S19.E04: Week 4

[Madding crowd]

I think there is a difference in doing athletic dates like rappelling, diving or kayaking, and prancing around in bikinis. It would be ok if it were one time, but it was last week and now with the whole camping thing. I'm sure it wasn't Chris' design, but it makes him look bad. In Sean's season (and I was probably one of the few who liked him), the girls were treated more like women capable of doing the same things as a guy. Some of the women might have been scared, but it was a challenge.

 

There is no real challenge in walking down a street in a bikini, driving the worlds slowest tractor in a bikini or having to camp and sit around all day in a bikini. I'm wondering if Chris has requested less adventure?

 

I really can't tell if he has a personality or not. He doesn't do much talking, but there are a lot of very talky girls so that could be why. I think he is good looking but none of these woman are moving to Iowa. 

[JenE4]

There is no real challenge in walking down a street in a bikini, driving the worlds slowest tractor in a bikini or having to camp and sit around all day in a bikini. I'm wondering if Chris has requested less adventure?

And don't forget canceling the rose ceremony to have a pool party...in bikinis!

[sasha206]

I thought Chris was hot the first time I saw him but he's got this huge head with a face that looks like gravity is pulling it down.  

 

And please, this Ashley pretending to be a virgin.  I bet she's a virgin only in the sense she has never done anal.  It's also amusing to me that she looked so happy to tell him she's a virgin b/c in reality she thinks this will put her over the edge...and when she doesn't get the reaction she hopes for, she spends the rest of the time acting like he would've made a pass at her if she was "more promiscuous."  

 

Jillian.  My God, is there anything else in this woman's life other than working out? It's great she's into fitness.  But be able to hold a conversation about something that doesn't involve exercise.

[Zahdii]

And please, this Ashley pretending to be a virgin.  I bet she's a virgin only in the sense she has never done anal.  It's also amusing to me that she looked so happy to tell him she's a virgin b/c in reality she thinks this will put her over the edge...and when she doesn't get the reaction she hopes for, she spends the rest of the time acting like he would've made a pass at her if she was "more promiscuous."  

 

Jillian.  My God, is there anything else in this woman's life other than working out? It's great she's into fitness.  But be able to hold a conversation about something that doesn't involve exercise.

 

I can't help it, but the way I-lash is so OTT and aggressive in the way she tries to eat Chris's face makes me wonder if she'd seen too many pornos back when she was 12, and really thinks that that's how people in the throws of passion behave.  I've fanwanked her backstory as being so desperate to do the Jersey Shore thing and get a show of her own that she's been awkwardly trying to eat men for a long time.  I also suspect that she's not a virgin, but it's become not only her schtick, but a way to excuse her bad sex techniques.  She tries to make a man think that she's horny as heck, and he's the first to go there with her, and they think after the first bad experience in bed they'll help her get better in bed.  But after a few hints and more time in the sack they give up and move on.  I-lash then moves on to the next guy with her virgin story.

 

As for Jillian, she might have been set up from production and editing.  I'll be very disappointed if Chris knew he didn't want to keep her on the show and allowed production to keep asking her questions about her fitness training and such, while knowing the whole time he's giving fodder for his talking heads about how boring she was and why he couldn't keep her around.

[truthaboutluv]

I may be alone in this but I actually DO think Ashley I is telling the truth about being a virgin. In my opinion, her kissing technique or lack thereof actually makes it clear she really doesn't know what the hell she's doing. I also think all her behavior is because well, she's horny and she's just very, very immature. I was shocked to hear that Ashley is 26 because for sure, I would have pegged her for 21/22.

 

The whole princess crap, worshiping the Kardashians, the melodrama, temper tantrums, etc. all make her seem very, very young and childish to me. And why I can completely believe she's a virgin and never had a serious boyfriend/relationship. I think her sexually aggressive moves with Chris are some misguided idea of pursuing a guy she picked up from some teen/20 something dramas and well her reality shows. 

[jordanpond]

Seriously. Every time someone says "I's" a Bachelorette gets a ratty weave.

Thank goodness I was alone when I read this gem. It would have been quite embarrassing if anyone observed the loud and awkward guffaw/snort/chortle honk of a laugh I made when I read it. Well done, Lulee!

