The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Almost Famous: OG

Episode Date: March 31, 2022

Here's the thing about love... finding it is a full time commitment, but finding love on TV is seasonal. The Bachelorette returns this July… but DO NOT worry Ben and Ashley will still be here to bring you all the juiciest stories, tell all interviews, Bachelor Nation gossip and news on the Almost Famous podcast.But, during the lull in-between seasons of the Bachelor/Bachelorette…we understand you may need more.That’s why we’re going way, way back and cracking open the Bachelor franchise time capsule and bringing you B&B OG legends Trista Sutter and Bob Guiney for a new spinoff Pod called Almost Famous: OG.On Almost Famous: OG Trista and Bob will reveal hidden Bachelor secrets, they’ll explain how they made finding love on the show work (well, Trista will). Bob will explain how he made finding love off the show…after failing to find it on the show work. They’ll take your calls, answer your deepest-darkest questions…and for those looking to relive the past or catch up on Bachelor history...they’ll rewatch and discuss iconic Bachelor/Bachelorette moments and episodes! What better time than the off-season to bring you something...a little bit off (wink wink).The Almost Famous: OG Podcast hosted by Trista Sutter and Bob Guiney. …you can hear it right here. Ben and Ashley will still be here for you...but if you need even more of a Bachelor Fix...try the OG's. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious. Wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, luckily, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend's been hanging out with his young professor a lot. He doesn't think it's a problem, but I don't trust her. Now he's insisting we get to know each other, but I just want her gone.

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You got a hood of you. I'm take it off. I'm Manny. I'm Noah. This is Devin. And we're best friends and journalists with a new podcast called No Such Thing, where we get to the bottom of questions like that. Why are you screaming?

I can't expect what to do. Now, if the rule was the same, go off on me. I deserve it. You know, lock him up. Listen to No Such Thing on the. iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. No such thing. I'm Dr. Joy Hardin-Bradford, host of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast.

I know how overwhelming it can feel if flying makes you anxious. In session 418 of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett and I discuss flight anxiety. What is not normal is to allow it to prevent you from doing the things that you want to do. the things that she were meant to do. Listen to therapy for black girls on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Jenna Lopez, and in the new season of the Over Comfort Podcast, I'm even more honest, more vulnerable, and more real than ever. Am I ready to enter this new part of my life? Like, am I ready to be in a relationship?

Am I ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time? Join me for conversations about healing and growth, all from one of my favorite spaces, kitchen listen to the new season of the overcomber podcast on the iHeart radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast this is the almost famous podcast with iHeart radio welcome to almost famous the o g's our first episode so our ogy episode of being o g's with me bob guinea and trista sutter the queen of the o gs of the entire bachelor franchise and the world in general hi trista Oh, hello, my Bachelor Bob, my Bachelor O.G. Bob Guinea, who likes to introduce himself as Guinea like the pig. Guinea like the pig. Well, you know, it's funny because, you know, you come off a show like The Bachelor and, you know, I always thought that I was, you know, world famous long before I was on that show, unbeknownst to me, no one knew who I was.

So, you know, they find out your name and it's a weird last name like mine, you know, G-U-I-N-E-Y. And they're always like, how do you pronounce your name? last name and so I would say guinea and they'd be like or is it guiney so I just took the whole steam on it I'd be like guinea like the pig so may we move forward now may we move forward let's get away from guine so anywho I digress welcome to our first show Trista that's right I'm so excited I'm so excited to be kind of reconnecting with you after all these years I mean obviously we've stayed in touch kind of through social media so thanks to social media for coming along after we were on TV, but it's so nice to reconnect. And so how did you, I want to talk about kind of how we got into the show. I mean, I've taught, I know you have two. I'm sure I've been asked this a billion

times in interviews, but for anybody new who's tuning in and wants to kind of hear where we got started, how, well, actually, I should probably start with my origin story because my story leads into your story. Very true. Okay, so I was in Miami. At the time, I was working as a pediatric physical therapist, and I was a Miami heat dancer. And, of course, when I got on the show, that's all that they put, you know, my knee heat dancer. I wasn't a pediatric physical therapist. My grad school had no bearing on who I was. No.

Anyway, so I was at home after a busy day at work. I was watching Extra, and I remember Lacey Pemberton, who was the casting director at the time. I think she actually might still work with the show or did until. very recently. But she was on Extra talking about how they were doing this new reality show. And I had watched Road Rules and Real World and loved those shows. And I was like, huh, you know, my ears perked up. And she was like, well, you'll get to travel. You'll get to meet people. Hopefully find a love connection. And I didn't really care about the love connection at that point. I mean, I was kind of in a rut at that point in my life. And I wanted something new and exciting. But really,

The most exciting part to me was just getting to go out to LA and travel and make new friends. So I ended up applying online, which they still do now. So that hasn't changed, although I know that they go to, they create different events in different cities and try to get people to nominate their friends. Exactly. So I applied online and then they wrote back and, you know, said, we like what you sent in. just the basic application where you send it more. Of course, you have to send in this like 20 page application and then a video. And I remember my video being I had, I didn't do anything fancy.

