Before I talk about last night's 3 hour saga and Jake's choice of Spice (Vienna) over Sugar (Tenley), I will reveal the big news about this blog (drum roll please........)
About four weeks ago, I was contacted by ABC. A producer told me that 20/20 was doing a special on the Bachelor, an in-depth look at the Bachelor series. The show will air on March 15th (the Monday night after our wedding!) for 2 hours, during the would-be time slot for the Bachelor. 20/20 is interviewing some of your favorite Bachelors / Bachelorettes from the past to see how they are doing and talk about what goes on behind the cameras. There will be interviews of Chris Harrison, Mike Fleiss and we know from Twitter that DeAnna Pappas, Brad Womack and Jesse Csincsak all participated in interviews for this segment along with many others. Here's where it gets exciting: there will be a segment on the 20/20 show which will discuss the phenomenon of the Bachelor. They want to explore why so many millions of people watch this show and they wanted to interview a blogger. Well guess who they chose to interview? Me!! So if anyone ever tells you that getting laid off from a job and sitting around in your pajamas while you blog about a reality tv show that people make fun of you for watching will never get you anywhere, remember Stacey B!
Last night, I rushed home to find 5 staff members from ABC in our living room, setting up for a shoot (that's me from behind - the blonde in the red top matching the red tablecoth on our dining room table which served as both a camera equipment holder and buffet for our guests). The ABC producers were such a smart and fun group and even agreed to cater a dinner for some of my girlfriends who came over for a finale viewing party. So there I was, fresh from work, throwingon some makeup in my bathroom, while I prepared to get interviewed by ABC producers in the middle of my living room. What planet was I on??? The Fiance watched this all with a big grin on his face. He even took the pictures which are posted here. After my interview, they shot us recording a podcast. Then it was time for my friends' arrival which they captured on tape.
They taped us while we watched last night's finale and asked a few questions throughout the show. Given, I'm not sure whether more than 3 minutes of the 8 hour shoot will actually make it on the 20/20 show, but it was quite an exciting experience regardless and the blog will hopefully be featured to millions of viewers! I also got filmed on my way to work today, to capture how I blog on the train commuting to work. You will see me at my finest (7:30 AM after going to bed around 1 AM from the excitement of being interviewed by ABC!) I am hoping that someone is interested enough in this blog and/or our podcasts to request that we do it for them professionally! For now, I'm ecstatic to be "the blogger" on the 20/20 Bachelor special airing on 3/15. Pretty freakin' cool!! Don't let the serious posture and facial expression of mine fool you in the above picture - this was one of the highlights of my life: having ABC discover my blog, contact me to be on 20/20 and all with almost a week before marrying the love of my life!! I could not have done this blog without all of your support and wonderful feedback. You keep me going when it's 2 AM, I have work the next day and the last thing I feel like doing is sitting at a computer to type anything. And so as long there are people who look forward to this blog, I will keep writing it! Please tell people to watch the 20/20 special and spread the word about this blog and our podcasts. The more people who see it, the better our case for someone taking us on to blog/podcast for them. Speaking of exciting news, I guess we should talk about last night's dramatic finale. I still have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Watching Tenley get her sweet little heart broken, seeing her makeup sizzle in the hot St. Lucian sun, I could just feel the pain bubbling out of her. The worst part was watching her thank Jake for allowing her be able to finally love again after he dumped her. Can you imagine that? Thanking the guy who just shattered your heart into a zillion pieces? We watch Jake tear up at the exact moment that we know it’s not going to happen for her. Of course, it was kind of predictable if you took ABC’s clues for what they were. For example:
1. We already saw Jake ask Vienna what kind of engagement ring she wanted. For those of us who have watched this show season after season, we know not to take this to mean anything too significant. ABC rarely spoon feeds us the answer so clearly – and yet here they do it, and we are only left to speculate as to whether Jake has also found out Tenley’s ring preferences as well or that ABC is only showing us this clip to throw us off.
