The Press Box - Ep. 273: The Fantasy Suite With Ben Higgins

Episode Date: March 8, 2017

The Ringer’s Juliet Litman is joined by former Bachelor Ben Higgins to discuss the Fantasy Suite (0:45), his thoughts about Raven’s celebratory “music video" (22:25), and Nick’s upcoming appearance on 'Dancing With the Stars' (37:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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That's hashtag tripod. And thanks for spreading the word about your favorite podcast. Welcome to Bachelor Party. I'm Juliet Litman. And it's time to discuss everyone's favorite episode of The Bachelor, or at least around where I'm from, fantasy sweets. for this week, I brought in an expert. Mr. Ben Higgins, my favorite bachelor party guest. Hey, Ben.

Hey, Juliet. It's so good to be back, and I'm glad I can be considered an expert in the fantasy suite. Well, you are. I mean, you've lived through fantasy suites, which is a pretty big deal. I mean, actually twice. I mean, you've done it twice as a contestant and as the Bachelor. Yeah, that's true. I did live through them, which is probably the biggest accomplishment I've had.

Come on, Ben. Dream bigger. You know, I just to start, I kind of, I think I'm impressed with Fantasy Suite this week because I thought Nick really did a good job, and we can build off of this. But I remember there was a comment that said, I've learned more about Nick, or I appreciate more about Nick after this week than in the other week. And I thought, you know what? That's how you know you did all right at Fantasy Suite.

Oh, interesting. Like, what does that indicate to you? Like, what could he have done to get, I think Vanessa said that. And, like, what could he have done to get her to say such a thing? You know, I think there's always, and I've always held this feeling or belief about fantasy suite, where there's just connotation that it needs to be physical, and that's the only thing it is. And, you know, the 84 music plays in the background, and they have, like, a shot through a window of them kissing. But I think one of the best parts about Fantasy Suite is really the, like, and this is completely true for the Bachelor and the contestants.

it is the first time that you are alone in months. And it is like just a complete relief. And it's a letdown. And so I remember almost being tired during Fantasy Suite because of the idea that I just didn't have to be on all the time. But you do stay up all night, don't you? What do you say? Don't you stay up all night?

Like regardless of if you're having sex or not, like if it's your only alone time without cameras, don't you just want to make the most of it? yeah, you stay up all night, and that's it. It's like, it's so exhausting because, you know, you want to give your individual attention to each person that you're staying with. And I know that, you know, I am a Christian, and people gave me the hardest time, and everybody was like, are you going to turn down fantasy suites?

And I made it very clear, no, I'm not, because of the idea that I have 12 hours, the first time ever with a woman that, you know, I could be spending the rest of my life with. And so they're very important, but you do stay up all night. You talk. I remember, like, for example, Lauren and I, after everybody left, we grabbed a bottle of tequila and we sat back by the pool and we sat underneath the stars and just talked about life in a way that we hadn't talked about life before. So, but by the end of the week, you're exhausted. Yeah. I have so many questions and so much I want to say about Nick and the women this week.

But for a few questions, first of all, how many days are between each overnight? So there's a day in between So you will wake up in the morning And those days usually consist of You know kind of catching up on everything that's happened that week And explaining exactly to the viewer you know How your feelings are for the one that usually just stayed with And then you'll have one night free

And then you'll wake up the next day And you'll start that first night's day or the second day So you got a day to recover Do you just sleep the whole day like in between basically Because you're so tired? No no you don't at all it would have been awesome if you did

you're usually catching up on stuff so you're doing all the you know in the moment interviews that you see that kind of explained to the viewer exactly what's going on that's happening the day afterwards because you want it fresh you want it real you want it sincere and so they're making sure to get all that

right there does your handler directly ask you if you've had sex no not really I mean like you kind of become friends with everybody Right. Which, you know, I think, you know, maybe that's on purpose too. I'm trying to trick you.

