Feminists, beware. This spring's biggest miniseries -- averaging 10 million viewers with each outing -- is ABC's The Bachelor, in which 25 women compete for ''alone time,'' roses, and the possibility of marrying Harvard-educated consultant Alex Michel, 31. Producers are prepping a sequel to the show, which wraps April 25. Even Rick Rockwell, star of 2000's Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?, has weighed in: ''I pray Alex's fate bears no resemblance to my own.'' Here's a walk down the aisle of shame.
The Prize Unlike Rockwell, Alex doesn't have to get hitched. And the women can walk. Says exec producer Mike Fleiss, a first cousin of former Hollywood madam Heidi, ''The girls can refuse a rose if they're not interested.'' Thus far, none have. As for more tangible rewards, neither Alex nor the ladies were paid -- though producers sprang for travel, meals, and gifts.
The Chemistry Sometimes it's lacking. Amy, the brunet New Yorker booted in episode 2, wasn't smitten: ''When I got out of the limo, I thought the host [Chris Harrison] was the Bachelor because Alex looks more like a talk-show host.'' And LaNease, the aspiring actress who made it to the final eight, calls Alex ''too family-oriented and straitlaced.''
The Nasty Alex sure digs tonsil hockey, but did he ever hook up? ''He's a smart guy,'' says Fleiss. ''He went for some test-drives before he bought a car.'' (Note: ABC conducted multiple checks on everyone's backgrounds and bodily fluids.)
The Letdown After getting the boot, girls get a dose of psycho-bubbly. ''We have a champagne toast, which is so nice,'' says LaNease. ''But then they have a psychiatrist sitting there for you, which is kind of weird.''
The Meltdown Perhaps the shrink is necessary. Producers insist the ambulance that arrived to treat Rhonda for a panic attack (after she was dissed in the third rose ceremony) was legit -- and that the real estate saleswoman is now fully recovered and back on the dating scene.
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