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The Bachelor Season 20 Recap: Episode 3

The rise of Jubilee and the claws come out.

In classic week three happenings, insecurities begin to flare and the catty is out of the box.

The girls have started to figure out that Olivia sucks, and we the audience are repeatedly treated to her narcissistic ramblings to the camera about how great she is and how her connection with Ben is the strongest, all delivered in the world’s most annoying nasal voice.

But this episode is really about Jubilee. This is the first time an African American girl has ever really been considered as a serious contender on this show, but are we buying their connection or has this been manufactured by ABC to combat the flack they repeatedly get over this issue? Time will tell.

Jubilee announces that if she gets the one-on-one date card she’ll probably be the happiest she’s been in her life. Huge red flag statement.

Lauren B., the flight attendant, gets the first one-on-one date card and Olivia pretends to be really excited for her. Insert eye roll.

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She and Ben take off in a convertible Mustang, her hair blowing in her face the whole time. Convertibles are the worst for dates. A World War I era biplane is waiting for them and apparently Lauren B. is terrified even though she flies for a living.

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Ben, wearing his “hope” bracelet, goes in for the first kiss in the back of the plane as they do a fly-by over the mansion. All I can think is she must be freezing in that tank top.

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After the plane ride Lauren B.’s nose is all red because she was so cold.

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Cut to a Jacuzzi in the middle of a field somewhere and we see Ben’s tattoo on his rib cage, a sexy quote from the Bible, Old Testament Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Christian edgy.

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Screen Shot 2016-01-19 at 12.05.14 PMHot tub make out between Lauren B. and Ben. She tells him she wants to get her pilot’s licence but I feel like she’s just thought of that now and Ben tells her, “dang you’re cute.”

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Cut to the dinner date and Lauren B. explains to Ben that she is from a family of really basic people and Ben drops his pastor into the conversation and tells Lauren B. “It’s been cool not just to look at you and laugh with you, but being with you.”

Lucy Angel, whoever the fuck that is, plays them a private concert where they slow dance to bad country music and make out like they’re at their high school prom. Everyone watching fast forwards.

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Meanwhile back at the mansion, Caila starts losing her shit and crying whilst talking to JoJo and telling her that it’s just hitting her that there are other girls there and she might get her heart broken. Bitch, please.

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Jubilee looks suicidal again that her name wasn’t on the group date card. Later she’s in tears saying, “I’m so much more complicated than anybody else here.” No one would argue with that.

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A soccer-themed group date is announced, so boring. Lauren H. says that she has “zero ball-handling skills.” I bet.

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Balls are flying everywhere, Emily twin blocks a bunch of goals and after a sudden-death round Olivia’s team wins.
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The losing team misses out on the cocktail party where shocker, Olivia snatches Ben up for the first alone-time.

While she’s away, Amber, who has really bad hair and shouldn’t be picking on anyone’s appearance, tells the other girls that Olivia has fat toes and then Haley says, in an interview, that she can tell Olivia has fake boobs and also has bad breath. Claws. Are. Out.

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Jami turns double agent and tells Olivia about the bitchy comments, sending her into a insecurity spiral, replying “Am I aggressive? Yeah. Do I have bad toes? Yeah.”

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Ben and Amber kiss but it’s more Amber kissing him. I’m shocked she gets the group date rose which I think is just false hope for her. Amber’s a trouble-maker who knows she’s not going to win, she’s there to make TV drama.

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Back at the mansion, Jubilee, who is sitting around on-camera with zit cream all over her face, gets the one-on-one date card and goes full-manic.

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On the morning of their date Jubilee is acting like her socially anxious, weird self, rubbing the rest of the girls the wrong way with some of her comments. She’s not a girl’s girl, she might not even be all that into people.

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They take a chopper to a baller health spa where they eat canapés. Jubilee, who’s not the most sophisticated, tries one with a tiny bit of caviar which she has to immediately spit out on a napkin like a child. Nothing annoys me more than adults making a huge display of something they don’t like the taste of. Calm the fuck down.

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Next they get into the hot tub and Jubilee’s stripper tattoos are revealed. They move to the pool and do some making out.

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Later that night, Jubilee opens up to Ben about her sad childhood and he seems enthralled by her broken bird story and hands her the rose. My prediction is this girl is a bit too damaged and complicated for Ben, despite him claiming that he likes complex people with layers. I’m just not buying it.

The next morning all the bitches are shocked that Jubilee got a rose, with Lauren H. saying, “it’s insane to me, it’s like literally insane,” and notes that Jubilee seems to be pulling away from all the other girls. Lauren H., who is the epitome of a wannabe soccer mom, says she knows Ben “wants a wife who can be friends with all the other soccer moms.”

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Ben arrives for the rose ceremony cocktail party and puts  a real downer vibe on the night, announcing that two close family friends from back home died in an accident last night.

Most of the girls see this as the perfect opportunity to console Ben and show them how sensitive they are, with the exception of Olivia who is the first to whisk him away to let him know that she hates her legs, that people have written blogs about how she has “cankles,” while almost fake crying, and finishes with “I try to be strong all the time, but it’s the scariest thing ever.” If we weren’t sure if Olivia was a narcissist, we are now.

