I thought it would be fun to look up the eligibility requirements to be on The Bachelor or Bachelorette. You would never think they would have to abide by rules or regulations by watching the show; but here they are. If you want to sign up you can go on the Bachelor or Bachelorette website (below). There are 23 requirements but some of them say the same thing so I just paraphrased 19 of them. Enjoy!

1. To be eligible you can’t be closely acquainted with any person connected with production or administration or exhibition of the program, in producer’s sole discretion, the person’s participation could create the appearance of impropriety.
2. You may not presently be a candidate for any type of political office (“candidate”) and may not become a candidate from the time the application is submitted until one year after first broadcast of the last episode of the program in which they appear
3. Must be United States citizens or resident aliens living in the United States or foreign citizens who can travel without restrictions to and from the United States.
4. Must have a passport valid for one year following the submission of the application. Travel without restrictions to and from the United States and travel without restrictions to and within the European Union
5. Age requirement is twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of application
6. Must be single. To qualify as “single” the applicant must not be currently be involved in a committed intimate relationship, which includes: any marital relationship, any co-habitation relationship involving physical intimacy or a monogamous dating relationship more than two months in duration
7. Must never have been convicted of a felony. No misdemeanor or restraining order against them.
8. Understanding and knowledge that participation in program, including, without limitation, the activities and events arranged by the program coordinator, may expose applicant or other applicants to the risk of death, serious injury, illness or disease and/or property damage. Must be willing to participate in physical activities such as: skydiving, snow skiing, ice skating, parasailing, water skiing, rollerblading, and the like. Must sign a release form agreeing to participate in these activities.
9. Producer may disclose information contained within application to third parties (audience)
10. Agree to be video taped twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week white participating in the program.
11. If you have appeared on any prime time television reality show or is involved in the current production of any such television show must disclose information in the application.
12. Allow producer to conduct a background check, which may include: credit check, military records check, criminal arrest, civil litigation check, family court litigation check, interviews with employers, neighbors, teachers, etc.
13. If chosen to be semi-finalists to be on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette must be available to travel to Los Angeles for further interviews.
14. Semi-finalists must complete and timely return the “semi-finalists package”
15. All applicants who are selected as semi-finalists must undergo physical and psychological examinations and testing
16. Must keep all content confidential on what happens during the show.
17. Must be available to travel and participate in the shows for a selected days over a six (6) month period for one year following the submission of application
18. Must agree to live, participate and cooperate with the other individuals and the producer during the taping of the program. Must be able to travel for long periods of time, must be adaptable to various living situations, and must enjoy participating and living in close proximity with other of varied background and experience
19. Applicants must report and be available to participate in the program at all time and places as producer shall designate

The Bachelor Turns 10

Chris Harrison (the host on The Bachelor) Top 10 most memorable moments from 10 years of The Bachelor.

Ever since the Bachelor started on March 25, 2002, Christ Harrison has overseen many fights, fantasy suite dates and final roses. He re-lives these moments with us as he recalls the on and off screen moments from the past 10 years.




1. Paging the Paramedics

In Spring 2002, when the Bachelor first premiered, contestant Rhonda Rittenhouse became overwhelmed with the situation and began hyperventilating. Chris Harrison tells us, "I remember being in the control room and all of a sudden, we just heard what sounded like a cat being strangled." "The paramedics came, and we shot it and we rolled on it. Now that's commonplace, but that was the first-ever reality TV moment with an ambulance."

2. The Bachelor Blows Big

When the show first started, it started off as a slow burn but Chris still remembers when the show became a huge phenomenon. He said, "We ended with some 30 million viewers, I think as much or maybe we even beat the Oscars that year." This was after season 2, which starred Aaron Beurge. "That changed my life. That's when I knew I was a part of something much bigger than I had ever been a part of before."