2. We see the way that Tenley warms up to Jake’s family so naturally, so instantly. She makes his father cry within minutes. That may have been the quickest tears that ever came in Bachelor history. Tenley is so clear and wellspoken about her intentions for being there. She is able to express this honestly and sweetly to the Pavelka family. She is an insant hit. It's almost too easy and too perfect with Tenley. Once we hear Jake's dad say that he thinks he met his future daughter-in-law, we kind of know she's doomed.
3. Vienna’s visit to Jake’s family is in total contrast to Tenley’s. They seem to hate her at first. Vienna even goes as far as to call Tenley “non-opinionated.” She tells Jake’s sister-in-laws that Jake is not in love with Tenley, only her. They find her abrasive, hard to like. And then all of a sudden, like the craziness that pours out of Michelle’s mouth whenever she opens it, Vienna is able to win them all over like a tsunami. The mom goes from grilling to loving Vienna. One sister-in-law, Laura, actually starts crying because of guilt that she misjudged Vienna. So many tears for what is supposed to be a happy occasion. I guess I’d be crying too if someone was paying for me and my family to get on a plane and stay in one of the nicest resorts in the world. Tears of joy.
4. The most clear cut evidence that Sweet Tenley is not moving to Texas, however, comes during their time on the boat. Jake tells her that they lack physical chemistry. This is very confusing to Tenley, however, because she’s feeling the heat, but it’s obvious Jake is not on the same wavelength. The only confusing thing Jake says is that “physical chemistry” is not “sexual chemistry,” which it seems that Jake is ok admitting that he has with Tenley. WHAT? I still don’t really know what this means. If you have sexual chemistry with someone, doesn’t that automatically mean that you have physical chemistry by default? It’s kind of an all-inclusive package. Touching = physical = sex. Right? And watching how excited Jake was to see Tenley after he spent a passionate night in Vienna’s hotel room – I was hoping there was some chance that he would make the practical decision and choose the girl. Watching them thrash around together under the water I was convinced she would break into an Ariel song from The Little Mermaid. Who else was humming “Under the Sea,” when they were snorkeling together?? The Fiance was singing, "Caannn you feeeel the loooove tonight??" but I immediately informed him that he was singing The Lion King. Oh well, at least he was singing Disney.
Anyhow, we see poor Tenley step out of the helicopter first (why did the girls need to arrive in a helicopter if Tenley left by SUV motorcade? I guess this enhances the dramatic arrival), and we know it’s all over for her. The Fiance wanted Tenley to have to leave by canoe. Mean. There was actually a moment when Jake was walking Tenley off, when he stopped her and my friends who were over and I started cheering. YEAH!!! CHANGE YOUR MIND, JAKE! Unfortunately this was never going to happen. Jake was madly in love with Vienna and has been for a while now. His only problem was trying to convince himself that there was something wrong with Tenley so that he could justify going off with the wild card 23 year old blonde.
I have to hand it to Jake. He had his acting highlight of the season when he gave Vienna that little speech and returned her father’s promise ring to her. I thought he was dumping both of them. I really bought it. For a split second I thought Jake was going to say that he wouldn’t propose until he was absolutely sure and because he was still confused the day before this final moment, he couldn’t in his heart propose. That would have been the safe thing to do. Although having two girls to possibly propose to and taking two Neil Lane engagement rings to later decide which one he’ll actually use is not exactly normal either.
But then he gives Vienna the ludicrously large (is that a word?) diamond ring of her dreams, and we know Jake pulled a fast one on us. He proposes, she accepts and the On the Wings of Love comes back on – Lucky Us! And Lucky Us again when Jeff Osbourne shows up live on the After the Final Rose to sing the real song while the two of them slow dance, kiss and whisper sweet nothings to each other.
I think that more shocking than Jake’s choice was the announcement that he will be on Dancing with the Stars next season. Personally, I think that would have been a perfect role for Tenley and her heartbreak. Or even better – it would have been amazing if Tenley AND Jake could have competed against each other. With Vienna watching in the audience of course. I was equally excited that Shannen Doherty would be one of the competitors as I have always loved her since her Little House on the Prairie days as Jenny Wilder (niece to Laura Ingalls Wilder). Of course Shannen goes on to play one of my favorite TV characters of all time – Brenda Walsh on 90210 (the original, although she does appear on the new, horrible 90210).