Yeah, but there's never like this uncomfortable push. I think they're, it might like what happened the night before probably came up in the conversation because those are the only people I have to pause too. Right. Right. So it's like you kind of like got to get it out. Yeah. I mean, like sex or not or whatever you talked about or not, like if you just had an awesome time,

like, you know, they are your only friend. Yeah. They're your only confidant. So you just want to talk about it. Right. They usually end up explaining what happened. Right. Because, yeah, like, when you have, like, a really, like, great date, you want to, like,

rehash it and be like, oh, yeah, so great. And then this happened and that happened. And then we had sex and, like, all that kind of stuff. Yeah. Just like you do with your friend. Yeah. That you do with producers. Totally.

So how do you, how do they decide the order of the dates, like, for second, third? You know, there isn't. I don't think in order, I think, like, how did Nick go? Nick went. We saw Raven, Rachel, Vanessa is what we saw. But I don't know if that's how it's filled. Yeah, I can't exactly remember. Typically, I think it probably goes off of hometown because you're coming right off

of hometown. And so I wouldn't really know that side of it, just when it gets to that point, because all of it's kind of planned out. And so other than the date part, I don't really know how that who goes when kind of stuff happens. Got it. Okay. Interesting.

Interesting. And then as a contestant, when you're, like, let's say you were in Ireland for the over, the overnights, because it was wonky. Like, was it weird when you were just hanging out? Were, like, just, like, wondering, like, what's happening to other people? Like, what's that like? Yes. It's so odd.

I mean, I think in Ireland I was probably the first or second to go. I don't, I was early on. I think you were second. Yeah, okay, that happens. So I followed Nick up, which is a whole new weird thing. But yeah, your mind starts to wander. You know, for me, like I explained last time, you know, I had already witnessed Caitlin kind of having this like romantic relationship with Sean, like, in front of me. So, like, my mind obviously goes to that.

I think for any contestant that week's very emotional, I know talking to Lauren, she was explained to me, like, that was the hardest week because you don't know what's happening. You don't know, you know, what's happening inside those rooms. And it's weird. It's so odd. Right. I can't even imagine. I would lose my mind, but I also would never go on the show. So there's that. Just because I would be... Would it only be fantasy sweet that would keep you from the show? No, no. I wouldn't want to be on television like this. I'm definitely like too private with like stuff I deem really important for me to do it. But the fantasy sweets would also just drive me crazy. Not even like the pressure of like are we going to have sex or not, but just like it's one thing to be dating someone who you know is dating someone else. And like in some ways people can relate to that because like you know when you first meet someone, you don't know who else they're dating and like for like a while. It could be like they are seeing other people or whatever. and you deal with that. But then, like, as it progresses, like, I would just be, I would, like, lose my mind.

I'd be, like, a cliche of a crazy woman, so I couldn't go on TV and reinforce bad stereotypes about females. So. That's the perfect person they need. That's a person to break about weeks. Thanks, Ben. I don't think it's going to happen, but I really appreciate your encouragement. You're a great guest, as always.

No, like, you're right, though. I totally agree with you. this whole thing, and I've always, even living it, like, the Bachelor isn't that weird, honestly, even though you're dating tons of women at one time or tons of men at one time, whatever it is. It's not that weird, and so really the fantasy sweet week, because that's when everything just gets, like, the lack of a better term, really messy and really confusing. Right. Yeah, you kind of broke down your fantasy sweet week. Julia, thank you.

You did. I think for you, you can tell me if I'm wrong, it wasn't. just everything with Jojo and Lauren, but just sort of like saying goodbye to Kayla was really challenging for you as far as I could tell. Yeah, it is because you do. You finally have, you know, you kind of build up for this moment where you're alone and you can confide in each other and you can just laugh and like, just like relax. And I think there's a huge like emotional attachment that's still in those moments of just relaxing and being able to have somebody there like, you know, when I'm so worked up and I'm so, I just feel a ton of pressure to then just sit there and be like, it's all right, let's just hang out. And so when you have to say goodbye to somebody after that,

it's hard. You have a closer connection with them than you did anybody else. Right. Yeah. And also, like, for the girl, I think they've gotten to a certain point. So it's like a major letdown for them. So let's talk about how Nick handled Rachel. Like, just, that's like kind of a good segue. Like, how would you grade his breakup having been in his shoes? You know, I think Nick at this point, as I've seen him progress to The Bachelor, he's gone from being extremely open and honest to almost, I think, he's feeling so much emotion, and he's realizing that he couldn't maybe do The Bachelor or The Bachelor was going to be a little bit bigger than him.

