The worldwide phenomenon that is Bachelor Nation has intrigued audiences for years. Good-looking people looking for love and it typically blowing up in their faces is the backbone of reality television. Millions of people tune in to see shocking rose ceremonies, the current villain’s mischief for the week, and the latest antics of the cringiest Bachelor contestant.
However, as long as The Bachelor and its spin-offs have remained successful, there are some elements of the show that are exhaustingly overdone and just plain outrageous. While viewers also watch the shows for the chance of seeing true love, some of the scripted and cliché aspects need to go.
“Trust The Process”
Anyone who has watched more than one episode of any Bachelor Nation show will be able to recognize the repetitive vocabulary contestants use. They constantly refer to the show as “the process” or “this journey” and never say what it really is, a reality television show.
Bachelors and Bachelorettes are frequently seen in their solo interviews reassuring themselves that they must “trust the process” and it’s a term that’s obviously required by production. The shows definitely have some ridiculous rules, but dictating contestants’ words is another level.
“I Don’t Know If I Can Get There”
Another affirmation that the cast members of Bachelor Nation shows frequently use is “I don’t know if I can get there” when discussing the relationship statuses. This cliché usually comes during an emotional breakup and seems like the one ending the relationship is beating around the bush.
While the rest of the show is blunt and doesn’t hold back, producers seem to use this saying to keep the Bachelor or Bachelorette from looking bad. However, it’s not one of the flaws the franchise fans have ignored. Obviously, the cast members aren’t out to directly hurt the recipient of these words, but a more authentic and natural saying would be much better.
“The Most Dramatic Season Yet”
Every season is dubbed “the most dramatic season yet” and promises to up the drama with each new Bachelor. However, this promise of juicy reality television is all but guaranteed for a show that’s so unpredictable. Sure, editing can do magic, but how much farther can they dare to take it every year?
This is obviously a marketing strategy to maintain the franchise’s large viewership and it does keep audiences coming back. On the other hand, many longtime fans have begun to roll their eyes at the tagline because it sometimes fails to follow through.
“My Future Wife Is In This Room”
The whole premise of The Bachelor is for the leading man to find their future wife. Why they need to repeat the phrase “my future wife is in this room” throughout the season when it’s the point of the show has become an annoyance to fans.
If the Bachelors didn’t believe their future wife was in that room of contestants, the show would be moot. Viewers have begun to cringe with every utterance of this phrase because of its inauthentic tone and they just want to get on with the drama.
Fireworks
Throughout every season, there is at least one date that ends with a ridiculously large fireworks show. Not only are fans tired of this cliché because of how cheesy it is, but many see it as a frank waste of fireworks for just two people who, honestly, probably won’t end up together.
The display is so big and intricate that it’s fit for a July 4th spectacular, and it is always planned in a location where the other contestants in the mansion can hear and see the commotion. It’s a blatant strategy used by producers to stimulate drama and fuel jealousy.
Champagne
Champagne is literally everywhere in Bachelor Nation and apparently, every single person is always up for drinking the bubbly. The cliché of champagne and romance speaks for itself, but viewers could do with a more realistic variety. On the other hand, they love the funny champagne memes The Bachelor gives the internet.
While cast members do partake in other alcoholic drinks, it seems that champagne on dates and post-rose ceremonies are mandatory. It makes one wonder how much of the bottles strewn about the Bachelor Mansion end up pouring only one glass and the rest down the drain.
Private Country Concerts
Some one-on-one dates will close the night with a “surprise” private concert for the couple, typically by a moderately known country music act. The Bachelor and his date also always know every word to the songs performed, which is too much of a reach for fans to accept as authentic.
This cliché comes back to how unrealistic the show is and that producers calculate everything to make intriguing reality television. While this is definitely their goal, viewers don’t relish these scenes and are ready to move on from the get-go because it’s not entertaining anymore.
Helicopter Rides
Helicopter rides are just plain boring for viewers. They bring nothing to the premise and just show the couple looking at the scenery and kissing with giant headphones on. It just seems like a bland date idea and something thrown together at the last minute.
Fans aren’t going to get drama in a helicopter or deep conversations that reveal truths about the couple. The only thing viewers get is a conversation that’s muffled and consists of mostly nervous giggles.
Scenic Pondering
Perhaps the most obvious instance of staging in The Bachelor is the clips of someone pondering while looking out at the scenery. Somber voiceovers and music to match play while they play out something that belongs in a movie.
The scenic thinking cliché is just unnecessary and appears as a way for the show to plug the location of places outside of life in the Bachelor Mansion. To even more fan annoyance, bloopers from these shoots often air on After the Final Rose.
Unrealistic Wardrobes
One element of The Bachelor that fans often notice is how absurdly extravagant the wardrobes of the cast members are. The men wear custom-tailored designer suits while the women look like they’re attending the Oscars.
Viewers are tired of this cliché simply because people don’t dress like that in real life, especially on a regular basis. It makes audiences question the connection in the relationships in regards to the physical attraction because, in the women’s case, it’s very much concealed.
