Welcome back, Bachelorette fans!! We made it. The premiere we have all been waiting for is finally here. Jillian Harris, the 29 year old Canadian interior designer of restaurants who came in third place last season is the new Bachelorette. For anybody living on another planet over the past several months, Jason Mesnick, The Bachelor from last season, picked Melissa Rycroft
and proposed to her in last season's finale, then dumped her at the reunion show for runner-up, Molly Malaney. Melissa, heartbroken, went on to compete in Dancing With the Stars. She is currently in the finals along with Shawn Johnson (the Olympic gymnast) and Gilles Marini (the sex symbol/Samantha's neighbor in the Sex and the City movie). Jillian was the second runner up and offered the chance at
being The Bachelorette. With that background behind us, we are ready for the new season!
We start out with a recap of Jillian's rejection from last season. She's wearing the adorable navy blue sun dress that Jason rejects her in. They show her crying in the limo and it's clear Jason broke her heart. We see her back in Vancouver, trying to get over him. I love how she says it took "weeks" to get over him, but as The Boyfriend said, she only knew him for weeks.
"I'm not a princess, I don't think I'm drop dead gorgeous, but I think I'm cute..." says Jillian. I think this is an accurate self-image and that's what I like about her. She's not some hot supermodel with the brain of a squirrel. She's Jillian. Now she understands that the process of The Bachelor actually can help you find love. Jillian is ready to meet Mr. Right (and I love how she says she's going to make the right decision the first time - yeah, take that, Jason!)
There's lots of bikini shots of Jillian's tiny frame. This is the equivalent of Jason's workout shots at the beginning of his season. Jillian's driving around in a purple convertible and washing her car in mini denim short/daisy duke type things. This is totally ridiculous, but amusing. She's definitely a cute girl and she's working it.
We get a quick preview of the season that people will be dissecting for the weeks to come in about 600 screen shots presented in 10 seconds. This is followed by the scoop on the 25 men competing for Jillian's love. After seeing this brief presentation, I definitely have my favorites.
First, there's Kiptyn from California who is 31 - I like this guy. He's a surfer, claims he's a romantic, looks GREAT in the ocean and has the perfect white teeth.
I'm already ready to send home Michael, 25 from New York - a break dance instructor. He seems a bit extreme and young for Jillian's taste. Yes, his moves are entertaining, but in reality, what is she going to do with those moves? (Turns out she must see some potential for him)
Julien who is 34 years old from San Diego is a "restauranteur" - which should be of strong interest to Jillian, being a restaurant interior designer. Jills and Jules could be a new Restaurant decorated by her and funded by him.
Steve is 30 years old - just got out of law school, New York, NY. He looks a bit dorky, but then he starts talking and turns out he's really funny. I like this guy. And guess what? This is The Boyfriend's friend. I hope he gets to show Jillian his personality.
Juan, 35, is a general contractor, and runs the family business. His mom is an architect, from Buenos Aires. His mother wants "marriage, grandkids..." Juan says Jillian could just join the family business, as they need an interior designer. Is he looking for an employee or wife? And would Jillian really wants to work with her in-laws? Juan's a bit of a momma's boy. YIKES.
Mark, 26 Pizza entrepreneur. He's a biker and wears spandex. Can we just get rid of him right now?
Kyle - 26 years old, lives in Brooklyn, NY. Shops in thrift stores - "He looks good, smells good and makes love good" His teeth scare me a bit. Almost every participant in our fantasy league picked Kyle to go home tonight. We were right :)
Oil and gas consultant - Sasha is 27 and Serbian. His Serbian household is alive and animated, which we see by watching his family dance together with interlocking arms. It's kind of strange, but entertaining too. His family thinks he's handsome, and smart. Well, at least he'll have them when Jillian turns him down.
Wes, 32 from Austin, TX is a country singer and absolutely adorable. Playing his guitar on a windowsill, if Jillian has a slight interest in country music, this guy will go far. Could he be any cuter?
Greg, is greasy and a professional fitness model. He may be kind of short, but I'd like to see him next to Jillian, who is also very petite to be able to make a real evaluation. He thinks he's a perfect 10. That's his first fault.
Jacob is an airline pilot, is 31, and talks out of the side of his mouth. When he flies, it makes him feel free and flying is his art. Jake is looking for his best friend just like Jillian. Oh and thanks, ABC for the gratuitous running shot of Jake, shirtless. Jake doesn't recreationally date - he's ready to settle down. He would absolutely die to make her dreams come true.
Jillian pulls up in the limo and is wearing a beautiful, fitted white gown - she is ready to go to her wedding. She goes in to have a little chat with Chris the Host. "You have to slay a few dragons to find the right prince." This is her motto. Very wise. She is asked whether she regrets the hot tub scene. I like that she doesn't say no. Instead she says, "That's what you do when you're in love." Her expressions of "wicked" and "right on" are so Jillian. Gotta love the Canadian accent. She rocks.