We also learned last night that Ali is the new Bachelorette. This was pretty predictable, but interesting to see nonetheless. I wonder if they considered offering it to Tenley or if they thought she wouldn’t make such a popular choice. I loved how After the Final Rose, all of the women kept coming up to Ali and hugging her. The girls over at my apartment kept asking who these women were and I think they were just members of the audience that loved Ali on the show. Ali looked great and I am sure they have continued to attempt to clean up her “I Hate Vienna” rampage she went on. The damage control squad was in full force over the past couple of weeks. I think Ali will make a great bachelorette, especially if she is interested in “Funny” guys. I just couldn’t see Gia or Tenley making it all that interesting. As far as Vienna’s appearance on the After the Final Rose, I thought she looked different, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on what exactly had changed about her. She definitely had her roots done since the finale and looks like she lost some weight. She still had the same huge grin and big smile. It was something around her eyes. Maybe she just wore less makeup. In any event, I did have to admit that the couple looked happy. So many people seemed to be outraged and disappointed by Jake's decision. At least he didn't dump Vienna and go back to Tenley last night.
Some additional highlights from last night’s 3 hour event:
- I loved Tenley’s hot pink strapless sun dress she wore while hanging out on the beach
- I actually thought Tenley looked incredible with no make up on and just a little bit of a sun burn on her face. So much more natural and younger!
- Sallie (Jake’s mom) and her intuitive/automatic dislike of Vienna when learning that the other girls in the house don’t like her
- Sallie’s insisting that whomever Jake picks must be able to get along with his sisters-in-law because they hold the family together.
- Tenley walking in with flowers and then Vienna trying to top that with a fruit basket that she drops on the floor as soon as she enters the date
- Jake’s sister-in-law and her quirky jumper outfit and flower hair accessory
- Tenley making everyone cry in the Pavelka family and us all screaming at the TV when she once again mentions her ex husband to Sallie
- Vienna sticking up for herself in front of the Pavelka family by saying she will always be honest. Jake’s sister asking Vienna if an outfit makes her look fat and Vienna saying, “Yes.”
- Vienna responding to one of the sisters-in-law on how she is different than Tenley: “I’m not a robot.”
- Vienna’s response to being asked by his family what she likes about Jake, “I don’t like anything about (Jake) (huge grin)…I don’t want to give him a big head.”
- Sallie pointing out that Vienna having trouble with the other girls is a “red flag.” Jake is now engaged to that red flag.
- Vienna telling the sisters-in-law that she thinks Jake is in love with her, not Tenley and one of them mocks her by saying, “Well, won’t YOU be shocked if he doesn’t choose you in the end!”
- Jake’s sister-in-law, Laura, saying “When I first met her, I judged her…(sob, sob, cry…)." Yes and this was SUCH a long time ago. How long? Like a half hour ago?
- Smartest reality check of the night: Sallie asking Vienna how she’ll like being married to a pilot. What will she do when it’s not going well and he’s not there? Excellent point!
- The entire Pavelka family going from hating Vienna to deciding she’s the “perfect fit for the Pavelka family” within a couple hours’ time.
- Worst Idea of Romantic Date in Bachelor History: Going mud wrestling in a sulfur spring. It stinks like farts the entire date and yet Jake still picks Vienna. That’s love!
- Worst tradition in Bachelor history: the giving of a gift to the Bachelor the night before the final rose ceremony. Could there be anything more cheesy than Tenley’s “memory glass box” to Jake? This felt very junior high birthday-ish – like something you’d give your very best friend. What do you think Jake did with that thing? Vienna probably opened it up and put pictures of her face over Tenley’s. If there is anything worse, it’s got to be Vienna’s promise ring from her father. Here is another item that Jake has absolutely no use for. If he picked Tenley (or nobody), was he going to wear that ring around? If he was going to pick Vienna, would he wear that ring around?? It’s a ridiculous thought that a guy is going to have any good use for a promise ring. Both gifts scream CHEESEBALL JUNIOR HIGH gifts, but I guess they are meaningful to each lady.