I love Olivia so much, she is completely unaware about how unlikeable she is and thinks she totally has this in the bag.

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This was huge turn-off for Ben, who says this is not exactly what he wants to talk about, given what he’s gone through today.

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Back in the room with the group, the camera spends a lot of time focusing on Jubilee sitting morosely on her own and highlighting her isolation tactics while zooming in on her boobs in her low-cut dress every so often.

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Before long though, she’s taking Ben to a secluded area outside, where a massage table is conveniently set up and gives him a massage in his suit shirt with her long, acrylic nails. It looks like a terrible massage.

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Becca, JoJo and Jami creep up and spy on the situation and two seconds later everyone in the house is alerted. All the girls are not happy that Jubilee is stealing their time with Ben when she’s safe with a rose already.

Soon Jami is dispatched to go down and interrupt the massage but it’s ending anyway with Ben announcing, “that was just incredible, it’s like my favorite thing in the world.” Sorry girls, Jubliee won this one.

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A little later Amber decides she needs to talk to Jubilee, finding her outside on a couch covered in a blanket, all alone, and tells her that she has to come and talk with all the girls which Jubes is having none of. She’s had army training, she knows an ambush when she smells one and bolts upstairs, barricading herself in a bathroom saying “I don’t know what you guys are doing but it ain’t cute. It’s ridicalous,” as she goes.

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“Jubilee got a rose last night, so she’s just cocky as fuck.” – Lace.

“It’s the first night ever that I have a rose and I should be giddy as fuck right now and I’m not because of this stupid situation, it’s just not fair.” – Amber.

“He shouldn’t have to be dealing with this right now.” – Emily.

Amber comes up to the bathroom to explain to Jubilee, who is now being consoled by Ben, that she just wanted to talk to her. Jubilee starts to cry. Amber explains to Ben and Jubilee why everyone is annoyed with her, basically signing her death warrant. If there’s one thing you want to do on this show, it’s stay out of the drama.

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Next, a crying Lace takes Ben outside to say she has a lot of work to do on herself and that going home might be easier at this point, delivering the line of the night again “Like my tattoo says, you can’t love someone else until you truly love yourself.” Basic bitches everywhere nod in unison.

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The roses are handed out to aspring soccer mom Lauren H., baby voiced-single mom Amanda, Haley twin, Becca virgin, Emily twin, boring Rachel, crazy Caila, JoJo, Tall Jennifer and Leah with the too-dark eyebrows and last but not least, Olivia.

Olivia has decided that Ben is giving her secret signs to let her know that she is more special, like squeezing her knee slightly when he got up off the couch on the group date and squeezing her waist when he hugged her after he gave her the final rose. She’s a maniac.

Jami and Shushana are this week’s rejects.

Jami, who’s a bit dim, spirals after not getting a rose, saying “My lesson from this is don’t ever expect anything from humans, I’m going to start adopting cats now.” Girls with cats everywhere nod in unison.

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See you on Bachelor in Paradise, girl.

 

The Bachelor Season 20 Recap: Episode 2

Olivia’s big mouth and the two Laces.

Week one gets off to a strong start with some front runners breaking away from the pack. We learn that one of the twins thinks that “Ben is the greatest bachelor on the planet of history,” and JoJo announces that “If you had a list, he checks off every single list.” 

The biggest news though, is we find out there are actually two Laces. Lace tells us that that actually wasn’t her on the first night, it was the “other” Lace.

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Newsflash: Ben is into being fun and goofy and that really shows on the first horrendous group date, the back to high school challenge, complete with plenty of really dumb sexual innuendos in the chemistry class portion and the bobbing for apples portions where we find out “Jackie’s not great with her mouth, unfortunately.”

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JoJo and Becca, two of the hottest girls pair up to fail the U.S. geography test. Are we shocked?

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What is Mandi wearing??

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The winner of this date is crowned “Homecoming Queen,” which is apparently all of these girls’ dream. But there can only be one queen and today it’s Mandi. This will be her high point on the show, as well as in life.

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Cut to the group date cocktail party that night, where true colors shine. Becca comes with her A game and a very tight, short dress. Don’t be fooled by Becca’s chill, easy-going, stoner demeanour, she’s in it to win it.

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Tall person Jennifer and Ben kiss during their alone time and Lace (we’re not sure which one this is), loses her shit when she finds out. Lace says she’s upset that Ben got a different Lace on the first night. I think she means drunk Lace.

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Meanwhile, back at the mansion, the one-on-one date card arrives and we get to see just how wide Olivia can open that trap of hers. Everyone simultaneously pauses their TVs in shock and awe.

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Back to the group date where Lace and Ben are almost “eye fucking,” according to her. No kiss though because he’s actually terrified of her, and rightly so. Lace loses her shit again when Jubilee cuts in on her with Ben, saying “fuck these bitches” and complaining to the group about not getting any time with Ben.

