I have something to tell you, and I’m kinda proud of it. The Bachelorette Canada is my guilty pleasure. Please, go ahead and judge me (you’re not the first to do it), but sometimes there’s nothing more fun that watching a television show where you don’t have to think. You can just sit and be entertained. That’s what you get from the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, and I’m OK with it. (It’s also the only series I actively yell at the TV during.)
So, going in with that attitude, I was pumped to watch Jasmine Lorimer begin her journey for her male co-star in life as The Bachelorette Canada debuted Tuesday night on W Network. Was it entertaining? Hell, yes! I love watching guys act tough in front of a lady, and the addition of alcohol pretty much ensures that’ll happen. I also enjoy watching the dudes who are “there for the wrong reason,” and jeopardize everyone’s “journey.” There was certainly some of that on Tuesday too.
After a quick introduction into who Jasmine is (a laid-back, spontaneous, adventurous hairdresser), her personal struggle (the death of her father at 12) and watching her tool around Vancouver on a bike, Jasmine chatted with Jillian Harris (Ed didn’t come up) about expectations. Then it was down to business, as the 20 bachelors rolled up in the requisite limos to deliver them in front of Jasmine. Among the standouts? Mike the firefighter, who caught Jasmine’s eye and connected over the proximity of their hometowns; Chris the inventor, who produced a burning rose to her; and Kevin P., who wowed Jasmine with a song—she admitted to being attracted to musicians—and vomited minutes later due to food poisoning.
There were, of course, the fellows that went with gimmicks to catch Jasmine’s eye—the aforementioned Chris; Tony and his cowboy hat; Kyle on one knee; Scott making a wooden box; JP, a.k.a. Butler in the buff; and Eddie, a.k.a. Canada’s Crush, fumbling through a telescope setup—but that never makes a big impression. What does is stimulating conversation. Jasmine got that from Drew, Thomas and (a.k.a Sexual Tongue). David scored major points not only with Jasmine but Chris too when he had a string section accompany his original tune … until he cockily said, “Top that!” to the other guys. Dudes are the best at getting in their own way and David proved it. We also learned that cowboy Tony may be an angry drunk, a fact that wasn’t lost on Jasmine.
Was I surprised firefighter Mike got the First Impression rose? Not at all. He clearly had a connection with Jasmine and is a humble guy. He doesn’t appear to play head games or boast, so unless he does something lunk-headed, he’s got the inside track to Jasmine’s heart. Sticking around for another week alongside Mike are Kevin W., Drew, Sexual Tongue Thomas, Mikhel, Kyle, Seth, Scott, Andrew, Chris, Benoit, Wale, Kevin P., JP and David.
(Also? Noah Cappe, so good on Carnival Eats, is a capable Bachelorette Canada host, stepping in to lay ground rules and support and then dipping back into the shadows to let the drama play out.)
This is going to be a good season.
The Bachelorette Canada airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on W Network.
Image courtesy of Corus.
It’s sad that instead of making original content, broadcasters are buying ‘concepts’. They are cheaper to produce and bring in decent ad dollars, so I guess that’s the bottom line. As someone who works in the industry, I find it disheartening.