3. First Lady

Trista Rehn was the first Bachelorette to be on the show in 2003. Harrison said, "She's going to be a slut if she kisses everybody and she's going to set women back." (this was Harrison's opinion before it started airing) "It was really controversial and it took a very special women to be the first Bachelorette. Trista-she's the godmother of our series. She's a large part of why we've been around so long."

4. Wedding Fever

Harrison realized the magnitude of the show when Trista and Ryan's wedding in Palm Springs aired in 2003. "I was sitting with Mike Fleiss, the creator of the show, and I just was like, 'Look what we've created," he says. "These people we introduced are getting married and there's helicopters, and people hanging out of helicopters...It was this weird surreal moment."

5. Labor of Love

In the second season of the Bachelorette, Ian McKee proposed to Meredith Phillips, but it was more a personal milestone for Harrison. He told people magazine, "That was huge for me because it happened on December 19, 2003. My wife was in labor that night with my daughter Taylor," he says. "I was doing the final rose...and then two days later, we have our baby girl."

6. The Crying Game

On the Bachelor, season 13 in 2009 was a lasting impression. It was Jason Mesnick's season on the Bachelor. He had just rejected Molly Malaney (but before proposing to Melissa Rycroft) Jason leaned over a rail and sobbed. His anguish was a definite sign of things to come later. Jason's outburst was later known by everybody as 'The Mesnick'.

7. Switch Up

"It's probably the wildest moment that I'll ever live through," Harrison said after the final rose special with Mesnick. Jason broke off his engagement with Melissa Rycroft for Molley Malaney. "The fact that it worked out and they got married--that was the most talked about, the most controversial thing I think that's ever happened on this show, and hopefully, ever will."

8. Battle Royale

Everybody remembers the post-split conversation in 2010 with The Bachelor Jake Pevelka and former fiancee Vienna Girardi. Harrison said, "I promise you, I didn't think it was going to go that way," he said in their meltdown. Vienna Girardi famously labeled her ex a "fame whore". Harrison said, "It was kind of like the perfect storm...the clouds closed up and swallowed us whole, and the rest is Bachelor history."

9. Bentley's Betrayal

Bentley Williams was on Ashley Herbert's season of the Bachelorette. Bentley led her on during the show, while simultaneously insulting her behind her back to the cameras. "It's the one thing that I kind of regret not stopping, stepping in more," Harrison shared. "But that's something that resonates with fans."

10. Forbidden Love

Rozlyn Papa briefly stole the show from Pevelka during the 14th season of the Bachelor. She had embarked in an inappropriate relationship with a show producer, and was disqualified as a result. "They did have a relationship, and it wasn't even alleged, it just happened." Harrison says. "I regret the fact that I didn't go further and really, really hammer her on The Women Tell All, because as you saw, she kind of took advantage and came back and it turned ugly."

All About Courtney Robertson's Engagement Ring

Here is Courtney Robertson’s engagement ring that Bachelor Ben gave her on the Final Rose episode. Neil Lane explains what the ring looks like and why he designed it the way he did.

Neil Lane, a celebrity jeweler, handcrafted a glamorous cushion-cut, 3-plus-carate diamond ring accented by 96 round-cut diamond ring; set in platinum. The $50,000 bauble highlights and intricate leaf and floral-inspired design (born of Lane's passion for flowers) he says, “represents their organic and natural love that will always bloom. It’s very romantic and has a vintage feel.” The three tulip leaves on each side “reflect their past, their present, and their remarkable future together,” says Lane. 

Ben and Courtney Move In Together!

U.S. Weekly Magazine got exclusive shots of the Happy Couple from the Bachelor moving in together. Courtney, 28, moved 380 miles upstate to San Francisco to live with Ben, 29, who shares the house with roommates.  An insider told U.S. magazine that this is just temporary until they find a place of their own.