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I’m a little scared of Jubes too. She and Ben also kiss.

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Lace interrupts Ben and someone with the line “I’m not crazy I just need some more time.” It’s never a good idea to refer to yourself as crazy multiple times to someone you’re trying to convince that you’re not crazy.

Everyone hates Lace because she sucks. 

JoJo and Ben go up to the roof where Ben tells JoJo he’s feeeeeeeeeling her and they have the most romantic kiss of the date and she emerges as the one to beat.

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Ben tells JoJo “thank you for sharing with me,” which I think we can all agree on is the lamest line as we all cringe in unison, then gives her the group date rose.

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Jubilee is suicidal when she finds out.

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Lace is close to a psychotic break.

Screen Shot 2016-01-12 at 12.13.17 PMBack at the mansion it’s revealed Caila has the first one-on-one date that also includes some corny cross-promotion for the movie Ride Along 2 and Ban and Caila are joined by Ice Cube and teeny weeny Kevin Hart.

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Ben is, of course, a huge Kevin Hart fan, shocker. He also announces that “Ice Cube has done everything from acting to rap.” There’s no way Ben could recite even one line of “Givin’ up the nappy Dugout,” sorry.

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Cut to a depressing scene with Amanda Facetiming the kids she’s abandoned. 

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One of the twins has a French tip manicure which should mean immediate disqualification.

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We’re already finding out that what Ben has in good looks is not matched in personality. 

On their date, Ben and Caila get to know each other whilst their food sits in front of them, getting cold. This drives me insane.

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Later we find out that Ben also has bad taste in music when his favorite musician, no clue who this dude is and too lazy to Google it, shows up to play the standard private show trope for the couple. Ben sings along. At the end of the date there’s kissing. Caila is in the running.

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On the next group date to a “love clinic” we learn which of the girls present have physical chemistry with Ben. Olivia, who is the worst after Mandi and Lace, scores highest with Ben on the chemistry test. Her already large ego becomes a character.

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 Ben told Samantha she smelled sour. I feel this is the kiss of death for her.

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Later that night in Ben’s hotel room, which Olivia announces “is awesome,” they make out. when she returns to the group she tells the other girls that “if Ben is a big believer in science, I’d be a little nervous.” She’s the wooooooorst.

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Amanda breaks the bad news to Ben about the two heavy pieces of luggage she travels with in the shape of two small children but he kisses her anyway.

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Ben predictably gives Olivia the group date rose, causing Amanda to shed the first tears of the season.

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Ben needs to lay off the hair gel.

Olivia announces that Ben is hers at this point, saying, “He’s my man.” Amanda throws some shade her way. She then interrupts Ben and Leah who are done talking anyway so they can make out some more.

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Lace takes Olivia aside for a chit chat and we get to observe two crazy idiots facing off.

Lace has begun talking about herself in the third person as she begins to spiral. I’m thinking alcohol is the common denominator here.

She then takes Ben aside for the 15th time and tells him that she has “a very bold personality” and is “a lot to handle” and that she has “a part of her that she’s working on.” Ben is now legit terrified. Olivia and Lauren H. listen from below the balcony.

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They are interrupted by another girl, prompting Lace to go into full-breakdown mode in her interview, saying, “the Lace I promised myself I would not be came out.”

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Ben gives Lauren B. a photograph of the two of them on the night they met as a token to assure her that he’s into her. Lauren B. will be one to beat.

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Amber still hasn’t had any time with Ben, which I don’t really understand because they’re filming all day, how can you not talk to him for at least ten minutes? Seems like bad time management to me.

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Ben and Amanda, the esthetician with the baby voice, make hair barrettes for her brats. Definitely not Ben’s idea.

The rose ceremony is intercut with Lace’s breakdown. This is cheap trick becasue we all know that the producers of this show aren’t letting Ben send both Laces home just yet.

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L.B. gets a rose but tells Ben that she’s going to bounce, making room for Amber to stay. He might’ve blown that one but plenty more fish here.

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Jackie and Mandi go home rose-less and love-less. And the field begins to thin.

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The Bachelor Season 20 Recap: Episode 1

GUESS WHO’S BAAAAAAACK??!

Yes, it’s really handsome, really boring Ben Higgins, a top three reject from Kaitlyn’s season. Ben is from small town Indiana, still talks about high school sports he played and is super close with his parents – he called them in the middle of filming the arrivals, waking them up to tell them it was going “great!” – all red flags. He’s nice, he’s handsome and that’s all you need to be for bitches to fight over you on this show.

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During the exciting pre-amble, Bachelor Ben sits down with some other Bachelor alums – Sean Lowe (biggest dag and self-proclaimed virgin prior to penetrating his wife on their televised wedding night), Jason Mesnick, who proposed to one of the finalists from his season and broke up with her at “The Women Tell All” to tell the woman he’d previously sent home that he made the wrong decision and meant to propose to her, and Farmer Chris, who proposed to Whitney at the end of his season and broke things off 3 months later after appearing on Dancing With The Stars. Advice is swapped and Melnick sweats through his shirt.