I'm pretty sure you didn't either, but you can tell that story. I didn't even do a video. Okay, there you go. Never mind. So I had my laundry, what's irony board? My irony board set up. And back in the day, you didn't have camera. cameras on your phones. I had a video camera that I set up on my laundry, my ironing board and just

said, hey, I'm Trista Wren, and this is what I look for in a guy. I think it would be really fun to be on the show, blah, blah, blah. It was so basic, so basic, so nothing. And then they sent me out to L.A. and I met, I call him Mr. Big, because Mike Flyce is a very big personality. And he said, you're my star. And he put me on the first season of The Bachelor and the rest is history. I mean, I guess the history is I was the runner-up on The Bachelor, and then they asked me to be The Bachelorette. So now, leading into your story, how did you get started on the show?

Yeah, well, first of all, I love that story. And I think that, you know, thank God you were the runner-up, because had you been the final choice, of that show, the world would be a different place for both of us, I think. Yeah. Quiz is considerably different. Oh, no, you think you know. I mean, my children wouldn't exist.

Exactly. Isn't that weird? This little like butterfly effect type of thing. I love those kind of movies, like the sliding doors. Same, same. Yeah, so I, you know, I was a touring musician, signed a record deal right out of college, played football in college, and was a touring musician. And I decided at one point, I'm like, man, we were touring actually with Matchbox 20.

we were the opener and I came to the realization that we were not going to be journey like I thought we were I thought we were a journey at the time and I'm like this isn't working out you know I'm like almost 20 I'm 29 what's going on my life you know so I wrote some songs for a movie called the truth about cats and dogs which had Janine Garofalo and Uma Thurman in it and I got this publishing advance and I bought a mortgage company or bought into a mortgage company partnership with another guy but to be fair it's not like what you think of the mortgage companies today. This was like a franchise type of mortgage company. So essentially, I was the Mortgage Burger King guy. Right? Okay. Got it. It was like there was like several throughout

the country. I only owned one. Anywho, it was not what I liked. I was not passionate about it. I wasn't having fun. But I hired a great team around me. And that team, they basically submitted my information to The Bachelor without me knowing it. And I was actually, oddly enough, I had just had reconstructive knee surgery, and then I had, I blew my Achilles out right before they called me. And so I'm crutching around the office. I get a call from Lacey Pemberton, and I think you know this part of the story, but I have no idea how my phone rings, but it's, you know, Lacey Pemberton. And she's like, hi, yeah, is this Bob, Bob Guinea?

And that's how her voice sounded in my head. Anyway, by the way, I use that same voice when I impersonate my wife. Oh, no, Jess. I really do. She's like, why did your voice go down when you have? personate me. I'm like, I don't know. But it's like, you know, hi, this is Lacey. And I'm like, oh, I'm sure it is Lacey, if that's your real name. And that's exactly my response. And I just think it's someone messing with me, you know, so I crutch around the office to see who's giggling and

nobody's giggling. I'm like, wow, these guys are good, you know. So I ended up having this long conversation with her. And I just basically said, you know, she goes, well, we'd like you to make, do you know, have you watched the show? And I said, I haven't really watched it. I go, I know of it. And she's like, have you, do you know who Trista is? Because you were the first time up until that point, I mean, you were the first Bachelorette, obviously, but they let us know who it was that was going to be the Bachelorette. Right, yeah, because they didn't tell me. Yeah, and then I was the first bachelor that everyone knew who I was before, like, they knew

it was going to be me before they even cast the show, right? And so I'm like, you know, no, I do know her, you know, she's like, what do you think? I'm like, oh, she's very beautiful. And she goes, well, we need you to do a video submission as to why. you think Trista should pick you. And I said, yeah, and I'm not doing that. And she goes, what? Nope.

And I go, no, I'm not going to be the fat guy in your blooper reel. Thanks. I'm like, I put out like 25 pounds in the last six months with a couple leg surgeries. I'm like, I'm good. You know, thank you, though. I have a lovely day. I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful show. I can't wait to watch.

So about a week goes by. She calls me back. She's like, I can't get you off my mind. I need to meet you. I'm going to fax you over a thing to fill out that will. Fax you. Yeah. And it's like a thermal paper like the bleep.

you know so I fill out this forum they fly me out to LA it's much like you I was kind of like oh my god this is crazy and ended up I ended up actually so the interview process you know they want you to have a suit and tie and I have one it's in my hotel room but I'm in the hot tub hanging out meeting girls singing journey songs at top my lungs and that's when they they pull me out of the pool and they're basically like hey idiot come here we're going to interview you right now so I'm in a board shorts and a t-shirt. Yeah, board shorts and a t-shirt. I get interviewed by Sally and Sal Salsano,

who, of course, went on to such great things as Tila Tequila and Jersey Shore and many more. But she interviews me, and we just cracked up for about an hour and a half in there. And at the end of it, they're like, well, you know, have you put any thought into what you're going to say to Trista? And I'm like, no, I guess you know, I guess you guys will let me know if I should have to think about that. And they go, think about it. You're going to meet her. And it's like, that was how I got cast on the show. Right on the spot.

