"THE BACHELOR: REEL VS. REALITY"

And then there were four....Poor Stefanie who was sent home last night. It was evident right from the start that hunky 'Bachelor' and single dad, 'Jason Mesnick' (dumped by DeAnna 'The Bachlorette' Pappas last season) didn't go all 'ga-ga' over Stef.The chemistry just wasn't there. It looked more one sided and although he really tried (he really did!) nothing could prevent the inevitable from happening (not even after he met Stef's sweet daughter Sophia on their one-on-one date). Her exit was a graceful one which is a rarity on that show.

Not like the rants and tears of scorned lunatics wondering why they didn't receive a rose. HA! Are you kidding me? (major eye rolling here) I would have stopped watching had he not come to his senses. The last few seasons of this show have gotten me so enraged namely because no one's actually successful in their relationships. It seems to me that people do the show for the wrong reasons. I mean really how can you fall head over heels in love with a total stranger in a few weeks and suddenly propose to them on national television? Okay, so Trista and Ryan are a special case. And in no way am I a fan of Trista, but I will give her and Ryan this, they were seriously looking for their 'soul mates' which is more than I can say for the rest of these people. They've got their 5 minutes of fame in and then walk away still single but with more exposure. People will still know you're a player.

Frankly, this is the kind of exposure you don't want. Unless you like people coming up to you on the street saying, "Dude, what were you thinking?" Yup folks, it's a double edged sword with you on the pointy end! I actually boycotted watching this show for this very reason. Oh sure, the dates are out of this world, some even to exotic places that have you thinking, 'my own life is so boring!'.

But again, through the magic of television (and network exec's) these shows thrive on the Neilson ratings to go through the roof so romantic adventures that pull out all the stops are a definite must! Mesnick's hometown of Washington was no exception because it too is as lovely as ever. Those night scenes were spectacular!

However, one thing I have noticed this season as opposed to all the others is the genuine interaction between the five ladies. Whether it's genuine or not is something else but at least these women managed to keep their composure. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it is to compete with other attractive single women for the same man and not give off any jealous vibes (and on national television). I mean you're always on the receiving end of a camera so all your actions and thoughts are recorded. It takes guts, perseverance and a whole lotta luck on this show. May the best woman win! Or should I say the last woman standing? Perhaps, things might have had a different outcome had Jason decided to keep the drama queens, clingy chics, and control freaks instead of the one's with the most heartwarming appeal.

I'm sure there's more interesting 'revelations' come the ladies hometown visits next week. It should be interesting. I'm rooting for fellow Canuck 'Jillian'. But I'm almost convinced Jason will pick 'Molly' from Michigan cause he said she was the 'best kisser' on a radio show. And in the final four, it can only work to your advantage to have the best 'smoochie poochie'!

Next week will it be 'Naomi', 'Melissa', 'Molly' or (our girl) 'Jillian'? Yay! Stay tuned! Same Bachelor time! Same Bachelor channel! That's ABC and Citytv at 8 p.m. on Mondays.