A Man's Perspective - Reunion

A few random thoughts from the reunion show - a.k.a. "CATFIGHT! MEOW!"

- I always love when the cameraman make a point of showing the diverse studio audience. They have to hit every demographic and with The Bachelor reunion show, the minority group is men. So when they broke from commercial and showed two men in the audience, I couldn't help but think..."that's going to be me and the Bach Blogger some day".
- I wonder if any bachelor has made a mistake on the reunion show and blurted out, "I just didn't think I would find a woman like Emily" or "I just am madly in love with Chantal" and then ABC just edits it out. If this happens, would ABC lock the entire reunion show audience up for a week? I know from a friend that was on a reality show that networks make contestants sign contracts restricting them from leaking a story to the media before it airs on TV. The contract language usually threatens million dollar lawsuits, etc. I wonder if they make the reunion show audience sign similar contracts.
- I'm sure everyone noticed Chris Harrison's excellent soccer skills, but did anyone notice that Chris is wearing a woman's wedding ring. Did ABC pay for that? In past episodes they show the Bachelor choosing engagement rings for his future bride. I think Chris was given the ring that a former Bachelor didn't want.
- Brad has used the "I think you are an exceptional woman" line over and over again this season…and it seems to be working. I personally think the brutal and honest truth is the best way to go, but Brad's attempt to be the man to console the woman after breaking up with them seems to be working. There were very few that were mad at him, so maybe Brad is on to something. The next new breakup line..."it's not you, it's me, but you're an exceptional woman"
- Bachelor Pad this summer!! And the stars of the show are Vienna and Rozlyn. Bachelor Pad 1 wasn't really any good and I certainly don't think these two can attract more of an audience than Gia and Tenley. Which brings us to our...

Quote of the Week - Reunion Episode

Krisily - "Vienna was friends with Gia and then slept with Wes behind Gia's back"

Some things never change. Wes has always been a player and always will be. Vienna has always been shady and always will be. Gia will continue to get played because she chooses bad men.

Runner Up Quote of the Week - Reunion Episode

We're all sexual creatures - Rozlyn

Advice for the Bachelorettes

Ashley S - I can't tell if the show helped her realize that she needed more confidence. I know she said "Confidence is key", but I feel like it was her quoting what her friends or therapist have been telling her since watching the show. When she still brings up the fact that all of her past relationships have cheated on her or left her, it is just sad. She did have some insightful quotes though. "I think the moral of the story is, don't act like that in front of a guy (referring to Rachiel and Melissa)" and ""Feeling like you deserve love is really important". Is Ashley S trying to take the Man's Perspective's job???!!!

Michelle - The reunion raised a good question, how much kicking should you do when a girl is already down? I'm not a big conflict guy, so part of me was cringing as the ladies piled it on, but another part of me was applauding Jackie, Sarah P and Stacey. What goes around comes around. I think Michelle was mean to a lot of girls and I still don't think she has given a sincere apology. Her explanation that she gave over and over again was, I was there for the right reasons, I left my daughter…That doesn't excuse you for being mean to everyone. Those tears were because she felt bad for herself at that moment, not because she felt bad for what she said on the show. I think the best approach Michelle could have taken was to bring a list of every bad comment she made and stand up and read the bad comments to each girl and apologize. Not only would it have been hilarious, but it could have filled 20 minutes and I wouldn't have had to watch the boring "highlights" of past episodes.

Ashley H - A Man's Perspective prides himself on knowing the right thing to do and giving advice to others, but Ashley H's appearance on the reunion show made me realize that I need help. Here is my big question. If a women has a noticable big change in her appearance, do you have to complement her even if you don't like it? I say no, but that is just me. I bet 95% of the world would lie. My appreach in the past has been to ignore the change completely even though it is the most obvious change in the world. Really, you haven't had pink hair for the last three years??!! Really, that tattoo on your cheek is new??!!! The worst is when someone is fishing for a compliment and asks you your opinion. What should I do in that situation? Lying would break my moral code, but so does making someone cry. So back to Ashley H. Chris complemented her and the entire studio clapped. I think she looks worse!! She obviously looked different when they introduced her and I spent the next 20-30 minutes trying to figure out what changed. I think the big changes (Hair, lipstick, dress) all made her look worse. I liked the blond highlights and her old hairstyle. Her red lipstick is way too bold. And the dress and overall style just isn't her. I'm all for the girl next door type trying to sex it up a little bit, but this just didn't do it for me.I'm not digging her look at all.