Ben Flajnik Writes Final Blog as The Bachelor BY BEN FLAJNIK

Here is a blog post from the Bachelor Ben Flajnik. Enjoy! (got this from the Bachelor website)

My final blog as The Bachelor. Aside from having hair that looked like a water buffalo, the day I proposed was an exciting day.
Boy, it has been a long time coming, and I am so happy it's all over. It has been a rough road, full of ups and downs, scrutiny and negativity.
What I will say is that I have found the positives to focus on amidst all the speculation and hate. People don't know what it's like to go through an experience like this, and until they have been a contestant – or the person in the driver's seat – I say, "Take it easy, because you aren't speaking from personal experience." 
We have all decided to put ourselves out there in hopes of love, and we all know love can be messy. 
The final few days of this adventure were nerve-wracking, exciting and just plain crazy. Having to say goodbye to Nicki the week prior was the hardest moment of my journey thus far. She really is one of the most genuine women I have ever met, and I have nothing but the upmost respect for how she conducts herself on a daily basis. She is a true class act. 
The women I had left were very different, but very similar. They are both confident and independent women, who have been providing for themselves for a long time. I found that to be a huge turn-on. 
My relationships with these women were oddly similar, too. I had good feelings about these two women on the first night – and despite what everyone has witnessed on TV, they are both really great ladies. 
Lindzi Is 'Incredible'

There hasn't been a lot of coverage of who Lindzi really is, and I want to say that she is incredible. My hope for us was that she would have continued to stay open with me, but every time we got close to really falling deeply in love, she retracted. I couldn't take the risk of that happening during a relationship after the show, especially after everything I have already been through. 
Our last few dates together were wonderful, but I think we both knew we were forcing it a bit. 

The proposal day was so hard on me, because I was about to do something to Lindzi that Ashley had done to me, and it is truly the worst feeling in the world. 
I now look back on my experience onThe Bachelorette and realize how difficult a time Ashley had, and respect her decisions to this day. I hope that Lindzi can forgive me and will feel the same way in time. 
Courtney. Oh, Courtney. What a road it has been for the two of us – especially her. It was really difficult watching this season and hearing all the negativity about her. I saw a much different side to her and that is the side I fell in love with. 
I will admit, over the course of the season airing, I had my doubts about the woman I proposed to. I wouldn't have done anything differently, but I was scared that maybe I didn't know her as well as I thought I did. I found myself shocked at some of the comments she made. 
At one point the pressure became too much and I told her I needed a break. Courtney was cool enough to allow me time to clear my head. I became worried about staying in a relationship that had so much negativity surrounding it, so I eventually called off the engagement and we broke up. 
Fortunately, that breakup didn't last long. The love I feel for her, love that I couldn't deny even amidst all the bad press and lack of public support, brought me back to her. 

There Is 'True Love'

What I would hope from people at this juncture is that they see there is a true love. Trust in me to make calculated decisions, and know that I wasn't blinded by anything along the way. She truly is a caring, nurturing woman who is so thoughtful and kind. Unfortunately, America only got to see one side of her, but I know she loves me in a way that I want to be loved. 

We both understand that it is going to be a long road to recovery. We are confident in our love and realize that we are going to take it slow and work on our relationship for the foreseeable future. The fact of the matter is,we are really good together. We have always been really good together; it was everything surrounding us that was a mess. 
I am completely confident in the decision I made at the end of The Bachelor, and I stand behind that decision. No regrets. 
All in all, I would like to thank all of the women who were a part of this crazy ride. I don't harbor any negative feeling towards these women, and I hope the same for them towards me. It was a crazy journey, and I am thankful for everyone involved. 

Ta ta, 
Ben

After the Final Rose

After America watched the proposal to Courtney, Chris Harrison talked about the happy couple. Unfortunately during the time the show was airing Ben had broke off the engagement with Courtney for some time. He was surprised and very confused when he saw Courtney’s behavior on the show.

Chris welcomed Courtney into the room to talk and she only got a few people to applaud for her. Most of them were booing her. She talked about the split and how she hasn’t fully regained her trust for Ben yet.

