TV Review: Charming Desiree Hartsock Becomes ‘The Bachelorette’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – I always say that reality TV is dependent on casting above all else and this is no more truthful than in the “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” franchises. Sure, the producers can do a lot in crafting narratives for their “stars” but if the lead isn’t someone we root for and his or her suitors aren’t equally entertaining, we’ll check out. So, much of the success of the 9th season premiere of “The Bachelorette” can be laid at the feet of the person who asked Desiree Hartsock to take the title role. She’s charming and seems genuine, a rarity in TV dating shows. “The Bachelor/Bachelorette” formula went stale some time ago but this season should be more entertaining than recent installments of the premiere can be used as a gauge.

HollywoodChicago.com Television Rating: 3.0/5.0
Television Rating: 3.0/5.0

Not only is Hartsock a more likable leading lady than recent bachelorettes but the bachelors who showed up to win her heart have an entertaining range. There are a few guys who seem honestly interesting and engaged in the courting process along with, of course, a few total nutjobs, including the guy who keeps asking the poor girl to go back to the “Fantasy Suite” as if it’s closing time at the bar and he’s trying to take a girl home. He’s totally creepy. I’m also a little thrown off by anyone who claims to “love” a woman who they have only seen on reality TV as does one of the suitors when he hears that the producers have chosen Desiree.

The Bachelorette
The Bachelorette
Photo credit: ABC

Season premieres of “The Bachelorette” are relatively interchangeable. We’re going to get some intro time with the star in which she talks about how she’s “ready for love” against a beautiful, California background. We’ll see a few of the bachelors in their own environments as they share their stories in 50 words or less — single dad, the guy with the alcoholic mom, or the adrenalin junkie who wave boards but, “growing up, the water’s been a little choppy.

Then she’ll get dressed up and stand next to the iconic fountain as 25 dudes get out of a limo one at a time and try to make an impression. The knight in shining armor, the one who forgets to say his own name, the dude who dances & dips her — every dude is just trying to get that first-night rose. Like the premiere of “The Bachelor,” Desiree is allowed to give out roses throughout the night, which creates a new degree of tension as the flower plate gets lighter hour by hour and the flop sweat leads some guys to do incredibly stupid things.

It all comes back to Desiree Hartsock. She’s got a genuine smile, seems honestly engaged in the process, and will be easy to root for week in and week out. Reviewing a new season of “The Bachelorette” comes down to a few simple things. Have they changed the formula? Not really, except for the roses handed out over the course of night one, which is a good change. How are the bachelors? Better than average. How’s the bachelorette? Very likable. There’s absolutely nothing breakthrough or inventive but this could be a more entertaining round of reality speed dating than the last several trips to the rose-covered altar.

“The Bachelorette” returns to ABC on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 7pm CST.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker