My Thoughts on The Bachelor and Conveyor Belt of Love
I love television, which is why I rarely watch it. At its best, it’s engaging and thoughtful. At its worst, it’s a train wreck. Such was the case when I opted not to read The Road on the plane ride home from New York this week, and opted instead for the Jersey Shore marathon on Virgin Air. I almost felt my brains melting as I watched the spray-tanned, muscle-bound, self-proclaimed Guidos alternately preening at, fighting, and hooking up with everyone in sight.
Collectively, we watch these shows not simply to be entertained, but to feel superior. It’s with this preamble that I share with you that I was glued to the TV last night when watching the new season of The Bachelor, followed by a new show, entitled – seriously – Conveyor Belt of Love.
Since I’m a dating coach, I’m always trying to find the “lesson” in reality TV. There’s nothing to learn in merely laughing at the people on these shows. The true value is to find a takeaway, because, make no mistake about it… the people on these shows are not all that different than you or me.
Let’s start with The Bachelor, where the nicest, cutest, squarest pilot found himself surrounded by 25 beautiful women who have pretty much agreed to marry him before meeting him. This makes for excellent television because it functions more as a competition than a real-life organic courtship. And because of the competitive nature of the show, women feel they have to make a strong first impression.
…every woman who tried too hard to make a strong first impression came off somewhere between “mildly kooky” and “batshit insane.”
What’s clear, from my perspective, anyway, is that every woman who tried too hard to make a strong first impression came off somewhere between “mildly kooky” and “batshit insane.” Giving him wood carvings of airplanes, handing him poems, talking about a future together during their first conversation…all made me more uncomfortable than your average Office episode. These women were THROWING themselves at The Bachelor, and it was not a pretty sight at all. Objectively, the women who resorted to various “gimmicks” to get The Bachelor’s attention lacked dignity, which is something I’m sure they figured out when watching themselves on TV. The fact that a few of these gimmicks actually WORKED does not excuse them. Chasing a man, openly pushing for marriage and commitment, making him know that he’s already won without earning it – all are terrible dating practices that should be left on reality TV only. There were three women who offered something positive.
 |
Why He Disappeared is the smart, strong, successful woman's guide to understanding men. If you want to learn how men think, and rediscover how to have meaningful relationships - all from a man's point of view - click here to learn Why He Disappeared. |
Do You Want to Attract the Partner of Your Dreams?
If so, sign up for my free dating and relationship newsletter and receive my free eBook, The 5 Massive Mistakes You're Making In Your Love Life - And How to Turn Them Around Instantly. Simple and effective advice to jumpstart your love life.
9 Comments »Filed Under Uncategorized
Chrissy 1
You got it dead on. I LOVE the Bachelor. Probably because I can see my 20-something self in the women and I know how much they’ll regret they’re actions when they hit 40.
I heard something about a conveyor belt on the radio this morning but I thought it was just a joke. Time to set the DVR!
Joe 2
I wonder what your thoughts would be of the blokes on The Bachelorette.
Jennifer 3
I halfway watched the Bachelor, but I couldn’t bring myself to watch Converyor Belt of Love. And you are right, had I not been watching the promos for it during the Bachelor, I wouldn’t have believed it was a real show!!
InaccessibleRail 4
You really need to go back and read The Road. It’s great!
JB 5
Yes,obviously “the model” is in a different league than the “hairdresser from Iowa” who has probably never seen a man like this so of course the way they will act and be portrayed on this show via editing will be vastly different.As will the “divorced woman” who was a virgin and only been with 1 man her whole life,followed by the “single mom”,as well as the “bitchy” girl who’s there to add the drama, It’s all too funny,but very entertaining…Because I TiVo’d it I didn’t even know the Conveyer belt of love was on so unless they rerun it ??
lorrie 6
I am a longtime fan of the bachelor and I find jake sincere and a wonderful guy. “nice guy don’t finish last they just have to wait longer”-his words. I liked Ali, Tenly and most of my picks were chosen to be in, although I am unsure why he kept michelle around. I admit that they slant the show wrong upon doing reserach for my blog I noticed that quite a few were from California and age 25 while our bachelor is 31 and only 3 of the bachelorettes were 30 or above .
I still think its a great show and has potential, now Conveyor of Love was mostly amusing to me not really serious dating but it was worth a once see but not going to watch it again.
I plan do to a weekly blog on the bachelor on mondays reviewing the last epsode before the new one.
isabelle_archer 7
You totally made the right choice in not reading “The Road” an opting for reality tv instead. I saw the movie, which is supposed to be very close to the book; it gave me insomnia, then nightmares, for a week! The Conveyor Belt of Love is probably a million times more life-affirming and redeeming. The Road will just make you want to gouge your eyes out and cower in your bed.
By the way, more guys I know have read “The Road” than any other book in recent memory. Is there some marketing push towards men, or is there something just guy-ish about it?
Honey 8
I loooooove the Bachelor…it’s fun to judge…
starthrower68 9
I think these shows are a reflection of where most of us are at. It’s easy for us to laugh at the weaknesses and flaws of others, but put to the test, I wonder how many of us would do the same idiotic things? I guess in one sense it should give us hope that people are still forming good and lasting relationships everyday in spite of the stupid stuff we do to sabotage ourselves. All it takes is one, but meeting that one is the proverbial needle in the haystack.