THE BACHELOR - The Limo Ride of Shame

If I may borrow a phrase from Matt Grant, this week’s episode of The Bachelor left me “gutted.”  Yes, gutted, and questioning my ability to predict what’s going to happen on reality TV shows. 

I’ve been rooting for Noelle all season, even though I knew she was a long shot.  She made it to the semi-finals, but ultimately Noelle was sent home last week, leaving Shayne (pictured left), Chelsea (pictured below), and Amanda to remain in the game. 

OK, I thought, surely he’ll pick Amanda.  She’s bright, she’s funny, she’s hot, and she pulled that great practical joke on Matt the other week.  I bet she could even hold her own and chat about current events and global commodities pricing with Matt.  She was perfect for him. 

Right?

<BUZZER SOUND>  WRONG!

Amanda took the Limo Ride of Shame this week as Matt chose Shayne and Chelsea over her.  He only had two immunity roses to hand out, and yes, he says it was a very difficult choice, but at the end of the show, Shayne and Chelsea stayed and a shocked and upset Amanda ended up crying in that limo.

Guys are strange creatures, so it’s tough (even for a guy) to predict how they’ll react when it comes to affairs of the heart.  Matt does seem to have the strongest connection with Shayne, the 22 year old actress and daughter of Lorenzo Lamas.  She seems to be smarter than she lets on, but I can’t figure out why she acts dumb in the first place or why that’s attractive.  For instance, this week she asked Matt if they had palm trees in London, but then admitted later that she knew that, duh, there was a distinct lack of tropical vegetation there.  I don’t get it.  Why pretend to be less intelligent than you really are, particularly when you’re trying to win the affections of a smart, well-read guy who keeps up on politics and current events?  It doesn’t matter if I understand it or not, because it’s clearly working.

Chelsea and Matt seem to have very little chemistry, yet he chose her over Amanda.  Chelsea’s tomboy vibe and her intimacy issues made for an excruciatingly awkward date with Matt on the yacht, but she did redeem herself during one-on-one time in the private suite, where she revealed a more romantic and sexy side to him.  Still, it seems like they have a long way to go before they develop the kind of personal connection that Matt wants/needs.

Amanda was definitely my favorite (after Noelle) but I will grudgingly admit that she and Matt might not have shared that crucial romantic spark.  It seemed like she had a hard time down-shifting into a more intimate and romantic gear during dinner with Matt.  Plus, I never noticed how much Amanda uses the word “like” as a verbal placeholder.  Maybe she was nervous, but she sounded like a Valley Girl.  Omigod, like, gag me with a spoon!

I think with The Bachelor, viewers project their own preferences and romantic inclinations on to the show and we want Matt to pick the girl that we like the most.  Still, I’m just baffled by the whole thing.  Clearly he's going to pick Shayne, right?  And propose to her, no less!  I just can't see him asking Chelsea to marry him.

-- Dave Campbell

Comments

[Kevin]

I was shocked. SHOCKED! At the fact that Amanda was eliminated. I mean, Shayne looks like she's packing on pounds as the show progresses (or maybe it's just her unfortunate predilection for dresses that look like maternity wear). Meanwhile, Chelsea (while a very nice girl it would seem) meshes with Matt about as well as me with hard work. I don't like to work very hard.

Maybe Shayne is way smarter than she comes across....but I, like Mr. Campbell here, cannot see why that would be a benefit.

[tanya]

I could not believ how much Amanda used the word "like" I'm sure he let her go for that reason. It would drive any man crazy no matter how attractive she is.

[wildcatjungle]

Shayne is the one I hope Matt chooses. I think she's more genuine than the rest. She's not as dumb as she wants people to think think; she outshines all of them with her beauty. The women this season were collectively the cattiest to each other of any season. Most of them were not nice and and they were oh, so phoney. I think Shayne will be a good match for Matt and will fit in with his British family.

[kristen]

i hope you're right + he picks shayne, but if he doesn't, then it's for the best, because he's not smart if he loses his opportunity with shayne

[arlee]

It would be great, if just Matt and whom ever he chooses would stay together. All these shows have the same ending - the bachelor claims how much he loves the girl he's chosen and soon after, we're reading that they've broken up - so ridiculous! Also, so sad that these beautiful and intelligent girls have to lower themselves for one man.

