The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Messy Drama, Drama, Drama

Episode Date: January 28, 2025

Saddle up, because it's time for Grant's season premiere of "The Bachelor," and Ben & Ashley are predicting one word three times over: Drama, drama, drama! They break down the first episode while sharing their thoughts on the leading ladies as Ben teases something juicy about the season that he can't yet share.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Brought to you by Opportunity at Work and the Ad Council. This is the Ben and Ashley I, Almost Famous Podcast with IHartRadio. It's the Almost Famous Podcast. We are here and we are back. It's no longer the off season on the Almost Famous Podcast. We're breaking down episode one of Grant's season of The Bachelor. Ashley Ben

I like the cast Yeah There's a lot of girls Who I remember You know I feel like this is a good cast Of like Some drama

Some villainous behavior Some beauty Some grit You know like You've got it all Yeah He really likes them too I don't think

He's gonna have a problem Liking any And well guess what At the end We see That his ultimate problem The drama his tease, the big tease, is going to be that he can pick in the end.

Shocker. Never seen it before. Well, you know, everybody has a hard time, right? You even said that you didn't know, but everybody figures it out before that hour, the actual end hour. Okay. So let's start there, Ashley, and have this conversation. Okay.

Before we dive into the breakdown of the episode, which is episode one, so it's going to take us just a few minutes to talk about a lot of people that we don't know their names of. Yeah, I'm sorry, guys. I'm going to generalize. I'm going to be like, that girl from there, that girl with that color hair. We do it every year. But let's start with the teaser. It does seem like, unlike any season we've seen before,

that he is confused up until literally the very end. Does that, Ashley, in your mind, take away from this experience, or does it add an intrigue for you where you're like, I want to see who he chooses and I want to see this love story come out? It definitely adds intrigue. Okay. And it definitely makes me feel like he shouldn't pick anyone. And either that neither of them are his girl very much like Brad Walmack. Because if you're that torn between two people, maybe it's neither. So you either go the Brad Walmack way where you don't pick anyone or you say, like, we have, have to date in real life we can't get engaged like that's not the proper place to get engaged so i want

to go with this conversation next because i was watching this teaser and i was like what would you do like what is the right thing to do or what is the the healthy thing to do i don't think it's walking away because he's not sitting there going i just don't like anybody he's going i am so in love with two people that i can't make this decision so do you tell them both hey let's start let's keep doing this weird love triangle. You know that that's the ending that has never happened, that I want to happen. And every year I try to call that that's what's going to happen. And it hasn't.

And it should this time. There's no way that's healthy. Like there's no way that both women go, yeah, let's just keep dating all three of us. Totally. But if you were to put it in the real world perspective, isn't it okay to date two people at the same time as long as you don't say that you're committed and you're just dating? Like, say he just goes on a couple real-world dates with these two girls. I bet she he figures it out faster than he would in the Bachelor environment.

That's probably true. No, I don't think it's wrong to date and to be dating. I think at this point, though, we have to take into the context of the show that these women are showing up thinking that they potentially could be proposed to. Well, they shouldn't be proposed to. And then he's going to say, let's actually backtrack this to all keep dating and figure this out outside of this world. I don't know if that flies with anybody. And I don't know what kind of message that sends to the women who have invested at this point months of their life into this man. We should have asked Brad this.

We should have been like, was it ever an option for you to just a date in real life? Or did you just not like either of them enough to date? I think just reading through the messaging when we talked to Brad, great interview. Go back, listen to it if you haven't yet. a lot of context to this whole experience that he gives us. I'm assuming Brad didn't like them enough to propose to them. And that's why he left the show the way he did. I don't think he was in the situation that Grant's in

where producers are telling him, you've got to go, man. And Jesse's like, I need to know who to send here first. It seems like Grant is more in the camp of, I can't make this decision. Yeah. Which I have no, let me be clear. I have no judgment for.

I get it. I understand it. I've been in it. And those emotions at the end are confusing. It's chaotic. And especially if something hasn't happened that's really made one stand out above the other, I can see how this would happen. So I'm feeling for Grant here.

