Pop Goes the Culture

Ali Fedotowsky, Who Are You?

 

The Bachelorette, Ali Fedotowsky

Here are the things I know about current Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky: She's 25. She grew up in a small town in Massachusetts. Until becoming The Bachelorette, she was living in San Francisco and working as an advertising account manager for Facebook. She is career-oriented. She claims to have fallen in love with former Bachelor Jake Pavelka during her stint as a contestant on his season of The Bachelor. She likes to eat lobster and oysters. And that's about it.

When I think of all the seasons of this series I've watched, I can't remember ever feeling so utterly in the dark as to who The Bachelor or Bachelorette is. Next to being career-oriented (um, except she quit her job to be The Bachelorette), I don't recall a single passion or hobby of Ali's. Maybe cuddling. But seriously, when have we ever heard Ali speak about the things she cares about, next to finding love and her (completely ambiguous) career ambitions? What are her distinguishing qualities and, dare I ask, what makes her so extraordinary in the eyes of ABC's producers?

I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and trust that Ali is more than just cute and fun-loving. If we are to buy into the belief that she is such desirable wife material that 25 dashing young strangers would be eager to put a ring on her finger by the season finale, then please, ABC, show us what makes Ali special. Show us her admirable qualities of the non-physical variety (I'll admit her abdomen is awe-inspiring, but come on).

So far, this season's footage of Ali has provided viewers with virtually no insight into the depth of her character, with one exception: on her one-on-one date with Hunter in episode three, Ali said her father sacrificed his dreams so that her mother could pursue nursing school, and that watching this play out between her parents compelled her to strongly pursue her own career.

A couple of the potential suitors this season seem both genuine and interesting, like Chris L. (from Mass. like Ali; is family-oriented; has a tattoo of the signature of his mother, who passed away) and Roberto (from S.C.; speaks multiple languages and is well-traveled; enjoys salsa dancing). On ABC's webpage for The Bachelorette are fun facts on each of this season's men. We can learn their favorite books; what they like to do for fun; their greatest achievements; whom they admire; even what they would bring to a desert island. No such information is provided on Ali; we are only made aware that she is a "beautiful, energetic, charismatic career-oriented woman."

Why, with two hours per week of air time, can ABC not be bothered to show us more of who Ali is? Amid all of the show's fantastical date activities and staging, it is the emotionally honest interactions between people, the moments that put the "reality" in "reality show," that keep me watching. To put it simply, does Ali do anything other than laugh?

-Linsey

 

The Bachelor: Season Finale

 Vienna, episode 5

Vienna may not have been my favorite option for Jake, and I may not understand Jake's feelings, but I am happy for the two if they have found a meaningful relationship together.

That is, after all, the best possible outcome for this show: the creation of a new, happy couple, regardless or whether or not there is an engagement involved. So, congratulations and good luck to them.

With regard to Tenley, although it was sad to see her get hurt, she seems to have come through it well. I loved when she said "I feel like I am completely me again" in the limo after her rejection. The experience of meeting someone new seems to have helped her move forward from her divorce, even though things didn't work out with Jake.

Looking ahead, I am of course excited for the next season of The Bachelorette, featuring Ali, even though I would have liked to see Gia become the next Bachelorette. It's still an irresistable show.

Thanks to everyone who has read and commented on my Bachelor-related posts here. It's been fun!

-Linsey

The Bachelor: Tenley, Vienna or Neither?

Jake, episode 1

As we approach what Chris Harrison will surely deem "the most dramatic season finale in Bachelor history," I'd like hear your predictions for what will happen.

Will Jake pick Tenley, Vienna, or neither? Will he actually propose to someone, or will he just tell someone he wants to date them and see what happens?

Judging by how far off base I was in never foreseeing that Vienna would make it this far, I'm not sure what to expect with the finale.

Here's what I hope will happen: I hope Jake will choose Tenley, and that perhaps, in lieu of a proposal, Jake will tell her he'd like to see where the relationship goes.

This to me seems like the safest and most logical of endings for this season. But will we actually get the safest and most logical ending? Probably not.

Let me know what you think!

-Linsey

The Bachelor: Episode 7 — In Praise of Gia

 

 Gia and Jake, episode 1

Readers, I'm angry. Confused. Saddened. How could Jake send Gia home? I don't know what he was thinking. Typically, I don't become enraged about the choices the Bachelor/Bachelorette makes until the season finale. My rage came early this season. And I'm aiming it at Jake. If he thinks Vienna will be a safe choice for a fiance, I think he's quite naive. (For instance: anyone who feels the need to tell the world how happy a person she is all the time is probably not actually all that happy.) 

