The track record of ABC’s hit reality show “The Bachelor” isn’t exactly stellar. Eleven bachelors have come and gone, as have hundreds of man-hungry bachelorettes; some more unforgettable than others.
The only match that the show can claim is that of the first bachelorette, Trista Rehn, with her heartthrob, fireman Ryan Sutter. The couple married on national TV and just recent had their first child.
Trista was actually a finalist in the very first show with bachelor Alex Michael. However, despite the fact that he promised to choose her, he sent her packing in favor of Amanda; a younger blond beauty who admitted to breast enhancement for the show.
Unfortunately, Alex and Amanda didn’t last long and both have moved on. Perhaps the rumors that swirled around claiming that Michael continued to contact Trista even after picking Amanda had something to do with the outcome. Alex now works at a Management Consultant in New York.
Bachelor number two – – Aaron Buerge – – continues to work as a banker and to expand his line of restaurants. He appeared to have feelings for three women while on the show. They included brunette, Helene, who he ultimately chose, and two lovely blondes in Brook and Gwen.
The choice of Helene proved to be the wrong one and the couple soon parted ways. Buerge admitted his mistake and lamented not having chosen either Gwen or Brook. He continues to search for love, likely in all the wrong places.
Brook, on the other hand, is happy things turned out the way that they did. She is now married to the man of her dreams and works as television correspondent.
Bachelor number three, Andrew Firestone, and his leading lady, Jen Schefft, moved in together but also eventually parted ways. Jen Schefft went on to become the show’s second bachelorette and the only one to be proposed to by both of her final men. Jen ultimately chose bachelor, Jerry Ferris, but the two didn’t get very far before they also fell apart.
Andrew, on the other hand, when on to meet the love his life, Serbian model, Ivanna Bozilovic. The couple is engaged and plans to marry this fall.
The next bachelor, Bob Guiney, was one of Trista’s castoffs. He came back as the bachelor in charge and got as far as a “promise ring” relationship with his choice Estella Gardinier. However, when Guiney changed career paths, Gardinier decided not to follow and the couple parted on barely amicable terms.
The break-up, however, proved to be a blessing for Guiney. He met his future wife, actress Rebecca Buddig, while being interviewed on her talk show about ABC’s “The Bachelor.” The couple has been happily married for four years.
Many thought that ex-quarterback, Jesse Palmer, and his chosen lady, Jessica Bowlin, had it made in the shade. They seemed to be a perfect match, however, business and distance got in the way, proving that sometimes love just isn’t enough. While Palmer remains a bachelor looking for Miss Right, Jessica is engaged to be married.
The next bachelor, professional fisherman, Byron Velvick, chose a bachelorette that had been rejected by former bachelor, Bob Guiney. In his proposal, voted by America as the most romantic, he declared his undying love for his lady, Mary Delgado.
Mary soon became an avid fisherman in her own right and the couple were supposedly happily engaged and set to marry. However, in November of 2007, Delgado was arrested for domestic battery of her bachelor man. Rumor has it that the couple has finally split.
Bachelor number seven, actor Charlie O’Connell, appeared to have found the woman of his dreams in Sarah Brice. The couple dated for quite a while but split in the summer of 2007.
The fairly forgettable match of Travis Stork and Sarah Stone also ended in disappointment. In fact, the couple had a gag order on their relationship before the final episode of “The Bachelor” even aired.
The only prince on the show, to date, Lorenzo Borghese, chose Jennifer Wilson despite admitting strong feelings for the other finalist Sadie Murray. When his relationship with Wilson fell apart, he started one with rejected gal pal Wilson. However, that also proved unsuccessful; leaving the prince without a princess.
America’s favorite bachelor to date, Lt. Andy Baldwin, and his ladylove, Tessa Horst, had planned a wedding for this year. However, when Baldwin was reassigned overseas, all of their plans were put on hold, perhaps indefinitely.
Last year’s bachelor, Brad Womack, set off a firestorm of publicity and anger after dumping both of his final two ladies during the finale without much explanation at all.
So will this year’s bachelor, British Matt Grant, find love and romance in America? If you believe what he says, he did indeed; since the show is already in the can. However, I won’t hold my breath with this show’s track record. I’m thinking he stands a better chance of walking on Mars.