Ben came out later and talked about how it was hard for him to overcome those mean comments about him and Courtney. He didn’t think it would be so hard for the both of them. At the end of the show he did give Courtney her ring back. For now they are together but we will see what happens to them in the future. 

Final Rose

This is the final week for Ben to decide between Lindzi and Courtney. They moved to Zermatt, Switzerland, the last stop of his journey. The week started off with the two girls meeting Ben’s mother and sister. When Lindzi visited his family they liked how bubbly she was and how she was so happy. They liked being around her and felt that she was good enough for Ben.

Before Courtney visited his family, he warned them that she hadn’t got along with any of the girls in the house and that she was a model. Ben’s mom was more concerned that she was a model and his sister was concerned about not getting along with the girls. With those concerns before they even met Courtney you would have thought she didn’t have a chance with his family but she convinced them that she was good enough for him. In the end I think they liked Courtney a lot better than Lindzi.

Lindzi’s date was getting to ski by the Matterhorn. This was her last night to convince Ben that she had fallen in love with him.

Courtney got a helicopter ride over the Matterhorn. She got a picnic by a lake and got to go sledding with Ben. That night she gave him a book of their adventures, he appreciated it.

When it came down to him proposing Ben chose…. Courtney!!  Who would have guessed?!   The girl American loves to hate won over the Bachelor.  I didn’t see that happening.  Lindzi left wishing him well. 

Sneak Peek: Bachelorette

The new bachelorette is Emily Maynard from Brad Womack’s season. Unfortunately her engagement to Brad didn’t work out but all the men are happy she is the next bachelorette. To help her out, before she starts the crazy journey on the bachelorette, Ali and Ashley are there to help her. They take her shopping for the perfect outfit and then take her to the screening of Titanic 3D. She wants to find love so bad that she is willing to take the risk on the Bachelorette. Can’t wait to see what is going to happen!

Final Destination…Switzerland

Interlaken, Switzerland is such a majestic, magical, and extremely beautiful place to fall in love. Ben was hopeful for this and it definitely happened.

The first date was with Nicki. Their date started with a ride in a helicopter looking over glaciers, towns, and mountains. Sitting on the edge, having a picnic and talking were what Nicki wanted. Later that night she accepted the invitation to go to the fantasy suite with Ben.

The next date was with Lindzi. Their date started off with repelling down a huge cliff. Then they heated it up with a hot tub, romantic dinner and the fantasy suite. Ben mentioned to us that he is falling in love with Lindzi.

The last date was Courtney. Ben going into this date had some questions and concerns for Courtney. Before he could get to those, he took her on a train to another town to have a picnic. She opened up to him and told him that she was sorry and regretted what she had said to the girls. Ben was grateful for that and was so happy to finally have those doubts behind him. She also accepted the fantasy suite from Ben.

The day of the rose ceremony Kacie B. showed up at Ben’s door. She came wanting some answers as to why Ben sent her home. He told her that he didn’t see the entire thing working out with her. She accepted it but was sad to finally hear it. Also, Kacie warned him about Courtney. He was shocked and didn’t know what to say. He was very confused when she left.

At the rose ceremony Ben was very confused. Chris Harrison talked to him for a little while and you could tell that he was very confused as to what he was going to do. He didn’t know if he should factor in what Kacie told him about Courtney. When the rose ceremony finally happened, Nicki was the one sent home. When is Courtney going home!?

In two weeks we will get to see who is going to be the “soon to be” Mrs. Flajnik.

Hometowns

This week was the make it or break it week for the girls. Ben went to the four girls hometowns to meet their families. The first town he visited was Ocala, Florida for Lindzi. She planned the day around riding horses, showing Ben that horses are a big part of her life. When he met her parents, Ben and her dad got a long really well. They had fun having competitions with each other. Her parents gave the stamp of approval for Ben to propose to her.