And I think as viewers, we need to take a second and not judge him and say, oh, how terrible of him. I think, and maybe the better perspective to say, I get how this could get to this point. and I feel for him but outside of all that he needs to make a decision even one that could be tough on him

meaning he walks away because he's like I'm conflicted and I'll call you in three months so if we figure this out well let's take a minute to talk about Grant we won't really know him at all from Jen season I thought of it

going into this episode as if it was like Matt James and I didn't know him like we he was plucked out of obscurity because do you really remember anything of of substance? Clayton. Very, very similar with Clayton. Yeah. We've done this very often the past few years. Yeah. So I went in blind and I really liked him. What they did in the first 10 minutes, do they really draw you in with him? Bringing him to the family home and him talking to his dad who he seems to not see often because he went, he's been in the midst of. substance abuse for 30 years. He's finally seemingly gotten clean, but he just talks about his childhood as like, even though his parents were together up until college, he still was around a lot

of fighting. He was around the, you know, the substance abuse. He didn't have like really romantic idols. And he leaned into basketball. And it's, it's just been always a thing that he's been searching for is like a safe spot, a comfortable place to come home to. one of the things that Grant brought up when we talked to him was that he this season represented a lot of growth for him personally and almost like a therapy and a part of that was his dad's story so it was reconnecting with his dad for the first time and a long time and I think we see it through the previews of the rest of the season I think we see it on this episode I do feel like we got to know Grant and and I'm rooting for him now I've never wanted to see a lead fail however I have I've gone into seasons being very apathetic about their journey because I'm like, I just don't know this person and why am I rooting for them? I'm rooting for Grant. I want to see this work for Grant. The family dynamic that he has is beautiful. Obviously, we see his sister come on to this show. She's gorgeous. She's protective. She's funny and she's caring. She's a great big sister

to Grant. We see his grandma, his mom, his dad. So the show did what it needed to do. Now, I didn't give us a long version of his story, but we know enough now to say, hey, this isn't just some handsome dude. This is actually a guy that wants to meet somebody and has a family back home rooting for him. And so I want to root for him. At least that was my experience. Oh, yeah, for sure. And do you know it really got me?

The line that he said, where they didn't even have dinner together, that may be like, okay, that is really sad and that is something that I want to prioritize with our family. Yeah. It's one of the things I look back on my childhood. And I think for any parents out there, I think one of the things I look back now and think that's so special is that I had dinner with my parents every night that we could around a table without our cell phones, without the TV, just to be with each other for 40 minutes. It's all we were asking. And I really appreciate it. I might not love it back then. I appreciate it now. Yeah, it's one of the most important things if you talk to psychiatrists about the way that kids end up, especially in those formative teen years where so easy to go is gray. Yeah. Let's dive in then to the breakdown of the first episode of The Bachelor. We have the limo entrances. They are cute.

I'd say they're without the glitz and the flare of past seasons, and I like that. It was a lot of just really nice introductions. We got to see them meet, and that was awesome. Now, we did see a llama. That was, you know, unique. My takeaway from this, and I mean this, in the best way possible, is I don't remember a season since mine, where there was so many just, like, drop dead beautiful people walking out of a limo.

Yeah, these girls are really, really pretty. I felt like every single person that stepped out at Limo, I was like, goodness, how's he going to do this? Like, how's he going to do night one? Now, the rest of the time, you know, physical attraction is less of an important decision maker. But on night one, that's really what you're going after. Yeah. And he has a beautiful cast of big personalities. And I'm really, as I said, I love the cast.

I'm really excited to watch them kind of mold. into, you know, people we're familiar with. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly and now I'm seriously suspicious. Well, wait a minute, Sam, maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week

on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has 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. Holdup, isn't that against school policy? That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor and they're the same age. It's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet.

So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness the way it has echoed and reverberated throughout your life, impacting your very legacy. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro.

And these are just a few of the profound and powerful stories I'll be mining on our 12th season of Family Secrets. With over 37 million downloads, we continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. I can't wait to share 10 powerful new episodes with you, stories of tangled up identities, concealed truths, and the way in which family secrets almost always need to be told. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets.

Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hi, I'm Janica Lopez, and in the new season of the Overcover podcast, I'm taking you on an exciting journey of self-reflection. 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? I wanted to be successful on my own, not just because of who my mom is. Like, I felt like I needed to be better or work twice as hard as she did. Join me for conversations about healing and growth. Life is freaking hard. And growth doesn't happen in comfort.

It happens in motion, even when you're hurting. All from one of my favorite spaces, The Kitchen. Honestly, these are going to come out so freaking amazing. Be a part of my new chapter and listen to the new season of the Overcumper podcast as part of the MyCultura podcast network on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. for is here. And we're locked in. That means more juicy chisement.

