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By Suzanne

Interview with Chris Harrison of "The Bachelor" on ABC 2/19/14

TRANSCRIPT FROM THE FEBRUARY 19 “THE BACHELOR” TELECONFERENCE WITH CHRIS HARRISON

“The Bachelor” airs MONDAYS (8:00 p.m. – 10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
 
Operator: Welcome to ABC’s “The Bachelor” call with Cathy Rehl as the leader. This call is being recorded. By staying on this call you are confirming that you consent to this recording. If you do not wish to be recorded, please disconnect from the call at this time. Thank you.

Miss Rehl, you may begin your call.

Cathy Rehl: Thanks, and thank you to everybody on the line for joining us today. We usually, once a season, have Chris Harrison come on and let us know what’s up. And this is the perfect time. We are headed into two of the biggest blockbuster episodes we have this season.

Monday will be the hometown dates. Tues will be the overnights, in a special two-night event. So let’s get started with the questions. We’ll have one question and a follow-up as we normally do. Thanks.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, to ask a question, please press star, one on your telephone keypad. Again, star, one to ask a question.

And your first question comes from Beth Kwiatkowski from "Reality TV World.”

Beth Kwiatkowski: Hi, Chris. How are you doing?

Chris Harrison: Good, Beth. How are you?

Beth Kwiatkowski: Good. So you wrote on your blog this week, “The hometown dates will be unlike any the show has had before and the overnight dates will make for the most intense and exotic episode ever.” So could you elaborate a little more on those statements and can you tease at all why these dates will be so different from seasons past?

Chris Harrison: (Inaudible) I think that, as far as the hometown dates go, you see, like, a Shawn or any of these guys kind of roll in and it’s really smooth sailing. And this season isn’t such smooth sailing for him when he goes into these homes and is really vying for the favor and permission from these parents to possibly marry their daughter.

Then, you know, the exotic dates is probably the most pivotal episode that we’ve had this season. And it just, it really is a shakeup of, kind of, the foundation of everything that’s going on. And again, it’s usually kind of the bachelor figuring things out. But this season it’s really been – it seems like it’s been – the ladies questioning and figuring things out, as of late. And that will continue through the exotic and the overnight dates.

Beth Kwiatkowski: OK. And you told TV Guide late last month, “Juan Pablo sends mixed messages to the girls and often changes up the rules, which was confusing for them.” You also said that wasn’t a language barrier but rather a quote/unquote “Juan Pablo barrier.”

Could you talk about what you meant by that and what do you think Juan Pablo’s deal was, I guess? Like why did he find it so difficult to stay consistent in his decisions and actions?

Chris Harrison: Well, because I think it’s a confusing, tough thing. I mean, I can imagine (inaudible) in this situation. Being a single dad myself now and trying to do the right thing in your children’s eyes and in the eyes of your friends and family and all that. And then at the other end of the spectrum, your also trying to date and you want to be yourself and you want to let go and you – because that’s how you have to do this show.

You have to really embrace it and really kind of let go and take your hands off the wheel. (Inaudible). And so he’s trying to do both and I think, in trying to serve both masters, he is having trouble, you know, kind of justifying it and living with it. And so what that has done is kind of move the goalpost in the middle of the game from time to time. Whether it was the situation with Clare or any of the other women that he’ll kiss and then regret or whatever it is.

And it’s just tough for these women to try and figure out, “Where do we stand and what are the rules?” And it puts a little bit of his guilt on them, which isn’t necessarily fair. And it’s not like he’s doing this to be mean. There’s no malice. It’s actually out of genuine respect for trying to serve everybody. It’s just (inaudible) thing to do.

And that’s, you know, and again, I could see why that would be a problem myself, trying to do this.

Beth Kwiatkowski: OK. Thanks, Chris.

Operator: Your next question comes from (Evan Reel) from “In Touch.”

Evan Reel: Hey, Chris, how’s it going?

Chris Harrison: Hey, man, what’s up?

Evan Reel: So without giving away, like, any spoilers, how difficult was this decision for Juan Pablo in the end. Like when you compare it to past seasons, where does Juan Pablo’s deliberating fall on "The Bachelor" scale?