Yeah, yeah. Pretty crazy. That's amazing. I love that story. Such a good story. I mean, it's crazy that it's been so long. It feels like, to me, another lifetime, you know? Yeah, it really does.

Especially when we do interviews for anybody, and they're kind of few and far between, you know, now. But if we do any interviews, it's like, oh, yeah, that was our life. That's how we met. I know. That's crazy. I remember the first night when I was, so I get cast on the show, and they put us up in, I think it was a share it in Universal. I think that's where we were. There were different hotels because Ryan was at the lodge.

What was it called? Sportsman's Lodge. Sportsman's Lodge. That was it. That was where they put me for the interview process. But when we came up for the show... Oh, got it. And that's why I thought, I was like...

And that's what you used to film the show Blind Date. Do you remember that show where like the little bubbles? Oh, my gosh. Of course. And that place was sketch at best. Yeah. Yeah. So I remember checking into that place on the interview.

on, does this show even have a budget? Like, what is going on here? Not back then. Not at all. Now they got quite a budget. But yes, I was at the Sheraton Universal. When the car picked me up, I was like, well, I guess I'll probably be back tonight. Because I remember thinking to myself, there's no way.

You know, all these dudes are in, you know, I remember the pictures of the guys and everybody's like, you know, buff and flexing. And I had never been fatter in my life. And I'm like, well, I'll definitely be coming home tonight. So. Well, you've got a rose. I did. I certainly shows how wonderful.

your taste is, my friend. Oh, yes, of course. And I remember you doing the Irish jig at the party. Yes. Yeah, you know, that usually happens when I have a few cocktails. And I was one of the first guys. And we didn't have any cocktails that night. No. God. Well, that was the old school version of the show, right? Where it was basically like everyone shows up. We have little finger appetizers that no one's really supposed to eat. And then we just keep filling you with booze. And that was. Hey, by the way, they still do that. That is just, that is not just old school. That is still happening. this day. Oh my gosh. Yeah, that was so fun. And I remember, I remember following. So, you know, I was the first limo. And I remember, you know, so I was there hanging out for quite some time. And that takes,

as you know, more than anyone, what the process is there. And I had a, I had a lot of fun in there by myself, you know, then I was like my little limo of guys. Was Ryan in the limo with you? I think Ryan was. Yeah, Ryan was. Jamie Blythe was. Myself. I mean, you know, and so we're all in there hanging out and we got our limo got along great like we were all like buddies and that was the thing about that show too which i thought was so great was you know um it was obviously long before social media and long before people knew that they were going to be kind of uh you know uh portrayed in a certain way i guess the best way to put it we were buddies i mean that show was like we were like i mean i remember thinking god i love these guys and it wasn't like a bromance it was like we are

genuinely going to be friends. And so many of us still are to this day, you know, and it was never like a catty thing with the majority of us. There was, you know, there was, of course, the exception in that house. I believe, you know, poor Russ. Poor Russ got the short of the stick on that one. But, you know, everybody else got along great and was very, and even to that end, I think even Russ was a nice guy and was very social. And, you know, he was just, he was just there with a purpose, you know, and... Well, he came with the Tiffany bracelet, and all of you were like... Oh, yeah. Yeah, exactly.

Like, how dare you bring a Tiffany bracelet and, like, what do you call it? One up me, you know? Oh, yeah. Now, you know, who knows? Now he would have rode in on a horse or done something else, you know, spectacular as they do these days. The rest of us just got out of the car and we're like, hi. Oh, my God, you're beautiful. How are you? Exactly. So basic. Ryan was like, dear in the headlines. He didn't. didn't even remember his name. I know. It was so fun. But I remember that whole experience so well. It was like it was yesterday.

You know, it's really hard for me to remember it back that far. But I do remember it being like, you know, kind of a great it was it was not kind of it was a crazy situation that I had never been in before I hadn't you know I had done some things with local TV for the Miami heat but nothing on this scale and so yeah you get out of the limo and walk up and and there's and at that point in time they weren't very quiet about the cameras being in your face like now I feel like they do a really good job probably. And I haven't been there to see filming really in recent years. But I would assume that they're really good about kind of keeping it hidden so that you don't know they're there. You know, that plays to more of you being able to be yourself and act naturally. So I don't remember them

being very quiet about it. You know, they were just all gawky, you know, all the cameramen, all gawky around you. And, yeah, it was crazy. I did say, like, a couple minutes ago that they didn't tell me who it was, but that's not true. They showed us pictures of Alex, and they showed us, like, kind of like told us about who he was, that he went to Harvard, I think Harvard or Stanford, one of those. And, you know, he had traveled and yada, yada, yada. And so on paper, he looked great. And, you know, I ended up developing a connection with him that was kind of shocking to me because I really honestly didn't, I was very skeptical that it could happen. I mean, please.

