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Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America's Favorite Guilty Pleasure
The first definitive, unauthorized, behind-the-scenes cultural history of the Bachelor franchise, America's favorite guilty pleasure
For fifteen years and thirty-five seasons, the Bachelor franchise has been a mainstay in American TV viewers' lives. Since it premiered in 2002, the show's popularity and relevance has only grown--more than eight million viewers tuned in to see the conclusion of the most recent season of The Bachelor.
The iconic reality television show's reach and influence into the cultural zeitgeist is undeniable. Bestselling writers and famous actors live tweet about it. Die-hard fans--dubbed "Bachelor Nation"--come together every week during each season to participate in fantasy leagues and viewing parties.
Bachelor Nation is the first behind-the-scenes, unauthorized look into the reality television phenomenon. Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman is a proud member of Bachelor Nation and has a long history with the franchise--ABC even banned her from attending show events after her coverage of the program got a little too real for its liking. She has interviewed dozens of producers, contestants, and celebrity fans to give readers never-before-told details of the show's inner workings: what it's like to be trapped in the mansion "bubble"; dark, juicy tales of producer manipulation; and revelations about the alcohol-fueled debauchery that occurs long before the fantasy suite.
Kaufman also explores what our fascination means, culturally: what the show says about the way we view so-called ideal suitors, our subconscious yearning for fairy-tale romance, and how this enduring television show has shaped society's feelings about love, marriage, and feminism by appealing to a marriage plot that's as old as Jane Austen.
For fifteen years and thirty-five seasons, the Bachelor franchise has been a mainstay in American TV viewers' lives. Since it premiered in 2002, the show's popularity and relevance has only grown--more than eight million viewers tuned in to see the conclusion of the most recent season of The Bachelor.
The iconic reality television show's reach and influence into the cultural zeitgeist is undeniable. Bestselling writers and famous actors live tweet about it. Die-hard fans--dubbed "Bachelor Nation"--come together every week during each season to participate in fantasy leagues and viewing parties.
Bachelor Nation is the first behind-the-scenes, unauthorized look into the reality television phenomenon. Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman is a proud member of Bachelor Nation and has a long history with the franchise--ABC even banned her from attending show events after her coverage of the program got a little too real for its liking. She has interviewed dozens of producers, contestants, and celebrity fans to give readers never-before-told details of the show's inner workings: what it's like to be trapped in the mansion "bubble"; dark, juicy tales of producer manipulation; and revelations about the alcohol-fueled debauchery that occurs long before the fantasy suite.
Kaufman also explores what our fascination means, culturally: what the show says about the way we view so-called ideal suitors, our subconscious yearning for fairy-tale romance, and how this enduring television show has shaped society's feelings about love, marriage, and feminism by appealing to a marriage plot that's as old as Jane Austen.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,456 reviews
May 9, 2018
Grab some popcorn.. kick back.. and enjoy this guilty pleasure! Light, fun, and incredibly addictive.. especially if you are a fan of The Bachelor. Some chapters were more interesting than others.. but overall.. a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes production of The Bachelor franchise.
March 11, 2018
I guess I set my expectations too high for this book, because my only thought when I finished reading it was “is that it?”
For a book that’s supposed to be about what happens behind the scenes of The Bachelor, it revealed surprisingly little. This could be because I regularly read recaps and blog posts by former contestants, from which Kaufman seems to have drawn much of her material. The only interviews she scored for the book were with contestants who have already been outspoken about their experiences with the franchise, like Ashley Iaconetti and Sharleen Joynt. I have learned so much more about what goes on behind the scenes of the show just from reading Sharleen’s blog recaps than I learned from this disappointing book.
For a book that’s supposed to be about what happens behind the scenes of The Bachelor, it revealed surprisingly little. This could be because I regularly read recaps and blog posts by former contestants, from which Kaufman seems to have drawn much of her material. The only interviews she scored for the book were with contestants who have already been outspoken about their experiences with the franchise, like Ashley Iaconetti and Sharleen Joynt. I have learned so much more about what goes on behind the scenes of the show just from reading Sharleen’s blog recaps than I learned from this disappointing book.
March 19, 2018
Now that I've outed myself as a Bachelor viewer, I might as well embrace it and fully delve into it. You can't watch this show without being a little critical, or at least I can't. That being said, there's light-hearted snark and then there's mocking. I felt this book fell into the later category. Kaufman is building a career as an author on the Bachelor, so I felt she was often a little too mean about everything involved in the show, including it's fans. The tone of the book is a mixture of gossip rag and the author's attempt at a feminist dissection of the show, which didn't quite work for me. Also, the frequent swearing on the author's part brought down the tone of the book even more. Maybe it was because I listened to the audiobook, which Kaufman narrates, I felt she had a persistently sarcastic tone, which started to grate. There were some tidbits I found interesting, that the contestants cannot bring even books to the mansion (the horror!) and that the producers are remarkably manipulative to get them to say certain things, the contract even stipulates that they are allowed to make the contestants seem unhinged. I think Kaufman definitely did a considerable amount of research for this book, and I am sure she is a solid journalist, but in the end, little that was revealed struck me as very surprising. It was an ok read, but I wouldn't really recommend it if you are looking for a particularly enlightening look at the show.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
March 10, 2018
This was a fun ride, mostly because Kaufman is a good narrator. She is authoritative/journalistic at times (aka getting us some dirt and behind-the-scenes info, teaching us some Bachelor history, walking us through what it is like to be on this show). And... she is a total fan at other times. I definitely flew through this on audio and enjoyed every minute. I am Bachelor trash, but whatever, Kaufman gets me.
April 9, 2018
Well, now that I've outed myself as a Bachelor fan, I'll say that I was hoping for more behind the scenes gossip and drama, but unfortunately that's not what I got. The book itself was a little boring, and I found myself zoning out while reading it.
