Let’s Discuss: We’ve met a few guys who went all-out to give the first impression, from AJ Jr. the doll, a talking Penguin, some gap teeth, and a lot of Whaboom to name a few.
ABC finally did what they’ve been promising for years and embraced diversity with casting ‘The Bachelor’ season 21 fan-favorite Rachel Lindsay as the first black Bachelorette.The premiere episodes of the ABC reality show are always interesting, to say the least and Monday’s episode was no exception. The episode began documenting Rachel’s journey to getting to the Bachelor mansion. As most of you may know, Rachel is a successful lawyer and was from Nick Viall’s season of the Bachelor this past season. She said she didn’t want to begin by kissing everyone, but that did not turn out so well. Rachel met 31 different guys trying to fall in love with her which was also the most diverse cast in Bachelor or Bachelorette history. Each got out of the limo and tried to make a good first impression. Spoilers ahead!
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Some failed and others made us go ‘aww’ while others were just plain weird, like Jonathan, whose occupation is ‘Tickle Monster,’ and Lucas the ‘Whaboom guy.’ Rachel met all 31 guys and all of the guys then got to know each other and Rachel. Then they had their usual cocktail party and it may be safe to say the guys can get more petty than the girls during ‘The Bachelor.’ Bryan tried for a first kiss with Rachel, which was unexpected and worked, and got him the first impression rose. In the end, Blake, Grant, Jamey, Mohit, Rob, Jedidiah, Milton, and Kyle went home.
‘The Bachelorette’ started this season off with a bang. Let’s meet our roundtable and find out what they thought!
Kia (@clarity4kia) - TV fan, song lyric rememberer, and co-host of Two Dead Chicks podcast
Sophie (@svershbow) - Book Publicist, Writer, Reality TV Enthusiast
Ashlee (@ashleedell) - Film and TV enthusiast, and writer at TV After Dark
Erica (@ericaeff) - Reality TV enthusiast and live Tweeter
Nicole (@Buffalogal) - Social Media Manager in the streets, TV binge-watcher in the sheets.
Romancia (@RomanciaSays) – Nerdeek and Editor-in-Chief at TVAfterDark.
Jaci (@norahsariah) - TV and Bachelorette newbie
1. Rachel Lindsay quickly became a fan favorite while on ‘The Bachelor’ and it seemed like a clear choice for her to be chosen as this seasons’ ‘Bachelorette.’ What are your thoughts on Rachel?
Kia (@clarity4kia): Rachel has it all. She’s fun, funny, a girl’s girl, a guy’s girl, smart, quick, witty and gracious. Also, she likes *NSYNC, which should have been the first thing I said. I think it was telling that such a diverse group of women from Nick’s season all came back and genuinely seem to want the best for her. I usually like the leads better on “The Bachelorette” and she may be my favorite of all.
Sophie (@svershbow): Rachel is everything! She’s smart, funny, gorgeous, and way more poised in the face of moronic male behavior than I ever could be. Basically, she’s way too good for this franchise and I honestly worry about her legal career after Bachelor Nation is done with her.
Ashlee (@ashleedell): I think Rachel is amazing! I loved how she stayed true to herself during her time on Nick’s season, and I think she definitely won me over. She is successful in her own merit as a lawyer and just overall a great addition for the show. I never understood why she chose to be on the show in the first place, but I’m rooting for her.
Erica (@ericaeff): I’m loving Rachel so far! She takes everything in stride, even those awful “once you go black” jokes and “wabooms”.
Nicole (@Buffalogal): Rachel is quite possibly the most “real” contestant The Bachelor has ever had. She pulls no punches, and has a delightful demeanor without seeming fake. She’s also a professional, which is something I would love to see more of in Bachelor contestants. There are smart women out there with amazing jobs, doing amazing work…maybe they just aren’t applying to be on The Bachelor? But that is one other thing I was always confused about. Wasn’t Rachel smart enough to realized Nick was an ass, and that she was too smart for the Bachelor tomfoolery? Something I always wonder about—why she actually decided to go on the show.