Terrible love advice. Evil spells to cast on your ex. No, no, no, no, no, we're not doing that this season. Oh, well, this season, we're leveling up. Each episode will feature a special bestie, and you're not going to want to miss it. Get in here! Today we have a very special guest with us. Our new super secret bestie is the divo of the people.

The divo of the people. I'm just like text your ex. My theory is that if you need to figure out that the stove is hot, go and touch it. Go and figure it out for yourself. Okay. That's us. That's us. My name is Curley.

And I'm Maya. In each episode, we'll talk about love, friendship, heartbrates, men, and, of course, our favorite secrets. Listen to the Super Secret Bestie Club as a part of the My Cultura podcast network available on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. When you think about night one, who are the three girls that's not necessarily, like, who are the three that you're thinking of? Not the ones who had the flashies entrances or like him with connections. Like who are the three main characters to you? When I think at night one, Ashley, it's a good question. Alex, 100%, right?

First impression rose. She stood out to us when we did the breakdown of the cast without knowing anybody. um alicia because i love that they just get done making out on a couch and she goes i don't usually kiss on the first date and jesco was in the background watching and she goes this is even a first date girl like you just sat on a couch with this guy for five minutes like they know yeah totally different world here um i also stands out to me actually my third is bailey oh and there's a reason why.

Okay. I'll tell you, okay, so we match on Alex and Alicia. Those were two of my three. And my other one is Carolina, the one from Puerto Rico. And if I were to have a standby contestant, it would be either Giuliana, the Italian

from Massachusetts, or Natalie, who is the PhD student that he would really like to work with children. I think Carolina's going to be there a long time. And we see that kind of in the previews for the rest of the season. She's obviously a big factor as the season continues. And so I agree with you.

Take nothing away from that. Bailey stood out to me. Bailey, Bailey, because she was cringe? Yes, I think she's going to be a drama starter. And I think right now we're watching it and we're seeing signs that this is going to be a storyline for the rest of the season. and I think viewers who have watched the show for a while could probably pick up on that. But I think she's going to get herself into a little trouble.

And then the other person I think is going to get in a little trouble is Parisa. And that's why she stood out to me. So I watched these two and I was like, The other cringe. Yeah, like those two are giving signs. And maybe I'll be wrong. But they're giving signs right now to me of some maybe more like villainous, behavior.

Okay, so to me, it wasn't villainous, but those are the two girls that I thought, I don't think he really likes them. Yeah. I thought that he may have even not chose either of them. One or the other one I thought could have gone. Bailey was so cringe with the whole, like, Emily and Paris thing. Like, I'm a social media, like, this is me as an influencer being like, girl, come on now. The fact that you're like, let's like a selfie.

Like, I love social media and I love to, you know, I'm a brand and everybody. and document everything about my life. I'm like, oh, God. I thought it was such a turnoff. And then, Parisa, with the PowerPoint presentation, that was also super cringe. This was a theme that I didn't understand from this episode. I don't know.

The producers must have pushed it. They really made these girls say, I'm going to marry him. That's my husband. That's my husband. We're going to get married. Like, look at this picture of us together and, like, wedding dresses.

I was like, what are they doing? they're making them seem so immature doing that. Like, I'm going to marry this man who I really haven't, I've spent maybe five to ten minutes with. It's just like, it was a little bit too much Prince Charming, and I'm trying to woo him at the ball. I agree. And I also think it's probably unattractive for the viewers.

Because the viewers watch this wanting a semi-mature, as mature as this show can be love story. And when it starts like this, I would imagine most viewers are going how are they already talking like this and how in a sense desperate are they to win at the end because it does feel immature

and it does feel like the people that I've always appreciated on the show come in and be like I'm excited to meet this person but I don't know them yet but I'm hoping something can form the Kelsey's of the world right Kelsey from Joey's season

very much like that and now look where they're at It turns into something mature and loving and real, and it's not so, like, oddly forced. If I was on night one and I had somebody sit by me, or if I overheard somebody saying, that's going to be my husband, I'd be like, we're out. Like, you're gone. I know. I thought it would be so unattractive for him, especially since he didn't have a huge role on Jen season, that you're not even going based on a lot of personality. Like, I can see you having, like, a parisocial relationship.

with the person who's a runner-up, third, you know, where you feel like you really know them from TV and you are so excited to get to meet them. But with this, it's like you guys are really just showing that you're going on looks alone. Yeah.

