared on Andi Dorfman's season of "The Bachelorette" in 2014, but their different lifestyles ultimately lead to his elimination in the fantasy-suite episode; however, he came back as the bachelor earlier this year and became a strong favorite for his sincerity and ambition.
3. Jason Mesnick (2009)
As a single dad, Mesnick was skeptical about appearing on the fourth season of "The Bachelorette," but he finally proposed to DeAnna Pappas, only to be rejected and sent home. He reappeared in the 13th season of "The Bachelor" and chose Melissa Rycroft, but changed his mind and proposed to Molly Malaney, the runner-up, instead. The two got married in 2010 and welcomed a daughter in 2013.
2. Sean Lowe
Born and raised in Texas, Lowe made his first appearance on the eighth season of "The Bachelorette," but was sent home in heartbreak during the penultimate week. The following year, Lowe became the Bachelor for the 17th season of "The Bachelor," and ended up marrying Catherine Guidici in 2014. In the end, Lowe was one of the few contestants who the entire nation rooted for simply because he was a true gentleman.
1. Chris Harrison
Although Chris Harrison was not (and never will be) a formal contestant on "The Bachelor," he is truly one of the best men on reality TV. He has been a confidante to many, a father to two, and a first-hand witness to several successful relationships—not to mention he is a bachelor himself after divorcing his wife of 19 years back in 2012.
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