October 7, 2020
I’m going to lead into this one by saying… Amy, you are HILARIOUS, like really hilarious. From page one Amy had me beyond entertained and this book read as if I was engaging in a conversation with a friend. How many times did I find myself giggling you ask? Well, as if it was an interruption, my dear husband asked me on one too many occasions why I was laughing while my nose was in this book. It's seriously such an entertaining read.
Now, if your impression is that this book is pushing The Bachelor agenda, you are very mistaken. Amy isn’t here to give you reasons why you should be watching The Bachelor. Honestly though why aren’t you? It’s great reality television?! Instead her aim is uncovering why we are all so infatuated with not only the series, but the message it conveys... love. While only six couples remain together since The Bachelor's initial season, the fairy tale love story doesn't always continue to be written long after the camera stop rolling. But, boy does the short journey filled with over the top dates that we get to enjoy from our couches keep us entertained season after season. Let’s be real, we all just want to believe that fairy tales do come true, right?
It's easy to tell that Amy did extensive research in writing this book. And while some of her attempts to interview past contestant were futile, I appreciate all her efforts. If you are looking for an inside look and full recap on all things The Bachelor franchise, this book needs to make its way into your life. Bachelor Nation offers its reader a brief history on Executive Producer Mike Fleiss and his genius idea that became the dating and relationship reality television series empire it is today. Readers get an insider look into the process contestants go through from their initial application to interviewing with producers. And it doesn't stop there! Additionally you'll read up on contestant experiences during the filing of The Bachelor, life after, and so much more.
I really enjoyed the insight found in between chapters of the book titled, “Why I’m A Fan.” I loved reading the views from the celebrities that make up Bachelor Nation. These celebrities range from male to female and feminist to no opinion on that topic at all. I was surprised to find myself relating to so many of these individual’s reasoning for tuning in. Reading what has also kept others glued to their televisions was a fantastic addition.
My one and only gripe was all the discussion points on similar reality TV shows. While nostalgic, I failed to see the need or value this brought. If anything, in my opinion, this took away from discussing the true point of the book, The Bachelor. And although I felt too much time was spent on this topic, I am also left wishing… can 'Singled Out' come back?
Published at the end of a shocking Bachelor season this book released at such a great time! I wish that I could have read more on Amy’s thoughts on Arie Luyendyk, Jr.'s season, but hey, that’s what her twitter feed is for, amirite? I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a sucker for reality television and the idea that true love really can be found in just three weeks time. Bachelor Nation offers an interesting sociological examination of The Bachelor franchise and anyone with an interest into this franchise would benefit from picking this book up.
Many thanks to Amy Kaufman and Dutton for a finished copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Now, if your impression is that this book is pushing The Bachelor agenda, you are very mistaken. Amy isn’t here to give you reasons why you should be watching The Bachelor. Honestly though why aren’t you? It’s great reality television?! Instead her aim is uncovering why we are all so infatuated with not only the series, but the message it conveys... love. While only six couples remain together since The Bachelor's initial season, the fairy tale love story doesn't always continue to be written long after the camera stop rolling. But, boy does the short journey filled with over the top dates that we get to enjoy from our couches keep us entertained season after season. Let’s be real, we all just want to believe that fairy tales do come true, right?
It's easy to tell that Amy did extensive research in writing this book. And while some of her attempts to interview past contestant were futile, I appreciate all her efforts. If you are looking for an inside look and full recap on all things The Bachelor franchise, this book needs to make its way into your life. Bachelor Nation offers its reader a brief history on Executive Producer Mike Fleiss and his genius idea that became the dating and relationship reality television series empire it is today. Readers get an insider look into the process contestants go through from their initial application to interviewing with producers. And it doesn't stop there! Additionally you'll read up on contestant experiences during the filing of The Bachelor, life after, and so much more.
I really enjoyed the insight found in between chapters of the book titled, “Why I’m A Fan.” I loved reading the views from the celebrities that make up Bachelor Nation. These celebrities range from male to female and feminist to no opinion on that topic at all. I was surprised to find myself relating to so many of these individual’s reasoning for tuning in. Reading what has also kept others glued to their televisions was a fantastic addition.
"We don’t want to see them getting married. We just want to see them getting proposed to, because the idea of someone wanting to spend the rest of their life with you is better than actually doing it." — Comedian Nikki Glaser, Bachelor Nation
My one and only gripe was all the discussion points on similar reality TV shows. While nostalgic, I failed to see the need or value this brought. If anything, in my opinion, this took away from discussing the true point of the book, The Bachelor. And although I felt too much time was spent on this topic, I am also left wishing… can 'Singled Out' come back?
Published at the end of a shocking Bachelor season this book released at such a great time! I wish that I could have read more on Amy’s thoughts on Arie Luyendyk, Jr.'s season, but hey, that’s what her twitter feed is for, amirite? I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a sucker for reality television and the idea that true love really can be found in just three weeks time. Bachelor Nation offers an interesting sociological examination of The Bachelor franchise and anyone with an interest into this franchise would benefit from picking this book up.
Many thanks to Amy Kaufman and Dutton for a finished copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2018
I’m assuming anyone who has Bachelor Nation on their TBR is either a fan of the show or they “hate” watch it like I do. If you’ve never watched the show then this book won’t appeal to you at all, but if you haven’t HOW have you escaped it?! It’s such a pop culture phenomenon that I’m genuinely curious.
Back to hate watching, I use that term because every time I decide to tune into a new season I wind up regretting it. I watched the first few seasons religiously then got bored and stopped. A few years ago I decided to give it another chance to see if much had changed. Spoiler alert, it hadn’t, really you could just tell the shows budget was larger as the dates were more extravagant. But this past season was SO bad that I didn’t even make it past the first few episodes, one small
example of my frustration was that the bachelor was like twelve years older than one of the front runners. She was over eighteen, who cares, right? It only annoyed me because it was guarded like some sort of state secret, she was the only contestant without a name attached to her bio. I had to Google to find out how old she was and I was just annoyed by the whole thing, it felt like a cheap way to create drama when really, putting her age like all of the other women would’ve been the right thing to do, she was clearly very young, but again NO ONE cared until it became this very noticeable difference. So as you can see by my ranting, I truly do hate watch, but I really couldn’t pass up an opportunity to read a book that promised juicy details and behind the scenes information about a totally addictive show. Did it deliver? Mostly.