[Lynda]

After last season I swore I was done, would never watch again, etc. But here we are tonight, sitting on the couch as a family, waiting with anticipation to hopefully hear him propose to Shayne. Chelsea is a fake!!!!!

[brandi]

Matt is a fool, as Chelsea states! Shayne is an actress and a damn good one might I add. One fool for another!

[Wize]

I think that Shayne is a total actress and a psycho. She freaked out in Las Vegas like a H.S. girl. She is so fake. And, she is too young! There were definitely more women of substance in that house, like Amanda. Chelsea grew on me towards the end. Matt is making a mistake. Shayne just wants to shop. Her voice is so annoying!!! Bad move dude.

[Pat]

How predictable the bachelor is! You have to figure he would pick the bleach (in need of a root job) blond bimbo. The chick is 22 yrs old, and doesn't have a brain in her head.
Good luck, Brit boy, you'll need it! And if you want to see what she will look like in 20 yrs, look at her mother. She wears enough makeup to last a lifetime!

[archeloise]

WHOOOOOOOOOOO ABC WHERE TO GO. THIS WAS THE BEST BACHELOR EVER. MATT WAS GENUIME, GORGEOUS AND WELL MANNERED. I AM SO GLAD HE DID NOT BUY THE LAST MINUTES LOVE THAT CHELSEA WAS TRYING TO PUSH ON HIM. WOW, I LIKE THE FACT THAT HE IS VERY INTUITATIVE. HE CAN SEE THROUGH PEOPLE. I AM GOING TO MISS THE BACHELOR. THIS SHOW WAS SO MUCH FUN FROM BEGINNING TO END. SHAYNE MADE LAUGH, SHE MADE US CRY, SHE MADE US WANT TO BE IN LOVE. MANY BLESSINGS TO MATT AND SHAYNE. THEY MAKE A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE. SHAYNE MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THAT WONDERFUL MAN, MATT MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THIS FUN, SWEET, LOVING, GIRL. MAKE IT WORK LIKE I KNOW YOU CAN.
BY THE WAY, I THINK IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS TO HAVE SHAYNE AND MATT GEY MARRIED ON ABC OR AT LEAST ALLOW US TO TUNE IN AND CONGRATULATE YOU GUYS.
I AM SAD THAT THIS SHOW HAS ENDED. NOW I CAN USE THIS HOUR AND BE PRODUCTIVE. I LOVE YOU MATT AND SHAYNE. ONCE AGAIN, MAY GOD BLESS YOUR UNION, BEST OF LUCK. MMMMMMWWAAA, MMMMMWWWAAAA

[archeloise]

Why are these haters hating on Shayne. Don't be mad she looks better than you, and she knows how to have fun. It's really sad when people can't be happy for others. Chelsea did not even want to hold Matt's hand, remember?! She thinks it's stupid. Tell me a guy or a woman that would want to marry someone who does not even want to hold their hands. Did you see their first date in the Bahamas, he planned a romantic date for her, she did not even talk to him. The turtles were closer to him than her. If there is no communication, their is no relationship. The only two people i think were great matches for Matt were either Noelle or Shayne. I definately thought shayne fits him best. Too bad ABC does not have re-run. If they did you would have seen that Shayne is the smartest and best choice Matt could have made and he did.
P.S.--I am a caribbean young lady from NY i don't know Shayne or Matt. Last year i complained about not having a black woman on the bachelor, this time ABC had one. I am just someone who really likes to see people find true love/their soul mate because that's hard to find.Just be happy for them and wish them luck

[archeloise]

Why are these haters hating on Shayne. Don't be mad she looks better than you, and she knows how to have fun. It's really sad when people can't be happy for others. Chelsea did not even want to hold Matt's hand, remember?! She thinks it's stupid. Tell me a guy or a woman that would want to marry someone who does not even want to hold their hands. Did you see their first date in the Bahamas, he planned a romantic date for her, she did not even talk to him. The turtles were closer to him than her. If there is no communication, their is no relationship. The only two people i think were great matches for Matt were either Noelle or Shayne. I definately thought shayne fits him best. Too bad ABC does not have re-run. If they did you would have seen that Shayne is the smartest and best choice Matt could have made and he did.
P.S.--I am a caribbean young lady from NY i don't know Shayne or Matt. Last year i complained about not having a black woman on the bachelor, this time ABC had one. I am just someone who really likes to see people find true love/their soul mate because that's hard to find.Just be happy for them and wish them luck