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The first impression rose goes to Olivia, 23 but looks 33, news anchor, who tells Ben she gave up a great job to come be on TV with him. Hashtag romance. She’ll be one of the ones to beat.

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As you probably know, the first episode is about meeting the female contestants and judging them harshly. As they pile out of limos onto the ever-wet driveway we see what’s in store for Ben, and more importantly, for us.

Some highlights:

I just want to start by saying that I don’t like calling girls “crazy” just to be funny, it’s a tired label. However, if a female is legit acting crazy she gets the title. This season that title goes to Lace. Yes, her parents named her after some fabric and that may have contributed to her current state of unbalance. There’s always one girl who drinks too much, throws shade all over the place, makes disparaging comments about the other contestants and is way too intense with the man prize. Ladies and gentlemen, like so many before her, meet Lace.

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Laura AKA Red Velvet. Her whole identity is that she’s a redhead. No one gives one, lady. Also she appears to be missing a neck. Sadly, Red Velvs doesn’t make the cut.

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Tiara, a really basic name, is a “chicken enthusiast,” and has framed photographs of her pet chooks in her home. Doesn’t make the cut.

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Mandi the dentist plays the roll of the “kooky girl” who seems a bit insane. She’s this season’s Ashley S., arriving with and wearing for the entire night a giant paper rose on her head. Mandi also gives Ben his first on-the-mouth kiss after talking to him for like a minute. Agressive.

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Lastly there was Meagan, 30, cowgirl. Huh? She didn’t fit the mould really and on top of it she brought a mini horse with her, into the mansion. She doesn’t make the cut, shockingly.

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After the typically harrowing first meet and greet cocktail party where Ben spends 5-10 minutes with each contestant and then has to rule out the ones he doesn’t have a connection with, after literally hours of filming he hands out roses to:  

Lauren B., 25, flight attendant and my pick to go the distance. Her happy place is the beach. They seem like a perfect match to me, a basic match made in heaven/on TV. 

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LB, 23, fashion buyer. Blah, won’t last long.

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Caila, 23, software sales rep. She and Ben have the same boring job and seem like a good match. 

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Amber, 30, bartender and Bachelor veteran, appearing on Chris Soules’ season as well as last summer’s best show, Bachelor in Paradise. At 30, she’s one of the oldest competing and quite frankly, should know better.

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Jami, 23, bartender. Basically just a younger, Canadian version of Amber. I fear there’s not a whole lot going on upstairs with this one.

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Jennifer, 25, “small business owner” – too vague for me. She’s tall like Ben so they have that in common.

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Jubilee, 24, “war vet” – 24 seems young to be labeled a war vet. Also, that sounds un-sexy. Jubes has neck/titty and upper thigh tattoos which is exciting.

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Amanda, 25, esthetician and single mom of two small girls. Could go the distance but in the end I feel like Ben won’t want to take on someone else’s kids – read: who would? Also, she thinks her kids are “the most amazing kids ever.” Sorry to break it to you but your kids are very ordinary, like pretty much all kids.

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Joelle, “JoJo”, 24, house flipper. I like JoJo, but my first impression is she might be a bit complex for Ben. I think he’ll keep around for the long-haul though.

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Leah, 25, event planner. Blonde, didn’t leave much of an impression. Might be his type though, who knows?

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Rachel, 23, unemployed. This one won’t last. Plus she arrived on one of those stupid hoverboards.

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Samantha, 26, “attorney.” She just passed the bar exam so not exactly an attorney. She won’t last either, too smart.

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Jackie, 23, Gerontologist. Another tall brunette, seems boring.

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Haley, 22, twin. Is there any more reductive a description as being labeled a sibling? Obvious producers’ choice, along with her other half, and playing into what dumb people think is some fantasy about twins. 

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Emily, 22, Twin. They both seem to have identical personalities so far as well and are both ready to “date the same guy.” Oooooookay.

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Shushana, 27, mathematician and apparently only speaks Russian. Producers’ pick for sure.

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Lauren H., 25, kindergarten teacher. People who choose to work with kids are often a little nuts in my experience. Also, that hair color.

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Becca, 26, chiropractic assistant and another returnee from Chris Soules’ season and notorious VIRGIN. I can see Becca going the distance.

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Mandi, 28, dentist. We covered this above. Definitely another producers’ pick. No one’s buying it.

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And last but not least, Lace, 25, real estate agent who owns quote of the night – “Let’s be honest, who wants a fucking virgin?” Poor Becca.

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Lace shows just how crazy she is after she’s handed the last rose and takes Ben to the side to berate him for making her wait until the last rose and never looking at her once during the rose ceremony. I mean she might be over the whole thing now. Ben is already annoyed by this chick. I give her till week 5, for entertainment.

That’s the field going into week one. Place your bets now, I’ll be discussing my picks on the podcast this week!

 

The 20 Best Things That Happened in 2015

2015 was full of terrible people (ISIS, the Planned Parenthood shooter, the kid from UConn who was refused mac and cheese) with terrible agendas. But was it void of greatness? Absolutely not. Here are 20 reasons why 2015 was actually a tremendous year. And I’m not talking about bullshit videos of cops getting into dance contests and squirrels parachuting. These are actual great things.

