CONFESSIONS OF ‘THE BACHELOR’ DEVOTEE: Don’t disregard ‘goofy’ contestants in first week

(Photo used by permission of Wikimedia Commons)

The 21st season of “The Bachelor” began on Jan. 2 and will end on March 13. After nine seasons of watching the show, freshman Jackson Margolis has become an expert at predicting the winner. He will share his insights in a three-part series.

There are some things that are so bad that they are good. For me, “The Bachelor” is one of these.

For those who don’t know, “The Bachelor” is a dating game show that involves 25 women all competing for one man. At the end of the show, the bachelor is supposed to propose to the finalist.

Some spinoffs of “The Bachelor” include “The Bachelorette,” “Bachelor in Paradise” and the now-canceled “Bachelor Pad.”

I have watched “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” for nine seasons. Yes, I know, if I’m 14 now, I must have started watching the show when I was…

My family began watching “The Bachelor” because my mom was invited to a “Bachelor” watching party. After realizing what she had been missing, she came home and taped the entire season.

I guess I started watching because my mom started watching. However, I don’t remember much until Season 13.

As most people get older, their interests change. The young Harry Potter fan will soon obsess over “Game of Thrones” just as the Disney Junior watcher will eventually turn their view toward a show like “Modern Family.”

What’s funny about “The Bachelor” is that it’s perfect for all ages because of its combination of competition, romance and drama.

That being said, after nine years, certain patterns and editing techniques have begun to make the show predictable.

This is your guide to predicting the winner of “The Bachelor” after week 1.

The show is set up around 10 episodes. In the first episode, the 25 contestants meet the bachelor. This involves the contestants walking out of a limo, giving the bachelor a hug and introducing themselves.

They then go into the mansion where they will all live (except the bachelor) until the final 15 or so travel to other romantic destinations.

These first impressions include moods that swing from serious to charming to silly. There are always four or five contestants who are somewhat goofy.

Believe it or not, these goofy women always make it past week one. Some might even go as far as week five; however, don’t count on a contestant who wears something obnoxious like a pig nose or a suit of armor going very far.

I think my favorite first impression was Madison Garton on Season 15, who had sharpened her teeth into fangs. She made it to week three. The weird part is that the bachelor at that time, Brad Womack (his second time), described her fangs as attractive, and in the end she left the show by choice.

After having conversations with almost all of the women, the bachelor presents his “first impression rose.” Of the nine seasons of “The Bachelor” that I have watched, the contestant who receives the “first impression rose” has never won. I’m not saying that the winner of the first rose should not be considered for champion, but don’t view this rose winner as a front runner. The relationships between the contestants and the bachelor progress throughout the nine weeks of the show.

Episodes begin or end with a rose ceremony. This involves the bachelor calling out names accompanied by the same dramatic music.

After the bachelor gives out all but one rose, the host Chris Harrison walks in and does one of his three jobs.

He says, “Ladies, (insert name of current bachelor), this is the final rose tonight. When you’re ready.” Each week fewer roses are handed out, narrowing the field from 25 to one.

In the next segment, Jackson discusses weeks 2-7, when the contestants begin to go on dates and the field gets narrowed down from 22 to seven.

By Jackson Margolis

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