And inside of me, Ashley, is excited to see this because I do feel like this cast is going to, like, combust. I think it's going to be so dramatic within the house because of some of this behavior right now. And we haven't really had a season for a long time.

I mean, some of the best seasons that we remember, right? The Nick Vile seasons where we had this like element of combustion within the house. And we all talked about it. And we had somebody like kind of leading the charge, right? We think of Corinne right there. That name comes to mind. I think this season has something similar going on. And I'm excited for that element.

But I do know that a few will kind of stand above. There's also something that I think could. Could have gone unnoticed. But you know how we always used to talk about Justin Glaze and his, like, looks, his facial expressions? Yeah. You know who has the death stare? Like a stare that would make me shudder. Dina?

Rebecca. Especially when the first, like the, uh, grand sister walks out, they kind of flashed to her. And she's in the background and she's just like kind of staring, um, at the new entrance. and I'm like, goodness, I would be frightened. See, really? Yeah. Rebecca, based on her photo, we thought that she was super intimidating, but I thought her as a person there didn't come across as intimate as much intimidating.

Not, I just think her look is. I think the look. I think she has a look. Like she has a photo. I think she has that look in real life when she's intrigued or curious. But that is like the look of power. uh it is it would i'd be nervous um if i was grant and i walked past that look the i'm with you on carolina it's interesting to me actually that we know so many names from night one usually

you and i get on here and it's all kind of a blur nobody really stands out but we just named five people and there's somebody else there's two other people that i could name who lydia litia litia Latia and then Zoe Who Zoe could be a drama figure She's quite striking That dress Loved it

It was emerald You know it was really bejewed It was also like supposed to be like Quote quote quote see through but it wasn't I loved it but it was a little risque I suppose with the first night Yeah I think it's fine It's great

Okay Ashley as we have gone now three of the people that stood out to us on night one. I want to take a second and remind you of who your top four were when we did the cast and see now your thoughts on it since it's fresh in our minds. Your top four were Zoe. Okay. I don't think she's going to be top four anymore.

I do think that she will play a big role in the season, but not top four. Connection-wise. Uh-huh. Continue. Alex. Alex will be top four. Carolina. Carolina will be top four.

Nisi. Niecy, I don't think so anymore. No, she's the pediatrician, and I didn't feel a big connection with them off the bat. And then you thought Rose was going to be the troublemaker. Okay, I don't think Rose is going to be a troublemaker, but she will be involved in drama because she has a big personality, and they will have something of a connection. Yeah. Yeah. My boyfriend's professor is way too friendly, and now I'm seriously suspicious.

Well, wait a minute, Sam. Maybe her boyfriend's just looking for extra credit. Well, Dakota, it's back to school week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes, my boyfriend has 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. Now, hold up. Isn't that against school policy?

That sounds totally inappropriate. Well, according to this person, this is her boyfriend's former professor. and they're the same age. And it's even more likely that they're cheating. He insists there's nothing between them. I mean, do you believe him? Well, he's certainly trying to get this person to believe him because he now wants them both to meet.

So, do we find out if this person's boyfriend really cheated with his professor or not? To hear the explosive finale, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace.

You discover the depths of your... your mother's illness, the way it has echoed and reverberated throughout your life, impacting your very legacy. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro. And these are just a few of the profound and powerful stories I'll be mining on our 12th season of Family Secrets. With over 37 million downloads, we continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. I can't wait to share 10 powerful new episodes with you, stories of tangled up identities, concealed truths, and the way in which family secrets almost always need to be told. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm Janica Lopez, and in the new season of the Overcover podcast, I'm taking you on an exciting of self-reflection. 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? I wanted to be successful on my own, not just because of who my mom is. Like, I felt like I needed to be better or work twice as hard as she did. Join me for conversations about healing and growth. Life is freaking hard. And growth doesn't happen in comfort. It happened in motion, even when You're hurting.

All from one of my favorite spaces, The Kitchen. Honestly, these are going to come out so freaking amazing. Be a part of my new chapter and listen to the new season of the Overcomper podcast as part of the MyCultura podcast network on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, sis, what if I could promise you you never had to listen to a condescending finance, bro, tell you how to manage your money again. Welcome to Brown Ambition. This is the hard part when you pay down those credit cards. If you haven't gotten to the bottom of why you were racking up credit or turning to credit cards,

you may just recreate the same problem a year from now. When you do feel like you are bleeding from these high interest rates, I would start shopping for a debt consolidation loan, starting with your local credit union, shopping around online, looking for some online lenders because they tend to have fewer fees and be more affordable. Listen, I am not here to judge. It is so expensive in these streets. 100% can see how in just a few months you can have this much credit card debt and it weighs on you.