Kaufman is clearly well versed in all things The Bachelor related, she knows her stuff and while she did have a few juicy stories, most of what she discussed was stuff I already knew or assumed. Let me clarify, there’s a show called Unreal, it’s a scripted series about the producers of a bachelor style show co created by a woman who used to be a producer on The Bachelor. Still with me? This show opened up my eyes about how much producers actually manipulate contestants into doing things on these type of reality shows. Sure, it’s a TV show so obviously there’s some exaggeration, but my point is that some of Kaufman’s reveals were less than shocking to me. Now that’s not to say that they weren’t interesting and entertaining, but never before revealed? Eh, not exactly.
So what kept me turning pages? Kaufman’s writing style for one, I felt like I was chatting with a friend about this train wreck of a show, albeit a friend that’s met most of the former cast mates, but her style really read like a laid back, gossipy conversation you would have with a buddy. She is snarky and funny and this was a fast paced read, she snagged some pretty big names as far as past contestants go and her overall knowledge was impressive. Read this if you’re a fan of the show and don’t know some of the inner workings.
Back to hate watching, I use that term because every time I decide to tune into a new season I wind up regretting it. I watched the first few seasons religiously then got bored and stopped. A few years ago I decided to give it another chance to see if much had changed. Spoiler alert, it hadn’t, really you could just tell the shows budget was larger as the dates were more extravagant. But this past season was SO bad that I didn’t even make it past the first few episodes, one small
example of my frustration was that the bachelor was like twelve years older than one of the front runners. She was over eighteen, who cares, right? It only annoyed me because it was guarded like some sort of state secret, she was the only contestant without a name attached to her bio. I had to Google to find out how old she was and I was just annoyed by the whole thing, it felt like a cheap way to create drama when really, putting her age like all of the other women would’ve been the right thing to do, she was clearly very young, but again NO ONE cared until it became this very noticeable difference. So as you can see by my ranting, I truly do hate watch, but I really couldn’t pass up an opportunity to read a book that promised juicy details and behind the scenes information about a totally addictive show. Did it deliver? Mostly.
Kaufman is clearly well versed in all things The Bachelor related, she knows her stuff and while she did have a few juicy stories, most of what she discussed was stuff I already knew or assumed. Let me clarify, there’s a show called Unreal, it’s a scripted series about the producers of a bachelor style show co created by a woman who used to be a producer on The Bachelor. Still with me? This show opened up my eyes about how much producers actually manipulate contestants into doing things on these type of reality shows. Sure, it’s a TV show so obviously there’s some exaggeration, but my point is that some of Kaufman’s reveals were less than shocking to me. Now that’s not to say that they weren’t interesting and entertaining, but never before revealed? Eh, not exactly.
So what kept me turning pages? Kaufman’s writing style for one, I felt like I was chatting with a friend about this train wreck of a show, albeit a friend that’s met most of the former cast mates, but her style really read like a laid back, gossipy conversation you would have with a buddy. She is snarky and funny and this was a fast paced read, she snagged some pretty big names as far as past contestants go and her overall knowledge was impressive. Read this if you’re a fan of the show and don’t know some of the inner workings.
August 8, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Not as much as I enjoy The Bachelor or The Bachelorette but I thought Kaufman did a nice job researching and presenting background information about the franchise and the reality phenomena in general. Nothing was overly surprising ... of course I’ve assumed everything on the show is manipulated and edited for viewer entertainment. Also being in the legal field I always suspected there are iron clad non disclosure agreements for every employee and contestant and participant otherwise we would’ve heard way juicier stuff by now! Honestly the most horrific thing I learned was the contestants can’t even bring any books (even hard copy books!!) on the show!! Cruel and unusual punishment... thank god I’m married and have no need to go on the show 🤣
July 7, 2019
I ❤ the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise!
Amy Kaufman had the golden ticket, she was part of the press junket that got to go behind the scenes of the Bachelor franchise until she was kicked out of the coveted circle.
She starts and ends by saying how much she loves watching the show, even given the troubling light it's presented in. She takes it for entertainment and she's a hopeless romantic, so ends up rooting for these couples. She tells us the background of the creator, Mike Fleiss- she introduces the host Chris Harrison and then goes into how the producers orchestrate almost everything that happens. Unfortunately, for most fans, I think most of this information is already out there. Amy has a long list of people from the franchise that she interviewed for the book and her research is good. Given how many other books are out there from previous leads and through Reality Steve I feel that this isn't dishy enough to be interesting.
As a huge fan of Bachelor Nation- I was disappointed in how much contempt Kaufman managed to insert into her writing. She goes out of her way to say that it's not because she got kicked out of the circle, but she's just not that into the show anymore. I call BS- but it was hard to go back and forth while Kaufman decides how she really feels about this franchise. Meanwhile, I'll continue to have my wine poured every Monday night as I tune in to see what happens next.
Amy Kaufman had the golden ticket, she was part of the press junket that got to go behind the scenes of the Bachelor franchise until she was kicked out of the coveted circle.
She starts and ends by saying how much she loves watching the show, even given the troubling light it's presented in. She takes it for entertainment and she's a hopeless romantic, so ends up rooting for these couples. She tells us the background of the creator, Mike Fleiss- she introduces the host Chris Harrison and then goes into how the producers orchestrate almost everything that happens. Unfortunately, for most fans, I think most of this information is already out there. Amy has a long list of people from the franchise that she interviewed for the book and her research is good. Given how many other books are out there from previous leads and through Reality Steve I feel that this isn't dishy enough to be interesting.