Romancia (@RomanciaSays): I fell in love with Rachel the same way Nick did on The Bachelor. What will be interesting is how race plays a factor in her choices. I hope it’s addressed because as someone who has also dated interracially it’s a topic that shouldn’t be overlooked. Ultimately, I love how Rachel seems to show how genuine she is. You can be smart and funny but if you don’t come across genuine then there’s no real substance.
Jaci (@norahsariah): I’ve never watched ‘The Bachelor’ or ‘The Bachelorette’ before, but when I heard that Rachel was originally on ‘The Bachelor’ and was going to be the next ‘Bachelorette,’ I was very intrigued. I can definitely see why fans of ‘The Bachelor’ fell in love with her. She’s smart, funny, and has such a great presence. I can’t wait to see more of her this season!
2. Who do you think had the best introduction coming out of the limo? Who had the worst?
Kia (@clarity4kia): Was it Josiah that said, “See you later, litigator?” That was just enough corny in the right way. The guy who played Steve Urkel was embarrassing. The bit was only saved by Rachel’s impressive Stefan Urquelle reference.
Sophie (@svershbow): I’ve never been a fan of gimmicky limo-exits, mainly because I wouldn’t want to tell my kids “your father and I met when he got out of a limo in a penguin costume.” The contestants who are genuine, make good eye contact, and seem genuinely excited to meet the lead always win my heart. In that vein, Peter and Blake K. get my vote!
Jonathan is undeniably the worst! Seriously, if someone tickled me without my consent I would smack them so hard across the face. On top of that, he looks like a WASPy version of Andrew Garfield and I’m really not here for it.
Ashlee (@ashleedell): I would say my top pick was Peter. I thought it was cute that they both have gap teeth and think they had a solid connection at first. I’m excited to see how that turns out. As for worst, I think there’s no question. One word: Whaboom.
Erica (@ericaeff): I prefer the normal intros, so I’ll give that one to Peter, or maybe Bryan. The worst was the guy who literally “broke the ice” … Easily the lamest intro ever!
Nicole (@Buffalogal): I’m a fan of guys not taking themselves too seriously, so I’m going with the Penguin guy.
Worst? Brady’s “break the ice” gag. Come on, man! Need to be a lil more original than that!
Romancia (@RomanciaSays): Can you believe I was all about that guy with that marching band? Until I realized it was penis guy. (-.-) The Urkel transformation was pretty suave and I may have a soft spot for Lee with the guitar serenading entrance. However, it’s Peter for me, he could say absolutely nothing and I’d be, let the swooning begin.
Jaci (@norahsariah): Most of the first impressions were good but I think the best would have to be Peter. The way he genuinely cared about Rachel and asked if she was doing okay was so heartwarming. The worst would have to be Lucas. While I think he’s funny in some ways, it was very overbearing and cringey. Not my favorite.
3. Rachel gave the first impression rose to Bryan. Do you agree with her? If not, who would have been your choice for the first impression rose?
Kia (@clarity4kia): Listen, if she didn’t give him her first impression rose, I would have climbed through the TV to give him mine. Among other things (ahem). He’s sexy and charming and knows how to keep you wanting more. There were a few times during my viewing that I thought, “So…where’s Bryan?” That’s a great position to be in!
Sophie (@svershbow): Bryan and Rachel have undeniable chemistry, and the fact that he’s 37 is a real plus. That being said, he seems kind of greasy and I might need a lobotomy to forget the disgusting kissing noises he made.
Blake K. is a dream boat and I cannot believe she passed him over for the first impression rose… and then eliminated him! He looks like a Disney prince, he’s a U.S. Marine Veteran, he talks about Chipotle in his contestant bio, and he has the best smile I’ve ever seen on this franchise. YOU BLEW IT RACHEL!
Ashlee (@ashleedell): I thought Bryan was an okay pick until they kissed. I think if were me I probably would have chosen Peter. I thought Peter and Rachel had more of a connection, but of course, we won’t really know for a few more weeks.
Erica (@ericaeff): I thought Rachel and Kenny had the best chemistry, and he seems the most genuine, so I think she should’ve chosen him. There’s something icky about Bryan.
Nicole (@Buffalogal): NO. I think his kisses try to swallow her face, and I have nightmares of drowning in his saliva. If anything, I think she chose him because he was straight with her. Which we may or may not agree with, but at least he was honest. I was all about the wrestler guy. Contrary to his profession, he seems very genuine and real.