Chris Harrison: The last three weeks were as difficult as we’ve ever had on this show. Maybe the most difficult. And I don’t just mean his final choice or the final, you know, how it ends up. I just mean the way we kind of sailed into this final episode. You know, at this point it’s really – "The Bachelor", "The Bachelorette" – narrowing it down to two or three amazing people and then it’s, “OK, who fits best in my lifestyle? What direction do I want to take my life?”

This was a rockier road, you know, to that final episode for Juan Pablo than I think we’ve ever had.

Evan Reel: Yes. Now it has been kind of rocky for Juan Pablo. Sharleen, she walked on her own accord and that was someone who Juan Pablo seemed to really have a connection with. So how jarring is that to the bachelor, in general? And, like, is it strange for girls to walk out? Like, is it – how does it affect the bachelor when that happens?

Chris Harrison: It is jarring. You know, because, you know, something that you really can’t show on TV but we’ve all been there – and that’s why this show is so great and I think it does so well is we can all empathize and we can all understand and relate – is, you know, essentially he was dumped and he got broken up with. And that hurts your ego and it hurts your confidence.

I mean, it hurts, you know, all those things and all those insecurities that we all have – whether we show them and talk about them or not – all of a sudden comes to the surface. And it makes you question everything. And he is in the middle of all these other great relationships but, of course, you know, he’s only human to then think, “Wait, you know, could all these women be leaving?” and “Do they really love me and do I love them and where is this going?”

And so it does rock the foundation of everything he has right now. Again, that’s – I think what makes the show so relatable is we’ve all kind of fallen for that person that didn’t fall for us.

Evan Reel: Right. Great. Thank you so much.

Operator: Your next question comes from Alli Rosenbloom from “Us Weekly.”

Alli Rosenbloom: Hi, Chris.

Chris Harrison: Hello, Alli.

Alli Rosenbloom: Hi. So Sharleen left on Monday’s episode and we report in our new issue that another woman leaves during the (fantasy-suite) episode. Why do you think women are leaving so late in the process? Were they just not compatible with Juan Pablo?

Chris Harrison: Well, I mean, I can speak to, you know, to Sharleen. And, you know, how she feels. And one – I think the great thing about the show – and I say that a lot, “one of the great things about this show” – but one of the things that always has stood out to me is the show’s not predicated on the fact that life is perfect, relationships are perfect, and it’s one big happy fairytale. Because that’s not how it works.

And it’s not just the bachelor or the bachelorette that holds the power. And I’ve paid that lip service before where I say it’s a two way street or, you know, so on. But it’s true that, you know, while Juan Pablo does hold the roses, so to speak, that doesn’t mean that these women are just, you know, doe-eyed followers that are going to do as he says.

I mean, Sharleen’s an amazingly smart, articulate woman and she expects a lot out of a man. She wasn’t getting that, in her opinion, and she wants more – or at least different. And she decided to leave. I love the fact that a) we showed that from night one – that she was not sure about him or this process – and then b) we showed at the end, “Hey, I’m outta here. This isn’t for me.”

And so I’m kind of glad we show these relationships. And we’ve done it in the past as well but this season in particular you’ve been able to see it more. And you will see, next week – the Tuesday night show and the overnight dates – that, you know, it happens again where one of these women will question, you know, whether this is right for her and whether Juan Pablo is the guy for her. Is she getting what she needs out of this relationship?

Alli Rosenbloom: Do you think that he is pleased with the outcome of the series? Do you think that he’s happy now?

Chris Harrison: You know, I think that he’ll be – I think, at the end of the day, he did a great job for him. And I think he’ll be satisfied with (inaudible) and where he is in his life. I do.

Alli Rosenbloom: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from (Laurie Peters) from “New York Splash.”

Laurie Peters: Hi, Chris. How are you?

Chris Harrison: Good, (Laurie).

Laurie Peters: So you seem to have a feeling for Renee – how she was very sweet. Could you tell me more about how she fits in with Juan Pablo?

Chris Harrison: You know, one of the things, obviously, Juan Pablo has is this love of family. And we’ve shown, I think a little bit of that this season but I don’t think you quite have felt as much as I saw the way he is around his parents. I spent a lot of time with them because they were in Los Angeles. I would go over to the house and Camila was running around. And they were living there for quite some time.

And then we saw them again when we were in Miami and then later on in St. Lucia. We spent a lot of time together. And so he is – he’s a family guy and I know he says that but I’ve seen it and felt it. And so Renee has that as well. She has this love for, you know, her son Ben.

