Reality TV in Australia is like a carousel you just can’t jump off — when one series (finally) ends, another one begins. Like clock work, we’re about to get into a new round of televised “reality”.
So, helpful lasses we are, we take a look at the shows about to kick off, and rate them according to a completely non-existent criteria.
The show: The Bachelor
Network: Channel Ten
Start date: Wednesday 7.30pm AEST
The Premise: We all know how the set up of this one goes: Impossibly attractive man who is inexplicably single seeks the woman of his dreams for the chance of becoming his lawfully wedded wife – or at least appear at modest multi-million-dollar superclub openings with. Television executives discovered the best way for such a man to find his dream woman is by trotting out a selection of golden, shining single ladies and, through a brutal process of elimination, find the one least likely to dismay his parents. This process is assisted with a series of intricately staged dates, each designed for maximum romance and maximum chances of exposing The Bachelor’s rippling biceps. Anyone for a super yacht? Hot tub? Accidentally spilling something on his white shirt? Excellent. You’ve got the hang of this.
Watchability /Ratings potential: High, particularly in the early episodes. But there’s also a high chance of audience drop-off once the truly insane (i.e. entertaining) contenders are cast off.