- Most Pointless Question of Finale: Jake asking Vienna about her 3 week marriage when she was a teenager, the purpose of which was to annoy her ex boyfriend, “What was it like to be married?” Even better than that question was Vienna’s response: “It was horrible.” What exactly does Jake learn from this? Nothing.- Most Confusing/Hurtful Moment of the Season: Jake telling Tenley, as her perfectly tanned, hot body which is strewn across his legs, that they have no physical chemistry. Jake then commenting later on that he always chooses relationships with enormous physical chemistry but that lack emotional chemistry. Looks like he’s done it again!
- Best Gig of All Time: Being Neil Lane, owning a diamond/jewelry luxury brand and then getting an all-expense paid trip to St. Lucia to show Jake a bunch of rings and have ABC pay for one!
- Saddest moment of the night: Watching Tenley come out of the helicopter in her champagne flowing gown, nervous and excited that she could still possibly be with her love Jake forever and ever but knowing that she’s seconds away from getting her heart crushed.
- And then we get what we’ve been waiting for all season: Jake’s crying over a railing shot after he sends Tenley away.
- Jade Mountain looks amazing. The Fiance and I looked into staying there for our upcoming honeymoon, but at over $1200 per night, I think we’ll wait until we win the lottery which will hopefully happen any day now.
So the finale ends with Jake faking out Vienna into thinking he’s giving back her promise ring because he’s ending it all with her but then revealing that he in fact doesn’t want to dump her – he’s actually in love with her and wants to marry her. It’s always nice to make your future fiance think you’re dumping her right before you propose. Kind gesture, Jake.
After the Final Rose was pretty uneventful. I thought everyone looked really good – the one shouldered look seemed to be the uniform of the night. I’m glad Jake finally told Tenley the truth: he just wasn’t that into her. I also thought it was interesting that she asked if she could remain friends with Jake so long as it was ok with his significant other. Yeah, I’m sure Vienna would love for Jake and the girl he spent multiple overnight make-out dates along with intimate bubble baths to spend lots of time together. Maybe they could join a book club together or be dance partners at line dancing night. I could see Vienna particularly loving her pilot husband having a layover in Tenley’s hometown and wondering whether he was having dinner with her. She doesn’t seem like the jealous type at all so I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem ☺ Tenley also seemed to be pretty affectionate with Jake at the After the Final Rose. She was touching him while she was speaking to him, telling him that he smells good – basically treating him like he was still her boyfriend. It must be particularly comforting to Vienna when Jake tells Tenley that his “heart still hurts for her.” What on earth does this mean? At least Tenley can be comforted that like Ali, she has a “life friend” in Jake.
When Jake states that “Vienna is my baby,” I got a little nauseous. But then it hit me – no matter what people think, he’s going to stick with his decision. And really, who am I to say who Jake should or shouldn’t date? He’s the one that’s going to have to get up every morning and live with his decision, not me. So if he’s happy, I’m happy. And if they can make it last, good for them!
Last night, I thought Vienna looked genuinely the happiest I had seen her the entire season. I am glad that she verbally confirmed that there is no secret boyfriend. At least we're not dealing with another Ed scandal. I also like that Jake said to everyone, "If people don't understand (why I picked Vienna), that's ok, because I do." It will be interesting to see how things develop between these two over the next 6 months. So there you have it. An exciting and somewhat predictable and yet emotional ending to this journey. I am so relieved that it's over. Now I can finally stop worrying about who he will pick. It was starting to keep me up at night. 8 days until we leave for our own wedding. 6 days until we see Molly and Jason's wedding on TV. And 13 days until the 20/20 episode airs on ABC. Will you watch? I sure hope so!!
Wishing you another great week ahead. Another podcast is coming from The Fiance and me. And not to worry - I will be blogging Molly and Jason's wedding as well as a few more things before we leave for Puerto Rico.
-Stacey B
No comments:
Post a Comment