And so I think when Juan Pablo looks at Renee, he sees a lot of himself and he sees what he wants out of a woman and wants out of a family. And so I think he has a lot of respect for her and then, obviously, she’s beautiful and as far as all the other attributes and emotions go. But I think she really just has a lot of those things that he is looking for, eventually, in a wife.

Laurie Peters: And do you think Juan Pablo sort of has two sides to him? Because I know before he used to, like, look for women in the clubs when he was out dancing. And this is a lot more serious.

Chris Harrison: I think he has a tough time letting go and really opening up and giving himself to this process. And, you know, one thing – if you go back and ask any of our bachelors or bachelorettes, especially the successful one, whether it’s, you know, Shawn or Ashley or (inaudible) – is you have to really let go. And it doesn’t mean you’re going to (inaudible) and say, “I’m finding a wife. I’m finding a husband,” because that’s not real. That’s not realistic.

But you can realistically say, “I am honestly open to this and I’m going to give myself up to what you guys do because this works.” And, you know, that’s why Shawn came back. That’s why Emily came back and all those people do come back because, yes it’s a television show. We’re creating an entertainment show. But it works.

And – but you really do have to believe and give up to the process. And I think Juan Pablo’s had a really tough time with that. And I don’t know exactly what that is – if it’s a cultural difference, if it was, you know, there is a language barrier. And I know, you know, a little bit’s been made of that. But there really was a large language and cultural barrier because he didn’t know the show as well as people that had been watching it for 10 or 12 years and could just kind of slide into that role.

He had a tough time fitting into it and really giving it up to the process. And I think the women have seen a little bit of that reluctance. They felt it and it’s made some of them question, you know, his motives. His real sincerity of, “Is he here for true love.” Because they’re not hearing and seeing it as much as they’ve seen it in the past.

Laurie Peters: OK, great. Thank you so much.

Operator: Your next question comes from Lesley Messer from “ABC News.”

Lesley Messer: Hi, Chris. How are you?

Chris Harrison: I’m good, Lesley, thanks.

Lesley Messer: I was just wondering. Juan Pablo has found himself in hot water about the Clare issue and, obviously, with the comments he made about there one day being a gay bachelor and I was wondering if it’s changed your opinion of whether or not he is the right kind of person to be the bachelor and how you feel about him being the star of the show.

Chris Harrison: No, it really hasn’t changed my opinion. I mean, when we got into this with Juan Pablo, I knew, you know, it was going to be a different show because, you know, of a little bit of what I alluded to in that – the fact that it was kind of like going back 12 years and grabbing somebody who had never seen the show …

Lesley Messer: Right.

Chris Harrison: … you know, it was, when it back when it was so new. It was like back with Trista and all that, when we were really making things up on the fly. But when you add to the fact that there is that innocence and naiveté to him, there’s also the cultural difference. But I really embrace the fact that we were doing something very different and it was going to be a very different show. And I like that it’s different.

I like that it feels different. And I like that it’s played out different. And it’s not going to be the same "Bachelor" you saw with Shawn and the same one you saw with Jake or whoever. I like that every season these people bring their own history, their own baggage.

And again, the show, you know, it’s not really set upon the fact that this guy is perfect. He isn’t. And nobody is. And I’m glad that we show that. And these people are flawed. Relationships are flawed.

And I just think it makes the show more relatable, more watchable and more enjoyable to watch. Because it isn’t fake and I think you feel that. And I think our audience and our fans feel that.

Lesley Messer: Definitely. And also, with the women leaving – you mentioned before, obviously, it shook his confidence as it would with anybody. I was wondering if in your conversations with him, any that weren’t shown, if he doubted whether this is going to work at all – after Sharleen left.

Chris Harrison: You know, he would – yes, one thing you notice about Juan Pablo, and I probably do this myself, when somebody starts to get hurt or show emotion, he goes full on protective father.

Lesley Messer: Mm-hm.

Chris Harrison: You know, all of a sudden you kind of, you can almost literally see this wall come up and he’s like, “Look into my eyes. Look at me, look at me,” and “It’s OK. It is OK. It is –” he really tries to just – make everybody OK. And that’s, again, that’s a very dad thing to do because I’m sure he does it with Camila, just like I do with my kids is you want to fix everything and make everybody OK.