As a huge fan of Bachelor Nation- I was disappointed in how much contempt Kaufman managed to insert into her writing. She goes out of her way to say that it's not because she got kicked out of the circle, but she's just not that into the show anymore. I call BS- but it was hard to go back and forth while Kaufman decides how she really feels about this franchise. Meanwhile, I'll continue to have my wine poured every Monday night as I tune in to see what happens next.
August 9, 2018
Disclaimer: I have never watched The Bachelor nor any of it's spin offs or specials. I never think to watch something unless another family member specifically asks if I'd like to watch something with them. Otherwise I'm reading a book from my always-extensive pile in the other room. So I'm not going to talk about a series I haven't watched, I'm going to talk about the book.
And oh, what a fine book it is. Kaufman strikes a brilliant balance between reporting academic research on related topics, and a more personal Twitteresque recap of Bachelor-related adventures. There's a great deal about the making of the shows which is ugly and creepy and bad. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes detail from various cast and crew, and a lot of what comes after. There are short essays between chapters by various famous people about why they like to watch, which almost everyone considers a guilty pleasure. There's quite a bit about how the Bachelor reflects modern life: the Disney-induced princessification of all things female, the current state of marriage, dating, feminism, social-influencer advertising. It's all great social commentary stuff.
Mostly what I get out of it is a better understanding of why the shows are so popular. Now I understand.
Entertaining and informative: finest kind of nonfiction.
Edited to add: There's a whole thing about the cast women living together and their cycles synchronizing, and I know it is commonly believed but it is no more true than that more weird stuff happens on the full moon. It's not the kind of thing I would expect the author to fact check, and given the widespread belief in menstrual synchrony I'm really not surprised that the producers would believe in it and try to use it to manipulate the cast members, but it still isn't true. This doesn't really bear on the book except it is the kind of garbage that gets in my head and makes me crazy, so I had to vent.
Library copy
And oh, what a fine book it is. Kaufman strikes a brilliant balance between reporting academic research on related topics, and a more personal Twitteresque recap of Bachelor-related adventures. There's a great deal about the making of the shows which is ugly and creepy and bad. There's a lot of behind-the-scenes detail from various cast and crew, and a lot of what comes after. There are short essays between chapters by various famous people about why they like to watch, which almost everyone considers a guilty pleasure. There's quite a bit about how the Bachelor reflects modern life: the Disney-induced princessification of all things female, the current state of marriage, dating, feminism, social-influencer advertising. It's all great social commentary stuff.
Mostly what I get out of it is a better understanding of why the shows are so popular. Now I understand.
Entertaining and informative: finest kind of nonfiction.
Edited to add: There's a whole thing about the cast women living together and their cycles synchronizing, and I know it is commonly believed but it is no more true than that more weird stuff happens on the full moon. It's not the kind of thing I would expect the author to fact check, and given the widespread belief in menstrual synchrony I'm really not surprised that the producers would believe in it and try to use it to manipulate the cast members, but it still isn't true. This doesn't really bear on the book except it is the kind of garbage that gets in my head and makes me crazy, so I had to vent.
Library copy
March 13, 2018
I skim-read this in 90 minutes at Chapters this afternoon while sipping a Starbucks tea latte because I am secretly B-A-S-I-C. I started watching The Bachelor in high school when I was very sad because watching pretty people cry can make you feel really good about yourself if you are in A Bad Place. Since then, I have dipped in and out of being a member of Bachelor Nation. Often, I will watch only watch the show if someone else in my life happens to be watching it, a dynamic which my boyfriend has said is similar to his relationship with the NHL. As a casual fan who has read articles about the show on Pop Sugar and Refinery 29, I didn't learn a lot in this book that I didn't know already, since I knew going in that The Bachelor franchise is totally evil and manipulative and gross. And yet, I tune in each week and have even purchased Bachelor Bingo lottery tickets in the past. And have now read a whole book about The Bachelor? Fuck.
September 21, 2019
Well-researched and fun, but I’ll forget about it in two days.
April 17, 2018
Perhaps my expectations were too high for this book, but I expected it to be a more incisive take on the wildly popular television franchise. Instead, the book lands somewhere between editorialized non-fiction (memoir?), an armchair psychologist's fever dream and a handful of pages recapping a select few (like 5) former contestants experiences on the show.
I understand The Bachelor has a robust legal team and forces its contestants to sign insane NDAs in order to participate, and thus would make writing a book like this very challenging – but the book is 300+ pages that are largely based on conjecture and the author's own experiences. This easily could have been an article, and given the author's career as a staff writer at The Los Angeles Times, I am not quite sure why it wasn't.
There is nothing telling in here: no spoilers, no behind-the-scenes secrets. The book barely goes 'inside America's favourite guilty pleasure' as the subtitle suggests. Skip it. The only redeeming quality which I found remotely interesting was how shows like Love Connection, Blind Date and the Bachelor have paved the way for dating in the age of distraction.
I understand The Bachelor has a robust legal team and forces its contestants to sign insane NDAs in order to participate, and thus would make writing a book like this very challenging – but the book is 300+ pages that are largely based on conjecture and the author's own experiences. This easily could have been an article, and given the author's career as a staff writer at The Los Angeles Times, I am not quite sure why it wasn't.
There is nothing telling in here: no spoilers, no behind-the-scenes secrets. The book barely goes 'inside America's favourite guilty pleasure' as the subtitle suggests. Skip it. The only redeeming quality which I found remotely interesting was how shows like Love Connection, Blind Date and the Bachelor have paved the way for dating in the age of distraction.
March 28, 2024
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Well I am about to reveal what was once mine. Please don’t think less of me.
Sometimes we need an escape and surprisingly this became mine a few years back when I happened upon a spoiler article about Jason Mesnick's season by RealitySteve.com. How could people let themselves into this world, I wondered? Now I know.
It really is because of RealitySteve.com’s spoilers each season, that I am able to keep myself engaged with this crazy show/franchise.
So when I became aware of this book through Reality Steve’s podcast, I had to read it. Amy Kaufman did her homework well, and made this a truly entertaining read!