And I don't think he went into it thinking that was going to be a case. I think he thought he could just dominate it and just get through it and find love and walk off into sunset. And I think after Fantasy Suite, he realized that he actually really is feeling an emotional attachment for more than one woman. And I think when he sat down with Rachel, I think he just wanted to get it over with.

Like say, hey, this isn't working. Like, I've been so stressed out. Like, I'm going to move on because I have somebody here that I really care about. And that's all he wanted. He didn't really want to give her too much because I think he just wants to move on. Right.

Yeah, I was surprised. I mean, I wasn't surprised because we know she's the Bachelorette, but I thought they seemed like they had a really fun date. So I was like, why would you get rid to someone that you're having fun with at this point? Like, fun seems like one of the most important traits. Yeah. What else do you do, though? I don't know. I guess he wasn't into her.

But I just am so surprised that he kept, I mean, like, it's not surprising because we know that she's the Bachel. But putting that aside, just like only from what we saw on the show last night, it really seemed like he was more into Raven than he is into Rachel. I mean, sorry, it seemed like he was more into Rachel than he was into Raven. Yeah, and that's tough, but I think, I don't know leading up to it, how his feelings were. I don't know if going into fantasy suite, if after his date with Rachel, if he, you know, was on a big high, or no, you said it went Raven, Rachel. So after his date with Raven, he was on a big high, and then Rachel was fun and exciting,

but as he looked back on it, he thought there was just a little bit more depth. I have no clue. all I know is from my situation with Kayla, you know, that fantasy seat was exciting and fun, but it wasn't anything different than maybe dates I've had in the past where it was obvious to me at that point, like Lauren was just somebody I was head over heels for, and Jojo was somebody that I was having a blast with,

but when it came down to it, like, Kayla just wasn't there yet. And no matter how much fun we had, it just wasn't going to happen. Right. I guess that's what he was feeling with Rachel. It's kind of inexplicable to me. Although maybe he was shocked that she'd never heard of cross-country skiing and therefore was like, who is this girl?

She's got to go. Because that was shocking to me. I mean, cross-country skiing is an Olympic sport. It's not like some random thing people do in Finland. No, no, and you've got to expect it in Finland. Like, you're either like cross-country skiing or you're ice shoeing, like one of the two. Totally. It's no shooting seems like it'd been a bit of a few.

would have been really fun. All of those dates seemed pretty fun, except for Vanessa's, which actually seemed awful when they had to jump in the cold water in the freezing weather. I don't even get that. Like, why do that? Well, that's it. And, like, that's confusing because it was never explained on what exactly was. And they weren't like, when I was watching it, I was expecting to, like, go run into, like a sauna or, like, a fire dome. Yeah. But, like, they weren't. They were just running into, like, a log cabin. I know. I guess it was, like, really warm in there. I don't know. It was very, It was very confusing.

I don't get it. And like, I don't know if you found this weird, but towards the end, and I don't know Vanessa at all, I bet she's awesome. She seems great from the show. But, like, it was a little bit weird to me that she was enjoying sitting in ice water so much. Well, okay, I think they switched to a different pool. I think that was warm water. Oh, did they? Yeah.

Oh, well, see, thank you for that. I think it's okay. You have a cold. You were distracted. I understand. Yeah, by the way, yeah, I explained this to you earlier, but I, do have a cold. So if I'm coughing a lot, it's a mixture of laughing and coughing at the same time. So far, no cough. So far so good. The Vanessa date that was, like, strange to me, though,

was it was, like, very contentious. Like, I think this is Nick's personality, but also just, I don't know, it was just kind of different, but they were, it was like a tense time between him and Vanessa. He was like, I think we're too similar. And he doesn't want to leave America and she doesn't want to leave Canada. And I was surprised to see such a specific, and contentious conversation. I don't think we've really ever seen that in a fantasy suite week before. Certainly not from your season, as far as I can remember.

