Whether it’s The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise or all of the above, I’m a total sucker for trashy guilty pleasure TV shows. And every time ABC expands its popular dating franchise (for example, Listen to Your Heart and Bachelor in Quarantine), I’m faced with the same dilemma: Why do I feel obligated to watch when I know each season will only end in disappointment?
It’s not that I’m ashamed that I’ve watched all 24 seasons of The Bachelor, 15 seasons of The Bachelorette and six seasons of Bachelor in Paradise. (There’s also The Bachelor Winter Games and three seasons of Bachelor Pad, but who’s counting?) However, when I think about it in terms of hours spent watching Chris Harrison and co., it’s…alarming.
Sure, you might not be as obsessed as I am, but if you’ve ever watched an episode, you’ve probably experienced the draw that I’m talking about. You know, that desperate need to tune in every Monday night, knowing that each season will only end in disappointment. This regret stems from failed engagements and last-minute changes of heart that result in single Bachelor alums like Peter Weber. Regardless of the outcome, it almost always ends in disaster, and I’m very rarely satisfied with the result.
So, why do I continue watching The Bachelor when I know it’s only going to end with me throwing my microwave dinner at the TV?