[saber5055]

 

"Come on people, it was just a tush!"

That's the same as saying, "Come on people, it was just a vagina." Or: "It was just a penis."

 

Yeah, really, what's the big deal about going naked on national television? Shame on us prudes. *sarcasm*

 

As for Jillian, she might have been set up from production and editing.

This. It's already been proven TPTB hate her with the constant black bar hiding her self-proclaimed best ass-set.

 

Jillian might have been shown droning on about herself and her workout routine, but at least she was freaking TALKING about something, unlike our Mister Farm Hunk Prince who can't put two coherent words together. Just ask Jimmy Kimmel's chalkboard.

 

And I'm positive Chris knew he wasn't keeping her and production set her up for the rose fail. No way was Male Chauvinist Chris keeping some woman with more muscles and a better build than his. And more athletic, too. Which might be why we haven't seen him do anything but sit and oogle bikini wimen ... he's a klutz.

Edited January 30, 2015 by saber5055

[MsPH]

I may be alone in this but I actually DO think Ashley I is telling the truth about being a virgin. In my opinion, her kissing technique or lack thereof actually makes it clear she really doesn't know what the hell she's doing. I also think all her behavior is because well, she's horny and she's just very, very immature. I was shocked to hear that Ashley is 26 because for sure, I would have pegged her for 21/22.

 

The whole princess crap, worshiping the Kardashians, the melodrama, temper tantrums, etc. all make her seem very, very young and childish to me. And why I can completely believe she's a virgin and never had a serious boyfriend/relationship. I think her sexually aggressive moves with Chris are some misguided idea of pursuing a guy she picked up from some teen/20 something dramas and well her reality shows. 

 

I totally agree. There must be a reason someone her age still acts like a teenager and being a virgin with no relationship experience is a good candidate for one. Especially since it's clearly not her decision and she's dying to get it on. And she described herself as a nerd, so I can see guys being confused.

[saber5055]

 

There must be a reason someone her age still acts like a teenager and being a virgin with no relationship experience is a good candidate for one.

It's so she can get on TB, get a lot of THs and screen time, and possibly become next b-ette or get on DWTS or some cheap cable talk show. Or get a show of her own. There are so many RIGHT REASONS! to be on TB. And she came up with a hook, one that worked for "born-again" Sean.

 

Not all (hardly any) of what we see on reality tv is real. So there's that.

[deSchenke]

I'm really tired of the Ashley I show and hopes she goes home next week.  I feel like we hardly get to know any of the other girls because AI gets all the screentime.  I'm sick of her dramatics.  Becca was so cool with her, "I'm a virgin too", like it was no big deal.  It wasn't what defined her as it is with AI.

 

Speaking of other girls, what was with Ashley S?  Again, she's talking nonsense with Chris and then pops out with an 'I love you'.  It was so odd.  And then she leaves without any kind of exit interview.  Maybe production realized how certifiable she is and wanted her to just disappear without incident.

[chocolatine]

Speaking of other girls, what was with Ashley S?  Again, she's talking nonsense with Chris and then pops out with an 'I love you'.  It was so odd.  And then she leaves without any kind of exit interview.

 

 

She did have an exit interview. In which she said something like "I feel nothing. I have no feelings." Which, is a stark contrast to what she said to Chris on the camping date.

[jordanpond]

I'm not surprised at all that Ashley I's idols are the Kadarshians. From the few episodes of that show that I've seen, it seems like "The Kardashians" epitomizes two (very sad in my opinion) growing trends among young women: an awful lot of what they do is done in order to please men, rather than themselves; and fulfilling a man's desires, rather than (or in addition to)  their own desires makes them feel powerful. So whether it is changing your body in big and small ways to attract/please men (the Kardashians, and evidently Ashley I.), doing things sexually because that's what the man wants (Kardashians) or abstaining from sex because you think that's what a man wants (Ashley I.) it's all the same. Note that Ashley talks about her lack of sexual experience only in terms of whether she thinks it will attract Chris -- not because it's something that is comfortable for her. I do find that very Kardashian-esque. I find it very sad that all this focus on doing/being what a man wants, ironically, tends to make Kardashians and the young women who emulate them feel more, rather than less, powerful.

