THE BACHELOR - Sing and go home

The big take-away from this week’s The Bachelor:  if you want to stay in the game, don’t sing to Matt.

Two of the three girls that were sent packin’ at this week’s rose ceremony serenaded our British bachelor during one-on-one time. 

Big mistake. 

Michelle P stared deep into Matt’s eyes and sang a song that she had written just for him while the other girls snickered in the background.  We just got a couple of reaction shots of Matt with a frozen smile on his face so it was hard to tell what Matt’s reaction was, but he was probably thinking something like, “Bloody hell!  When will this stop?  I’m going to have to fake an aneurysm or something.”

Despite the scorn they felt, some of the other girls got it in their heads that they should sing to Matt, too.  During her one-on-one time with Matt, Carri bust out with an opera version of Gershwin’s “Summertime.”  Carri has a lovely voice, but it’s hard not to look a little goofy when you’re doing the Opera Face.  Again, Matt’s reaction seemed polite but I’m guessing that he was a little uncomfortable.

Why?  I’m going to generalize here, so forgive me.  Guys don’t like being sung to – we don’t find it romantic, it’s just awkward and weird.  I imagine this applies to British guys as well.  I may be wrong, but both Carri and Michelle P left the show this week, so I think not.  Matt was probably thinking that both Carri and Michelle were nice, but if they’re willing to break into song once, they could do it again.  They’re song time bombs – you never know if they’ll sing to you in a restaurant or on a crowded bus or in a taxi.  When will that inevitable next song explode?

The big surprise for me was that Matt gave Shayne a rose after the blond actress’ double meltdown.  I don’t know, maybe he just wants a cute California girl in his coterie and he’s willing to put up with the drama.  He said himself, “the drama side is just such a big turn off for me.”  And was it just me or did she seem a little drunk during both her conversations with Matt?  If she wasn’t drunk and she’s like that normally – yikes!  I can’t figure out his motivation, unless it’s entirely sexual, in which case, never mind – I can figure that out.

My favorite contestant Noelle didn’t get a lot of screen time this episode, which doesn’t bode well for her long term chances.  Maybe she’s just more socially conservative than the other girls and isn’t willing to belt out some show tunes or do the Butt Dance.  I wonder if being outrageous and socially competitive is a good strategy for hooking up with The Bachelor, or just a good strategy for getting on camera a lot.  I hope Noelle gets a chance.

Alas, Carri, Erin H, and Michelle P have had their chance and been sent home.  Michelle’s exit interview was really sad – she talked at length about going home and being with her cat while she cried.  I felt kind of bad for her and hope she finds some guy that likes cats and women who sing to him.  Such a guy may be rare, but surely he’s out there somewhere.

--Dave Campbell