Joey Graziadei as the BachelorPhoto: Disney/John Fleenor
For the first time in years, The Bachelor feels fun to watch. Sure, it’s still a parade of twentysomethings looking for an Instagram following rather than True Love™, but as we move through the same formula that has aired 28 times (!!) before, something feels fresh. What could it be?
Oh yeah, it’s the Bachelor himself, Joey Graziadei. When I tell you this man was written by a woman (something that more than a few people have pointed out online since the start of this season), what I mean is that he asks follow-up questions. He wipes tears away with the pad of his thumb. He’s not afraid to look stupid. And feminine energy doesn’t scare him.
After years of watching the Bachelor say, “Thank you for sharing that” in response to a woman unloading the most traumatic story you’ve ever heard, it’s life-giving to have a lead who is an active listener. So ahead of the March 25 finale, The A.V. Club presents (in chronological order) 10 times our guy said and did the right things.
When he said Kelsey’s dad sounded like a good father-in-law (episode 7)
JOEY GRAZIADEI, KELSEY A. Photo Disney/John Fleenor
Earlier in the season, Kelsey opened up to Joey about how her mother died of breast cancer 10 years ago. During their second one-to-one, she goes deeper on how that impacted her relationship with her dad. She says she runs to him both when she’s happy and she’s sad. “He lost the love of his life, but he also had five kids,” she explains tearfully. “I can’t imagine that situation where you’re devastated but so are all these people depending on you. And you just have to do your best and be there for them when you need people for you.” It’s an emotional conversation. Joey wipes her tears with the pad of his thumb, which is something I’ve read about men doing but have never before experienced or witnessed. He tells Kelsey her father sounds incredible.But it’s in his interview that he goes for the kill shot: “Her dad sounds like one amazing man. He’s someone she has a special connection and relationship with. Someone that she can really look up to, and he sounds like someone who would be a great father-in-law.”A great father-in-law. A great father-in-law?! Not just, “Oh yeah your dad sounds great,” but thinking about him as someone you would want to have a relationship with? No, I’m sorry, that’s fake.
Yeah, it’s a pretty condescending phrase. Probably not meant literally (though it is reality television, so who knows), but still.That said, it’s all pretty cool. Actually partaking in challenges is a nice step up from just interview talk, which is what I feel like stories about “the new masculinity” often focus on. Well done, heavily-produced reality show man! Maybe one day I’ll actually watch your show. Also, I know there’s always a few articles on the front page about men being non-monsters, but it often doesn’t feel like it, so it’s kind of refreshing to me. And it wasn’t weirdly embarrassed to be talking about men! A miracle!
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So if a guy is nice and not an asshole that means he’s written by a woman, got it.
Or gay, hellooooooooooo
Yeah, it’s a pretty condescending phrase. Probably not meant literally (though it is reality television, so who knows), but still.That said, it’s all pretty cool. Actually partaking in challenges is a nice step up from just interview talk, which is what I feel like stories about “the new masculinity” often focus on. Well done, heavily-produced reality show man! Maybe one day I’ll actually watch your show.
Also, I know there’s always a few articles on the front page about men being non-monsters, but it often doesn’t feel like it, so it’s kind of refreshing to me. And it wasn’t weirdly embarrassed to be talking about men! A miracle!
This headline is an abomination.
Dude is an angel. He may have two brain cells, but they’re both really decent.
If unironically using the phrase “strong independent women” is a sign something was written by a women, then maybe the editor should be a man.