Reality shows are often loosely scripted with producers arranging situations to add to drama and higher ratings. “The Bachelorette’s” producers have been caught arranging certain situations that intensify the drama of the show. However, the producers and creator, Mike Fleiss, maintain that they try to be as real as possible and limit interference into the relationships that the bachelorette develops with her suitors on the reality show. In fact, one of the show’s producers created a show for the Lifetime network, UnReal, that makes fun of reality show set ups.
In the thirteenth season of “The Bachelorette” this spring, the new bachelorette provides a different dynamic to the show. Rachel Lindsay is a successful attorney from Dallas. She is the first African American bachelorette and, at 33, the oldest. The contestants include Kenny King, a professional wrestler, Anthony Battle who played football at Northwestern, and Michael Anthony Black Jr., a professional football player.
Here are 5 things that are actually real about “The Bachelorette”
1. One on one dates
The one on one dates seem like they are staged. The couples seem to open up about a lot during the one on one date and emotions often seem raw. Derek Peth, who appeared as a contestant on season 11 of “The Bachelorette”, was skeptical of the reality of “The Bachelorette” situations. However, he found out on the one on one date just why the couples can be so emotionally raw and open to almost anything. His date with JoJo lasted about 15 hours. Derek said that this was not at all a typical first date. The couple had to open up to each other more than they would have on a typical first date. The length of the filming also add to the emotion that is often brought out on “The Bachelorette”. However, according to Peth, the date was certainly real.
2. Villains
There seems to be one or two “villains” on each season of “The Bachelorette”. It seems that these guys are brought in just to create drama. Sometimes, maybe they are encouraged to act like idiots, but sometimes they are just idiots. It has been revealed that some of the contestants on “The Bachelorette” have entered the love connection contest just to advance their own fame. Often, the intent of these gentlemen is brought to light. He may want to advance his singing career or he may have a secret girlfriend back home. Usually these scenarios are brought to light and are certainly frowned upon by the bachelorette and the other contestants. These men do create drama on the show, but how often is this intentional on the part of the producers?
3. Hometown visit
The hometown visits on “The Bachelorette” may seem staged in some cases but, most often, these visits are real. Of course there is pressure in bringing a date home to meet the family. Imagine doing so within a month of meeting him. The hometown visit is actually a good time to get a realistic take on whether the match was made in Heaven. Anytime you bring a potential beau home to meet the family, there will be some skeptical members of the family and that is a good thing.
4. Pressure
Dating several men within 6 weeks and having to choose the one you want to spend the rest of your life with is going to be tense and create emotional situations. “The Bachelorette” and its premise sets up any situation for drama while still being real. There is a lot of alcohol flowing on “The Bachelorette”. The contestants are living in close quarters with no access to the outside world for the 6 weeks of filming the show. These aspects are going to add the intensity and emotion to the situations that arise on the show. Creating drama is the point of a dating show where one woman has to chose between dozens of men in a short amount of time gradually eliminating the men. There is no way to avoid the emotion and drama of the situation.
5. Rachel Lindsey is the real deal
Rachel Lindsey’s bachelorette has brought the reality show to a new level. She was one of the favorites for bachelor Nick Viall’s season. She has been endearing, smart, funny and classy through season 13. Rumor has it that Rachel Lindsey did get in engaged at the end of the season.
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