At this point in time, in the world of reality television, it was Mike had done a show called Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire? That's right. Darva Conger. Right? So he, exactly, Darva Conger. And this guy was supposedly a millionaire, but they found out afterwards that he really wasn't, like he wasn't very successful. So all these ladies are there on a stage, I think with maybe an audience, maybe not an audience. I don't remember.

But anywhere, there were all these ladies and this guy. And they basically got married after meeting him that day. Darva married this guy. I can't even remember what his name was. So it was that show and it developed into The Bachelor and he thought, let's do this like not on a stage, but over a specific period of time and take away their phones and their computers and all their connections to the outside world and see if we can make something happen. And so at that point in time, I was super skeptical and I just thought, I just, I'm there for fun. Like, I just, I just want to meet these girls and hang out with this guy and maybe, you know, I'll show him who I am and be true to myself.

And then if we develop something, then great. And it ended up happening to where we actually forged a strong connection. And then in the end, I actually asked him, I think two days before the final rose ceremony, we were on our final date. And I said, so who are you going to pick? Like, totally put him on the spot. And of course he said you. Like, he's like, oh, you, of course. Of course.

Duh. But I went into the final road ceremony completely thinking that I was going to be getting engaged that day. And then thank the Lord above, I was not his chosen one. And as I was watching the finale of the show, you know, a few months later, Fleiss calls me and he's like, hey, would you ever consider being the bachelorette? And I, yes, for sure. Because at that point in time, you know, you get to know the producers so well. You spoke about Sally Ann Salasano.

She was on my season. We had a great connection, Jason Carbone, Lisa Levinson, Mike Fleiss, all of them and your handlers and all of that. You become really bonded with these people. I mean, you share so much time with them and really your deepest, darkest thoughts, you know, deepest lightest thoughts, however you want to say that. Sure. And, you know, you get really close with them. So I became really close with them. And I thought you've got ABC, a major television network, scouring the country for guys

that I would never be able to meet on my own. And so that was just my thought. And thank God, it was you guys, because I don't know if I could have dealt like there's so much drama these days. I don't know if I could have dealt with that. Like you guys had to the point where I remember showing up for a date. And I feel like whoever was coming on the date, I don't know if it was a group date or what. And you guys were, I'm sure you were joking.

And I say you, I don't know if you were particularly on this date or on this particular date. But they wanted to stay home and like hang out with each other instead of come on the date. No, I think I know what you're talking about. So I remember you showing up to pick someone up for a date. And Jamie Blythe and I were playing basketball down on the basketball court. And I remember this vividly. And all of a sudden, I see cameras like shuffling. Like you said, they were not stealth like they are now.

That was just like, you know. Right. And here they come down to the basketball court, and I'm like, uh-oh, something's up, you know. And I think we might be in trouble. But we were shooting hoops. And Jamie was an amazing basketball player, and I love to play basketball. Right. And all of a sudden, there you are.

And you look beautiful. I remember, you know, you're like standing up on the balcony. And you look down and you go, hey fellas. And we're like, oh, hey, Trista, what's up? And you're like, aren't you going to, you know, come out up here and say, hello and we're like well you're you're going on a date with some other dudes i mean we're playing oops yeah and i remember that and i remember you leave for the date and i remember they come down the producers come down they're like hey idiot like what are you doing and i'm like what you know

she's here you should be up there you know getting some face time with her i'm like dude i'm sweating my ass off she's going on a date with you know five dudes i wasn't one of the ones she picked for this date i don't know what i'm supposed to do and it was so funny because i would have never thought that that was what i was supposed to do but now when you watch the show, you do notice they're all gathered around. You know, the bachelor and the bachelor come in and they're like, hey, have a great night you guys. You know, we'll see you later or whatever.

Yeah. Oh, no, they tell you, you're going to sit here on the couch and you're going to sit here on the couch. It's so funny. Oh, no. It's very, I feel like that part of it can be very produced like, you know, who's where and what are they talking about or at least what's the starting conversation. That is so funny.

I mean, I didn't mean to call you out, but I totally did call you out. Believe me. I love that stuff. I remember so many fun, like, little moments like that. And it is kind of interesting, and I'm sure we can get into it too, but how much the experience probably changed from your time on the bachelor to when you were the bachelorette. Other than being the lead, it's like, you know, I remember saying to the producers at one point, I was like, look, I understand you guys are shooting a TV show. Just don't let the joke be on me. Like, tell me what you want me to do, and I get it. And so they would literally be like, okay, Bob, Debbie and Brenda and Brenda hate Rhonda. So we're We're going to sit them on a couch together, and we want you to come and grab Rhonda and take her out on the veranda and, you know, kiss her.