20. Nancy Grace suffers her worst debate beatdown…by 2 Chainz!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e25in2BNo48

In yet another debate over an issue that nobody still cares about, Nancy Grace was obliterated by the guy whose previous high point was the lyric – “They say room service. Gimme one minute, she gettin’ a womb service.”

19. Star Wars

Cool bros waiting for their movie.
Cool bros waiting for their movie.

JJ Abrams had a ton of pressure going into this movie. Nerds followed his every move. Yes, these were the same nerds who conveniently forgot that the Star Wars franchise has had about two-and-a-half good movies out of six. Nonetheless, Abrams was expected to please both nine year-old boys and 44 year-old fanboys looking to revisit their youths before puberty relegated them to weirdo status. And JJ delivered. The Force Awakens was thoroughly entertaining and a real event.

18. Iceland makes blasphemy legal.

Jesus, that's a beautiful picture.
Jesus, that’s a beautiful picture.

You’re goddamned right they did!

17. Steve Harvey is a dope.

Whoops.
Whoops.

People can debate whether or not the whole Miss Universe thing was staged. But the authenticity of the pageant’s results is not what makes it great. In the middle of the confusion, Steve Harvey says the funniest line of his career and it was not remotely intentional. At the 5:03 mark, Harvey pleaded with the audience. “Please don’t hold it against the ladies.” Thanks, Steve. For a minute I thought Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines were to blame for this commotion and was about to throw broken bottles at the stage. Then I was going to follow them both around for the rest of their lives and loudly boo them in public. Thanks to your quick wit, you were able to clarify that it is not the fault of the two women standing silently in their evening gowns and sashes. We all really dodged a bullet there.

16. Adnan’s murder is the gift that keeps on giving.

America's next great pastime - carefully studying potentially murderous weirdos.
America’s next great pastime – carefully studying potentially murderous weirdos.

Due to the success of Serial, tv networks have been dying to capitalize on the true crime documentary series success. HBO put out The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. Once viewers were able to look past the creepy facial hair of documentarian Andrew Jarecki, The Jinx was a fascinating look at the insanely wealthy yet shady Robert Durst. The final episode culminated in a mind-blowing confession.

Later in the year, Netflix threw it’s hat in the ring with Making A Murderer – a show about a slow adult who may have been framed for murder in Wisconsin. While death is always terrible, at least it’s providing some compelling television.

15. Ben Carson has a majestic picture of himself and Jesus hanging in his home.

"Last one to the steam room is a rotten egg!"
“Last one to the steam room is a rotten egg!”

“Hey Ben, why don’t you slip into something a little more comfortable? Come join me in the steam room. I can give you a nice back massage with my insanely muscular right hand. If you just close your eyes, you will begin to forget about my tiny, Chris Bosh-sized head.”

14. Eddie Murphy finally told a joke.

For people of a certain age, Eddie Murphy was the comedic gold standard. Then he stopped being funny. He quit standup, made tons of terrible kids movies, and appeared super-affected in every interview. At the SNL 40 special, Chris Rock gave Murphy the intro to end all intros, Eddie took the stage…and did absolutely nothing. Most of the next day’s water cooler talk was about how Eddie didn’t have it anymore. A couple months later, when being presented with the Mark Twain prize at the Kennedy Center, Eddie broke the streak and told his first joke at the expense of alleged serial rapist Bill Cosby. Welcome back.

13. Washington DC is turning poop into power.

Poop. Glorious poop.
Poop. Glorious poop.

The biggest challenge in moving away from fossil fuels is finding new energy sources. Our nation’s capital found a source that is never ending – our need to relieve ourselves. The new treatment plant which turns solid waste into energy will both save money and put waste to work. Suddenly, having a Taco Bell in the neighborhood is an asset.

12. Mad. Max.

Uh oh, both genders are being represented. Time to panic!
Uh oh, both genders are being represented. Time to panic!

Mad Max: Fury Road was one of the rare movies with no downtime. There was no boring scene. There was no needless exposition. The movie was just start-to-finish action. Hopefully this teaches future directors that it’s ok to sometimes skip the boring backstories and forced romantic subplots. For the cherry on top, the movie made a bunch of guys angry because one of the action stars was a woman. Welcome to the year 1979, gentlemen!

11. A’s pitcher, Sean Doolittle, hosts Thanksgiving dinner for 17 Syrian refugee families.

Sean Doolittle, a true American.
Sean Doolittle, a true American.

Much like the Ebola scare, SARS, and Bird Flu, Syrian refugees have become an insane fear mongering target. Despite the fact that there is really no evidence to prove Syrian refugees are any more of a risk to Americans than Americans themselves, people have gone out of their way to turn their backs on people looking to escape persecution and seek freedom. (You know, kind of like the way everyone’s family came to America?) Well, the Oakland A’s closer represented the best of what America has to offer and generously showed love on our country’s greatest holiday.

