My almost encounter and The Bachelor

Yesterday I had an almost encounter. An almost encounter? Yes, I almost came in contact with someone famous – okay, slightly famous. Most of you would ask if this even counts. We all could potentially have almost encounters without even knowing about it, but I guess this is where my almost encounter is different. I knew I missed him. Him? Him who? The only person to successfully complete The Bachelor (okay, fine it was The Bachelorette) and actually get married. In fact, they are still married and have a baby on the way. That’s right, my almost encounter was with Ryan Sutter.



Ryan was at my office yesterday because he is working with one of our clients. I was walking down the hall and there was a bunch of luggage, and one of my co-workers mentioned that was Ryan Sutter’s luggage. I missed seeing Ryan, but I saw his luggage. So, there you have it, my almost encounter. What makes this almost encounter even better was that is happened on a Monday. What is so special about Monday you ask – The Bachelor is on.

The Bachelor – my knowledge of The Bachelor (and in fact, my obsession with reality television) can all go back to my friend Paige. Paige was a self proclaimed reality TV junkie. When I met Paige the show Joe Millionaire had just started. We’d get together on Monday nights and watch with a bunch of friends, and this reality TV show was the beginning of our reality TV friendship – Survivor, The Amazing Race and The Bachelor all followed. This could be another entry in and of itself, so for now I’ll get back to The Bachelor. I watched back in 2002 when the romantic firefighter sweep Trista Rehn off her feet on The Bachelorette. I went on to fall in love with the funny guy Bob Guieny go on to be The Bachelor after Trista didn’t give him a rose; and then Andrew Firestone and Jen ... anyway you get the point (this post is already going to be incredibly long). Well after a few years I gave up The Bachelor. Until last year. Somehow I got sucked back into The Bachelor. I blame it on friends; I blame it on TV watching being a social event; but regardless, I find it to be like a car wreck – you don’t want to but you just can’t stop yourself from looking.

So this year, The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman features Andy Baldwin. I love how ABC tacked on “Officer and a Gentleman” to make is sound like Andy is more than just a guy they put on TV because he’s hot – and, he is in fact quite hot. Last night’s episode can be summed up in one work – jealousy. Jealousy is a nasty, nasty thing – especially when you put nine women together in one house, all fighting over one guy. As ABC has proven, a recipe for disaster – and good television. Andy took “a number of women [he] could be completely happy with” to Lake Tahoe last night. Which according to Stephanie South Carolina is somewhere in Oregon.

On the first group date the ladies and Andy had dinner and then went down to the casino. The drama queen of the night was Bevin, which Nicole described as, “she’s totally having a moment – yeah, she’s losing it.” Poor Bevin sprang her ankle and has a hard time walking and getting dressed, woe is me. Despite Bevin bursting into tears, Andy assured her that they had “electricity” whenever they touched and made out with her practically in front of the other girls. After some gambling (with the Oceans 11 music playing in the background – to add to The Bachelor’s cheesy soundtrack), it was time for Stephanie Kansas to break down too. Typical Andy, he also told Stephanie Kansas she had nothing to worry about (in fact he even got a little teary eyed).

The second group date was skiing/gossip central. Stephanie South Carolina is telling stories, Kate is giving false information – and Andy is eating it up. Andy chose the girl who has gotten the least air time for some private alone time. Tina continues to amaze with her dullness and her ability to somehow get roses. According to Andy, Tina asks the tough questions – like, are you high maintenance? We did learn that the Saleen 7 Andy’s been driving isn’t actually his. Gasp! Come on Tina, you had to know that ABC gives him everything so he seems hyper masculine.

The single date with Amber was so boring all I remember was a rose was given out, they made out in the hot tub, and Amber fretted about what to wear.

At the rose ceremony, Stephanie South Carolina pulled out her slutty brown dress (the one she contemplated wearing in Episode 1). While Stephanie South Carolina drives me nuts, she did result in my favorite quote of the night. The girls were talking about how awful and inappropriate her dress was for the evening. I can’t remember who said it, Stephanie Kansas maybe, but someone said, “I’m wondering if it’s appropriate for a strip club.” Classic. Just confirming that Stephanie has worked at a strip club before or will pose for Playboy after The Bachelor.

From nine to six, Andy eliminated Stephanie South Carolina (hallelujah!), Kate and Nicole. The girls hugged, cried and left, and then Andy toasted the remaining girls, “Here’s to finding true love – aye aye.” Barf, barf

My final three prediction: Bevin, Tessa and Stephanie Kansas (although Amber may give her a run for her money)