Romancia (@RomanciaSays): Have MERCY! Peter walked out with that checkered blazer, looking all tall and Wisconsiney and delicious I was ready for him. er…I mean him for Rachel. Bryan may not have made the first impression for me but it definitely was the lasting one for Rachel and they definitely have undeniable chemistry. Something about the language of love and if it comes from Columbia. Whoompa! Take that Whaboom boy. So back to PeTER. He’s getting my first impression rose.
Jaci (@norahsariah): I can see why Rachel gave Bryan the first rose, but I personally wouldn’t have given it to him. I’m not entirely sure who I would have given the rose to.
4. When Rachel gave a rose to Lucas, aka the “Whaboom” guy, the Internet went crazy with questions suggesting a producer made her keep him. Do you think it was a setup, or do you feel she found him genuinely interesting?
Kia (@clarity4kia): A little from column A, a little from column B. You gotta think, in a room full of 31 guys, does she really see a future with, like, 24 of them? No way! So most of the guys still there don’t stand a chance, but it’s a numbers game. I don’t think she kept Whaboom over anyone that really had a chance and I think producers were probably like, “Hey, if you don’t hate him, you should keep him!”
Sophie (@svershbow): Lucas, I mean “Whaboom” (insert eyeroll), was obviously a producer plant. Anyone who has watched this show before knows that, and to be honest I’m pissed at the producers for making me spend any more time with that narcissistic weirdo.
Ashlee (@ashleedell): I wouldn’t want to suggest there was any involvement on her decisions from the producers’ part, but it ‘s a bit difficult to believe Rachel thought he was anything more than annoying. Editing can be another thing though, so maybe he was normal in the time the cameras didn’t show.
Erica (@ericaeff): Oh, it was CLEARLY a setup! The producers need the gimmick guy to stick around for at least another episode.
Nicole (@Buffalogal): SETUP SETUP SETUP. He’s this season’s, Corrine. But I am curious about why he is such a weirdo. Maybe she is curious too.
Romancia (@RomanciaSays): What Da Fuck! That was my first thought right after my audible screams even that god damn bullhorn couldn’t compete. Honestly, I hope to all hell that’s a setup by the producers. There’s not one single thing about Lucas that I found even likable much less interesting. In fact, I found creepy AJ doll way more interesting than that guy. I have a feeling he’ll be gone next episode. If not, let’s meet back here so we can devise some kind of internet intervention for Rachel.
Jaci (@norahsariah): Lucas was most definitely planted by the producers. That’s the thing about ‘reality’ shows, people are planted and things are scripted to be way more dramatic than they actually are.
5. One of the bachelor’s asked a group of his competitors which guy is the crazy one out of all the bachelors. Whaboom seems to be stuck with the title. Do you agree with him?
Kia (@clarity4kia): I actually called Jack as the crazy one. There’s just something about his eyes that I don’t like.
Sophie (@svershbow): Whaboom is the “crazy one” in a traditional sense, but the real crazies are the men who call Rachel their “wife” on the first night. You met this girl literally four hours ago, I’m going to need you to take it down a few notches. COUGH Josiah and DeMario COUGH COUGH.
Ashlee (@ashleedell): There were definitely a lot of characters on the premiere episode of the Bachelorette, but I think Whaboom takes the cake.
Erica (@ericaeff): Yes and no. Waboom is there for TV time and he’s ultimately harmless, but the egos on some of these guys are immense. I’ll bet we see another Chad sometime soon.
Nicole (@Buffalogal): I’m going to preface this by saying I don’t like Waboom…AT ALL. However, I also don’t think it is right to section off someone by calling them “crazy.” This guy is obviously not that crazy because his antics got him on a nationally-televised show, which we all know is what he was striving for. While listening to a few of these guys, they are obsessed with their looks and ego and making Rachel their wife before even getting to know her. THAT could even be more far-fetched than Waboom (bleh).
Romancia (@RomanciaSays): HAVE THEY MET PENIS GUY? He’s so creepy crazyish AF. I would have kept Whaboom over him. Lucas made me laugh a lot. He’s not husband material but it’s safe to say he may not be there for the right reason with Rachel but he’s fully aware of what he’s trying to accomplish with millions of people watching this show. Now for Blake. Ewwwww…the fact that he got a rose isn’t surprising after his marching band entrance but there’s a hidden crazy about him. His penis always seems to be lurking around. I’m not down with that. Bye!