[archeloise]

Why are these haters hating on Shayne. Don't be mad she looks better than you, and she knows how to have fun. It's really sad when people can't be happy for others. Chelsea did not even want to hold Matt's hand, remember?! She thinks it's stupid. Tell me a guy or a woman that would want to marry someone who does not even want to hold their hands. Did you see their first date in the Bahamas, he planned a romantic date for her, she did not even talk to him. The turtles were closer to him than her. If there is no communication, their is no relationship. The only two people i think were great matches for Matt were either Noelle or Shayne. I definately thought shayne fits him best. Too bad ABC does not have re-run. If they did you would have seen that Shayne is the smartest and best choice Matt could have made and he did.
P.S.--I am a caribbean young lady from NY i don't know Shayne or Matt. Last year i complained about not having a black woman on the bachelor, this time ABC had one. I am just someone who really likes to see people find true love/their soul mate because that's hard to find.Just be happy for them and wish them luck

[Shakeela]

SHAYNE look better?????? HAHAHAHA thats funny man... I swear she is a horrible actress, LIKE COME ON... are you for real???I swear people are either blind or just plain stupid... The girl was so fake from the begining... like really.. what is wrong with just being you? Maybe if she would have been a lil more real people would be happy... but from my point of view... WOW HORRIBLE.. Seriously, I wanted to poke my eyes out with a butter knife... Now for all you other people... This is my opinion so don't "hate" on me....LOL

[Ginger]

I would like to see Chelsea be the next bachelorette!!! She is deep and thoughshe does take time to warm up doesn't mean she isn't sincere. I don't get the holding hands thing but she obviously isn't afraid of affection!! Blessing on the new couple! I hope as she gets older she can handle the confines of a marriage and children! Not the glamorous life of acting!!

[kata]

I swore after the last season that I would never watch another Bachelor show again, but this time the show redeemed itself. :-) Regardless of what any of us think, Matt has made his decision. Admittedly, I was cheering in the corner for Shayne. Chelsea did not seem all that warm to me and I did not feel any chemistry between her and Matt. Even on the finale tonight she made a remark about Shayne, which didn't seem to score her any points (tacky, quite honestly). I admired Shayne for her warmth and ability to have fun and let loose. I feel she has genuine feelings for Matt. I wish them both luck and I hope they make it in the long haul.

[Erica]

I have been chearing on Shayne for the past several weeks. She has shown tremendous warmth, joy and guts in her approach to this situation. I really don't think shes that good an actress to fool him , but she is one hell of a gutsy girl. She laid out her feelings for the world to see. And it has been a joy to watch.

[Terri]

I THINK THAT MATT MADE THE PERFECT CHOICE! SHAYNE IS THE RIGHT MATE FOR HIM! CHELSEA SHOWED HER TRUE COLORS AT THE END--VERY HAUGHTY, CONCEITED, SNOBBISH AND MEAN-SPIRITED.

IF SHANE HAD LOST, I DO NOT BELIEVE SHE WOULD HAVE BASHED CHELSEA THE WAY CHELSEA SPOKE MEANLY OF SHANE. I ALSO DO NOT THINK THAT SHANE WOULD HAVE TURNED ON MATT AND CALLED HIM A "FOOL". CHELSEA'S REACTION SHOULD REALLY PROVE TO MATT THAT HE KICKED OFF THE ONE THAT HE SHOULD HAVE KICKED OFF--MEAN CHEALSY.

I AM SOOO HAPPY FOR MATT AND SHANE! THEY MAKE A GREAT COUPLE. SHANE REALLY LOVES HIM AND WORSHIPS THE GROUND HE WALKS ON. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE HIS. SHE IS SMART AND BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF LOVE AND DEVOTION FOR HER MAN. CONGRATULATIONS SHANE AND MATT!!!! I HOPE YOU AIR YOUR WEDDING ON TV!!!

BEST WISHES!!!

[Judith]

I was SOOO put off by Amanda and her constantly saying "like" every other word out of her mouth - she sounded like a little teeny bopper using that word all the time.
Drove me crazy!!!!

[Judith]

I was SOOO put off by Amanda and her constantly saying "like" every other word out of her mouth - she sounded like a little teeny bopper using that word all the time.
Drove me crazy!!!!