I'm like, okay, you know, you know, all right. So I do, you know, here they are, you know, very uncomfortably and awkwardly, like, ready to kill each other. I'm like, pardon me, Rhonda, can I steal you for a sec? And then, you know, you go out, you sit in the thing, and you look up and the girls are looking at you and you can see they're filming them. And, you know, I'm just like, so how's your day? And we're going to kiss, you know, just sort of one of those. And blah-la-la-la-la. And blah-b-la-la-la.

Oh, they do that nowadays, that's for sure. But I feel like when it was my season, it was really kind of hard. So going from The Bachelor to where there's a guy and 25 girls, right? And the guy looks all manly and studly. He's got all these women fighting for him. And then cut to The Bachelorette. And the media starts rolling out about how I'm going to be the Bachelorette. And I remember I got cut to.

shreds before the season even started because by particular people. I mean, not by everybody. There were a lot of supportive people in the media. But there were a lot of people that were like a girl and 25 guys. Like, how is that going to look? She is going to look like a complete slut. Right. And they pin that to me before I even showed up. It was horrible. Like the double standard was very much alive back in the day. And I feel like now. And that's why. going into it, because the media had come out before I obviously started taping the show, we've laughed about this moment a lot in that there were moments where, I mean, I kissed four guys. Yeah.

Four guys on my season. And I was very thoughtful about it because I was like, people already think I'm going to look like a slut. So I better make sure that I don't look like a slut. Right. Yeah, yeah. You know, and so the funny thing that we've laughed about is the part with Jamie Blythe and the, we went on a, what do you call the crab? Well, you tell the story, actually, because you're way better at it. It is one of my favorite stories.

And I tell this story kind of a lot. But so, yeah, we're on a group date. And Tristo, of course, is there. And we go to the beach. Of course you're there. It's your show. We go to the beach. And I remember two specific things about that season.

And one, I remember, and this is a sad thing to remember, but I remember you had a friend who got injured or lost your lives. My cousin. In a go-karting accident or something like that. And one of our dates was on go-karts. And you were just like, what? He died. He died in a go-karting accident.

And so I got there and I was like boo-hooing. Like, this is not okay. I can't do this. And I ended up doing it. But yeah, it was not a great day for me. Anyway, go ahead. They didn't seem to plan some of these dates. as well as they could have.

And the other one was, and I had one of these on my season, too, but was that you don't like shellfish. And on this particular date that we were on, this group date that we were on, five guys in the limo with Trista and we're out on the beach. And it's like, you know, as they always do, Trista's like, well, look what I prepared for us. And it's like a clam bake buried in the sand.

You know, it's like steamy. And the look on your face was like, you know, and I'll be having some chicken nuggets. And anyway, the producers come up. Because at that point in time, they didn't feed you before. You ate on the show while you were taping. You really did. Yeah, you really did. Like, that was your time to eat because you sure us how it weren't going to get anything before, after.

And it was going to be balanced with a heavy, you know, a heavy balanced diet of booze. So I remember one of the producers comes over to me, he's like, hey, Bob, listen, man. So, you know, Trista's wondering why you haven't tried to kiss her. And I'm like, really? And he goes, yeah, I go. So she walked up to you and just random. And he said, God, I just don't know why Bob hasn't tried to kiss me. Right.

He's like, yeah. I go, you realize it's the first date I've been on with her, right? Like, this is my first day. And he's like, yeah, yeah, I realize that. And she realizes it too, buddy. And I'm like, okay, so you're telling me that Trista walked up to you and was like, gosh, I'm on a group date with five random dudes on a beach. And I really want Bob to try to make out with me.

That's what she told you. And he's like, absolutely. And he hands me like two coronas. And I go, awesome. I'll drink these because I'm not going out there. I'm not trying to make out with her. And he's like, what? I'm like, yeah, dude, I'm not doing that.

I'm like, are you kidding me? I'm like, first of all, she never said that to you. Secondly, what am I going to go out there and like just randomly lean in? I'm like, we haven't even talked. Like, no, you know, other than the first night at the mansion. So anyway, I walk away and I come back and I'm like, you know, and I thought of something else. I'm like, hey, you know what I will do. I'll go out and hang with her.