Second hometown was in Clarksville, Tennessee for Kacie B. Her introduction to her town was having one of the high school bands play while she twirled her baton. Also, eating lunch at a field named after her grandpa. When Ben met Kacie’s family, they were very skeptical about the whole situation. During the night they set the guidelines on what is going to happen if he does propose to her. It was hard for Kacie B. to have her parents say that. At the end she said, “This day was supposed to make our relationship stronger but, right now I think it did the complete opposite.”

Nicki’s hometown is in Fort Worth, Texas. A Texas girl at heart, she took Ben around the town shopping for new boots, cowboy hat, and the whole attire of clothing for a cowboy. He definitely liked this date and how she felt comfortable. Her family was very supportive of them getting married.

Last was saved for Courtney; her parents live in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was a lot better being around her family and in her own element. It was nice to see her finally relax and to see where she comes from. After Ben met her parents she planned a fake wedding. They wrote their vows and shared them to each other. Courtney finally admitted that she is in love with Ben.

At the rose ceremony Kacie B. was the one who got sent home.

We are down to the last two episodes to see who he will propose to. This next week they are headed off to Switzerland. 

Belize….Why didn’t Courtney go home!?

The women arrived in beautiful Belize. There are only 6 women left and 4 dates this week. There are three one-on-ones and one group date. The first one-on-one date went to Lindzi. I really think that she is going to be one of the finalists. The date consisted of flying in a helicopter over to the dark hole, jumping out into the water and a catamaran ride back to shore. That night they wrote their love story and sent it off in a bottle.

The second one-on-one date went to Emily. She got to shop around the town, go on a bike ride, and catch lobsters for dinner. She told Ben that she was glad to be moving forward and putting the past behind them.

 Courtney was having a hard week until she got the last one-on-one. As soon as she received the date card her mood completely changed.  She was happy and did what she does best; flaunt the date card in front of everyone. When Ben picked her up she was uncertain as to whether she would bring Ben back to her hometown. During the date he reassured her that he is falling for her. What is Ben seeing that we aren’t? The date was pretty cool though, climbing the stairs to the top of the temple.

Last was the group date which consisted of Kacie B., Nicki, and Rachel. Waking up at 5:30 was a surprise to the girls! Their date was swimming with the sharks which scared Rachel to death. Ben spent a lot of one on one time with her. At the end of the date though, it was Kacie B. who got the rose, guaranteeing her a spot to take Ben to her hometown. After the rose was given out, Nicki and Kacie B. warned Ben to be careful of Courtney.

They didn’t have a cocktail party and went straight to the rose ceremony. Beforehand he pulled Courtney aside to see if she was truly being herself around him. Apparently she convinced him that she was so, he decided to keep her. It was a shock to see Emily and Rachel go home at the end of the night.

On to hometowns! This is going to be a crucial week for all the girls. The four that are showing Ben their hometowns are Kacie B., Lindzi, Courtney, and Nicki.

Awkward moments in Panama

There were so many awkward moments that happened this week.

 Kacie B. got the first one on one with Ben. They were stranded on a private island and had to work as a team to “survive” for the day. They worked well as a team and looked like they had a great time. At dinner she opened up more to Ben revealing that she had had an eating disorder when she was younger. He respected her for sharing that and gave her a rose at the end of the night.

Second, the group date ended in an interesting way. Casey S., Lindzi, Jamie, Emily, Nicki, and Courtney were the ones that got to join Ben on a river adventure. On the way they found a village and decided to go explore. The natives took each girl and had them wear their native outfit; beads for their top and a skirt for bottoms. All of them were too afraid to take their swim tops off. Courtney on the other hand didn’t mind. She gave all the attention to Ben but didn’t end up with the rose at the end of the night. Lindzi was the lucky one to receive a rose. Also, Emily actually apologized to Courtney for being so rude to her the past two weeks; Courtney didn’t take it lightly and denied her apology.