No, it didn't happen on my season, and I watched that, and I thought about how important those actually are. Those are the conversations that you try to have usually over the fantasy suite, where it's really down, because if you do need to have an argument or if you need to have a discussion, like

the fantasy suite is kind of the appropriate time to do that, because you're a long, and you're free to just work things out and work things through. And I didn't ask anybody from my season, you know, where do they want to live or what was their ideal place to spend their life? And I wish I would have. I do because, you know, even with more and afterwards, I was learning a lot of stuff post-show about, you know,

what her dreams were and where she wanted to be for the rest of her life. And so I did think it was, I thought it was refreshing for me to watch Nick and Vanessa have that conversation. It's important. It was kind of wild. It was like unprecedented in The Bachelor. I was like, this is serious conversation. I almost felt like awkward watching.

I was like this is like a real couple fighting. I don't know if I should be watching this right now. Yeah, and I don't get that feeling off in the show. Like, you know, you have a lot of, you know, fighting amongst the contestants. And then you have a couple like, you don't really have many disagreements among the lead and a contestant. Because when you do, that usually doesn't lend well to the lead or to the cat. Right. And so I thought that was impressive then that he kept her.

I know. And she showed a lot about how much he actually cares about her when they can have a conversation like that. And he keeps her around. It makes me think that Nick just likes to fight because he was needling Rachel too. He was like he was like made fun of her for kind of like losing it on the on the group volleyball date, which was a few weeks ago in Bimini when a lot of the women got very upset for who knows why. It was interesting. Like he was kind of a dick to her. And I was like, oh, okay.

Interesting. This is like a real, this is a real guy move. This is what this is what dudes do. He's being a dick to her. And then it's like going to work out in his favor because like he's going to make her like make her like it more or something. It was funny. Nick was just a real dude this week in my opinion. Yeah. Some guys have that ability. Like I just have never had either A, the confidence or the ability to like kind of play that. So I just more like anybody's fight and then like see how it worked out for me in the end. But, yeah, I noticed that same thing. He was, he was kind of prodding or, like, bringing up, like, I don't know if they're necessarily wounds for Rachel. Sure. But I'm sure she wasn't, like, out of the moment that she freaked out in front of him. Yeah, of course that. And he brought those back up, which is, like, which is uncommon, especially on this show to see that happen.

And a pretty strong, I guess, or odd move by Nick. I'm surprised she didn't get more defensive. Me too. That would be my experience with when I do something like that, somebody gets defensive. Totally. That kind of happened with Jojo when you guys were at one point when she was, like, being cold. I feel like you asked her about it. It didn't go over well, if I recall. But it was really surprising. I was really sad to see Rachel go, though. I really like her.

And I just was shocked that she was out. Julia, I got great news for you. What? You're going to watch a whole season of Rachel. I know. I know. Are you excited that she's The Bachelorette? Oh, gosh. Yeah, I mean, I think she's perfect. I honestly, I don't know if there was any other choice because she's just so great.

She shows everything. I watched her on Women's Hell All, and she, and I don't know if this, I'm going to use it as a compliment. But she's a star. Like, she literally, like, cares herself so well. She's funny. She's confident. She put Nick in her place, and he was like, these guys are going to be lucky to see you. And she's like, I know. and he lights up the room. Like you can tell that she is going to bring not only a presence to The Bachelor X that like, you know, is important,

but also post when she does all the press and then whatever she does after the show, she's a star. She really is going to be awesome just as a role model, I think. I hope so. I hope. I do so. She's really, she's like well-spoken and smart.

She's really well-spoken, and she's, she just had that, She always says that Chris Harrison type, like, it factor, you know, where he just kind of sits there. He says the right thing at the right time. He doesn't say a lot. But, like, he has this presence that's a little bit like, like, he's, you know, Chris Harrison has been the lead of the show for a long time. And I think we're going to look back and say Rachel was the Bachelorette that we always will remember because she just exuded this confidence and that it factor that we need in this. Right.

Yeah. I'm happy to have her. And it's like, it's just great that, you know, after I think we've had 11 Bacheloretts, maybe it's like up to 13. It's just like, finally, there should be an African-American woman. So I'm just, I'm so happy about it. It's a big deal. It's almost like it's been underplayed how significant that is just because the franchise has such a bad track record with having diverse people on the show as both contestants and, you know, as in the lead. So it's like a really big deal.