[saber5055]

 

I find it very sad that all this focus on doing/being what a man wants, ironically, tends to make Kardashians and the young women who emulate them feel more, rather than less, powerful.

Sort of like pitching tents in bikinis, walking a mile down an LA highway in bikinis, driving slow tractors in bikinis and taking off said bikinis when dared to will gain those same women a rose and perhaps a *cough* Prince Farming husband.

[Padma]

I somewhat mischaracterized that in saying it was something they do there all the time  (though it well may be the way he described it).

 Here's the whole quote about it and also the URL to the blog itself, which is somewhat more entertaining than Chris S . is on TV:

 

===

"In contrast, Kaitlyn was clearly having a blast.

Now, I know there's been a lot of reaction to Kaitlyn's little mooning trick off the dock, but what you don't know is that the whole group of us was playing Truth or Dare. She was dared to do that and took on the challenge, as did Ashley I. with her bikini top. It's a classic camping game, and it was all in good fun. Come on people, it was just a tush!"

===

 

  http://www.people.com/article/chris-soules-bachelor-blog-episode-4http://www.people.com/article/chris-soules-bachelor-blog-episode-4

Okay, this makes me actually dislike him when before I was neutral. I hate Truth or Dare, and if this was Chris' idea of a good time with the women forced to do things by peer pressure, on camera...yuck. Kaitlyn taking off her bottoms on a "dare" and Ashley I (did you know she's a virgin?) showing her boobs for the same reason....no wonder Britt asked about it all. If she was thinking "tacky and classless" and "this 33 year old is too immature and dull for me" I'm right with her.

 

That said, that's a very difficult group date, I think, keeping all the women interested and entertained all night and the following morning (and no makeup and blow driers, right?) He's just not interesting enough to make an outing like that work. It makes me wonder if production was trying to sabotage him because...boring place, nothing to do all night, a shy and boring batchelor....how is that not difficult to keep their interest? I don't see it as part of the usually successful "Stockholm Syndrome" this show works so well.

 

As for Ashley, I think of "nerd" as "socially awkward and smart". Since she shows no evidence of being intelligent at all (26? Really?), I think she doesn't know what "nerd" means any more than she knows the meaning of "virgin".

 

I also think the show is making a huge mistake de-glamming it. Without travel porn (actually, not even USA-travel porn, just nondescript ugly mud pits, ponds, pig wrestling...Even SF got short shrift), why would these women want to stay? I think Britt might have been telling the truth that some were really turned off by the camping trip (including some, like her, who weren't on it.)  At least if you thought you'd be going to Barcelona...Bangkok, Sydney....maybe doing some farming and pig wrestling abroad ... it might seem like it would be worthwhile staying. I wonder if they were asked to bring passports, so they still have some hope? But just staying for Chris and the continuing opportunity to be humiliated by production,...no, thanks.

Edited January 30, 2015 by Padma

[MsPH]

As for Ashley, I think of "nerd" as "socially awkward and smart". Since she shows no evidence of being intelligent at all (26? Really?), I think she doesn't know what "nerd" means any more than she knows the meaning of "virgin".

 

I think she just thinks it means 'socially awkward'. I also think people are giving her way too much credit by assuming she's lying about her virginity. She doesn't seem savvy at all to me. She's just socially awkward with interests that revolve around things no man can relate to, so she's not girlfriend material to most men or at least men she finds attractive. But unlike Becca, who I'm sure has had relationships and is a virgin by choice, Ashley I is embarrassed about her virginity, because deep down she views it as a personal failure. So she overcompensates by trying to look and act as sexy as possible, but since she doesn't really know what she's doing, it just looks really awkward. Like a teenager in an adult woman's body.

[Zahdii]

As for Ashley, I think of "nerd" as "socially awkward and smart". Since she shows no evidence of being intelligent at all (26? Really?), I think she doesn't know what "nerd" means any more than she knows the meaning of "virgin".

 

Ashley I-lash does certainly seem to be much younger in her emotional age than her physical age.  I'm on the fence as to whether she's really unintelligent or has just focused her sights on getting on reality TV.  I wouldn't consider her to be 'smart' from what I've seen so far.  She seems clueless about how she comes across to people and her narcissistic tendencies make me convinced that she's grown up on too much MTV.