It's really easy to just like stick your head in the sand. It's nice and dark in the sand. Even if it's scary, it's not going to go away just because you're avoiding it. And in fact, it may get even worse. For more judgment-free money advice, listen to Brown Ambition on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. We revisited it and we won't until next week when we know a little bit more about these women. But my top four before we started was Alex. I think that's a very solid choice. I feel very good about that choice.

Why does she have the most familiar face ever? Who does she look like? I don't know, but she's very, I mean, she's great. She, like, rocked it. She was, like, cute and funny and flirty and confident. And I don't know. I think she's going to be around a while. Alicia was on my top four.

still feel pretty good about it. Rebecca, I think I'm sticking with it. I'm scared to say otherwise. They did not get for a lot of airtime. No, because she's going to be a fan favorite. You're making things up. Okay. And Zoe, I did have Zoe as well.

It's yet to be seen with Zoe, as you said, plays a big role in the season. But I don't know how I feel. I think Carolina would probably have snuck up there now if I was to redo this. But we won't again until next week. Juliana definitely is she's my top four now she's my replacement for Nisi Really? Yeah

Okay It'll be interesting As the season goes on to keep track of this To remind us of who we had at the beginning But I feel pretty good about our choices I think we were kind of spot on And I'm guessing a lot of the viewers Will feel the same way

As we progress now through this season Actually I want to stop Okay What other moments from Night 1 stood out to you, Ashley, that I think are worth talking about? Well, just two random things with me looking at the cast right now is I think Allie Joe is so freaking pretty. And I just want to see her more on screen. And then Dina, she could be, she's not going to be a villain, but she's not a warm and fuzzy. So I can see her being a source of some sort of attention.

Yeah. What about you? I think the whole Alex segment to me made it seem like either she's going to be there at the end or it's going to be a heartbreaking exit way earlier than we expect because she was such a star on night one and I just watch that and it makes me nervous. You don't usually see that out of the gate and then that person to be around as long as we hope and think she will. I also, as I said, kind of pointed out that there's a few trouble. makers i think in this group and i always love love because i'm so evil when the girls on night one start talking about how everybody's on the same page and we're giving each other at the time yeah and this is going to be great and i'm like oh you have no idea this is going to backfire that

statement's going to backfire and so as a result i think that's foreshadowing that this season is going to be messy um and i and i we see it right we see the the interesting part of the preview is not that we see grants moments of drama uh mostly with his own tears uh but we see a lot of it feels like in her house arguing but we do have one moment actually there's one moment that stands out to me go ahead that we've never seen before necessarily necessarily. Okay. A confrontation to the lead.

We see it during the preview. Grant says the words, someone's making that up. I never said that. Which makes me think that somebody is pushing Grant, like confronting him on something that hurt them. You don't see that many times with the lead. You think that person actually made it up, though?

Or there is somebody in the house that is creating lies? I think there's somebody creating lies. I think this house, I actually I am under the impression right now you really think these girls are drama drama drama I'm not so sure I think that you know things I know nothing okay I know nothing about the house okay you know something about another element of the season okay you know nothing about the girls and I just I have a feeling I have a feeling okay well there's the part of the preview that we didn't talk about that I thought stood out was Carolina going up the staircase

going, I'm evil, evil, evil. Yeah, that feels a little tongue-in-cheek to me. It feels a little bit, like, I don't see that in her. Well, I think she's just going to be very threatening to the women. See, Honda says I do. See, I think it's a girl thing. I can see her, like, maybe being a little bit conceited. See, I don't see it yet.

I love this, Ashley. I love that we're both on so different pages. Do you think the house is going to get along? I think the house is going to combust. You think Carolina is actually going to cause trouble. I don't think she is much at all. I really like this dynamic going into a season. Usually you and I have these first episodes,

and we're both in such agreement that it's a little boring and there's no conflict between us. But I think, Ashley, as the season goes on, you know, you and I are going to see the world's very different, and that makes this so much more fun. I do love that as well. That is fun. okay was there anything else that we didn't mention a lot of kissing oh my god that was it

thank you at first i was like oh alicia's gonna get the first impression rose because she gets the kiss then i saw that he kissed legit eight i feel like we saw like eight should have done a kiss tally that was a lot and it made me i was like i went in being like oh love grant love him so much and then i was like oh god like really dude come on now I didn't leave the episode liking him as much as I went in to the episode. Not, I'm like shaming him for kissing. There's a lot of bachelors I kiss a lot on the first night. But I do feel like it was like, save some goods.