But tonight Jake said, "Probably more-so than with any other girl, Vienna and I have had a very natural affection," and, "I see a lot of myself in Vienna." With regard to Tenley, he said, "With you I can just be myself. And haven’t had that with anybody."

I commend Gia for being as big of a person as she was when she spoke with Jake after he eliminated her. She reassured him about the remaining women, and didn't try to fight his decision to eliminate her, even as she had tears in her eyes. Few people on this show handle heartbreak with such class.

So I'd like to endorse Gia as the next Bachelorette. I think she'd be a perfect choice, most of all because of how genuine and sincere she seems to be. I hope ABC offers her the opportunity.

And I suppose it goes without saying that I now hope Jake picks Tenley. Then again, I'm disappointed enough in him at the moment that I think I care less now than ever. Blah. 

Gia for Bachelorette!

 

-Linsey

The Bachelor: Your Picks for the Final Two

Tenley, Gia, Vienna and Ali, Episode 6

If all goes according to plan, Jake will eliminate a bachelorette tonight, thus determining his final two contenders for marriage. We also know from the previews that Ali calls Jake in tonight's episode, and previous seasons of this show have taught us that sometimes people come back after being eliminated or going home.

All that said, who are your picks for the final two? Who would you like to see in the final two, and who do you think he will eliminate tonight?

I think, and hope, he will eliminate Vienna tonight. Gia and Tenley are still my favorites.
 

The Bachelor: Episode 6 — Tears, Tears, Tears

Ali and Jake, episode 1

"If you were mine, the choice would be easy." — Ali

Between staying for Jake and going home so she wouldn't lose her job, Ali chose the latter. I can't say I blame her — how could someone give up a job they love for a person they've only known a short time, who's involved with three other people? Judging by the tears, I do think Jake liked her. But how could he ask her to give up her job for him?

Predictably, we see in the preview for next week that Ali calls Jake while he's vacationing in the Caribbean with the remaining three ladies. Obviously she will pop back up. ABC loves to bring people back on the show after they've gone home for one reason or another (last season both Ed and Reid returned after leaving, and Ed even turned out to be Jillian's chosen one).

If Ali is gone for good, though, we are down to an odd mix of three finalists. Jake and Gia are such an unlikely pairing; the combination of their accents alone is strange. But I maintain that Gia could turn out to be the one in the end. I find them fascinating to watch.

As for Tenley's family: there are so many criers! And on national TV! I couldn't believe it when Tenley's father broke down discussing the pain Tenley went through in her previous marriage and divorce. Not that he shouldn't feel upset for her, of course, but it is amazing that a grown man who's probably never been on TV in his life could manage to be so unguarded in front of a camera crew. I thought Tenley's dance for Jake was sweet, though. She is clearly the safest bet for Jake if what he's looking for is a serious commitment.

I'm beginning to visualize Vienna somehow making it into the final two, and it freaks me out. I just don't see what Jake is drawn to about her. Maybe there is more to her that we can't see — a whole other, highly likable side. I just don't see the kind of chemistry between them that I see between Jake and the other girls, yet he maintains that "there's just such a natural spark" with Vienna.

Episode Awards:

Best Quote: " Is he going to break my Gia's heart?" — Gia's mom, spoken in a thick New York accent.

Worst Clothing: Jake's tight, vibrant purple long-sleeved polo, worn on his hometown date with Tenley.

Huh?: "My ex-husband never saw me dance the dance that’s in my heart." — Tenley

On my mind: Is Tenley as what-you-see-is-what-you-get as she appears to be? How can a person be so hopeful and chipper after recently being cheated on by a spouse? Her mother warned Jake, "Tenley is going to have emotional spillovers for a while."

 

— Linsey

The Bachelor: Episode 5 — Tenley or Gia?

Tenley and Jake, episode 4

"Tenley, of all the women, is the girl that I picture most as my wife." — Jake

Tenley and Jake have at last had their first one-on-one date, and the whole ordeal was so overstuffed with perfect moments, sugary sentiments and goo goo eyes that I simultaneously wanted to weep tears of joy for them and gag. But if what was happening on camera between them is what truly exists in real life for the two, and if he chooses her in the end, then Congratulations, Lovebirds. 

