Coming Up Roses: The Bachelor

Courtney and Ben Strip Down on 'The Bachelor'

Ben whisked the ladies off to Puerto Rico and things get hot and spicy this week (but before we get to the skinny-dipping, here is a complete recap)!  Chris Harrison welcomes them and fills them in on what is going to be happening.  There will be two one-on-one dates and one group date.

 

Nicki got the first one-on-one date.  The date card read: “Let’s find a new love in Old San Juan”.  They take off in a helicopter and go to Old San Juan.  They get to walk around this beautiful town and then, it starts to downpour!  Plan B!  They decide to go shopping for dry clothes and pick stuff out for each other at some authentic shops.  Could it be an omen?  Ben and Nicki stumble across a beautiful wedding in Old San Juan.  Ben revealed that he would like to have a big wedding (perhaps on TV?).

 

More Previews of Tonight's All New 'The Bachelor'

So is Emily right or wrong? If I were her, I probably wouldn't even want to date Ben after what he says to her in this preview clip.

 

Goodness gracious this girl is just trying to keep him from falling into the wrong evil clutches of Courtney, but he just does not want to listen.  That basically means, he's in love with her and not you! (Keep reading for more clips)

Full Transcript of Interview with Monica

Here is the full transcript of the interview with Monica Spannbauer, the latest woman to get booted from "The Bachelor".  I highlighted my portion of the conference call interview in PURPLE.

 

Question:            You said The Bachelor was a moment to explore myself and figure out what, you know, what you wanted.  Did you find out what you wanted? 

 

Monica Spannbauer:      Yes.  Believe it or not through this experience, I came in with a lot of rules and a lot of expectations.  And I really didn’t think it was ever going to pan out.  But I think the one thing I learned about myself is in kind of a sappy way, how to see me in a different light.  And even if you’ve had failed relationships I think that doesn’t define you as a person.  What defines you is the people in your life and how you react to things. 

 

                And I kind of found myself through this show which is a cool thing for me, being 33, you know, I mean finally. 

 

Monica Talks About Her Time on 'The Bachelor'

Monica Spannbauer took some time to chat about her time on "The Bachelor" today.  You may be surprised about what she actually thinks about Ben and what happened with Blakeley.

Monica said that she thought the first night she met Ben she found him to be "stuffy and boring" but then thought he was kind of quirky and fun when she spent a little time with him.  But, you mix Courtney into the equation and that all changes.

 

Courtney and Ben Go Skinny-dipping: A Preview

We've seen a lot of the previews of Ben and Courtney skinny-dipping, but now we have an extended preview of it all!

In part one, Courtney sets the whole night up.

 

 

In part two, the clothes come off! (Keep Reading)

New Interview with Chris Harrison on 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette'

Chris Harrison was so nice to talk to me following his appearance on "LIVE with Kelly" today!  

He had a big announcement of course earlier today, that Emily Maynard is the new "Bachelorette", but that wasn't at all what they talked about on the show.  Thank goodness, Kelly asked Chris the question that has been lingering in my mind since this season started, what is up with Courtney's lips?!

He said basically that she chews on them and that's why they look that way, but I pretty much think that's their natural state when she isn't smiling or striking a pose.  Ben should take note of that.

 

 

Anyway, here is Chris' full interview from the green room backstage.  He has a lot to say about Emily, Ben, him bringing Shawntel back on the show, and what is up with Courtney!

 

 

Another side note, I asked him if we should be expecting a "Bachelor Pad 3" and he said it's not official yet, but he'd be really surprised if it didn't happen.  Yay!

 

Hugs, Kisses & Roses,

Jennifer Matarese

Emily is Officially the new 'Bachelorette'!

So what do you think?  Emily Maynard is officially the new "Bachelorette".

The 25-year-old hopes after her heartache with Brad Womack that she'll be able to finally meet her soul-mate.  She's a single mom to 6-year-old Ricki who she had with her fiancee Ricky Hendrick who died in a tragic plane crash in 2004.

 

I bet a lot of guys out there are going to be super excited and lining up to date Emily!  Remember how disappointed some of them were when they learned it was Ashley Hebert last season and not Emily?  Well now they all have their chance.

 

You can read more from ABC at: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/01/new-bachelorette-emily-maynard-announced-on-gma/

 

Hugs, Kisses & Roses,

Jennifer Matarese

Utah Proves to be Tough Territory for the Ladies and Ben

This week, Ben and his 13 ladies are in Park City, Utah.  Ben says the outdoors are important to him because of the time he spent with his dad doing outdoor activities, so let’s see who can be a trooper and handle the elements.

 The first date card is for Rachel!  It says, “Let’s let nature take its course”.  Is it just me or is that kind of gross, reminds me of bathroom stuff or something, or perhaps, they say that when something dies…I think my second comment might not be far off.  The news of the date card brought Kacie B. to tears.  I hope she can hold it together because I like her!  Although if she keeps this up, she might become a little annoying.

 

City Girls Go Country on This Week's 'The Bachelor'

Yee Haw!  Saddle up for a crazy ride this week on "The Bachelor".  

This week, Ben is taking a group of gals on a horseback riding adventure.  

 

Keep reading for more video previews!

Emily vs. Courtney on Monday's 'The Bachelor'

The claws come out this Monday on "The Bachelor".  

The very smart Emily, just can't seem to get past Courtney and her "mean" ways.  

 

There's two more video clips to go, keep reading!