So you can see it’s also very much a defense mechanism – how he takes his emotions out of it and takes his own heart out of it. Later, he does get upset. Later, you see him cry after rose ceremonies and stuff like that – when he allows himself to realize what just happened. And I think in some of our talks you saw, after Sharleen left and after some of these rose ceremonies, he was like, yes, it did hurt. And it did shake his confidence a little bit.

Lesley Messer: Mm-hm. Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from Valerie Nome from “OK! Magazine.”

Valerie Nome: Hi, Chris. Do have (inaudible) – can you clear up any misconceptions about Juan Pablo?

Chris Harrison: What are they?

Valerie Nome: Are there any out there that, you know, that you could clear up?

Chris Harrison: I don’t know. I mean, you’d have to ask me something specific and I’ll tell you. (Inaudible) I guess if there’s anything in particular you think. I mean, I’m not sure what the perception would be.

Valerie Nome: Mm-hm. Mm-hm. OK. What about, what bachelor or bachelorette couple are you most surprised made it to the altar or didn’t make it to the altar and why?

Chris Harrison: I’m not surprised that any of them made it. I mean, you look at, like, Shawn and Catherine, Ashley and J.P. You know, even back to go Trista and Ryan. And, you know, I guess I’m hoping Des and Chris, after seeing them, are headed that direction. None of that surprises me.

The one – I think, I get surprised by the ones that just don’t work. Even, you look at, like, Ally and Roberto. Just because I know how – at the time – how in love they were because I know them both very well. And they were a lovely couple and they really genuinely tried to make it work. And then, you know, life happened and for one reason or another it just didn’t happen for them.

I remember back to like Andrew Firestone and Jen Schefft, even, to go old school. You know, I really saw the two of them just fantastic and I just was sure and would have bet anything that they would’ve made it. But again, you know, once you start dating, once you start living together, once you really go through all this – you know, like real couples, it doesn’t always work. So I’m probably more surprised by the ones that don’t make it than the ones that, you know, that do.

Because I just kind of assume – I’m still, sadly, a hopeless romantic and I believe in this and I believe in these couples. And it’s only because I’m there and I see it and I know these people and I know how much they do love each other when it’s over. And I know it’s a TV show and it’s easy to say, from the sidelines if you have a blog or an article or, you know, you’re writing and say, “These people aren’t going to make it. There’s no way. They’ll be broken up,” or – that’s easy.

That’s the easy bet. That’s an easy bet in life. You can go to any house and say, “I bet you’re going to get divorced,” because guess what? 50, 60 percent of the time – you’re right. It’s not going to work. Because it’s hard and these relationships are tough and life is tough. And – but that’s why I think the show, again, is so popular is because it’s not an easy thing.

Valerie Nome: Why do you think singles have trouble finding lasting love on the show?

Chris Harrison: I don’t think it’s lasting love on the show. I think – why do singles have trouble finding lasting love period? Why are these people on the show in the first place?

It’s because the dating scene and dating and all this stuff – it’s hard and it sucks and it’s exhausting. And I can tell you because I’m there myself. And it’s brutal.

And so, you know, in every season, you know, I’ll talk to some of these men or some of these women. They’re gorgeous and they have perfect bodies and they have great jobs and I’m like, “Why are you here? You know, how can you not be getting dates?” And they said, you know, “The quantity is not the problem. You can get dates. It’s the quality.”

And when you have, you know, this environment set up by the producers of "The Bachelor" and we’re really good at what we do. And, you know, especially our casting department. Then it is a great, safe, fantastic place to meet somebody. And it’s worked.

And so these people are, you know, have tried everything. And so they’ve come to us. And so I think it’s more indicative of what’s out there and how our dating world is that they are, you know, still coming to us in droves. Because it’s tough out there.

Valerie Nome: And finally, what celebrity would you most like to have as the bachelor or bachelorette and why?

Chris Harrison: Well, I’ll start with the bachelor. I still think, you know, Clooney would be phenomenal. Although, I guess, now that Derek Jeter just retired, I mean, having Jeter come one would be a pretty good “Bachelor.” But I’m still holding out for Clooney.

Valerie Nome: Mm-hm.

Chris Harrison: Only because I’m selfish and I would like to hang out with Clooney for a couple months and drink scotch and swap stories.