Jaci (@norahsariah): I think both Lucas and Blake E. would be the crazy ones in the group. Lucas is crazy in that he acts different and is very loud and obnoxious, while Blake E. is basically just trying to start drama and get into Rachel’s pants. It’s a bit of a tie for me.
6. Rachel seemed to make a promise that she wasn’t going to kiss anyone on the first date and Bryan who got the first impression rose got not one but two full on Colombian liplock kind of kisses. What did you think of that kiss?
Kia (@clarity4kia): I didn’t hate it! I may have replayed it a few times…
Sophie (@svershbow): At the advice of my therapist, I cannot discuss that disgustingly wet and loud kiss. Please respect my decision during this difficult time of intense PTSD.
Ashlee (@ashleedell): Bryan seemed alright to me up until the kiss. It was so awkward and over the top. Definitely wouldn’t have given him a rose after that.
Erica (@ericaeff): Dude those were two full-on makeouts. I was lowkey embarrassed, but you know, whatever floats Rachel’s boat…?
Nicole (@Buffalogal): Rachel seemed to make a promise that she wasn’t going to kiss anyone on the first date and Bryan who got the first impression rose got not one but two full on Colombian liplock kind of kisses. What did you think of that kiss? – See question 3. NIGHTMARE. Bryan, you are not in a watermelon eating contest, bro.
Romancia (@RomanciaSays): Whoooooo! Slow. Down. Bryan. He went in on that first kiss with way too much familiarity. Both their tongues was having a introduction of their own. Rachel was loving those kisses, she was giving as good as she was getting. Anyone else wonder how Peter kisses? *fans self*
Jaci (@norahsariah): I didn’t like the kiss between Bryan and Rachel. It seemed like it was too much and also too forceful, especially for the first episode. Bryan should have listened to his mom: NO KISSING!
7. In honor of the premiere episode, do you have any early predictions of who you think Rachel will choose?
Kia (@clarity4kia): If the past is anything to go by, Peter has a good chance. I noticed him. I liked his suit, I thought he love of the gap between his and Rachel’s front teeth was cute (I also have a gap!), and when he told Rachel he would throw the chocolate in the fire since she’s not a fan, I thought, “Oh, this guy is quick. I like it!”
Sophie (@svershbow): The “this season on The Bachelorette” promo always skews my feelings about who will make it far, so a lot of my predictions are based on that. I’m guessing top four are: Bryan, Josiah, Matt, and Eric. I’d also like to start a campaign to bring Blake K. back for a second chance!
Ashlee (@ashleedell): There’s a handful of about five or six guys that I personally thought Rachel had a connection with. I think it’s way too early in the season to tell, but I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that Rachel will choose Will. I’m horrible at predicting things, so I doubt I’m correct but we’ll see.
Erica (@ericaeff): My money’s on Kenny at the moment, but I also think Peter stands a strong chance.
Nicole (@Buffalogal): Ooh this is tough. I think she missed out on a few good men in the first rose ceremony. The cutie ER doc. The bespeckled law student. However, I think we can see some sparks…. My hopes are for Kenny, and I’d like to see Diggy go far as a dark horse pick.
Romancia (@RomanciaSays): Not Peter, I called dibs, remember that. Peter was Rachel’s first pick, which only means she has great taste and we may have to throw down. I’m going to reserve my picks for maybe next episode. Right now I want to bask in the mutual teeth gap Peter and I share.
Jaci (@norahsariah): I’m hoping Rachel picks either Peter or Kenny, I could definitely see either one of them with her. I also predict Blake E. and Lucas will become a ship. Get on it, producers! #Blacas
Final Verdict: The outrageous antics of The Bachelorette continue on this groundbreaking season straight from out of the limo, but only a few guys seemed like they made the right impression.
Rachel has a wide range of guys to choose from this season. Entrances out of the limo are historically over-the-top and extravagant, but when is it too much? We’ll certainly learn more about each of the guys in the weeks to come, and are rooting for Rachel to find love this season.
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