Why Oh Why

Why would one want to promote watching this borderline trashy (possibly staged?) reality TV show, much less encourage others to discuss it? I give you my reasons:

1) It makes me laugh.
2) Looking at attractive girls make your pupils swell, increasing blood flow to the brain and thereby making you a smarter and all-around better person.
3) Something to talk about.
4) The contestants may all be drunk on Hollywood Juice, but these people think they're on the path to "true love." That's a fascinating petri dish to observe.
5) OK, here's the big one and a borderline hidden agenda. For those of you who are currently _______ (married, dating, single and looking for someone, single and looking for no one, married and looking for someone [hopefully not!]), I believe whom you choose to be with, and how you choose to treat that person, are on the medal stand of the most important decisions you will make AND keep making for the rest of your life. It is not always easy, it is not always clear, it is not going to be perfect, but doing your relationship thing better is most definitely worth it. If this forum would ever have any kind of positive impact on that, any street cred lost would be totally worth it.

HEEEERE'S JAKE!

Our Bachelor for the upcoming season is Jake, of Jillian's Bachelorette season fame. The drinking game of the year, for responsible adults in the comfort of their own home, will be the word "perfect" relating to this man. I wouldn't be surprised if a few of you (OK, us) lightweights are under the table before Mr. Chris Harrison finishes the opening credits.

I think he will be an excellent leading man. Many girls seem to find him attractive, so good for y'all. If Jillian is any sort of accurate predictor for things to come, he's not afraid to be agressive on the dance floor or attack face on the kissing front. He also is a sensitive drama quee... prince, or whatever. His bend-over-the-railing cry was Lifetime movie material.

I have no qualms about his good intentions, intellect, desire for commitment, ability to captivate an audience, respectfulness of others, or rock-hardedness of abs.

I am a bit concerned that he will let the attention get to him and become a lil self-righteous. I also don't see him as a dude's dude. I don't know if that's because he didn't play team sports growing up, just wasn't with a crew during the Bachelorette that related to him, or what, but if a girl is looking for the guy to be all chummy with the males in her life, I don't know if he's it.

Ladies (especially) ... what's your take on this guy?

All The Single Ladies

What can I say, I already have favorites. Check them out at abc.com/bachelor. IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR OPINION SWAYED BEFORE WATCHING FOR YOURSELF, STOP READING HERE.

How can I have favorites after seeing one picture and like six words? Being provocative is part of a host's job description, but more importantly, it's all about the smile. A great smile will be the same tomorrow and fifty years from tomorrow as it is today. I've said that before, and I'll say it again. Other physical features don't have near the staying power.

These opinions will change dramatically after episode one, but I give you my power rankings:

Non top 5 Comment, free of charge) Ashleigh - I swear this is a blonde California makeover done to that country singing giggly chick from the Englishman's season.

5) Michele - Darkhorse - has a Mischa Barton thing going on, if that's what you're into.

4) Gia - Juh-Juh-Juh-Gia! Plant Gia in the room, water, and watch the boys' attention to her grow! (That was an attempt at a Chia Pet joke.) She looks like Cindy Crawford 2.0.

3) Sheila - She's a pilot - they can do their mile high things together.

2) Kimberly - I've liked NBA dancers on this show before ... and she also gives off the take-me-home-to-Mom / down-to-earth vibe. More my type than I think would be the case for most men, not sure why.

1) Ali - Yes! She's my number one stunna. She's got a bit of a brainy appeal, a hint of an attitude, as well as some dark eye dreaminess.