Chris Harrison: 9 'Bachelor' Blog Blasts

PREMIERE: Are You Ready for Some Football?
CHRIS HARRISON: One of the more interesting moments of the night that I loved was the football game. Elizabeth and Jake were out front tossing the ball and talking. Then all of a sudden there were 25 women in cocktail dresses and heels playing a full-on football game. Not sure if you could tell but it was blondes vs. brunettes. For the record, the brunettes won the game. The good news is the blondes didn’t realize it. Sorry, blondes, too easy!

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EPISODE 2: Sex Scandal!
CHRIS HARRISON: By the time Jake and I joined the women, they had seen Rozlyn leave and obviously knew something major had just taken place. You could cut the tension in that room with a knife when we entered. The women were already emotional and I hadn’t even told them what happened yet. As I was telling them what exactly happened, all I remember is the look in their eyes and how deadly quiet it was in that room. You also have to remember that not all of the crew knew and many of them were finding out as I gave these speeches so they were also stunned. The mood and feeling in the house that night was unlike anything I’ve experienced on this show, and I hope it will be the last time. You also need to understand that this was one of our co-workers and for many a very good friend who had been involved in this [inappropriate relationship with Rozlyn] and was suddenly not there anymore. So it was a very emotional night for our crew as well. This is the first time where everybody in the house, us included, had to come to grips with something like this.

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EPISODE 3: Look Before You Leap
CHRIS HARRISON: It was clear on the show that Jake and Vienna didn’t want to bungee jump but that didn’t really do justice to just how freakin’ terrified they really were. They were hyperventilating and it took about 20 minutes for them to decide to jump. We really thought they weren’t going to do it but in the end they gutted up and took the plunge. The instructors asked if they would do it again to which they both quickly said no! That had to be the most panic-stricken, torturous date we’ve ever had. I’d like to think they’re both better people because of overcoming their fears and all that psychological mumbo jumbo but I’m guessing all they got was the crap scared out of them.

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EPISODE 4: Mass Exodus
CHRIS HARRISON: I really respect the fact that Jake took it upon himself to send four girls home this week when he didn’t have to. This guy isn’t messing around. If he doesn’t feel it for somebody he would rather send them home instead of drag it out and take more time away from the women he really does have a connection with. Vienna getting that final rose really set the other women off, especially Ali. They really don’t like each other and things only seem to be getting worse between them.

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EPISODE 5: Friendly Rivalry
CHRIS HARRISON: Gia and Vienna, who are pretty good friends, ended up on the two-on-one date at the castle in Napa. They are such good friends that one night Gia and Vienna drank a little grape juice and Gia taught Vienna wrestling moves. She actually suplexed (wrestling term) Vienna onto a pile of pillows…. We thought she was going to bust her head open. I don’t think you could really tell how freaked out Vienna was when she was wandering around the castle looking for Jake and Gia. She got lost looking for them. She’s terrified of the dark and was close to tears when she finally found them.

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EPISODE 6: Decisions, Decisions
CHRIS HARRISON: By the time I arrived at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills for the rose ceremony, Ali had already talked to Jake [about the fact that her bosses wanted her back at work] but hadn’t come to a final decision. When I sat down in deliberation with him I could tell he was confused and hurting. There are times on this show when you forget about the cameras and you truly feel like you’re just talking to and trying to help a friend and this was one of those moments. When Ali arrived that night I knew she hadn’t made up her mind, and I assumed she was going to want to talk with Jake again. When she asked, there was no question we were going to make that happen. This was a decision that couldn’t be left up to a rose ceremony. They needed to talk this out and come to a final decision, although in the end I’m not sure she really ever did. Jake and Ali sat in that room and talked for quite some time. I was sitting just outside and honestly, I lost track of time but it had to be at least two hours if not more.

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EPISODE 7: Three’s Company
CHRIS HARRISON: I can’t remember a final three in recent history that all loved our Bachelor so much and vice versa. It really made for a compelling week. I found it interesting how the fantasy suite card meant very different things to each of them. For Gia, it was a chance to let down her guard and let Jake in closer to see the woman she really is. For Tenley, it was a huge step in her life to move past her ex-husband and prove to herself as much as anyone that she can love again. For Vienna, it was a chance to show Jake there is more to their relationship than physical chemistry. I talked to Jake this week and he told me he was shocked at how much he was falling in love with all three of these women. I think it was really difficult for Jake to see Gia leave because he certainly did have strong feelings for her. Looking back over the course of their relationship, it seems that it was a bit slower in developing than with the other women and I can’t help but wonder if that may have influenced his final decision.

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THE WOMEN TELL ALL: Rozlyn Strikes Back
CHRIS HARRISON: Obviously the most talked-about part of the reunion show was Rozlyn’s return…. During the interview I made mention that it was unfortunate we had to fire a guy that was a ”dear friend to many.” Her reply to this was the following: ”That’s news to him, especially when you were hitting on his wife in New Zealand. He thought that was crazy.” That night I told her ”I clearly won’t dignify that with a response.” The reason I didn’t respond immediately is that’s exactly what she would have wanted from me. It was a desperate attempt by a very desperate woman to create a diversion and deflect the spotlight from herself as she had done several times throughout the interview when she felt backed into a corner by the overwhelming truth. I was extremely disappointed that Rozlyn would stoop to that level and bring my family and me into this already sad and unfortunate situation. Beyond the fact that it’s just flat out not true, that comment was well beyond the line of decency and speaks volumes to the kind of person Rozlyn is. My wife, who I’ve been with since I was 18 and have been married to for over 16 years, was in the audience that night and got as big a laugh out of Rozlyn’s comment as I did.

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FINALE: Popping the Question!
CHRIS HARRISON: I realize Jake’s choice and his proposal to Vienna surprised some of you and it’s even been called controversial. While I respect all of your opinions there is one thing I don’t get. How could anybody possibly have a problem with two people falling in love with one another and finding happiness together? I’m not saying you can’t be surprised or even think that one of the other women might have been better but now that he’s made his final decision and you see they are together and very much in love, how can you fault that?… I know happiness doesn’t sell magazines and it doesn’t make for sexy headlines but try to keep a little perspective. Congrats to Jake and Vienna, a happy couple who will now begin their life together.

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