[JudyObscure]

Come on people, it was just a tush.

That's the same as saying, "Come on people, it was just a vagina."

 

And, in any case, as the camera pulled away, we saw Kaitlyn bend over to dive in, as opposed to jumping in, so I think both are probably correct.

[saber5055]

 

I also think the show is making a huge mistake de-glamming it. Without travel porn (actually, not even USA-travel porn, just nondescript ugly mud pits, ponds, pig wrestling...Even SF got short shrift), why would these women want to stay?

So much agreement here. That "lake" could have been in Chris' hog pasture for all we knew. And, besides sleeping in tents, what about bathrooms? Port-a-potties? Ground squatting? Because that sure was not some good old swimming hole.

 

And who could tell that "so romantic" date with Jillian was in San Francisco? I couldn't. There were just city lights below, no Golden Gate, no China Town, no Alcatraz, no nuthin'. Just *yawn* Chris. 

 

Even the Grand Canyon date was filmed on the far western edge of the canyon where there is no color and not much spectacular. Why not fly all the way to Page, Ariz., for a boat float on Lake Powell? Or something. Anything.

 

We all made fun of one year when TB went to Connecticut or Newark or something like that out east. Now that seems like a big time date location.

 

And about the Cinderella date. We made fun of it here, how corny, but take a drink every time some b-ette says this is her "fairy tale" and you'll be late for work the next day with that hangover.

[Zahdii]

As for the "it was just a tush" remark, I remember that way back in the 80's the opening to Miami Vice featured two women walking away from the camera wearing tiny bikinis and one of those women was wearing a thong, (and we all clutched our pearls, and kept watching). 

 

As for why only two women felt compelled to strip to various degrees and jump in a lake, who knows?  A desire for attention from the bachelor, their natural reaction to being near a body of water, or a desire for air time, etc.? 

 

Chris says that everyone was playing some kind of Truth or Dare game...but we were only shown him smirking at the lake while some of the other ladies were standing around looking like they disapproved.

 

Then I think about all the other 'dates' where the women were required to parade around in bikinis and Chris stays fully clothed, and I'm back to wondering what the hell is going on here.

[crgirl412]

 

Finally,  FunAshley was glassy eyed, and pretty dilated.   She's on something, unless she's under the care of an Ophthalmologist who is compelled to dilate her eyes every time she's filmed.

Mu Shu, This is FUNNY!!!!  Thank you!!

[coconutcookie]

It seems to me that when a man expects the women to be walking down the street in a major city in a tiny bikini, he should be wearing a Speedo, not long shorts and a comfy t-shirt.

[MsPH]

He was also dressed while the women were pitching tents in bikinis. I'm suprised they got to wear actual dresses while running in mud and getting hit by big balls, though white fabric does get see-through when wet.

 

I can't wait for the Bachelorette. The Bachelor is painful to watch.

[KnoxForPres]

I feel sorry for Jillian now. (Not certain that's her name, lazy) The producers ridiculed her with that stupid black ass box. I was half lit watching this (I justify Monday night booze each Bachelor run), but didn't she say she initially had no friends in DC? I'd think that's not easy to admit. I admire her for not selling a lie and saying she wasn't meeting people so put all her focus into fitness.

And on top of nerves which cause some people to ramble, the most boring Bachelor of all time Chris sure doesn't help fill silence. It's like interviewing for a job with a poor interviewer who gives no verbal feedback. You word vomit all over the place and want to say "throw me a bone you boring motherfucker".

Maybe she would be good with that big biceped guy Michelle Money dated. He seems like a really nice person who would have a lot in common with her. They're both kind of the underdogs of the world in a way. Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.

PS. Can I tell you that it's torture to come here and see that spoiler thread staring at me? I've always spoiled myself and said I wouldn't this time. It's like I'm staring at 5 lines of pure coke and an addict each time I see it. Getting weaker each day.