Amy Kaufman's unauthorized, behind-the-scenes tell all book lets us in on the ridiculous world of the Bachelor Nation that manufactures those tears for our entertainment.
The iconic reality television show's reach and influence is undeniable. Bestselling writers and famous actors live tweet about it. Die-hard fans--dubbed "Bachelor Nation"--come together every week during each season to participate in fantasy leagues and viewing parties.
If you think about it you can only conclude that The Bachelor franchise is a stage - one in which we viewers sit back and watch wondering what train wreck will occur next.
Kaufman also explores what our fascination means, culturally: what the show says about the way we view so-called ideal suitors, our subconscious yearning for fairy-tale romance, and how this enduring television show has shaped society's feelings about love, marriage, and feminism.
Former basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suggested that the book contained "all the dirty secrets about how the sausage is made. It doesn't make the sausage any less delicious or addicting, but it does, if you think about it too much, roil the stomach."
What I came to realize and understand was that People love to hate-watch The Bachelor.
I guess that described me as well. Now I just read the spoilers. But, this book, is worth a read.
Well I am about to reveal what was once mine. Please don’t think less of me.
Sometimes we need an escape and surprisingly this became mine a few years back when I happened upon a spoiler article about Jason Mesnick's season by RealitySteve.com. How could people let themselves into this world, I wondered? Now I know.
It really is because of RealitySteve.com’s spoilers each season, that I am able to keep myself engaged with this crazy show/franchise.
So when I became aware of this book through Reality Steve’s podcast, I had to read it. Amy Kaufman did her homework well, and made this a truly entertaining read!
Amy Kaufman's unauthorized, behind-the-scenes tell all book lets us in on the ridiculous world of the Bachelor Nation that manufactures those tears for our entertainment.
The iconic reality television show's reach and influence is undeniable. Bestselling writers and famous actors live tweet about it. Die-hard fans--dubbed "Bachelor Nation"--come together every week during each season to participate in fantasy leagues and viewing parties.
If you think about it you can only conclude that The Bachelor franchise is a stage - one in which we viewers sit back and watch wondering what train wreck will occur next.
Kaufman also explores what our fascination means, culturally: what the show says about the way we view so-called ideal suitors, our subconscious yearning for fairy-tale romance, and how this enduring television show has shaped society's feelings about love, marriage, and feminism.
Former basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suggested that the book contained "all the dirty secrets about how the sausage is made. It doesn't make the sausage any less delicious or addicting, but it does, if you think about it too much, roil the stomach."
What I came to realize and understand was that People love to hate-watch The Bachelor.
I guess that described me as well. Now I just read the spoilers. But, this book, is worth a read.
March 17, 2018
I cannot believe I wasted my time to read this book. It was supposed to be a behind the scenes take on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I did not learn anything new. It reaffirmed my thoughts that the show manipulates their contestants, and edits. No surprise. No juicy details.
June 4, 2018
I am a fair weather Bachelor viewer -- tending to tune in toward the end of the season, especially if there is a controversy like the most recent season and Ari's flip flop. Watching those last couple of episodes was a testament to the power of editing in holding the viewers captive and manufacturing a narrative. The chapter on how to become a contestant looked like torture. It is amazing that girls and guys endure to the end and go on the show only to find that their real selves are somehow lost on the editing floor. Kaufman reveals that many of the contestants she met in real life often belied her impression of them from the actual viewing of the show.
Reality television is here to stay, so what are we to make of it? Over this past year I have read some fiction books that portray reality shows, so the "secrets" revealed in this book are really no surprise. The concept of the "Frankenbite" is out there -- even in some newscasts -- so it behooves us as viewers to be discerning and seek truth.
Reality television is here to stay, so what are we to make of it? Over this past year I have read some fiction books that portray reality shows, so the "secrets" revealed in this book are really no surprise. The concept of the "Frankenbite" is out there -- even in some newscasts -- so it behooves us as viewers to be discerning and seek truth.
May 26, 2019
Kaufman has truly written the cultural history of The Bachelor that we all need in our lives. This book strikes the perfect balance between gossipy discussion of contestants, description of how it all works behind the scenes, and analysis of the show as a cultural phenomenon. Equally an expose, and anthropological study- I couldn’t have asked for more from this, it had me completely enthralled. Oh, and Kaufman reads the audio herself and it’s fabulous.
April 7, 2018
The best thing about this book was that my Kindle said I had 30% left to read but thankfully I was actually at the end. I really could’ve done without the history lesson on Mike Fleiss and reality dating shows. I kept reading because I thought there would be something juicy but I learned nothing new about the bachelor franchise from reading this book.
December 2, 2018
I have no problem saying I watch The Bachelor. It's a tradition I've had for years to get together with my girls and scream "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" at the TV and add non-stop commentary like Mystery Science Theater 3000 (terrible dating version). But most importantly? Watching this kinda dumb show actually allows a group of women to get together and connect. It gives us the opportunity for us strengthen our tribe. It lets us solidify our friendships, talk about our own life experiences, and past and present dating mishaps. This show even opens a (weird, tacky door) where we can talk about more meaningful things after the show. It's cathartic, it's hilarious, it's bonding. In a world torn apart by politics, religious topics, and countless other issues, there's usually one thing girls can agree on: that dude sucks. Oh, that and: that girl is CRAZY.
What's interesting to me is the elitist attitude many people have in response to this show, instead of realizing many people use it as a much needed downtime with friends. Sure, this show is mindless and trashy, and it's not a shining example of feminists. I'm secure enough in my stance as a feminist that my world doesn't get rocked by watching a bunch of women reveal parts of themselves that we all as women feel, and possibly have demonstrated at various points in our dating lives. It's relatable and fabulously fun to criticize. So yes, I openly watch this show. I also read articles on astrophysics every day, lattie fricking dah. Who cares? As the saying goes: no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
It's bizarre when women judge other women for watching a dumb show and assuming that's the sum total of their brain matter. So many reviewers of this book have shamefacedly confessed their (GASP) fans of this show. I don't assume they're shallow, mindless, or vapid. I assume they are just kicking back and relaxing on Mondays. And if they're doing it with their tribe? All the better.
