Sources that once confirmed early rumors that Ben Flajnik will be the star of the 2012 season have started to back pedal a bit now that reality TV couple Ames Brown and Jackie Gordon broke up. There are also rumors that single Ryan Park is still being considered to be the next star. Are the celebs still competing with one another despite the fact they all lost Ashley?
While many journalists who write about star celebs proclaimed that Ben F was officially signed on as the next Bachelor, there was no official confirmation to the source from ABC as of the date and time of this publication.
So why all the fuss over Ben winning? Because Us Weekly reported in an “exclusive” that the winemaker who had his heart-broken by Ashley Hebert on national television when she refused his alleged postcoital proposal (then agreeing to marry the sexier JP Rosenbaum) was a lock for the next reality television season.
But that is not true, apparently — if you believe TV Guide, who issued a poll yesterday asking who fans want the next Bachelor to be as if the rumors were still unconfirmed or the network itself.
Adding further fuel to the celeb gossip undercurrent that Ben F is off the top of the fave list is the fact that ABC is not confirming anything, making the Us Weekly report that Ben Flajnik is the next star of the reality television series sound shaky (at best).
But losing the top spot this week — if he every really had it to begin with — is not all wishy-washy Bohemian Ben’s fault.
Since Ames Brown and Jackie Gordon broke up, there is talk that bad viewer response to polls asking viewers if they wanted to watch Ben F woo 30 women on camera or not came back iffy have placed sweet Ames squarely in the running.
Why? Because he looks like actor Brendan Fraser, is far more interesting than Ben (as a Princeton man), and has a way about him most college-educated men and women [who appreciate his subtle refinement and culture] find charming. He appeals to a more refined demographic — and that might translate to winning back higher ratings and gaining better paying advertising sponsors for the program.
Also being discussed is bright green celebrity Ryan Park, famously involved with promoting the production and use of solar energy.
It looks like if Ben is not picked up [thanks to catty-girlishly bragging about sleeping with Ashley the week before she got engaged to JP and showing up on dates with actress Jennifer Love-Hewitt Jersey Shore style] that the number two choice Ames Brown is the man to beat. If he declines, ABC will likely endeavor to set up entrepreneur Ryan P with his own reality series.
However, a few other eligible names are still in the mix — at least in the eyes of viewers. Brad Womack and Emily Maynard broke up, making her the likely choice for The Bachelorette and opening him up as a candidate for a Brad Womack Version 3. Also in the mix is Dancing With The Stars contestant Jake Pavelka, booted from The Bachelor Pad this week thanks to nasty ex-girlfriend Vienna and her not-so-bright beau Casey.
But out of all the choices for the next reality TV star, the best one seems to be to find an entirely new man to fill the role. Why? Because with the Ashley H season having the lowest retention ratings compared to earlier years, viewers are getting bored with the men ABC keeps choosing.
Perhaps that is why they need to do far more polling and actually listen to viewer feedback before declaring who the next Bachelor will be.