And then as far as a bachelorette – who’d be good bachelorette? I always thought Jennifer Aniston – I don’t know – she’s in a relationship, right?

Valerie Nome: Mm-hm.

Chris Harrison: But I always thought that she would be a good bachelorette, for some reason.

Valerie Nome: What is it about her?

Chris Harrison: What is it not about her? She’s gorgeous and (inaudible) I remember she was like having trouble with relationships all the time and finding the right guy. And I just – and I think we could do good for her. And I would probably give up my hosting role and then be on the show.

Valerie Nome: Thank you.

Operator: Your next question comes from Carrie Bell from “People Magazine.”

Carrie Bell: I was wondering if you think – because there is kind of a lot of tension, especially within that last episode, between the women themselves. You know, it seems like there’s a good chunk of them who think that Nikki is negative and not ready for this and bitchy and all of these other, you know, wonderful adjectives. And then …

Chris Harrison: Right.

Carrie Bell: … it seems like Nikki and a few other people have thought Clare is insane and so, you know, since you spent time with them, since you saw them, do you think that any of those sort of judgments are valid and, maybe, that means he’s sort of making a mistake in keeping either one of them?

Chris Harrison: You know, it’s funny that, obviously, it just so happens that those two women are the frontrunners and have that. And they’re getting the most attention from Juan Pablo and the most affection from Juan Pablo. So, you know, it’s only human nature to go after those two and find something wrong and, “Why does he like her?” you know.

And, again, you can add in the adjective of he’s a jerk, she’s a bitch or, you know, she’s not mother material. But the funny thing is, knowing Nikki and Clare, they’re actually more similar than they would ever care to admit to. You know, because what those girls don’t see is when Nikki talks to him about being a pediatric nurse and how she feels about kids and how she’s given her life to be with children and caring.

And, like, those girls don’t get to see that side. He has. And then the other girls haven’t seen that side of Clare either and that, kind of, maternal instinct and how sweet she is and how caring she is for Juan Pablo. And so it’s interesting. If they got to see that side of each other, which they will when they watch the show back, they’ll probably come to the “Women Tell All” or the “After the Final Rose” show and say, “You know what? They,” you know, “We’re probably more similar than we thought.”

Carrie Bell: Right. And then, you know, do you tease a little more about what happens in the hometown dates? I mean, are they all an issue or just, you know, some – I mean, obviously we saw that, like, Clare has an issue with what (inaudible) her sister. And it seems like Andi has an issue with her dad.

Are they all sort of contentious or do some of them actually go well?

Chris Harrison: No, they aren’t contentious. (Inaudible). No, they aren’t all contentious but there are, you know, contentious parts of at least a couple of them for sure. And so it’s just something, obviously, he has to deal with of going in.

Again, there’s a cultural difference and it always happens, you know, it’s not just with Juan Pablo, that these women come in and they have lived through this experience. And then these families are like, “Well, we don’t know this guy and you are suddenly in love with him and you suddenly are ready to give up your life.” And they’re just not so quick to give up their blessing.

And it’s not just a Juan Pablo thing. It happens quite a bit. But then by the end of the date, or the end of the episode, you know, you’ll see – if they indeed, you know, kind of fall for him and give their blessing.

Carrie Bell: And then, also, the Chelsie thing. He seemed so upset about it that it made me think, “Why did you get rid of her?” Do you think it was still the best decision for him that she was the least suited to him of the remaining women?

Chris Harrison: That – was it the right choice to let her go?

Carrie Bell: Yes. Because he seemed so upset that it made me think, like, “Well, wait, maybe you shouldn’t have let her go if you’re this upset.” But …

Chris Harrison: You know, I think a lot of it was not just being upset about Chelsie in particular as much as the whole thing. It’s just, you know, it’s hard. He’s an emotional guy and it’s hard for him. And, you know, I don’t think he had that connection with Chelsie and it wasn’t, you know, I – when you compare Renee, Clare, Nikki and Andi. Like, you know, Chelsie’s relationship didn’t compare.

They were good friends almost. And it was great having her around. It was fun. But it’s – even though you know it’s right, it’s still never easy and it’s still never fun to say goodbye to somebody. And he just takes it really personal when he has to let these people go. And he also knows that Chelsie was really popular in the house and so you’re kind of kicking these girls’ friend off.