Yeah, it might be a very, like, physically romantic season. It seems like there's going to be a lot of, like, physical chemistry being displayed on our televisions, which is fine. Like you said, a lot of bachelors do it. I don't love watching people make out. It's not really something I enjoy. I like knowing kind of where the relationship stands as the weeks go on and when they kiss and like to kind of see the chemistry a little bit. But it's not a fun part of me watching the show is me having to view and hear two people smack lips. He looks like a good kisser, though.

I'm sure he is. I have nothing against his kiss. I have criticized kissing styles in the past. I think Matt James is the one. that we kept catching him with his eyes wide open. Oh, that's right. That was always weird. But I have nothing against his style, his way of going about it.

I just don't love watching it. I would much rather watch everything other than the two of them kiss. And I don't like hearing it. And the show loves to enhance the smacking so that everybody gets a good sense of what's actually happening. If there's tongue involved or not. Actually, I think this is going to be a good sense. season i don't i don't think there's going to be any part of this season that feels like past

seasons the reason i say that is i do think grant has that element of mystery and surprise to us but i also think we're going to really like grant and i also think we're going to really like his cast so i'm excited for this season i'm going into it excited i'm ready to watch it i'm waiting for the next week to come around uh my hope hope, as a fan and as a viewer, is that the drama doesn't overtake his ability to connect with these women like I know he wants to. I think Grant has a desire to make this real and to make this raw and to really dig into these relationships. And sometimes the drama can overtake that. And we watch five weeks of drama without any progress in relationships. And then we all of a sudden

get spit out at the end. Yeah. I think that would be the only way this season gets, in a sense, ruined to me. Okay. But I still think Alex is a superstar, no matter what. Yeah, totally agree. I would say my, like, final feedback of this is I'm a little concerned that he might be like a little bit puppy dogish.

He might get swallowed up by the whole thing. Yeah. Because he just seems very gentle. Well, and his lack of experience on Jen C. season could add into that right he didn't see the end that always seems to do so if we go back and look at these guys that we just named earlier in the show matt and clayton the less experience you have on the main show except for hannah brown so maybe it's a bachelor thing maybe it's a bachelor thing maybe it's just a once at what like one instance type thing everybody's different

but he does come across to me as like maybe a little bit maybe I'm over exaggerating but maybe he's a little bit naive I could see it I think that's a legitimate concern but Ashley for other people listening out there are you and I know you're honest with us about this are you excited to watch the rest of the season after night one I will tell you this honestly I've never been so less excited I've never been so less excited. Does that make sense? I've never...

Yeah, I think people get more. I've never looked forward to pressing play on an episode less than I did with this. I will be honest. That's fair. I don't feel the same way about next week, but I would rather answer this question after next week's episode. Okay. I'll ask you again then. Okay.

Yeah, night one's always weird. Yeah, I'm not saying, I liked it. It was good. It was good. But I also wasn't like, holy crap, I cannot wait. Yeah, I would agree. I mean, I would disagree in the fact that I'm excited to watch every episode. I would say that the preview for the rest of the season didn't make me go,

I, holy crap, kind of like what is going to, like the fence jump stuff. But I do think it's going to be a good season. And I am personally excited to continue to have these cast members evolve and have Grant evolve in front of our eyes. Do you know what? do you know why it was like we're not like that excited about next week it's because like we know that the drama that they're really teasing is the last episode we know it's pushed off for so long yeah yeah it could be too well we'll be here no matter what uh throughout the week doing

interviews uh that we're so excited about uh headlines uh catching up with past contestants but then also every week breaking down the most recent episode of the bachelor right here on the Almost Famous Podcast. Please rate and review us. We don't ask for that very often. But rate and review us, especially if it's a five star with like something nice to say.

Yeah. That's always good. I guess, yeah, only rate and review is if it's like a good review. If it's a bad review, email us, we won't read it, we'll delete it. But at least you got your words out.

So until next week, I've been Ben. I've been Ashley. See ya. Follow the Ben and Ashley I, almost famous podcast on IHartRadio or subscribe wherever you listen podcast. I just normally do straight stand-up, but this is a bit different. What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? Answer, a new podcast called Wisecrack, where a comedian

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