First limo arrives: First guy out of the limo is Captain Kiptyn. I love this guy. He is adorable. Bryan the high school coach is next. He picks her up and says he'd like to sweep her off his feet - then he picks her up and is just kind of holding her with a silly grin on his face. Jillian has this look like, "WTF?" John P from Indiana just seems very nervous.
Brian, the IT Consultant, refers to Jills as the "Hot Tub Harris." Oh no. Why would you do that? Let's just throw him out right now. There's nothing like flattering a girl by referring to her sexual escapades with her last boyfriend - who dumped and left her broken hearted. What was he thinking??!!
Jake, the commercial pilot, comes out next - gives her her first set of wings. He's nervous which is awesome, because he's adorable. They keep calling Jason an idiot inside the house. Love that!
Second limo. They play the scary music when David the Trucking Contractor steps out of the limo. He has kind of quirky smile but the best part is when he gets right up into Jillian's face and completely freezes. He seriously can't get a word out. Then he admits he's nervous and runs away into the house. Compares to the gregarious Jillian, not sure this is a good match.
Tanner F is a sales representative - he tells Jillian that he can be guy "on that rocking chair with her." Wow, that's a bit much for a first meeting, right?
Michael says "I'll look for you inside." Yeah - because she's the only girl, that should be hard. The Boyfriend says, "She should remind him that she'll be the girl wearing white."
When John H from Boise, Idaho comes out, I think it's possible he might be drunk already. Do these guys party before they get into the limo? Like prom? Maybe they are forbidden from drinking at the beginning. I wonder if they get a breathilizer before getting into the car.
Brad wipes off his shoulders as he emerges from the limo, but it comes off as if he's shooing away his dandruff. I don't think he's straight. Not that there's anything wrong with that, unless you're competing to win the love a woman.
Mathue, huge country music fan, annoying spelling of his name. He has Jillian autograph his hat, which is full of signatures of famous country singers. So he's got Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Jillian the Bachelorette. Not sure how that all fits, but oh well.
Simon is a soccer coach - they give him sub titles, because of his thick accent. He's too tall for Jillian, but seems like a nice guy. If she can talk to him sitting down, he may have a better chance - but not sure she can have her conversations with a translator close by.
Jesse is a wine maker and is 27 - wasn't sure about doing the show until he found out it was her. Yeah, cheesy line for the wine maker, but if true, it's sweet.
Final limo: Juan gets out first, he's tall and polite. Wes comes out next and is casually cool in his brown velvet blazer. Kyle is third, in a leather black coat and he's a tall, lanky dude with a goofy smile. I love how he walked the wrong way into the house.
Adam is next - the Olympic Cyclist - demands the first five minutes when he comes in side. Jillian wants to just say "go away." She's not into him. Steve is next, tries to be funny by commenting on her incredible house. I feel like Steve didn't get enough face time with Jillian so she may not have gotten to see his personality, which is too bad.
Last limo - they play the Latin music - Juan from Argentina comes out. He lives in LA.
Caleb is next, a photographer from Nashville, TN. He's in jeans which is the only thing I can remember about him. Josh from Newport Breach, CA is 25 and a lifeguard. What on earth would Jillian do with him? Go for a swim?
Greg asks if she wants to hug it out? He tells her some joke about marrying Canadians which made no sense to me. Mark the pizza entrepreneur comes out - has a theory of his own based on what toppings someone puts on their pizza. Jillian names about 10 different toppings she likes and Mark can't give her an immediate answer but says he'll think about it and let her know. Of course we never figure out what his analysis is. Probably because nobody cares.
Jillian thinks Prince Charming is in there. I sure hope so. There's a first impression rose which will keep someone safe throughout the first rose ceremony. Meanwhile, the guys are in there raving about Jillian. They're like a pack of wolves ready to feast.
Jake comes in and swoops her away. He says he's the "black sheep" of his family of doctors. I find that hard to believe. A black sheep commercial pilot who looks like a movie star? Jesse steals her away and is a wine maker, referring to wine as "love juice." He's wearing an "aspiring Canadian" under his button down shirt.
Jillian goes to grab Kiptyn, the only guy we see that she seeks out. He is also the only one who asks Jillian about herself. She clearly is into him. Argentina steals her from him and does some close talking where he blabs about himself and his business. Not sure she's that into it. That's solidified by the fact that he thinks he "deserves the first impression rose." Really, Argentina? What makes you so deserving?
Back to the cocktail party, the guys are all trying on the first impression rose which is sitting on the table. What a bunch of idiots. As the alcohol seeps through their veins, the comments get dumber and dumber. "What's up you sassy little minx?" says Brian, the IT Consultant. Who says things like this? Is that supposed to turn Jillian on?