10. Julianne Moore killed it on Billy on the Street.

Julianne Moore is a national treasure.

9. Bill Cosby finally faced the music.

Monster.
Monster.

2015 has not been a good one for Cliff Huxtable. Ever since mid-2014, the old comedian has been accused of rape by dozens of women. But the problem with nearly every accusation is that it happened well beyond the statute of limitations. Luckily, at least one of these cases happened just under 12 years ago in Pennsylvania. Yesterday, Cosby was arrested and formally charged. It doesn’t right all his wrongs but satisfying to know he doesn’t get away with everything. Maybe that Fat Albert voice can get you an extra serving of baked beans as you live out your twilight years in the pokey, Bill.

8. The Paris climate agreement is the most positive news item for the environment in our lifetime.

Finally.
Finally.

I think we can all agree that the planet is mostly fucked in the long term. But, for generations, we viewed earth as someone else’s problem. And, let’s face it, if something is going to inconvenience your great-great grandson/daughter, you can pretend you care but you really don’t. Now, problems with the planet could be a major problem for our kids – which is a problem because we sort-of care about our kids. Governments across the globe banded together and have resolved to focus on renewable energy. Now we have something to bring up when we need someone to change our diapers in 50 years. “Remember that time when we saved the planet? Good. Now help me change this #2”

7. TV is still great.

Big Time
Big Time

Thanks to Netflix and countless cable channels, there are a ton of directions to turn for great TV. From the Mad Men finale to the “Shame” episode of Game of Thrones to season two of Fargo, You’re the Worst, and Broad City, television in 2015 is better than ever. But, if you’re looking for a great new show, look no further than Big Time in Hollywood, FL. Come for the coked-out-of-his-mind Cuba Gooding, Jr. Stay for the Steven Tobolowsky.

6. University of Missouri football players use their status to bring meaningful change.

Athletes taking a stand.
Athletes taking a stand.

For months, black students had complained of multiple racial incidents around campus. The administration chose to do nothing about it. Realizing that the only meaningful change is getting the football team involved, players on the team were approached to join the movement. On Saturday, November 7th, black members of the team announced they would not play another game unless there were changes in the administration. By Tuesday, the 10th, the school’s president stepped down and the chancellor announced he will transition to a new role.

Schools everywhere have no problem profiting left and right on the athletes. Schools are also always quick to remind the athletes that they’re not employees. It’s about time that the athletes get to push back.

5. RJ Hunter hits a game-winner for Georgia State in the NCAA Tournament.

Ron Hunter tore his achilles tendon while celebrating his team’s Sun Belt conference championship the previous week. In the first round of the NCAA tournament (or whatever they call the round of 64), Ron was forced to coach his 14-seeded team from a stool against Baylor, the 3-seed. When Ron’s son, RJ, hit the game winner Ron fell out of his chair and shady coach Scott Drew was sent home with a bitter loss.

4. David Letterman got the sendoff he deserved.

In the weeks leading up to David Letterman’s final show in May, the tributes poured in. Jimmy Kimmel gave a heartfelt tribute to Dave in his monologue. Norm MacDonald choked up in his final Late Show appearance. Every star imaginable was tripping over themselves to get on the show before he signed off. In the final episode, Dave gave a poignant-yet-not-sappy farewell and the Foo Fighters played while a montage of 35 years of incredible clips played.

It’s sad that there no longer will be a late night host that is both hilarious and unconcerned with kissing up to his guests. But it was tremendous to see the greatest ever talk show host get his due. Farewell, Dave.

3. We got to witness the Pharma Bro do the perp walk.

Human garbage in cuffs.
Human garbage in cuffs.

In August Martin Shkreli announced his company was hiking the price of a drug used by AIDS patients by 5500%. Due to expired patents and a complete lack of compassion, the “Pharma Bro” shrugged and reminded everyone it is all legal. In December, we learned that Shkreli was the sole owner of the only copy of Wu Tang’s $2 million album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.” But then, just when we were resigned to the fact that this shitbird was forever going to be a nuisance in our lives, Shkreli was arrested for securities fraud. After a rough year, Pharma Bro’s arrest was a solid bit of news as we entered the holiday season.

2. The Obergefell vs. Hodges decision.

Love wins.
Love wins.

The Supreme Court ruled that all states are required to recognize same sex marriages. This was both terrific and sad news. Terrific in that love wins. Sad in that same sex marriages weren’t a universal thing in America as recently as seven months ago.

1. “Benjamin Franklin is killin’ the game!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnHduGJddq0

This guy.

Bachelor in Paradise Recap: The Finale

Shakedown in Paradise.

This week opens with Jared and Ashley I. starting their “alone time date” with talk of “popping” champagne and Ashley asking if she should put a cherry in the glass. So many cool innuendos. 

Jared has put a lot of effort into his look tonight, wearing his uniform of khaki cargo shorts and a bad white T-shirt. He’s just so basic.
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Ashley I. talks a lot about the possibility losing her virginity tonight and that, “hopefully it doesn’t hurt a lot.” She’s 26.