And it’s just a tough situation. And so, you know, he gets emotional and, you know, he wears his heart on his sleeve. And you see that. And you kind of saw him pull the half Mesnick, as we like to say, with the railing.

Carrie Bell: All right. Great. Thanks Chris.

Operator: Your next question comes from (Deborah Yo) from “Toronto Star.”

(Deborah Yo): Hi, Chris. Thanks very much for taking the call today.

Just to steer the conversation back to Sharleen. If she had decided to stay, do you think there was a chance she might’ve ended up in the final two?

Chris Harrison: Wow. Good question. I mean, you’d have to ask Juan Pablo but I think she was heading in that direction, from my perspective.

I mean, a lot had to happen, you know. She would’ve gone to the hometown dates. Who knows what would have happened? And then the exotic – you know, the overnight date. So there was a lot of variables and a lot of other hurdles to clear.

But, you know, she was easily atop the list and she was always a top – you know, his favorite – from the night she got out of the limo. So, you know, it’s interesting what would’ve happened and how fate and things would’ve changed.

But I, you know, I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t have happened that way. But, again, it was a lot had to occur before we got to the final two.

(Deborah Yo): Yes, yes. Obviously.

And I realize it’s a little early to be talking about the next bachelorette but there’ve been sort of rumblings online about people saying that Sharleen great for it. What do you think?

Chris Harrison: Yes, it’s funny. Each week, you know, you get people telling, you know, ever – you know, when – as soon as someone gets voted off I think it’s natural because we know that typically we’ll bring somebody in from this season. And so people start rooting for or people are already rooting for people on the show, like, Andi and Nikki and Clare. Or don’t do it for Clare, or don’t do it for Sharleen.

It’s funny that they just immediately start either cheering or jeering for these people. Which is fun, it’s – I mean, we listen to it. And we take them into account. And, you know, as producers and, you know, we want the fans for the show to essentially tell us who they want.

That’s how Juan Pablo became the bachelor, really – was the overwhelming response to a guy who was barely seen on "The Bachelorette.” And, you know, that he jumped off the page and became our bachelor. So we definitely take it into account and listen to it.

And Sharleen would be interesting. She’s a smart girl and, you know, I don’t know if this ordeal and this process is right for her though because she has a tough time with it.

(Deborah Yo): Yes, yes. Absolutely. OK. Thanks very much, Chris.

Operator: Your next question is a follow-up from Beth Kwiatkowski from "Reality TV World.”

Beth Kwiatkowski: Hi, Chris.

Chris Harrison: Hello. Hey, Beth.

Beth Kwiatkowski: So Juan Pablo keeps talking a lot about how he’s in the entertainment and music business and he has been getting photographs out in public with other women recently. So a lot of viewers are skeptical he’s not going to end up with the woman who gets his final rose and maybe he wasn’t sincere about wanting to get married – as much as, say, a Shawn Lowe when he did the show.

Some people are saying he did it for the publicity and money and whatnot. So I just want to get your thoughts on that.

Chris Harrison: Well, first of all, I don’t think he really – you can do it for making money because we’re never, like, making people rich of this show. But, you know, he can’t, you know, if and when you end up with somebody at the end of the show, you can’t be with that person. Like Shawn can’t go out and take pictures with Catherine. So you go out with your friends. You go out and you kind of continue living your life and working until, you know, you can be with that person that you chose – if you indeed end up with somebody.

So, no, I think, you know, I think he’s kind of doing typically what everybody else does on a show. And, you know, in this day and age of social media, you’re going to be out. People are going to take pictures with you. And, you know, women are going to come up because they love the guy.

I mean, he’s really popular. When you go out with this guy it’s, you know, you can quickly see why, you know, he was the bachelor. Everybody wants to take pictures and talk to him.

So, you know, you can – people are going to derive whatever they want from that and make stories up from a couple pictures. But I, honestly, haven’t seen any but that typically happens every season.

Beth Kwiatkowski: OK. And you told TV Guide earlier this month that Renee is a normal woman, a mom, and she has perspective. And at the end of the day, that’s what Juan Pablo says he wants but you asked the question, “Is that something Juan Pablo really wants?”

So I guess, although the bachelor’s been insisting those qualities are things he wants in a woman, what makes you question he might be looking for other things?

