The Bachelorette Ep. 1: JoJo Fletcher Impressed With Jordan Rodgers

 

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

I’ve seen several seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette in sum, so I’m far from an expert on the reality series. My last time checking in on this universe hosted by Chris Harrison was during Ashley Hebert’s season, so my knowledge of JoJo Fletcher is marginal at best.

Thus, I won’t be housing in-depth weekly recaps of The Bachelorette, there are dozens (maybe even hundreds?) of bloggers who’ll do a much better job. Instead I’ll offer up my “first impressions” of each episode, from the vantage point of a 44-year-old guy who’s attempting to fall back in love with a hit show he abandoned years ago! Anyways – a penny for your thoughts regarding my thoughts:

Jordan Rodgers Is This Season’s Frontrunner

Just forget that he’s Aaron Rodgers’ younger brother and played several seasons in the NFL, as Jordan Rodgers wisely didn’t use his football pedigree to immediately capture JoJo’s attention. Fletcher isn’t the type of person who’d be swayed by these obvious accomplishments. Instead, she was immediately drawn to how he put her at ease during an understandably hectic first night meeting all the bachelors. When there are dudes wearing kilts (oh John, stop with that horrible Chinese/Scottish joke about your private parts!!), fake mustachioed punsters, and even freaking Santa Claus (Nick’s actually cute behind that festive white beard!), JoJo’s sanity could have immediately south! That being said, she gives off an entirely self-composed vibe and aside from looking like the picture perfect couple, Fletcher and Rodgers are both comfortable in their own skin.

Picking Rodgers as this season’s #1 to win it all is obviously an easy choice considering he landed the first impression rose, but the shortest point between two distances is usually a straight line!

Let’s Just Watch “The Bachelorettes” Talk Amongst Themselves!

My only  real complaint, and it’s a completely irrational one considering the time constraints, is that there was a brief little segment which had Kaitlyn Bristowe, Ali Fedotowsky (to check out Ali’s recap, go to AliLuvs.com), and Desiree Siegfried offering sage advice to Fletcher. All of them seemed absolutely engaged in the conversation, with Fedotowsky throwing down some candid discussions on regretting not really getting to know Roberto during her season due to their mutual animal attraction towards each other. Fedotowsky also gave great advice about initially putting the men that JoJo knows are keepers on the back burner.  This strategy enables JoJo to focus on guys who may be underdogs or dark horses and explore if any possible connection exists.

As much as I loved seeing a few guys self-destruct by mixing their drinks (Vancouver native Daniel’s drunken pool jaunt didn’t impress JoJo – Damn Daniel!!!), I would have been equally entertained watching these four women chat the day away talking about life and love over a nice bottle of wine. Besides, women (in general) are way better conversationalists than guys, so I wanted at least a few more minutes from this “bachelorette” pow-wow!!

Worst Line Of The Evening Goes To…Chris Harrison?

I’ve dished my share of miserable and poorly delivered puns in my time, but tonight’s premiere took the cake. I’ve written three down, and you be the judge of the worst lines of the evening:

“I must-ache you a question, but I’m gonna shave it for later.” – Chase

“Luckily for me, I’m half Scottish below the waist.” – John, who’s part Chinese and part Scottish.

“A man gave you blue balls.” – Chris Harrison in reference to Sal’s “ballsy” gift to JoJo.

***Actually, my bad, I actually liked Chris’ line and almost uttered a laugh at John’s uneasy stab at humor (heck – I’m 100% Asian, and sometimes I wish I was Scottish – if you know what I mean!!) Chase’s joke was a miserable attempt at being cute, and it failed almost as much as my own joke. So Chase wins the evening’s cheesiest line award.

Luke Pell Could Be This Season’s Sleeper Pick

Even though her only kiss was bestowed upon Jordan Rodgers (let’s not count that chaste Will smooch!), JoJo may have just been as equally intrigued by fellow Texan Luke Pell, a 9-year military veteran and small town guy who oozes (in JoJo’s words) a “silent, sexy, confidence.” Credit goes to Luke for also giving JoJo a pair of boots for the occasion, and his introspective demeanor and charisma reminds me of one of my all-time favorite actors – Montgomery Clift (Red River, From Here To Eternity).  I wouldn’t be surprised if Luke ends up being one of JoJo’s top guys.

Wells Adams FTW For “I Swear” & “All 4 One” Support

When you bring out All-4-One to bust out “I Swear” in front of a prospective soulmate, all bets are off since you’re playing with house money! I have no idea if the famed acapella group follows and supports Wells Adams wherever he goes (I’m assuming not!), but Adams was the #1 boss of the evening (JoJo, of course, is always the queen!).

I’d love for different bands to simply pop out of nowhere and break into song whenever Wells makes any romantic overtures to JoJ. As a Generation X-er who grew up on “I Swear” and “I Can Love You Like That,” I really appreciated the presence of Wells and his harmonious crew.

****What did you think of tonight’s premiere? Is Jordan Rogers your odds-on favorite as JoJo’s Mr. Right? Feel free to comment and since I’ve been away from the Bachelorette/Bachelor universe for way too long, i’d love to hear some feedback!!

**And last, but not least…Merry Christmas!!!

 

TONIGHT it all begins… Can’t wait to share this incredible journey with you all. Here’s to hopefully finding my ? pic.twitter.com/3mJs2ySLLI

— JoJo Fletcher (@JoelleFletcher) May 23, 2016