Now that I'm done with that little diatribe, let me say what I enjoy about this book. It's not a trash reveal as one might inspect, but a more journalistic approach that analyzes both the show and it's staying power. While the reveals/behind the scenes aren't too shocking for long time fans of the show, it's interested to see the facts laid out without reading like a tabloid.
If you like the show, you'll be entertained by the book. If you don't, you won't. Just that simple. For me, it was an intriguing read about a lame-AF show that has allowed me to enjoy countless hours of meaningful fellowship and fun (and endless laughs) with dear girlfriends.
What's interesting to me is the elitist attitude many people have in response to this show, instead of realizing many people use it as a much needed downtime with friends. Sure, this show is mindless and trashy, and it's not a shining example of feminists. I'm secure enough in my stance as a feminist that my world doesn't get rocked by watching a bunch of women reveal parts of themselves that we all as women feel, and possibly have demonstrated at various points in our dating lives. It's relatable and fabulously fun to criticize. So yes, I openly watch this show. I also read articles on astrophysics every day, lattie fricking dah. Who cares? As the saying goes: no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
It's bizarre when women judge other women for watching a dumb show and assuming that's the sum total of their brain matter. So many reviewers of this book have shamefacedly confessed their (GASP) fans of this show. I don't assume they're shallow, mindless, or vapid. I assume they are just kicking back and relaxing on Mondays. And if they're doing it with their tribe? All the better.
Now that I'm done with that little diatribe, let me say what I enjoy about this book. It's not a trash reveal as one might inspect, but a more journalistic approach that analyzes both the show and it's staying power. While the reveals/behind the scenes aren't too shocking for long time fans of the show, it's interested to see the facts laid out without reading like a tabloid.
If you like the show, you'll be entertained by the book. If you don't, you won't. Just that simple. For me, it was an intriguing read about a lame-AF show that has allowed me to enjoy countless hours of meaningful fellowship and fun (and endless laughs) with dear girlfriends.
April 30, 2018
3.5 stars, rounding down because it doesn’t quite deliver on its promises. While it gives a nice look into the behind the scenes world of the bachelor, the time spent BTS is comparably unequal to the time spent doing somewhat shallow psych research on why people go on the bachelor, why people watch the bachelor, and why the bachelor is so terrible.
The intro and the audiobook are also terrible, with the author (& narrator) spending too much time talking about herself and throwing shade with and accents and impersonations, respectively.
But overall, I devoured it in one sitting. I’m always up for a critique of pop culture, and this little dish was filling, if not gourmet.
The intro and the audiobook are also terrible, with the author (& narrator) spending too much time talking about herself and throwing shade with and accents and impersonations, respectively.
But overall, I devoured it in one sitting. I’m always up for a critique of pop culture, and this little dish was filling, if not gourmet.
May 9, 2018
This was a lot of fun. I had low expectations because I listen to a few Bachelor podcasts with contestant interviews (I know! I know!) and I thought I mostly understood the setup. Wrong! There was so much I learned from this book. Amy is a great and funny narrator. Each chapter is separated by a celebrity essay on why they're a fan, including Diablo Cody, Amy Schumer and Paul Scheer. I recommend this person to any fan of the Bachelor franchise.
March 6, 2018
If you're reading this post, chances are high that you are a fan of The Bachelor franchise; "fan" may be an exaggeration, but this includes those of you who watch episodes and clips, here and there, so that you can snark on either The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, and their corresponding potential loves, with your friends.
My foray into the world of rose ceremonies began in 2003, with Trista Rehn's stint as The Bachelorette; I'd not watched the two previous seasons of The Bachelor, but I was hooked after the debut of this spin-off. Many years later, more than I'd like to acknowledge, I'm still watching. I'm thankful for the advent of online viewing services, like Hulu, so that I no longer have to stay up late on Monday nights and endure endless commercial breaks.
Thanks to her position as a writer, covering celebrities, film and pop culture, at the Los Angeles Times, author Amy Kaufman was able to build a unique relationship with the franchise; however, as soon as she stopped playing by their (unspoken) rules and voicing her own opinions of the show, the network revoked her access.
Not only does Kaufman share some of what she encountered during her insider's view of the production, but she also delves into the why; for example, why are we watching this show? Most of us are highly educated, successful women who are likely very supportive of gender equality and might even consider ourselves feminists. Why do like-minded individuals agree to become contestants on one of these shows?
It's an interesting question, and one that could likely spark lively debate; initially interested in the secrets she might divulge, Kaufman exceeded my expectations when she shared some of the research she'd done on the topic and I began asking myself deeper questions...and also wondering how I would ever pack to appear on one of these shows.
Highly readable, compelling and unique, I devoured Bachelor Nation in under two days; if you are even remotely interested in this topic, I highly recommend Kaufman's book!
**Read more of my reviews at Running 'n' Reading!**
'We don’t want to see them getting married. We just want to see them getting proposed to, because the idea of someone wanting to spend the rest of their life with you is better than actually doing it.'
— Comedian Nikki Glaser, quoted in Bachelor Nation
My foray into the world of rose ceremonies began in 2003, with Trista Rehn's stint as The Bachelorette; I'd not watched the two previous seasons of The Bachelor, but I was hooked after the debut of this spin-off. Many years later, more than I'd like to acknowledge, I'm still watching. I'm thankful for the advent of online viewing services, like Hulu, so that I no longer have to stay up late on Monday nights and endure endless commercial breaks.
Villa de la Vina - or the Bachelor Mansion, as it’s known to millions of viewers - is hidden off a canyon road just a few exits on the Ventura Freeway past the Kardashians.
Thanks to her position as a writer, covering celebrities, film and pop culture, at the Los Angeles Times, author Amy Kaufman was able to build a unique relationship with the franchise; however, as soon as she stopped playing by their (unspoken) rules and voicing her own opinions of the show, the network revoked her access.