You know, I just don't expect me to try and make out with her. So I go to tell him this and he's like, shh, no, look, look. and I look and there's Jamie poor Jamie on the beach literally as I look he's like leaning in and you give him the tombstone you give him the highsman you're like nope no what are you doing and I remember just laughing hysterically from where I was my little vantage point you know thinking yeah because it worked on Jamie of course Jamie would do it you know yeah he was a little gullible oh my god it was so gotta love him yep you got a love him but yeah no I I remember that I remember Jamie, I mean, I don't remember, I don't know the backstory, of course, but, but I remember

Jamie coming up to me and saying, hey, you know, would you mind if I gave you a kiss? And it was really sweet of him. He was being a total gentleman to even ask. Sure. But, but I was like, yeah, maybe just on the cheek. I mean, that actually is super embarrassing to me that I was like, maybe on the cheek. I just hate being put in that kind of situation. It's such a weird spot, you know. It's so weird. I mean, I didn't know him at all. And I really was like, and now they're like, oh, yeah, we just met. Let's kiss. Or some of the girls or guys get out of the limo and plant one right on the Bachelor of the Bachelorette, like right out the gate. And I just, I guess I was, even though I got, I met my husband and got engaged on a reality show, I am more traditional in that sense. in that, you know, give me a little bit more time before I'm making out with you. I know. Well, okay, so let's talk about the differences between our time and the time now.

I think that was a big one that you just said, right? They're going for it right out of the gates, whereas we were, I think, a little, I mean, I was the kissing bandit, Bachelor. You were the kissing bandit. Yep, he's got, he's got a title, you guys. Actually, I think he's probably got a plaque in his house somewhere. I do somewhere, yeah. It's in the kids' room. I keep it right in the nursery, you know.

But, yeah, so I remember, you know, I was the guy that was like the kissing Bannon. But now knowing how the show works and knowing how they approached me to kiss you, you know, at the time I remember thinking, oh, my God, all these girls are just like trying to kiss me. I mean, this is so crazy. And, you know, realizing it now that it was kind of like the producers going, you know, Bob really would like to kiss you. You should go out there and guess. Yeah, I'm positive that was the case. But, you know, other than that, you're right.

And now it's part of the way the show is. Like, I feel like the people on the. the show feel like they are falling behind if they don't kiss them right out the gate. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you watch the show pretty religiously, right? You see, you've seen pretty much every season because you get asked about it all the time. And I used to, too, when I was doing the Today Show stuff, I would get asked about it all the time.

And so I was a little more militant about watching it. But I remember thinking to myself that everybody was more aggressive. Everybody was more, you know, not just from the kissing perspective, but, you know, I see myself, you know, marrying you and it's like you just murder you know right so i always think of that you know so it seems a little bit more the stakes are a lot higher it seems i have watched every season of every show every spinoff whatever just because it kind of it's kind of like my family i feel like i've said this um i've said this um i've said this before, but I feel very maternal towards everyone in a way because I'm, they call me the

fairy godmother, you know, so they're like my little god babies, anyone who's really been on the show, even though I don't know even half of the cast. Yeah. But, I mean, there's been a lot of people over the years. In fact, I would love to know that number how many people have been on the show. You know what I mean? Yeah. And how many people's lives have been changed by this show?

because it definitely has changed mine. Half of Instagram's lives have been changed. Half of Instagram. Most people's, you know, teeth wiping kits have been changed. I know that. Right. Well, I think that brings up a good point. Social media.

Like, it was not around when we were filming. It was not a thing. The only thing that did exist were, what do they call them? Chat rooms. Chat, no, they were four, like, message boards that's what they were they were message boards yeah they were message boards and um they were on like the abc site so abc.com had message boards on their site and then everyone would go there and basically just spill their guts and say what they thought and not hold anything back

so it was basically like social media now but it was not in it was the precursor to social media and yeah and my space was there before facebook my page My space, oh my gosh, that's hysterical. Yeah. Yes. So, you know, those things existed, but we didn't have camera phones, like I said before. We couldn't take pictures, like, of everything and everything that was happening. So we weren't documenting, like, the behind-the-scenes stuff.

Right. You know, we had, it was on VHS. So my mom was traveling a lot to China and overseas, and they would actually send her VHS tapes. of the show so that she could watch it. But we had VHS tapes. Like, you couldn't stream. You couldn't, like, if you didn't watch the show that night, then I don't know that you could watch it.

You know what I mean? I don't think you could. Right? You had to have the VHS tape. My brother-in-law had Ti-Vo at the time. And I remember he Ti-Voed the season. And my wife actually asked if she could watch an episode of it one time. And he hooked up his Ti-vo and all this kind of stuff.

And he was just like, I'm sorry, I can't figure this out anymore. I mean, it's on there somewhere, you know, but we can't watch it. Yeah. Well, they did actually, maybe like five years ago, something like that, 10 years ago. They put it on ABC under like a reboot, like tab or something like that to where you could watch the old seasons. And I'm like horrified. Like, no, please no. I know.

My hair was so bad back then. I have no idea. Oh, mine too. I shaved my head. So I was like, my hair was so curly and it's natural. It wasn't, you know, Ogilvy home perm. And I got to the point where I was like, people would see my hair before they even saw me. And they would confuse me with Joe Millionaire.