Mikey T. lets us know that he needs to talk to Juelia and let her know that he’s not feeling a romantic vibe with her. As much of a meathead as Mikey is, he says all the right things in the right way. Juelia of course breaks down in tears because she’s so desperate for a relationship, any relationship.

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Carly says that, “it just sucks because she came here to find what me and Jade have found.” There will be A LOT of Carly foreshadowing during the next three hours.

Juelia packs her bags and leaves paradise, six weeks overdue.

Jaclyn, with her vintage stripper vibe, asks Justin on her date and he accepts.
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Cassandra, from Juan Pablo’s season, is the next arrival. Dan Cox describes her as “unbelievably gorgeous.” Justin also thinks she’s “gorgeous.” She has pretty long hair, too. Apparently all these guys have eyes, which is cool. Not a whole lot of talk about womens’ personalities on this show, unless it’s negative.

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Of course Cassandra is interested in Justin and picks him for her date. Justin tells Cassandra that he’s been asked on a date by Jaclyn but if he had a choice between going on a date with her or Jaclyn, he would rather go with her. 

Justin tells Jaclyn that he doesn’t want to go with her because he wants to go with Cassandra. Obviously this is pretty lame but in this contrived situation you just have to roll with the punches and keep your pride. Justin and Cassandra seem about equally matched IQ-wise anyway.

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Jaclyn then has to go back to the girls and tell them she got passed over. She rips into Justin a bit in her interview about how he’s shorter than Cassandra and wearing flats for life is not not her thing. 

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Justin goes back to Cassandra to tell her that Jaclyn is “totally cool” about it. 

Dan Cox and Mikey T. sit around debating about whether Ashley I.’s virginity has been “taken,” with Mikey saying that “the person who does that is going to get murdered in their sleep.” 

Ashley I. and Jared return from their overnight date and are being pretty coy, not wanting to give anything away just yet. Everyone is staring at them trying to figure it out. It seems like a no to me.

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Cassandra and Justin leave for their date and Jaclyn is still annoyed. She says that someone like Justin rejecting her in the “real world” would never happen and that she just wishes he’d been “a bit more honest.” How much more honest could he have been? Should he have said that Cassandra has pretty hair and is way hotter than you? Girls are always talking about how they want guys to be “honest” but in reality that’s the opposite of what they want. 

Jaclyn is also feeling bad because no one has come to talk to her, knowing that she has a date card to use still. 

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Up walks Nick, who had previously eliminated Jaclyn from the finals of Bachelor Pad series 3 and walked away with $250,000. There’s a grudge.

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Jaclyn decides she wants Nick to beg for the date card and has him roll around in the sand, pretending he’s doing a sexy photo shoot. I would have thought of something WAY more humiliating than that, just saying.

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Justin and Cassandra, two really boring people, go on a horseback riding date together. Justin is already referring to Cassandra as “sweet, funny, and really considerate” after knowing her for half an hour.

Cassandra takes her top off while riding the horse and we go into a objectification mini-montage. Girls are just pretty things to look at, after all.

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Justin and Cassandra really bond over being parents and romanticizing how great it is having a kid. This would be a lot more real if they were talking about how hard being a parent is and what assholes kids can be 95 percent of the time.

Cassandra says she’s been looking for a guy like Justin forever, and that she feels very lucky after only being in paradise for a day and possibly finding love. Being simple must be so great. The word “refreshing” is used multiple times on this date. 

Back at the Villa, Nick asks Samantha to go with him. No idea what’s happened to Sam and Dan Cox since last week since she gave him her rose, it’s not even discussed.

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Carly still dislikes Sam and talks a lot of shit about her to Jade, or anyone who’ll listen.Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 12.27.23 PMScreen Shot 2015-09-09 at 12.27.48 PM

That night, Jared confirms that nothing happened in the “fantasy suite” with Ashley I. and that it just confirmed to him that his feelings are not as strong as hers and feels like their relationship is not going anywhere. Meanwhile, she has announced that she is in love with him.

Jared breaks up with Ashley I. for at least the third time, telling her that he thinks he’s going to leave paradise tonight. I mean, she had to have seen this coming but either way she’s learned a hard lesson that you can’t force someone to love you, no matter how hard you try.

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Ashley I. is wearing a tank top that says “I’m a Kim,” (as in Kim Kardashian, her hero) on it, which could have something to do with why she’s being dumped right now. 

One day she’s going to be so embarrassed about thinking Jared was The One.

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Carly, empathizing with Ashley I., says that “coming on here and liking a guy who doesn’t like you back freaking sucks.” This is more of the foreshadowing I was talking about.

On their boring dinner date, Nick and Sam are treated to a special multi-course dinner, made by a chef who claims she has flown in especially to make them this meal from Mexico City. Nick pronounces ecstatic as ‘estatic.’

Nick is such a creeper. He’s constantly winking at Sam while she giggles fakely back at him. I just feel like this is all so awkward and there’s no way she’s really feeling him but Nick continues to sell Sam how pretty she is while she alludes to the fact that she has no idea what is going to happen, then she leans in and kisses Nick who is looking very confused. So bizarre.