A few words for our parting Bachelorette

Since we don't have any eliminated women this week, I thought I would offer my opinion on the final two women. I'm not sure who is going to win next week, but I definitely think Chantal is a better fit for Brad than Emily. Brad seems like he likes to goof around a lot and I think Chantal will make him laugh more than Emily. If he goes the Emily route he is immediately entering father mode and I just don't think he is ready for that type of commitment. The only thing for certain, one of these girls is going to be crushed.

Tell All Bawl and Brawl

It was time for frenemy reunion week in Bachelorland. I always have high hopes that contestants will watch themselves on the season and come on this episode with some perspective, humility, and class. That pretty much never happens. The human mind’s ability to rationalize and justify ridiculous behavior is alive and well. (Is this counter-evolutionism?) For our entertainment purposes, I say hallelujah.

So many train-wrecks … where to begin. Jackie?! This one surprised me; I liked her before. Now, what a B! “I’m so used to meeting these twenty somethings, … it was refreshing to meet this real man.” Excuse me, you’re 28. People who constantly whine about how immature the people their same age are … are just as, if not more, immature. The “spider” comment towards Michelle, followed by the “f’d up” Melissa Leo moment and the piling on after Michele hit the canvas (crying with head in hands) reflected poorly on her character. Go take your nasally ‘tude, ball it up, and stuff it in your mouth. Please.

The Melissa-Raichel mess is just as much of a disaster as it was before. I’d like to pick Melissa in this feud, but that’s like picking Stalin over Hitler in the humanitarian-of-the-year award. Raichel, look me in the eyes and listen: Melissa did NOT ruin your chances; you were never close.

Why does everyone blame themselves for it not working out with the Brad?! I should have said this, I should have put myself out there more, I shouldn’t have said that, I … blah blah blah. 99.99% of the time, what’s supposed to happen in relationships, eventually happens. What you do or don’t say/do can prolong or speed up the inevitable, but every relationship that ends doesn’t mean you or the other person failed. If you cheated, lied, abused, etc., OK, yeah, then you failed. Yes, please evaluate and analyze and assess how to be more true to yourself and who you want to be in a relationship and what qualities you need in the other person. However, please don’t beat yourself up for results that are the healthiest conclusion. Live your life believing in free will and that your choices impact outcomes, and also find the inner-harmony that comes with predestination (when it’s wrong, you can’t do anything to make it work; when it’s right, you’re not going to be able to screw it up). Those may seem like mutually exclusive positions, but I think it might be a recipe for success.

Sarah and Stacey couldn’t class up a strip joint. I actually thought Michelle handled herself rather well taking on the onslaught. I like her more than before.

Lisa stuck up for Michelle in a genuine and honest-sounding way, and she really impressed me with her Walter Payton (sweetness). Madison, Britt, Ashley Seal, and Ashley Dentist all made good impressions. I go back and forth on whether I like Ashley’s new ‘do or not, but she seems to have a good head on her shoulders.

All people, including the Brad, need to choose words sooooo carefully when they break up with someone. The whole “not a great wife for me” line was probably uttered with good intentions but came across poorly.

The Brad’s got that (crap) eating grin on his face that all is right with the world. (Sidenote: I have no idea how that grin phrase came into being; it makes absolutely no sense.) He can bench press his car, jump over his house, run a marathon before work in the morning, over lunch, and again before dinner with all the love – infused adrenaline in his body.

I’m looking forward to seeing his dream come true next week. I know all you saps are too.