When Did This Happen?

I am totally sucked in to "The Bachelor."

Totally.

I've watched a few seasons here and there, ranted about how ridiculous it is, and I fast-forwarded right through those INCREDIBLY uncomfortable kiss-fests.

And yet.

I watch.

My biggest issue used to be the obvious: THIS IS NOT REAL LOVE.

(Remember true love?)

But it's kind of like watching action films...you can either think to yourself while watching the latest James Bond flick, "That car chase sequence was totally impossible and there is no way he lived," OR "What creative minds the producers possess to come up with mind-blowing stunts and of course he lived because otherwise the movie would end and this would be a depressing, Academy Award-nominated drama."

So for me, reality TV is the same way. All true lovers of anything reality, died long ago to the fact that is, not reality. 

It is a staged, "reality" setting where interesting personalities collide.

So, without apology, here are some things I love about it:

1) The girls' clothes. 

Love 'em or hate 'em, they give you something to talk about. I am cracking up at all the scarves this season. We'll look back in a few years and mock the scarf phenomenon just like the tight-rolled jeans.

(Of course, that doesn't stop me from owning about six and wearing them as often as possible.)

I love seeing the dresses, stretchy pants, accessories, and even the cute suitcases.

Since my personal wardrobe doesn't extend beyond workout clothes and jeans, it's exciting to pick out which dresses I love and whose overall style I adore.

So far, Jillian and Molly are my favorites.

Jillian's shirt/belt/legging/boot ensemble is what I would totally wear if Brad and I went on a date in the city and I had a body stunt double.

Molly's black jacket and red necklace this week were fantastic. Where do I buy them?

Dear Bachelor Producers: Please put a style guide at the end of every show. Thank you.

And I don't want to rain on Jason's parade, but the purple shirt? The purple tie? 

Together? 

Really? 

REALLY?!

2) Chris Harrison.

For those of you who don't watch, because you have higher TV standards than an earthworm, he's the host.

And I love that he doesn't take himself too seriously. He has some incredibly insane things to say..."This is the MOST DRAMATIC Rose Ceremony EVER" and "Jason, ladies, we are down to the final rose."

But he knows that is all for the sake of  TV and doesn't presume the audience is mathematically challenged. (Myself excluded.)

Chris and Jason have some great banter (even though Chris is feeding him the obvious questions) and Chris forces the bachelor to articulate his perspective on the relationship drama we've been watching through carefully edited montages.

Que bueno!

3) Personality fascination.

Being an over-analyzer and a perceiver (at least according to the Myers-Briggs folks), I thrive on reading body-language and dissecting the interaction between the girls and Jason.

People are amazingly complex (um, duh) and it is so much fun(!) to see them interact.

During the conflict (which there hasn't been much of this season), Brad has to leave the room and cover his ears.

I turn it up and marvel at the intensity.

LOVE IT.

Don't get me wrong, I do NOT love cat fights and insults at all. 

But I do love well-delivered honesty (even when it stings a little) and when people use their influence to encourage others.

Sounds crazy, but it happens more than you'd think.

Melissa and Steph both show their excitement with authenticity and enthusiasm, but do so without squelching the other girls' happiness when it's their turn for fun.

Steph (who, thankfully, is gone--personality miss-match!) gave the most gracious exit interview I've seen.

She showed her disappointment, respect for Jason, and optimism for the future without throwing anyone else under the bus.

Nice work.

Call me shallow or crazy, but either way, I am completely entertained.