Edited January 31, 2015 by KnoxForPres

[JenE4]

I haven't read Chris's blog (link not working and no search option in People mobile app), so without that "incriminating evidence," I don't know whether we can blame Chris for all of these bikini activities. The producers set up all of these dates. And they might even be encouraging him to stay clothed because, frankly, he looks better with a shirt on. We're used to Bachelors with six packs, and Chris has a keg. In real life, he's okay, but he doesn't have a TV-ready physique. I think he's bottom 3--just edging out Bob (the worst body) and Ben (second worst). If he had a body like any other Bachelor, they would be filming him from inside that outdoor shower stall and panning up his torso like they ALWAYS do on this show. But because Cody's training can only do so much, they only film Chris shoulders up in the shower. I don't think this season has necessarily gotten any more exploitative of women (yet I agree it seems heavy on the bikinis), it's just gotten noticeably less exploitative of the man.

Edited January 31, 2015 by JenE4

[truthaboutluv]

Maybe she would be good with that big biceped guy Michelle Money dated. He seems like a really nice person who would have a lot in common with her. They're both kind of the underdogs of the world in a way. Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.

 

 

Hah, I think both Nick and Brian from last season suggested this on twitter the first time Jillian was shown talking about her fitness and showing off her biceps.

[himela]

Comments about this episode: Finally a date that is picked by someone who doesn't own a penis! I was so happy when Jade was selected by Chris's sisters to go to the princess date. It showed me that his sisters are serious about this opportunity he has to actually find a wife and not only a hook up. I was pleasantly surprised by the integrity and inner beauty of Jade and by the fact that Chris was able to recognize it as well. If Chris picks Jade in the end I'll be convinced that he did this to find a serious woman to get married to instead of to get into the bachelor family and get the chance to meet more girls or participate later in bachelor pad or bachelor in paradise. If he picks Jade, or Becca or Samantha for that matter, I will be happy and satisfied. But I'm afraid that he will follow the mistakes that previous bachelors made before him choosing the hottest girl with the slightest chance to actually become a wife. In fact I think that Sean was the most conscious on that matter and he picked a woman who was wife material. I hope Chris will be like this too.

 

I was relieved to see that he showed Jillian the exit door since it was obvious she was in another phase in her life that he was. I was mad with all the drama caused by Ashley with her virginity or whatever. I was happily surprised with Britt's conversation with Chris cause it showed me that she actually is a serious person and she dislikes women who use their looks to win a man. I was happy that he let crazy Ashley go. In general I think this episode made me look at Chris as less superficial and shallow and I hope this goes on like this till the end.

[saber5055]

 

It seems to me that when a man expects the women to be walking down the street in a major city in a tiny bikini, he should be wearing a Speedo, not long shorts and a comfy t-shirt.

This has ALWAYS bugged me. Everyone is so GROSSED OUT by Speedos and European men are ridiculed by Americans to no end. But what's the deal ... women are expected to wear the tiniest pieces of cloth in a minute bikini to cover their "nasty bits" yet every American man wears the equivalent of Bermuda shorts, covered totally from waist to knees, and in some cases, even the knees are hidden.

 

It's so, so wrong. I have no problem with swim team guys in Speedos. I demand the same on what TV wants us to think is man eye candy. (Even if it isn't ... men deserve to get raked for the same body flaws women get raked about.)

 

If he had a body like any other Bachelor, they would be filming him from inside that outdoor shower stall and panning up his torso like they ALWAYS do on this show.

Remember, "fitness model" Sean let the woman camera person into his shower while he was naked because she was a lesbian. IMO, that's all kind of wrong. In Chris' defense, I admire his being uncomfortable with ANY camera filming ANYWHERE while he's naked.

 

Now I have hopes of Jillian coming back for YOPO and meeting up with Cody. Except TPTB hate her, and I'm tired of their black-bar joke.

 

PS. Can I tell you that it's torture to come here and see that spoiler thread staring at me? I've always spoiled myself and said I wouldn't this time. It's like I'm staring at 5 lines of pure coke and an addict each time I see it. Getting weaker each day.

Knox, we need to start a One-Day-At-A-Time sponsor group here, for you to join. Email if you feel failure coming on!

Edited January 31, 2015 by saber5055

[saber5055]

I totally forgot! I came here this morning to post the following and got distracted by everyones' posts. Heh.