I'm super excited about it. Like, I don't know. I feel like it's just, it's very positive. I want to talk more about, we haven't even discussed the whole Raven situation. We're going to get to that. But first, let me tell you about my sponsors this week, Ben. Let me tell you about Framebridge first. Do you have a thousand photos living in your phone, not a single one in a frame?

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which I do not understand. Raven, we saw most of her date last week and then kind of left on a supposed cliffhanger where we learned last week that Ravens never had an orgasm before. And so would Nick be able to pleasure her this week? and the show went to a pretty great length to make it seem as the Nick did. Raven literally did cartwheels throughout the snowy town that she was in in Finland, and there was like happy music playing in the background as she basically filmed a music video. It was pretty ridiculous.

And how did you feel about that, Ben? Did you like that treatment? You know, okay, so what do you want to start? Do you want to start with how I felt about the monologue of her having or not having an orgasm? Or do I think she wins it up? Let's start with how you felt about her orgasm monologue. I'm more curious for your take on that. Just completely uncomfortable.

Are you uncomfortable talking about it right now? Yeah, definitely. Like, I mean, first off, I think the show did make a great service by having that monologue. Like the guy has to be watching that back, like, you know, elbowing his buddy. He's name like, like, yeah, see, see, I have it or whatever. But like, that's just too bad for her. Like, I just can't imagine. And all other things aside, like, whether they hooked up in the fantasies or not, like, that's up to them.

But, like, do you really want your dad and mom watching that? Like, you know, yes, there's that connotation that you might have had sex in the fantasy suite. But then your dad and mom have to watch you, like, get through the town. having your first orgasm, like, that's something you don't want to ever share with the public. I don't think. Yeah, definitely not your parents. No, I mean, it's awkward. It's definitely uncomfortable.

But it just was weird. It was like, it was just very low, it was low class. But on the other hand, it's like, I don't know, has any other show ever discussed orgasms at length like this? Like, no. I've now talked about it two weeks in a row. It's kind of, it's pretty wild. What was your parents' reaction to the fantasy suite episode? Did they watch it?

I'm sure they did. Yeah. It's just like something we don't talk about. Yeah. You know? I mean, I think it's awkward. And like, it's weird. And everybody knows it.

And like, if you're a fan of the show, you know, you know that there's more happening in there than the, like, sex. And like, like, sex might not even be happening. But, like, if you think that for 12 hours, these people are just literally rolling around, in the sheets like, A, you have a false idea of life in general. And B, like, that ain't me. So, like, there's a lot of talking that has to take place in those 12 hours. Like, we got a lot of time to fill. That's true. You mean, you better have a lot of conversation topics lined up as well. It's a full 12 hours. Yeah, so like some activities, some board games, you know, whatever you come up with. But, yeah, it was weird. It's,

something I didn't expect to be seeing. I watched it and laughed and also felt like it looked like a music video. It was unbatchelor-esque, but, you know, they need to shake it up a bit sometimes. That's true. That also just leads me to believe that Raven doesn't win because if they want, like, the couple to be taken seriously, like, it's just would be weird for that to be, like, they're like a gimmick. And right before, like, it just doesn't make sense, in my opinion. That's why I'm pretty sure there's no way she wins. Well, and yeah, and I agree with that.

And then my theory is that if he wanted to send Vanessa home, he would have done it like this week or two weeks ago during her hometown when, like, he definitely got bombarded with really hard questions that, like, there's not a great answer to. For example, where are we going to live? Are we going to live in Canada or the United States? And they're pretty secure in their thought that they need to live in Canada. And I think if he didn't really care about Vanessa, like he would have sent her home way before this. Right.

Because then it's like, why go through the conflict if you're not in it to win it, basically? Exactly, yeah. And there just is. I mean, you know, they're having those conversations. So I think that shows that not only is Nick really wanting to discuss this with Vanessa, but she's wanting to really dig in deep with him. And so that shows a level of depth. But I just don't think I've seen with Raven at all yet.