I am increasingly conflicted as this season progresses, because with each episode I am becoming a bigger fan of Gia. Her connection with Jake seems unlikely, and yet also very natural. Jake has an evident attraction to her, but is she as prepared to hop into a wedding dress as Tenley? Probably not. Gia seems more grounded in reality, a trait we should applaud her for, though her rationality isn't conducive to Jake slipping a big diamond ring on her finger come the finale (unless we are to assume women will sell their souls for diamonds ... and I'd like to think most won't).

Jake and Gia, episode 2

"I just think you're amazing. You're different from the other four women." 

— Jake, to Gia

So if Jake's top priority is finding a bride ASAP, it could be Gia's downfall. Tenley has "Bride" written all over her (and, you know, has already been married once, which "kind of makes (her) who she is, and the woman I'm falling for today," according to Jake). But here's some food for thought: Jake did tell Gia in this episode, "I have dates with the other women, but I don't have those amazing moments that we did." Could Gia actually be his favorite? Or was this just a line to ease her worries?

And then there's Ali. Ali had the pleasure of showing Jake all over San Francisco, which is where she lives and where they were filming this episode, coincidentally. Ali also had the pleasure of straddling Jake in the middle of a park on a sunny day, which must have turned some heads. But the more we see of Ali, the less I perceive her as being a warm and loving person. She seems very competitive and, for all the bright pops of color in her fashion choices, actually quite stern and serious. To me, she seems in it to win it more so than in it because she's crazy for Jake. "I'm taking this very seriously," she said to Jake, a grave expression on her face. He smiled one of those aw-shucks smiles and said, "That's really sweet." But is it, Jake? IS IT?

Regarding Vienna: When, oh when, will he send this girl home? I refuse to wrap my mind around the possibility that she is a frontrunner. She must go home in the next rose ceremony. Must!

Episode Awards:

Most Hilarious: Vienna, for lurking in the dungeon of the castle.

Most Honest: Gia, for admitting, "I may not act insecure or seem insecure, but I probably am the most insecure here."

TMI: Corrie, for saying, "Just because I'm a virgin doesn't mean I'm not in touch with my sensual side."

Revised Final Two: Tenley and Gia!

Lastly, I have a question for you: Am I too hard on Ali? Could I be misreading her?

— Linsey

The Bachelor: Episode 4 — "It's a bachelorette bloodbath!"

Gia

"It’s just the little things I'm noticing 

that are going to cause me to, you know, 

fall in love with this girl." 

—Jake

So I can't say I saw it coming that Jake would hit it off so well with Gia on their first one-on-one date. I underestimated her, I think, though I don't really know if she's "right" for Jake, or ready for the engagement he seems very determined — eerily so, even — to nail down by the end of this season. It appears to be a matter of opposites attracting between Gia, a New York City girl and swimsuit model, and Jake, with his southern accent, aw-shucks smiles and traditional values. Until now I thought Gia just wanted to be on television. That could still be the case, but it seems she might like Jake, as well.

Meanwhile, the benefit of the doubt I was giving Vienna is slipping. ABC is obviously not showing us her nasty side. I used to think Ali was especially hard on Vienna because she was jealous and just didn't like her. But with every other girl cautioning Jake (and ranting about Vienna to the cameras), I'm ready to take their word for it. Vienna's gotta go.

ABC was touting this episode as "a bachelorette bloodbath" on their Web site, and now we know why. Jake was only supposed to send home three girls tonight, one on the two-on-one date and two at the final rose ceremony. When he decided to send home both girls on the two-on-one date, he should have only had to eliminate one girl at the final ceremony. But he didn't have the heart to lead on the girls who — as he told Chris Harrison in an awkward, unscheduled conversation in the middle of the rose ceremony — he couldn't see himself marrying.

So he sent home a total of four: Ella, Kathryn, Jessie and Ashleigh. So long, ladies. We hardly knew ye.

But Vienna stays. And Ali is about to explode. "If that's what he wants, I am not what he wants," she whispered to Tenley at the rose ceremony. I'm hoping she loses it and attacks Jake for liking Vienna. Who's with me?

Episode Awards:

Best quote: "Is that coyotes? Oh, it’s the girls.” — Gia

Second-best quote: "In ninth grade, they called me Mr. Dateless." — Jake

Final two prediction: Ali and Tenley

— Linsey

The Bachelor: Episode 3 — The Claws Are Out

Vienna

I don't know where to begin. Was anyone else's head spinning after all of the ridiculous arguments in this episode? Most surprising to me was the ruthless fighter that came out in Ali. Yes, cute little Ali with the bright yellow dresses and equally sunny personality! The one I was praising as being adorable and genuine only one post ago!