 

The Bachelor Week 4 is being rerun on ABC tomorrow, Super Bowl Sunday. It's on at 3 p.m. Chris Soules time, meaning Iowa Central Standard. Check your local listings!

Edited January 31, 2015 by saber5055

[KnoxForPres]

Knox, we need to start a One-Day-At-A-Time sponsor group here, for you to join. Email if you feel failure coming on!

 

Haha! It's nice to have a place to go where people even understand my struggle ;) I will bring the doughnuts and wear a modest tankini to show my solidarity.

[Padma]

I think she just thinks it means 'socially awkward'. I also think people are giving her way too much credit by assuming she's lying about her virginity. She doesn't seem savvy at all to me. She's just socially awkward with interests that revolve around things no man can relate to, so she's not girlfriend material to most men or at least men she finds attractive. But unlike Becca, who I'm sure has had relationships and is a virgin by choice, Ashley I is embarrassed about her virginity, because deep down she views it as a personal failure. So she overcompensates by trying to look and act as sexy as possible, but since she doesn't really know what she's doing, it just looks really awkward. Like a teenager in an adult woman's body.

I agree she doesn't seem savvy and may be exactly as she says she is. What is confusing is that she is 26years old, acts like this (trying to throw herself at a guy) and has never had a boyfriend. Why would that be? 

 

Also strange is that she assumes she is in a house with women who are not virgins and who are all sexually experienced but instead of acting like them she constantly interacts with Chris like "let's get it on now!" Then there's the whole, "I think he'll be more interested because he knows I'm a virgin!" or "No, wait! Now he knows I'm a virgin he's actually LESS interested! (boo hoo, that tactic didn't work!)"

 

Also "virgin" = "he'll think of me as marriage material". She watched Andi's season, right? Andi left no doubt she wasn't a virgin and Chris seemed fine with that, never expressed any reservations about marrying her or anyone else for that reason.

 

I just find Ashley impossible to understand.

[Mu Shu]

It seems to me that when a man expects the women to be walking down the street in a major city in a tiny bikini, he should be wearing a Speedo, not long shorts and a comfy t-shirt.

I demand a banana hammock for the ultimate humiliation experience. 

[leighdear]

Also "virgin" = "he'll think of me as marriage material

I don't think she realizes that Princess ≠ marriage material.  Also, self-obsessed ≠ marriage material.  And Kardashian wannabe ≠ marriage material.  I'm curious as to who gave her the list of character traits that make a woman a good marriage partner?  Paris Hilton?

 

Bottom line is that virginity is waaaay down on the list for most guys that are not uber religious.

[saber5055]

 

I'm curious as to who gave her the list of character traits that make a woman a good marriage partner?

Of course, one has to consider if Ashley is really looking for a husband. There's always that on this show.

 

I demand a banana hammock for the ultimate humiliation experience.

After just seeing the Adam Sandler/Chris Farley SNL Gay Beer commercial again, I vote banana hammock too. I have to admit, I could watch that on a continuous loop for days and never get tired of it.

[JellyFishQueen]

I have no idea why they plug that disney live action cinderella. Who is the target audience for this show? It was just...so bad...

[ByTor]

I don't have cable, so I have to watch a week behind online & just saw this episode last night. 

 

Ashley I...she really thought that the sisters would have chosen her if she knew how bad she wanted to be a Disney princess?  Ummm I think if the sisters knew that, they'd be telling Chris to run, and run FAST, away from that child.  I also never want to hear the word "virgin" again as long as I live!

 

Did Jade really get to keep those shoes??? I'm jealous :(

 

My favorite part of the show...Ashley S and her exit interview.  I...feel...nothing!  Awesome :)

[truthaboutluv]

I have no idea why they plug that disney live action cinderella. Who is the target audience for this show? It was just...so bad...

 

I'm pretty certain the movie is produced by Disney which is the parent company of ABC and that's why it was plugged during the show, which is the same reason for any of the other movies they have plugged in other seasons.

Edited February 4, 2015 by truthaboutluv

[leighdear]

Exactly right.  Disney owns ABC, ABC family, ESPN, etc.  They will never show or reference a movie or TV show that's not affiliated with them.