Chris Harrison: Well, you know, I think what – when you go through this as the host, and I’ve been through this 27 times and I watch and – a great example was, like, Shawn. And I can use him as an example because of how – what he was looking for and then what he ended up with. And you look at a guy like Shawn who used his parents as a role model and idols and rightfully so. They’re amazing people.

And so he though, you know, I want this kind of woman and this (inaudible) strong-willed, kind of, maybe even a little older. But you look at like maybe a Selma or an Ashley from the show. And, you know, but that’s not what Shawn needed and wanted at the time.

He’s a younger guy. He’s young at heart. Kind of carefree. That’s where he is in his life right now. And then he smartly chose Catherine and Lindsay. Girls that are kind of – were where he is right now. And he ended up obviously with Catherine, which was a great choice, because they are very much alike and very much in the same station in life.

And Juan Pablo was kind of the same way. You know, you look at a Renee and she does have all the attributes and all the qualities that he eventually wants. But is that what he wants right now? And so, you know, that’s – again it gets down to not whether she’s a great woman, not whether she’s beautiful. It’s a lifestyle and is this the person that will fit into my life and me into her life right now?

And that’s kind of the beautiful thing about this show and the process is you’re going to get quality. Now it’s a matter of who is better fit for you?

Beth Kwiatkowski: OK. Thanks, Chris.

Operator: Your next question is a follow-up from Lesley Messer from “ABC News.”

Lesley Messer: Hi, so you’ve mentioned now, obviously, that you are a single dad who is – has been in the dating world. Would you ever consider being the bachelor yourself?

Chris Harrison: I’ve gotten that question a ton. And, obviously, so – I mean, it makes sense. I’m single now and I host "The Bachelor.”

But, that’s my job. It’s what I do. I’m a TV host and I love TV and I love hosting "The Bachelor” and I’ve done it for 12 years. To turn around and be on the show, doesn’t make much sense for me because a) I love hosting it and it’s profession. And I love that people come on the show and I believe in it obviously. Because I’ve sat up and not only been to these but officiated a wedding from people that have been on the show.

So I believe in it and I believe the people. But for me, it’s my job. And I created and I’ve worked hard on it behind the scenes and I still do it and make it work. And so to all of a sudden be the person, it honestly just wouldn’t make much sense. And I don’t think it would be very good because I would be more worried …

You know, when I talk about Juan Pablo and Shawn and what makes a good bachelor, it’s someone who will give up to this process and really let themselves go. I can tell you I wouldn’t. Because I would be producing television, worried about, you know – is this good camera, is this? You know, and I – it would just be a mess.

Because I would be more worried about directing and producing than I would trying to date.

Lesley Messer: Right. And I was also wondering, you know, there’s been talk of, you know what if these girls aren’t right for him? What if it doesn’t end in a proposal or a marriage? If it doesn’t end in a proposal or if they get engaged and don’t end up getting married, is that a failure or is that just the way it goes?

Chris Harrison: no, it’s the show. And it’s life. And I love that. I love that our show doesn’t always end with a proposal or marriage or anything. I mean, it could be a complete disastrous meltdown and we’re going to show that. I mean, the odd and scary thing about producing this show is it’s not a game show.

At the end of “Idol,” “Survivor,” “Dancing with the Stars,” whatever it is, it’s a game show. There’s winners and there’s losers. And, you know, there’s money or there’s a prize. Our show is really, at the end, left up to, you know, hopefully two people and then a choice.

And as producers, we have no say and no choice as to how our show ends. And you have to – and it’s scary as hell because in television the last thing you want to do is not have control. But at the end of our show, you have no control. And you’ve got to let it go. And so we’re going to show you the good, the bad, the ugly.

And – but that’s what our fans demand and that’s why our show has been on 12 years and it’ll probably be on another hundred years. Because it’s not predicated on the fact that all of a sudden there’s a proposal and a priest pops up and, “Hey, there’s a wedding and everything’s perfect. That’s the way life goes,” because it’s not.

You know, everybody’s not cut out to end up with the perfect fairytale and we’re going to show, no matter what happens, you’re going to see it. And I love that. I love that about our show. It’s scary, believe me, it’s scary. Because we sit in the control room just like, you know, you sit at home on the couch and we’re watching. And we think there might be a proposal and – but you don’t know if Shawn’s going to get down on one knee and you don’t know if Catherine’s going to say yes.

