When HuffPost Women put out a call for random friends, I received an email from my aunt, Barbara Brounes, telling me about a woman she met on an plane. She and her seatmate, Colleen McMillian, realized they shared a love of "The Bachelor," and when they arrived at their destination, they exchanged information, not really expecting to talk again. But as the first episode approached, Barbara decided to send an email. "The rest is history," she says. "If you've ever been sucked into this god-awful show, you know that the true satisfaction comes with being able to discuss each episode." The following are edited excerpts from their emails throughout the season.
From: Barb Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 3:57 PM
When I picked up People with Ali on the cover, I dug through my purse for the card you gave me on the plane. It was fun chatting with you on the plane.
From: Colleen Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 05:12 PM
Hey Barbara – thanks for the note. I saw the story the other day and read it online ... I was disappointed as I thought they made such a cute couple.
From: Barb Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 12:56 PM
Based on the opener, the descriptions of these women that come to mind are trashy, petty, dippy, unstable, CRAZY. These are the 25 most eligible women in the country?
From: Colleen Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 4:51 PM
A little concerned that it has all been about Ben and moving the girl to Sonoma. Any halfway decent girl will have stuff going on and it might make it hard to move, whereas all these bimbos have nothing to give up.
From: Barb Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 3:58 PM
That's exactly what made me hesitate about Kacie -- she soooo readily said she would pick up in a second. Who does that -- or admits it??
I love Monday nights! I can't get the kids to bed fast enough and get to the DVR.
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From: Colleen Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 10:00 AM
OK, these women are driving me crazy!! Kacie B.: “It takes years to find a love like this!” She is in LOVE already? It is also driving me crazy with how they are using incorrect English grammar. “Ben and me have such a strong connection” or “Things are going so well for Ben and I.”
From: Colleen Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 4:08 PM
Not sure why Elyse has an undergrad and a graduate degree and is a personal trainer. (Does that make me snobby?!)
It is funny that I am so hooked on this show because in principle I really disagree with it. It’s disappointing to see women with self-esteem issues, and after they are not selected to win this "prize," they immediately say, "What did I do wrong?"
From: Barb Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 3:20 PM
You're not a snob! All of us who struggle through college and grad school wonder why someone wouldn't use their degrees.
From: Barb Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 5:01 PM
Was that kissing scene with Jamie the most awkward and painful thing to watch? Ever?
From: Colleen Sent: Friday, February 10, 2012 09:56 AM
I also thought it was terrible when Chris confronted the blonde about her boyfriend and she was just worried about finding someone to marry her! She said something like, "Well, if he doesn't want to marry me, then I want to be with someone like Ben.” And she cried so LOUD like someone had died or something.
From: Barb Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 9:46 PM
Ron fell asleep so I got to watch “Bachelor”! (Very romantic Valentine's Day, right?). My heart was beating so hard when it came to the last rose.
When HuffPost Women put out a call for random friends, I received an email from my aunt, Barbara Brounes, telling me about a woman she met on an plane. She and her seatmate, Colleen McMillian, realiz...
When HuffPost Women put out a call for random friends, I received an email from my aunt, Barbara Brounes, telling me about a woman she met on an plane. She and her seatmate, Colleen McMillian, realiz...
i was not going to admit that yes, i did tune in to this superficial,disgusting show. guess i was curious if Ben would realllllly chose Courtney. She is so boring and not so great looking. No accounting for physical attraction. At least Lindzy was beautiful and had class, something greatly lacking in Courtney. Think Ben did Lindzy a favor - she deserves the best. do not think Ben and Courtney will be together long enough to call it forever. And how can any person (Ben) be in love with more than one girl at a time). I would think he would choke on some of his obviously scripted lines. One reason I detest the show so much is that they all talk to Ben about how much they like/lovehim n and vice-verse, but never hear any "real" conversation and exchange of who they are underneath the facade. words cannot express how trite this show is.
mefrank01: i was not going to admit that yes, i did
As a man, I knew he would pick Courtney. Many men have had a "Courtney" in their lives. They gravitate toward nice guys and protective types. Their ultra femininity is cat nip to men and they give off the allure of needing to be protected. The man who is under the spell of the Courtney feels so fortunate to have such a desirable feminine creature. The courtship is magic, the sex (one of the Courtney's specialties, they are not assertive but responsive in bed willing to cross over in to doing things that the man would not expect from such an etheric goddess) All goes well until one day the Courtney is disappointed that her man is not going to be able to remove all the insecurities that she has. It turns out he is just like all the other men who let her down. Narcissists don't want to be that way and for a short time they can experience a respite from it with the good guy hero who briefly makes them feel whole.
whatchamean: As a man, I knew he would pick Courtney. Many
i have to admit, i caught just a tiny bit of this show in between "how i met your mother&broke girls"
and i can only say that the guy, was as interesting as a piece of wet cardboard and a personality that matched damp newspaper. i hope that this last dose will cure the public of ever, EVER WANTING TO SEE A PIECE OF CRAPOLA LIKE THIS SHOW AGAIN!
hemnebob: i have to admit, i caught just a tiny bit
I stopped watching years ago... I did see and hear abit about this last show. I give it 6 months. She seems like a byach and he was another guy leading with something other than his brain... He also needs a haircut... He looks like a highschooler...
Rangergirl: I stopped watching years ago... I did see and hear
Doesn't t this guy have money for a decent hair cut? He looks grungy and dirty...like someone in need of a good shower and shampoo. If this is what gals now a days like, go figure.
Mama_Bee: Doesn't t this guy have money for a decent hair
It’s fake. It’’s phony. It’s scripted romantic twaddle. Which if you can ignore probably puts this show one notch below Desperate Housewives of "pick a city." Karl Marx was wrong. TV is the opiate of the masses.
omobob: It’s fake. It’’s phony. It’s scripted romantic twaddle. Which if
I guess I have to admit I like the show. First of all lots of great looking women. I fun to watch just how easily women/people are controlled by money and power.
What percentage of average people can have date even close to the extravagance of these dates?
Only the super rich, then how does real life feel after a few months of this??
When is anyone ever in a situation even closely resembling this where 25 females are controlled from seeing anyone else but he get total say in where he goes with who!
Come on!
Now tell me over and over how open you are and what you are willing to do for me, OK let go to the fantasy suite. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
Great show about rich guys helping each other out to get laid on TV with an audience supporting it.
I do admit I like the bachelorette better it seems a little more sincere.
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The Huffington Post Lori Fradkin First Posted: 03/12/2012 10:13 am Updated: 03/12/2012 11:31 am