Kyle draws a semi permanent mustache on her finger because that's what he does with his friends. Kind of odd, but she seems amused by it. Why would he want to see Jillian with a mustache? Brian talks about his trailer park background and basically makes fun of Kyle. These guys both seem like tools.
Wes looks great on TV. Great eyes, charming smile and who can resist a guy with a guitar that writes a song for you? The other guys watch from afar and judge. He just found Jillian's weak spot. Why wasn't he discovered on American Idol?
Michael was much funnier at the cocktail party - the break dance instructor gives Jillian a little lesson and him and Greg (funny side note: Michael thinks his name Bill) have a dance off for Jillian. Josh the lifeguard declares Mike the winner of the contest (in his lifeguard's professional opinion). David the choker (he choked when he first met her), said he got "choked up" when he met her for the first time. Oh come on. That's ridiculous talking. His eyes are a little scary to me and based on his interactions with the other bachelors in the coming attractions, he's too competitive for me. I hope Jillian realizes this.
Chris the Host comes in mid-party and says that the response was so overwhelming to Jillian being the Bachelorette that they added an additional five bachelors. One of the guys says, "Can we physically fight them?"
Jill meets Ed, Bryce, Reid, Mike, and Tanner - "the new guys." Ed gets some one on one time - he's cute. He's a technology consultant and up until now he's been focusing on his career. His family is the one that told him about Jillian. He's very well spoken. Good guy and he seems very genuine.
New Tanner is a financial analyst who loves to cook, fish, hunt and chicken?? Not sure what that means, but Jillian is into the Tanners. He's also got a real severe foot fetish. He's anxious to get some foot action - and says her feet are a "must-see." Come on, ABC, can't you screen these freaks? He wants high arches, painted toe nails and "no toe jam." Puke. She says she's comfortable around him, but really she has no idea that he's staring at her feet to evaluate her wife abilities. Creepy.
I love how all of the guys are whining about how little time they've gotten with Jillian. The first impression rose goes to David, the choker - the one who couldn't even get words to form. I hope he's a nice guy cause I'm not that into him right now.
It's interesting that among 30 men, there's not a single Black, Asian, Indian, or even Canadian male. The most ethnic they went was someone with an Argentinean mother and that Scottish guy. Or maybe he was British.
Wow, there sure do seem like a million guys in a clump at the first rose ceremony. How is she supposed to remember 20 names to pick after a night of drinking??
Roses go to Jake (hooray!), Jesse, Wes (hooray!), Mathue, Michael, Robert, Ed (hooray!), Reid, Simon (subtitles), Kiptyn (hooray!), Mike (wow, she went with oil slick, says The Boyfriend), Brian D (boo), Sasha, Julian, Tanner P (foot fetish), Mark, Brad, Tanner F, and Juan (boooo). Juan is already getting on my nerves. He just seems a bit jerkish in his interactions with the other guys.
Steve's comment is funny after he gets rejected: "maybe she doesn't like awesome guys." John H needs to relax, "I don't usually throw myself out there like that." Come on, Johnny - all you did was tell Jillian that her family and yours both like to talk a lot. Is that really throwing yourself out there?
Guys that I can't understand why on earth Jillian would choose: Mike, Brian D, Mark, Brad and the Tanners. I don't think these guys were remotely attractive, but that's just me.
Overall, it was a very entertaining show with lots of great things to come. I am very impressed with the selection of guys that Jillian got to choose from. Some early favorites: Kiptyn, Wes,
Jake and Ed. Would not be surprised if these ended up as the final four. LOVE THEM ALL (not nearly as much as I love The Boyfriend, but you know what I mean). This may be the best looking crop of men a Bachelorette has ever had to choose from. Don't forget to join our fantasy bachelor league - it's not too late and really, I don't think anybody really did all too well.
As for coming attractions, it sounds like three of the guys have legitimate girlfriends. If that's the case, that's gross. Poor Jillian. Also it's at least implied that Wes may only be on the show to get exposure for his singing career. Not a bad way to get publicity. Also, they kept flashing to Jake the pilot as perhaps quitting at some point in the show. I really hope Jillian does not get her heart broken. The good news is that the show is still in production out in Hawaii, so it's possible she may not have even picked the guy yet. I'm glad they didn't show a silhouette of the man she ends up with (if she has picked him already) because I couldn't stand another two months of people speculating with crazy theories and based on freckles and facial hair.
Anyhow, let the games begin!
After coming home from an amazing movie (you need to all go see "Up," the 3-D animated movie that came out this weekend by Pixar), I was catching up on my cell phone with an old friend of mine. Not wanting to lose cell service in my building elevator, I stayed outside on the street and chatted away.
Happy Memorial Day, Bachelorette Fans! Hope you did something fun this weekend, like had or attended a barbecue with good hot dogs like our friend Jillian here. The Boyfriend and I stayed in town and did virtually nothing - if you don't count a last minute trip to the ER, but that is a whole other posting for a whole other time. 