Lesley Messer: Right.

Chris Harrison: I mean, you really don’t know. You have a good idea but you really don’t know. And so we’re sitting in there crying or high-fiving and yelling just like you are at home. And that’s when I look around and I say, if the people that are as jaded as they can be in this business – and we’ve done this since day one – are crying and high-fiving and hugging, then to people at home this is a good show.

Like, this is phenomenal TV because I still care each and every time and I’m glued to it when it’s happening in real life.

Lesley Messer: Right. Well, and I know – just to (inaudible) what everyone’s been talking about, you obviously mentioned and it showed on the previews that the hometown dates look a little contentious and there’s certainly drama between the women. Are there more ugly – as you would say – TV moments to come?

Chris Harrison: There’s some ugly cries ahead. I think one thing I would say, if you’re ever coming on the show, like, work on your crying. You don’t want to be an ugly crier. I don’t know how you can be an attractive crier but I would work on that. It’s like, I would watch movies. How do you, like, look cute and sob.

But, you know, there are some emotional moments. I think the people that are left are, you know, they’re into this. They’re 100 percent into this. And they’ve kind of given up to this process and really going for it. And so there’s a lot of emotions on the line at this point.

I mean, it’s not, you know, the fun – you know, like, Chelsie’s really the last one that will say goodbye where, you know, he got a little emotional but it wasn’t really about Chelsie as it was about the whole just, you know, the whole process of having to say goodbye.

But from here on out, it gets very personal because families are involved, love and emotion and feelings. And life is really on the line now. So, you know, from here on out it’s huge. And it’s, you know, is – I hate to use the word dramatic but it is.

Lesley Messer: Thank you.

Cathy Rehl: We’ll take one more question, if there is one.

Operator: Your final question comes from (Laurie Peters) from “New York Splash.”

Laurie Peters: Hi, Chris.

Chris Harrison: Hello.

Laurie Peters: Glad to talk to you.

So how do you think – Lucy was like a total odd-ball on the show. How do you think she’d be on “The Bachelor Pad?”

Chris Harrison: Who’s that?

Laurie Peters: Lucy.

Chris Harrison: Oh, Lucy. She’d be awesome. I love Lucy. I loved her spirit. I loved her having her around the house. I mean, yes, she wasn’t right for Juan Pablo but, if we do a “Bachelor Pad” or whatever, I would have Lucy on anything. I just …

She was – I know some people were taken by her, and. But what you see was not fake. And that’s what I love. I mean, whoever you are, embrace it and own it. And that woman knows who she is and, man, does she own it.

And I love that. I love that about her and I love having her around. She was a good spirit to have around the house.

Laurie Peters: And you created a dating app and (inaudible) and Patty Stanger are giving dating advice. So what do you have to say about that and how’s that going?

Chris Harrison: I think I should call Patty and (get) advice on my own life. But, yes, we did do an article, I guess, together. We didn’t talk but, separately, we were interviewed for that. And I read her advice and I’m like, “Gosh. She’s good.”

And, you know, I just take stuff that I’ve learned over the last 12 years and try to apply it and all that good stuff. But, you know, it’s – I just have been doing this for so long and I’ve heard so many stories. And I listen and I watch, day in and day out. And you can’t help but pick up on things that are happening in people’s lives and learning about what people are looking for and how it all works.

Laurie Peters: Would you go on “The Millionaire Matchmaker?”

Chris Harrison: I’ve never seen that. Is that – that’s her show. I don’t think I would ever want to be on television dating because I’m not that open. I know what I do for a living but it really is, like I said, a profession. I like what I do – hosting and producing – and that’s my job and my life. But being on television isn’t really my life.

And, like, opening my life like that is not my life. But if Patty wants to help me privately, I’m sure I could us the help.

Laurie Peters: OK. Great. Thank you.

Chris Harrison: Bye, guys.

Cathy Rehl: Thank you very much, everybody. We will – if anybody needs anything else from us please email either Mitch Messinger or myself or Phyllis Liu at Warner Brothers and we look forward to you all seeing the next two episodes on Monday and Tuesday night. And we’ll let you know when the next call is. Thanks.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in today’s conference. You may now disconnect.
 
END

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