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Sam is not into the kissing, almost almost cringing during it.

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Lots of Carly talking about how she pictures her future with Kirk their children running around etc. 

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Everyone shows up for the rose ceremony, and this week the guys are handing out the roses. Chris Harrison drops a bomb and lets everyone know that there will be no cocktail party tonight, so no last minute wheeling and dealing.

Smug Tanner announces that about half of the people should just go home tonight. 

Ashley I. tells everyone that she’ll be leaving tonight, announcing that she “grew up” in paradise. She cries hysterically in the car over Jared as she leaves.

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Nick gives his rose to Sam. Justin gives his rose to Cassandra. Dan Cox gives a speech when it’s his turn to hand out the rose, saying he hadn’t found love and was going home. Thank God.

Mikey T. gives his rose randomly to McKenzie but she says she thinks it’s time for her to go home and won’t be accepting the rose. Mikey decides he’ll also be going home and not giving out his rose either.  Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 12.34.13 PMScreen Shot 2015-09-09 at 12.33.54 PM

Chelsie, Jaclyn, Ashley S. and Amber make an exit. Five couples remain.

Chris Harrison shows up the next morning and announces there will be no more new arrivals and that each couple gets a romantic fantasy suite date today. 

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All these boring bros – Justin, Kirk, Tanner, Nick and Joshua, sit around discussing the fantasy suite dates. Kirk announces that he’s very “in his head” right now with annoying Carly. After that cruise ship song number following the rose ceremony though, who could blame him?

Kirk,wearing an orange tank top to complement his ginger complexion, tells the bros that he’s been having some doubts over the past week and that he can’t do it to her anymore and needs to have a talk with Carly. The dudes all look pretty shocked.

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Kirk takes Carly away from the other girls for a chat on the beach and she asks jokingly if he’s breaking up with her. Eek.

Carly, sadly, has not realized that she and Kirk are not quite on the same page, maybe not even the same book, she really believes that Kirk is her “person” and that she is the luckiest girl in the world. 

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Kirk is just another emotionally immature idiot who is not in touch with his feelings but tried to pretend he was. As annoying as Carly is, I feel bad for her in this moment. People who pretend to be something they’re not are not cool.

Carly starts freaking out and saying she wants to go home and that she can’t talk to him, she’s going to throw up, it’s very dramatic.

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Kirk goes back to the group of bros and says, “I don’t know what even happened I feel like I just got punched and walked away from,” as if he’s the victim here.

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Smug Tanner does not agree with what Kirk’s done.

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Carly’s girls, Jade and Tenley, rally around her as she packs her bag while crying hysterically and saying she hates Kirk. Fair enough. Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.10.09 PMScreen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.10.25 PM Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.09.42 PM

Kirk comes up to the room to try and talk to Carly but she takes the only power she has now, which is to deny Kirk the conversation he wants to have. Bye, Felicia.

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Kirk also pack his things to leave and cries in the car as he drives away. 

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We see a montage of the guys getting ready for their dates and each one talking about how they feel about their respective girl.

Tenley, an earlyy adopter of Vision Boards, is pensively jotting down things in her notebook to try and help herself figure out how she feels about Joshua like, “living inspired” and “whimsical attachment.” Is she #blessed or #notblessed? Only the Universe knows.

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Cassandra declines the fantasy suite portion of the date with Justin. I mean they JUST met.

Tenley talks to Joshua, who has all the gel in his hair tonight, and decides that she wants to give their relationship a real chance after paradise. I feel like this is a bait and switch. 
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They retire to the fantasy suite for some “alone time.”Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.22.57 PM

Tanner tells basic dag, Jade, he loves her and she tells him she loves him too. These two are perfect together. They spend the night together and presumably consummate their nauseating relationship. 

The next morning, Jade and Tanner snuggle in bed in their robes – the universal sign that they boned.

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Back at the Villa, Chris Harrison gathers the couples around and tells them again to have a good hard think about the relationships because, “there’s nothing worse than an empty promise.”

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I really don’t understand what all the freaking out on the last day is about. Like I know Chris Harrison’s telling you you have to decide if you want to spend the rest of your life with these people now, but you actually don’t. 

First up on the Rose Platform are Justin and Cassandra. She accepts his rose.

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Next up are Nick and Sam. Nick is dressed like an IT consultant but wearing flip-flops. I’m shocked that Sam continues the ruse and accepts Nick’s rose.

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Sam says that Nick was the one the whole time and just took a little bit to see that. Suuuuuuuuuure.

Tenley ends up telling Joshua she doesn’t think that they should try to make the relationship work after they leave. Poor Joshua, he cries some big dopey tears on the way out. Screen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.24.29 PMScreen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.24.54 PMScreen Shot 2015-09-09 at 1.26.25 PM

Tanner gets down on one knee and gives Jade some bootleg ring, not even Neil Lane! The two most boring people on the show decide to become one boring person.
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#Janner is born and the world is now a worse place.

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