There was no final rose. I didn’t get a chance to say my goodbyes. No one even offered to walk me out.
Not only does Kaufman share some of what she encountered during her insider's view of the production, but she also delves into the why; for example, why are we watching this show? Most of us are highly educated, successful women who are likely very supportive of gender equality and might even consider ourselves feminists. Why do like-minded individuals agree to become contestants on one of these shows?
Young women in the twenty-first century who are college educated and have managerial positions - in other words, the main Bachelor demographic - have been told for years they can do anything they want. And yet these women still face pressure to be thin, beautiful, and stylish.
It's an interesting question, and one that could likely spark lively debate; initially interested in the secrets she might divulge, Kaufman exceeded my expectations when she shared some of the research she'd done on the topic and I began asking myself deeper questions...and also wondering how I would ever pack to appear on one of these shows.
Both genders are told to bring clothes for all climates: swimsuits, winter jackets, sweaters, t-shirts, tank tops, casual day clothes, gloves and warm hats - plus fourteen formal outfits, in case they make it through all of the rose ceremonies.
Highly readable, compelling and unique, I devoured Bachelor Nation in under two days; if you are even remotely interested in this topic, I highly recommend Kaufman's book!
**Read more of my reviews at Running 'n' Reading!**
May 10, 2018
Great audio! She should narrate all audiobooks.
March 19, 2018
This was a fairly interesting read! I was hoping for more detailed and scandalous dirt, but the author sounds like she did her due diligence in trying to get people to open up. She conducted a ton of interviews with people who were willing to talk, and I really commend her research efforts for this book!
Honestly, most of what is revealed in the book will come as no surprise to Bachelor fans unless you really buy into the romance it tries to sell, especially if you also watch UnREAL. In revealing the producers' and editors' tactics, Kaufman also gets into the psychology of both contestants and viewers, explaining why contestants are more likely to feel in love after two dates and why viewers buy into the story the show spins. This was the most interesting part of the book for me, even if there wasn't a lot of information I didn't already know.
Overall, I definitely recommend it for Bachelor fans. This isn't an uncensored tell-all or anything (may need to read the contestants' books for that) but I found it engaging enough. I already watch The Bachelor with a critical eye, but my viewing will be even more critical after reading this book.
Honestly, most of what is revealed in the book will come as no surprise to Bachelor fans unless you really buy into the romance it tries to sell, especially if you also watch UnREAL. In revealing the producers' and editors' tactics, Kaufman also gets into the psychology of both contestants and viewers, explaining why contestants are more likely to feel in love after two dates and why viewers buy into the story the show spins. This was the most interesting part of the book for me, even if there wasn't a lot of information I didn't already know.
Overall, I definitely recommend it for Bachelor fans. This isn't an uncensored tell-all or anything (may need to read the contestants' books for that) but I found it engaging enough. I already watch The Bachelor with a critical eye, but my viewing will be even more critical after reading this book.
July 25, 2018
A quick and easy read. Although it may not be juicy enough for some people, Bachelor Nation provides a lot of good insight into the franchise. From initial casting secrets to manipulation by producers to the post-Bachelor fame and advertising stints, this book was enjoyable to read. It was interesting to hear behind-the-scenes commentary from ex-cast-mates. Bachelor Nation does not ruin the enjoyment of the show, but provides fans with inside information that makes one look at everything a little more skeptically.
May 20, 2020
3.5 stars!
I have never watched an episode of the Bachelor. I don't say that to be holier than thou, I just have never really watched much TV that I didn't watch with my mom or my sister and my mom hates reality TV. I watched one episode of Unreal, the Lifetime show based on the bachelor, but because I didn't have the reference point of the Bachelor, I wasn't interested. However, I've always been intrigued in a sociological manner in reality TV. I've listened to podcasts since I was 10 and that included listening to recap podcasts for reality TV shows I had never watched. I loved listening to people discuss why they liked watching these shows and what stood out to them in any given episode. That's kind of how I was approaching reading this book as well. At first I was really bored. I didn't really care about the history of the Bachelor or its creator. However, as it went on, I was more interested. I don't know if any of the ideas presented in this book about reality TV is really groundbreaking but it was interesting for me to read as someone who hasn't heard much about the Bachelor before. The ratings on this review are not super high so maybe people that do watch the Bachelor were disappointed but as someone who is on the outside and just interested in reality TV, I thought this book was a fine portrayal of that.
I have never watched an episode of the Bachelor. I don't say that to be holier than thou, I just have never really watched much TV that I didn't watch with my mom or my sister and my mom hates reality TV. I watched one episode of Unreal, the Lifetime show based on the bachelor, but because I didn't have the reference point of the Bachelor, I wasn't interested. However, I've always been intrigued in a sociological manner in reality TV. I've listened to podcasts since I was 10 and that included listening to recap podcasts for reality TV shows I had never watched. I loved listening to people discuss why they liked watching these shows and what stood out to them in any given episode. That's kind of how I was approaching reading this book as well. At first I was really bored. I didn't really care about the history of the Bachelor or its creator. However, as it went on, I was more interested. I don't know if any of the ideas presented in this book about reality TV is really groundbreaking but it was interesting for me to read as someone who hasn't heard much about the Bachelor before. The ratings on this review are not super high so maybe people that do watch the Bachelor were disappointed but as someone who is on the outside and just interested in reality TV, I thought this book was a fine portrayal of that.
April 23, 2018
For full review - The Limit of Books Does Not Exist
Hi, I’m Amanda and I’m a “fan” of the Bachelor franchise. I use the term fan loosely because I mostly watch because of the drama, not for the romance. Based on everything that happened last season (with what Arie and the producers did to Becca), I’m thinking of taking a break from the series. Anyways, I wanted to know the dirt behind America’s favourite guilty pleasure and I thought that this was going to be the perfect book since Amy was never a contestant so there is no contract to break.