The last date was a two on one. Rachel and Blakeley got to share Ben for the night, trying to fight for the rose. They went salsa dancing; Blakeley showed she wanted to be there. Unfortunately, Blakeley didn’t receive a rose and went home.

Another shocking event happened, Casey S. got pulled aside before the cocktail party was about to start. Chris Harrison informed us that Casey had a “boyfriend” back home that she still loved. She admitted it and talked to Ben about it. He told her that she should probably go home to see what will happen between them. She left right after, in tears. At the cocktail party, Jamie shared a very awkward first kiss with Ben. She had planned out everything and it didn’t go very well. Jamie was the last to get sent home this week.

It is definitely going to start getting better now that we are down to only 6 girls! Now off to Belize.  

Sizzling in Puerto Rico

This week brought out the best in most of the girls. The first date went to Nicki. Walking through the streets of old Puerto Rico, getting drenched in the rain, and watching a wedding in progress. Both couldn’t stop staring; wondering if that could be them in the near future.

The group date showed the competitive side of these women. 9 of them went; Lindzi was the MVP of the night automatically advancing on to the beach party. The other 9 had to fight to spend time with Ben at the beach party afterwards. Two teams: Blakely, Jennifer, Emily and Rachel. The other was Courtney, Kacie B., Casey S., and Jamie. The game was only supposed to be 2 innings, the battled it out for five innings before Jennifer got the last out letting Courtney’s team take the victory. Blakely wasn’t happy at all. At the end of the group date Kacie B. got the rose.

The last one on one date went to Elyse. They spent time on a yacht and had fun swimming and talking. At dinner Elyse told Ben to be honest with her. He was honest and told her that he didn’t see the relationship going any further. She immediately went home.

When Ben came back after saying goodbye to Elyse, Courtney was there to “comfort” him. She kept her promise and convinced Ben to go skinny dipping in the ocean.

At the rose ceremony everybody got time with him, Emily ruined her time with Ben and talked about Courtney again. It came down to Emily and Jennifer. Jennifer was the unlucky one and got sent home.

They are off to Panama City… 

Beautiful Park City Utah

This week their adventures took place at the Canyons Resort in Park City Utah. Rachel was the first one to receive the rose on the first one on one date. Next was the group date which consisted of horseback riding and fly fishing. Of all people Courtney was the only one to catch a fish.  That night, Samantha went home immediately after she confronted Ben about not going on any one on one dates. Obviously there was no connection on his part! All the girls seemed quite emotional, even Kacie B. who they focused on a lot during the show.  

Courtney on the other hand knew exactly how to play Ben in order to get the rose, which she did. “Winning!”

Last date was for Jennifer, who got to go swimming in a crater and then a concert. She was also given a rose at the end of the evening.

By the end of the evening Monica, the local girl, went home.

Next week they continue on to Puerto Rico!  

This Week in San Francisco

This week was not a disappointment to Bachelor viewers. The game is on for the girls, claws are coming out, the drama and feelings are running high. Let’s recap this week:

 First, Emily gets the first one on one date with Ben. Climbing to the top of the Bay Bridge was an interesting date, especially when all the girls could see them from the hotel room.

Second, the group date. Who thinks skiing down the street in bikinis would be a fun “leap list” thing to do; oh wait Ben would. The best part of that date was hearing Monica’s reaction to Blakeley’s picture when it showed up in the car.

 Third, who would have thought grandma’s girl Brittney would be the first one to reject a date from Ben. I believe that was the first time in Bachelor history that a girl has rejected a date.

Fourth, Lindzi getting the back-up date; one that definitely exceeded her expectations. 

Last, the cocktail party was a madhouse with Shawntel showing up, trying to see if Ben would give her a chance, Erika fainting at the rose ceremony, and Courtney almost not accepting the rose from Ben.

Whoa, what a crazy night! Good thing Shawntel, Erika, and Jaclyn got voted off! Now we are down to 13 women.

Watch next week to see the party move to Park City Utah!