Ali doesn't seem to be responding well to sharing Jake's attention; at least, not with Vienna. I didn't see it coming that Jake and Vienna would hit it off so well, and apparently neither did Ali. She says she can't understand how Jake would have feelings for "someone so fundamentally different from me" — but she's only making herself look worse by being so confrontational toward Vienna. 

And while it's clear that Vienna is the least popular girl in the house at the moment, I have trouble understanding what it is Vienna did that was ever so horrible. True, she gushed about her bungee jumping date with Jake. But is all of the controversy surrounding her founded?

Meanwhile, we're three episodes in and already Vienna and Ella are feeling confident they'll marry Jake. What are these ladies thinking? It's too soon to say! Exercise some patience and rationality, please! Ella, at least, should know better — she's a mother!

Other noteworthy events: 

* Michelle's creepy forced kiss with Jake, after which he sent her home. I was happy to see he stood up to her.

* Jake's improved self-confidence. He's finally seems more comfortable and in control, and thus relaxed and less likely to say weird things or laugh uncontrollably.

* Corrie's stand-up comedy act, in which she made fun of all of the other girls. (Except, um, who's Corrie? We've never seen much footage of her. Or Jessie. Or Kathryn. Or Valishia.)

* Tenley coming clean about her previous marriage, and Jake claiming he likes her more for it.

Episode Awards:

Best Quote: Jake, to Elizabeth: "You maybe dangled it like a carrot."

Best Elimination: Elizabeth. Like Jake, I was tired of her games.

Most Likely To Pee His Pants If He Ever Bungee Jumps Again: Jake

Most Delusional: Elizabeth, for saying, "I felt like we were advancing as a couple" in regard to her relationship with Jake.

— Linsey

The Bachelor: Episode 2, or, "Can I get my rose back?"

Rozlyn

There were several great moments in Episode 2 of The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love, but after reviewing the contenders, none stood out as much as host Chris Harrison's obvious discomfort in having to tell Rozlyn she was being sent home.

Of all the possible bachelorettes Chris might have delivered this news to, none could have possessed as much brazen confidence or shot as many eye-daggers in response as Rozlyn. It was as though she felt she had nothing to apologize for (for those who don't know, she was busted for fooling around with a member of the show's production staff — the "biggest scandal in Bachelor history," of course), and for a little while it seemed that veteran host Harrison, who's lived through his share of dramatic reality television moments, might turn red, trip over his words, or maybe even cry out of discomfort as he awkwardly explained to her that she had to go home.

I liken Rozlyn to the character Regina George in Mean Girls, played by Rachel McAdams. Both are the same sort of icy, fearless, queen-bee beauty one should never trust. Young women overtly capable of making grown men cry.

So I was pleased to see that Jake didn't cry when he learned of Rozlyn's infidelity (he has a history of crying that dates back to his days of warning Bachelorette Jillian that country singer Wes was no good). But Jake did express disappointment, and asked for his rose back.

Moving on, what a fun opportunity for the six girls selected for the first group date! The girls got to do a real photo shoot for InStyle magazine, which was supposed to be featured in the magazine at some point. Has anyone seen the photos in InStyle? I have not.

And how adorable was Ali when she teared up (quite genuinely, I do believe) after Jake picked her for the one-on-one date, on which she got to wear an insanely expensive, enormous diamond necklace? Along with Tenley, this girl seems serious about wanting to find love. And it also seems that Ali may have taken the lead over Tenley in the race for Jake's heart (I'm sorry I don't have a pilot/airplane pun for you here, because the show is ripe with them).

Episode Awards:

Best Quote: Christina, for saying “I would rather be doing a math test right now" during the InStyle photo shoot.

Biggest Hypocrite: Elizabeth, for writing Jake a lengthy note about how she won't kiss him until she is the last girl left, getting him to give her a rose because he "admires her values," and then proceeding to flirt with him shamelessly, asking how badly he wanted to kiss her. And he ate it all up.

Biggest Nutbar Still Getting Roses: Michelle.

So who's your favorite bachelorette so far? What do you like/dislike about this season? 

And while we're at it... Jake: Dreamy or Not?

— Linsey Maughan, Courier Reporter