The Bachelor Finale: Just Like Network?

Look, we don't actually watch The Bachelor. In fact, all we know about the show is gathered from either The Soup or Videogum. And yet we feel obligated to report that yesterday, the latter had a piece that referred us to this New York Times article about how this season's ratings are up because womenz luv babiez or something.

But the interesting tidbit comes near the end of the article:

Mr. Fleiss [creator and producer of The Bachelor] promises that the finale will leave fans hyperventilating. "It's insane, honestly," he said. "It's Chayefsky-esque," he added, referring to the screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky. "The last hour is pure Network."
As in the movie Network written by Chayefsky, in which an anchorman loses his mind and viewers start screaming out their windows?

"I don't mean it's like his writing," Mr. Fleiss said. "I mean in the freakishness of it."

We're not sure that calling the finale of your show "insane" or "freakish" or making references to a movie that (spoiler alert) ends with an on-air assassination is the best way to sell a reality TV show that's ostensibly about romance. And no, not even the promise of one of those wannabe baby mamas getting shot by Jason Mesnick (rather than just not receiving a rose) will entice us to watch the season finale.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Audrey in Arts & Events on February 17, 2009 2:30 PM

Comments [rss]

Newsfan

You just might want to tune in, if this guy www.realitysteve.com is correct. If nothing else, to watch for gun-toting mamaz who luvez babez on the lookout for dear, ol' Jason.

If this is true, he'll likely be the most hated bachelor ever.

Troy Morris

Maybe he does get the reference! Now that's reality TV

Audrey

I have the feeling that Fleiss is the one who doesn't get the reference to Chayefsky. Even if DeAnna Pappas shows up on the last episode and makes Jason choose between her and the finalists, that is not like Network, unless DeAnna then kills the other two girls.

Troy Morris

Either a person does or does not get the reference to Chayefsky.

If the person doesn't (I'm assuming a majority), they're either going to watch the show or not. The womenz who luv babez are going to watch the placenta out of that episode.

For those who do get the reference... doesn't it make you want to watch it? I mean, I didn't get the reference until you laid it out, but now I want to watch.

Badly. Like, if I had to eat placenta to watch that episode, I'd probably do it.