Sadly, it didn’t happen that way and it just felt like a long essay on how producers are behind reality shows. I wanted more dirt and I really wanted to see past contestants and crew members open up on what really happens behind the scenes.
Some things I learned:
1. Contestants aren’t allow to bring books or magazines on their possible 8 week journey on the Bachelor. There is no way I could ever do that. The reason for this is that the producers want contestants to sit around all day, get bored and stir up drama about the other contestants.
2. All those appearing on the Bachelor must sign a contract that states that the producers can use and change any material of you. Most contestants just sign the contract without reading it all.
3. Drinks are not forced upon the contestants, but are strongly encouraged. Even producers will take shots with the contestants in order to get them to open up in their one-on-one confessions.
4. Producers are constantly encouraging contestants to say what the producers want them to say. Some past contestants compared this to an interrogation where after a hour of saying no, they end up saying whatever they need so they can get out of the room.
So in my eyes, the book feel flat. Some chapters were really boring that I ended up just skimming through (the history of the dating game shows and the bios of the creators/producers). I wish there was more past (and more current) contestants that spoke with Amy. The biggest ones were: Nick Viall, Sean and Catherine Lowe, Desiree Siegfried and Ben Flajnik and nothing that they said came as much as a surprise.
Hi, I’m Amanda and I’m a “fan” of the Bachelor franchise. I use the term fan loosely because I mostly watch because of the drama, not for the romance. Based on everything that happened last season (with what Arie and the producers did to Becca), I’m thinking of taking a break from the series. Anyways, I wanted to know the dirt behind America’s favourite guilty pleasure and I thought that this was going to be the perfect book since Amy was never a contestant so there is no contract to break.
Sadly, it didn’t happen that way and it just felt like a long essay on how producers are behind reality shows. I wanted more dirt and I really wanted to see past contestants and crew members open up on what really happens behind the scenes.
Some things I learned:
1. Contestants aren’t allow to bring books or magazines on their possible 8 week journey on the Bachelor. There is no way I could ever do that. The reason for this is that the producers want contestants to sit around all day, get bored and stir up drama about the other contestants.
2. All those appearing on the Bachelor must sign a contract that states that the producers can use and change any material of you. Most contestants just sign the contract without reading it all.
3. Drinks are not forced upon the contestants, but are strongly encouraged. Even producers will take shots with the contestants in order to get them to open up in their one-on-one confessions.
4. Producers are constantly encouraging contestants to say what the producers want them to say. Some past contestants compared this to an interrogation where after a hour of saying no, they end up saying whatever they need so they can get out of the room.
So in my eyes, the book feel flat. Some chapters were really boring that I ended up just skimming through (the history of the dating game shows and the bios of the creators/producers). I wish there was more past (and more current) contestants that spoke with Amy. The biggest ones were: Nick Viall, Sean and Catherine Lowe, Desiree Siegfried and Ben Flajnik and nothing that they said came as much as a surprise.
March 20, 2018
[3.5 stars]
Thank you to Dutton Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
I’m an unapologetic fan of The Bachelor and am fascinated by all the behind-the-scenes drama. So, I’m almost the perfect reader for this book (my downfall is that I already know a lot of this stuff from reading Reality Steve). Kaufman investigates The Bachelor‘s cultural place in America, how producers get contestants to give them good TV, how and why contestants think they fall in love over such a short period of time, what happens to the couples after the show ends…and, a history of dating shows (which should have been edited out). This best part of the book are the excepts from contestant Sharleen Joynt‘s journal she kept during filming…she clinically picks apart the psychology of the show while she’s in the middle of it. She’s brilliant and her take is articulate and well thought-out. Kaufman doesn’t really dish on contestant-specific gossip (who’s hooking up with whom, etc), but raises the overall curtain to reveal Oz. Beware if you want to preserve the fairytale because you’ll for sure be watching the show differently after reading it.
Visit https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com for more reviews.
Thank you to Dutton Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
I’m an unapologetic fan of The Bachelor and am fascinated by all the behind-the-scenes drama. So, I’m almost the perfect reader for this book (my downfall is that I already know a lot of this stuff from reading Reality Steve). Kaufman investigates The Bachelor‘s cultural place in America, how producers get contestants to give them good TV, how and why contestants think they fall in love over such a short period of time, what happens to the couples after the show ends…and, a history of dating shows (which should have been edited out). This best part of the book are the excepts from contestant Sharleen Joynt‘s journal she kept during filming…she clinically picks apart the psychology of the show while she’s in the middle of it. She’s brilliant and her take is articulate and well thought-out. Kaufman doesn’t really dish on contestant-specific gossip (who’s hooking up with whom, etc), but raises the overall curtain to reveal Oz. Beware if you want to preserve the fairytale because you’ll for sure be watching the show differently after reading it.
Visit https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com for more reviews.
March 11, 2018
3.5/5 - Rounded up, because it's a book about The Bachelor, duh. Overall, this was a quick, interesting read even if it didn't really reveal as many salacious secrets as I had hoped. I enjoyed the history behind the franchise (erect nipples on The Dating Game what?! Mall Masters - yes!) as well as the celebrity takes on why they love The Bachelor in between chapters (where were Jenny Mollen and Jason Biggs?). It felt like Kaufman wrote this book for all of the feminists out there who watch The Bachelor and feel guilty, and if nothing else, I appreciate that I am not alone in these conflicting feelings when I find myself looking forward to Monday nights.
May 21, 2018
I started watching The Bachelor in its very first season and it quickly became addictive. I did stop watching it a few seasons ago, but can't help but tune into a finale or two. While I knew the show was manipulative, I had no idea to what extent. It's utterly fascinating -- and a little disturbing -- the lengths to which they go to create the story they want. I'll be watching this show with a whole new perspective after reading this book. Whether you're a member of #bachelornation or an on again off again viewer, you'll enjoy this peek behind the scenes, with a psychological twist.
Thank you to Dutton Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Dutton Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review!
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