Dish Of Salt: ‘The Bachelor:’ Is It Love? (November 28, 2006)

by Laura Saltman

Instead of watching my favorite new show of the Fall TV Season, “Heroes”, last night I decided to TIVO it and tune in for the finale of “The Bachelor: Rome.”

I’ll admit to being among the millions of followers of the show, when it premiered with it’s very first bachelor, Alex Michel, back in March 2002. That was back when reality TV was hot, hot, hot. The show became a true phenomenon overnight. However, after one too many back-to-back incarnations of the show, it started to lose its steam. (I lost interest somewhere around the whole “Byron the fisherman” series.) At it’s height of fame, nearly 26 million tuned in for the finale in season 2. Last night, just over 10 million watched Lorenzo choose 24-year-old teacher, Jennifer, over publicist, Sadie.

This morning, myself and other reporters had the chance to speak to Lorenzo and Jennifer about their new found “love.” I’m a cynic of course. I mean let’s face it, the show doesn’t exactly have the best track record. Of the twelve couples this show and “The Bachelorette” has put together only three have lasted so far. Ultimately, it just seems like an extended episode of “Elimidate.”

When prodded by one reporter about the show’s de-coupling rate Lorenzo fought back saying, “To me the previous success rate has nothing to do with Jen and I and how we feel together. I think the show in a way has been a success. Just because the other bachelors didn’t per se get married it didn’t mean that they didn’t find love on the show.”

Though he presented Jen with a ring, in the end Lorenzo did not propose instead deciding to figure out, “Was it just a moment of love or is this really a person I can spend the rest of my life with?” Considering he decided two hours before the rose ceremony which girl he would choose, I guess that’s the best you can ask for, right.

The happy couple will continue a long-distance relationship. She’s in Miami. He’s in NYC. Long distance. Been there. Done that. Good luck. There is that cynicism again. I really do have a good reason though. I’m going to spill a little bit of a secret here, so hopefully my boyfriend won’t read this. Years ago, I actually dated a couple of Trista Rehn’s “Bachelorette” rejects. I won’t say who they were but they got pretty far on the show. So, needless to say, a lot of women knew their faces. I’d be out with them and literally women would be throwing themselves at these guys and slipping them phone numbers right in front of me. Fame does something to women. They become obsessed with trying to land someone who is a celebrity. No cares about whether or not they are married, in a relationship or whatever. My guess is that this is why six of the last eight Bachelors have broken up with their final picks. Too much temptation.

Don’t think I wasn’t brave enough to ask Jennifer about this. She had a great reply, “I think that to make a relationship work, trust is very important. I have total confidence in him but if something does happen, I’m sure it will get written about. So, I’ll find out anyway.” A realist on a reality show. I love it!

My other complaint with the show (and also why I believe the relationships don’t last) is how young the girls are. Hasn’t the median age for getting married gone way up? I can’t understand why 23, 24 and 25-year-olds are looking for husbands. Personally, I’m pretty sure they are all just looking for their fifteen minutes of fame. Then they got caught up in the romance of the situation and decide they are “falling in love.” How can you fall in love with a camera in your face capturing your every move knowing that the guy you are dating is making out with other women? I don’t get it.

Of course, I’m also a total hypocrite. You see I have another secret. Back when I was single, even though I don’t think finding Mr. Right is going to happen on a reality show, I wasn’t above trying out for the show. Yes, that’s right. Yours truly was nominated by a friend (who knew the casting director) to be the Bachelorette the season that Jen Schefft was picked. They were looking for someone very “Carrie” like ala “Sex and the City.” I went in and tried out. Then I got the call that ABC was making them use Jen because she already had a following.

There went MY fifteen minutes of fame. Why do I choose to embarrass myself in this column? I have no idea. Somebody should stop me!