You know, I was like that Kevin guy. They'd be like, is that Joe Millionaire or Bachelor Pop, you know? So I just got, I just like brush cut my hair. And then it grew back kind of straighter, which is interesting. You know, I don't know how that happened. Well, hey, the show helped you. It helped your hair. Yeah, I didn't need as much relaxer anymore.

Or maybe it was all the chlorine from the hot tubs, because that's definitely something that... That's one thing the show hasn't lost. Yeah, exactly. It was and still is hot tubs. I mean, I wonder how many hot tubs have been. What's the weirdest place they set up a hot tub for you, whether between the bachelor or the bachelor's, the weirdest place that there was a random hot tub? On a houseboat in Seattle.

Oh, that is kind of weird. It was good. That was the steamy scene with me and Ryan. It was our like fantasy. So it was our, yeah, our fantasy suite date. We went to Seattle. So the budget has changed. Yeah, one of my fantasy sweet dates was Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

I'm like, now they go to Bangkok for the entire, you know, they're all over the countryside of Thailand. The whole crew goes, you know. I know. I know. I know, yeah. We were in Seattle on a houseboat. and there was a hot tub on the houseboat. So we were basically floating in, you know,

whatever that body of water is. I don't remember what is that body of water in Seattle. On a houseboat and making out in a hot tub because that's what you do on The Bachelor of the Bachelor of the Bachelet. It's kind of sleepless in Seattle-ish, you know? I like it. Yeah. Yeah.

It was actually a great night, great night. My weirdest hot tub pop-up hop-tub location was Kelly Joe and I were in Alaska. We went to Alaska, which was actually a pretty cool exotic date, like, from one of those. We ended up on a glacier and doing all this kind of stuff. But it was the day after, and I know you know this story, but the day after my allergic reaction to Alaskan King crab legs. And so I was a little puffy. A little puffy. A little swollen.

And we're out doing, you know, whatever we do on the date. And then all of a sudden we randomly happen across a hot tub at the base of this mountain. Randomly. Yes. And it's not what you think because, you know, they do have hot tubs in those locations. that are amazing because they're actually hot. This one was like an above-ground, you know, hot tub that they fancied into this little thing.

And because of the fact that they wanted to make sure that audio wouldn't get ruined, it was lukewarm water at best in Alaska, in the winter. Oh, my gosh. And we have to climb into this tub. And it's not like you climb it and you're like, oh, the steam. You climb in and you're like, oh, does anyone have like a scuba suit? And the bubbles can't run. You know, that's one of the things you don't realize on, you know, when you're watching for a moment, but there's no bubbles because the audio will get wrecked.

And we were in this hot tub for probably like 15 minutes and the whole time we're both just like, please, guys, can we think of something else? Can we go in the, you know, the gondola? You know, can we do anything? It's freezing. It's really cold. It's actually funny that you say that because on this season with Clayton and Gabby, who's from Denver, they had a hot tub in the middle of their hike. And because I live in Colorado, all I was thinking was. where the hell did this hot tub come from?

Like, you know, I'm thinking behind the scenes, like, how did they get this hot tub here? And maybe it was like there's a, you know, where you park your cars to go on the hikes. Maybe it's like right by that. But I was like, I want to know, if there's really a hot tub somewhere out there, like on a hike somewhere, I want to go.

I need to know this. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it was so funny. I always thought that it was always like, guys, I mean, maybe we do something different this time, besides a hot tub and champagne. And I'm not a champagne guy either. So that was always tough for me, you know, to have that going too.

Oh, totally. No, you have to do champagne. You have to do a toast at everything. Hey, I want to bring up something that actually is toastworthy in Bachelor Nation that just happened. Yes. Andy Dorphin, who I know you, you love her just as much as I do. She just got engaged. And I'm so happy for her.

it seems like this guy, his name's Blaine Hart. I mean, Andy Hart, is that not like a soap opera name or like a like, right? Yeah, I like that. I like that. He surprised her at the beach and actually surprised her in an even bigger way in that he planned it. Sorry, I couldn't figure out the word plan. Planned it. Yeah, that's what happens when you become a mother.

Poof, words just vanish. Yeah, my brain. Yeah, mom brain. But he planned it with all of her family and friends. So he had them all waiting back at their house after he proposed and they came in. And I just, I'm so, so happy for you. She deserves it. She's such a sweetheart.

And I love hearing that because, you know, it was one of those things. I mean, she's had a couple, you know, New York Times best sellers and everything else, basically about the single life, right? Like she was kind of like, this is it, right? And she, you know, I mean, it was kind of like she was sort of committed to that single life. So it's really cool that she found somebody. And, you know, she's a really cool. I'm really, really happy for her.

That's awesome. I am too. I love her. And I also wonder if there will be a new book coming out when she gets married, being that it was about the single life. Single life now it's about married life. So maybe she'll come out with a married life book. Interesting.

That would be interesting for sure. Now, you mentioned Clayton's season, which I did not watch. But I know at the end of Clayton's season, they talked about, and you mentioned Gap. And there's two bachel as the other girl. Rachel is the other girl. Which I know Ashley and Ben have talked about a lot on here. But I'm really excited because I feel like there's been some chatter about whether or not the bachelor will survive for that much longer.

And I feel like they need to change things up. You know, they need to make things more interesting for people. The ratings haven't been fantastic. I mean, I will always be one of the ratings because I'm always going to watch, but I know that's not for everybody. And I think it's really cool that they're going to actually have two bacheloretts. I mean, I do worry that it will set things up to be disastrous because I believe what they are doing is the girls are going to be dating the same pool of guys. Oh, wow. So it's going to be like 20 guys or 30 guys and these two girls.

Yeah. and these two girls and I don't know how it will work if like the girls will put in their priority of who they want to go on a date with and then maybe the two girls have the same guy as a priority will there be an awkward two-on-one with the girls like I don't know I I wonder how it's going to work but I do think it will get people talking and maybe that will bring up some ratings and keep them on the air for longer who knows I just I just have to say that I love Gabby and Rachel, I think that they are both so articulate. I mean, you didn't see the season, but Gabby, so I won't get into the whole story.

The people here know what happened, basically, but she stood up for herself in such an articulate way that I just, I'm so excited for her. Like, she just, she put him in his place and didn't let him. step all over her. And I was so proud of her. I feel like I met her. So she was a Denver Bronco cheerleader. And Blake'sley was a junior Denver Bronco cheerleader. They have this little program with the little girls. Yeah, they get to dance with the Bronco cheerleaders. And so I, I don't know if I met her or met her from afar, but I'm really excited for her. And Rachel just seems like she's got it all put together. They, like they are both beautiful girls. But I think even more so,

are willing to talk about their feelings, which I think is so important when you are the lead. I think they are ready for a relationship. I think that they're, Gabby is hysterical. And I love that. So I'm really excited about this season. Maybe you'll watch. Yeah. Well, I definitely will because I will. Well, only because, I shouldn't say only because. Yes, I will. And also because I heard all those great things about them. and it made me actually bummed that I didn't watch the season because it was kind of funny when the promo came out for Clayton's season I was like oh my god it's like Jesse Palmer times two like Jesse and he were standing there and they like almost the same height

the same I mean right it was kind of they're twins yeah totally it's kind of like wow that is really crazy but it was one of those things where it was like you know I heard about the girls standing up to Clayton and about them both kind of standing their ground and you know really sort of establishing who they were and I think that that's going to be awesome because, you know, let's not kid ourselves, right? It's totally a different ball of wax when you're on the other side of that flower. You're the one handing it out.

It's a different thing. And, I mean, you and I both, we've talked about this a bunch, but we were so worried about hurting anyone's feelings and trying to be cautious and, you know, everything else. So, I mean, I get it. It is really hard. Yeah. Yeah, I think they both have a really good heart. I mean, I remember the first night I was crying because I was like, oh, my God,

how can I let these guys go when I don't even know them? I feel really bad. It just got worse from there. So you really have to be a strong person to be able to really kind of get through it. Yeah. Okay. So I think this was amazing. How much fun was this, right?

I love it. I absolutely loved it. So much fun. Not a bad first episode. I think it was fun. I mean, we want you guys to chime in, though. So we would love for you to chime in on the Instagram account for Almost Famous. It's at Almost underscore Famous podcast.

And we'd also, if possible, if anyone was listening to us today. My model tune. Or we were just gabbing away, just having a fun time by ourselves. If anyone was listening and you'd like to send in questions, we would love to hear your questions or any topics that you'd want us to cover. If there's any people that you would like for us to have on the show that maybe we're from older seasons. I'm going to say older seasons, not old seasons.

Yes, that's right. More mature seasons. More mature, the OG seasons. If you'd like for us to invite anybody on, if you have a great story that you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you. So if you could email Ben and Ashley, that's an A&D, so Ben and Ashley at iHeartRadio.com. That'd be awesome. We'd love to hear from you. And thanks for tuning in, everybody.

And thank you, Trista. Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me. I mean, honestly, we have so much more to talk about. We haven't even gotten to half of it. So, I mean, there's a couple other funny things that just jumped into my head that I would love to tell you about. Well, I can't wait to hear. I can't wait to hear.

Yeah, definitely. But thank you guys so much for tuning in. And Trista, thank you for joining me on our first podcast. Yay. Thanks, guys. Thanks, Bob. Thanks, producers. Thanks, Ben and Ashley for letting us kind of steal your show for a minute or two.

Ride your coattails. We appreciate it. Thank you. All right, until the next one. Take care, everybody. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcasts on IHeartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.