No, I don't see it either. Also, he went out of his way to have Harconn release for them to show. Maybe he had it with Raven and we didn't see it. but it was like made it on camera with both Rachel and Vanessa that he was having these really hard conversations and the one with Vanessa like I said earlier it was just like it was serious it was like it was like actually a practical conversation I kind of admired them for having it but we just don't even we don't and it was similar with Rachel they talked about like sort of you know what she was so scared of and and all of that so if he wasn't actually interested in in them

then and why would he even do that you know it's like having like suss it out or whatever I I'm so surprised Raven made this far, which makes me just feel like I'm so judgmental because, like, why shouldn't Raven make this far? She seems pretty fun. Although, I feel like I don't know a lot about her, and we know so much more about Vanessa and Rachel, for that matter. Yeah, I mean, we know very few things about Raven. One is that she supposedly had her first orgasm on The Bachelor, which is something that she marks in history for the rest of her life. That's what she says. I don't know. The whole thing was just so ridiculous. But you know what? I guess I'm happy for Raven. That's great. Good for her. Yeah, we got to be happy.

You know, let's celebrate really good things in life. And it sounds like they had been really good. A really good night. Hopefully. A really good night. Yeah, I think, I'm sure you're frustrated. Let me ask you, are you frustrated so far with this season? Because, I mean, two out of the four girls, or no, two out of the last five girls, were girls that you did not expect at all to make it

which was one Corinne and be Raven. Yes. Raven, I like being surprised by her and also like I think I like being wrong about her as well. It's like a good reminder that like just to, you can't always be right from your first judgments. Corinne grew on me over the course of the season for a couple of reasons. Actually, this brings us something else I wanted to mention. Did you catch the kind of really uncomfortable tension between Rachel and Vanessa

when they were standing up there for the rose ceremony? It was very subtle, but it was very clear to me that they don't like each other. Yeah, I wonder why that is. And I wonder also if it was actually just really cold and their facial expressions looked angry, but they were just really, really cold. That's the insider perspective I have you here for. Great point. I didn't think about that.

It seemed like... It's hard to say. Yeah. It seemed like they did not like each other, though, as far as I could tell. And the reason Corinne grew on me is because I think people did like her. I think that she actually had friends in the house, and that she kind of, I think that Corinne is really young and immature and likes to drink a lot, which is fine. Like, who doesn't like to drink a lot of champagne? And as a result, I think she came off really badly on the show, but it made for good television.

And I just think that, like, that's not, like, truly, truly who Corinne is. And, like, for all of Nick's flaws or whatever, and I actually think he's been a pretty good bachelor, even though he, like, keeps canceling rose ceremonies. I don't think he likes just totally vapid women so that also kind of made me like her more. So I was I was like kind of happy to have Corinne after a couple of weeks. What did you think?

You weren't into her either. No, I wasn't. She grew up me too. She grew up until last night's women fell off. Yeah. And I still think she's a lot, I guess, better than the first couple weeks portrayed her as. But like last night there was this level of like

just non-empathy for anybody else that I didn't really love. But it's also hard because you're getting bombarded with questions and comments and criticisms. And so sometimes you do. You just react and you get defensive. And I think that's what she did last night. And I'm sure, you know, I think you said it best. She is young and she did what she wanted to do, what she got to respect.

And it was awesome television. And that's who Corinne was on the bachelor's. Totally. Yeah, I think that she. And it kept her. also she you know the woman tell all filmed like two weeks ago or something like that so she has seen

she'd seen like five episodes of herself so she kind of knew the way they were painting her she seems savvy enough to kind of like lean into that persona that like that like it doesn't surprise me that she was like that plus I just think they give them so much alcohol and as a result they act crazy some of them act crazier

I don't know it just it was interesting yeah This week in Finland didn't seem like they were drinking as much, which I also think is one of the reasons that the interactions were, like, notably more contentious or a little more serious. Like, we just didn't see them with the drinks in their hand quite as much, except for, like, at night, basically.

Okay. Yeah, that makes sense. And I think, like, I mean, when, and we talk about it, like, when there's not a lot to do, and then you're in Finland where, what is it, like, light most of the day, most of the time? At that point is dark, most of the day. Yeah. It's dark?

Okay, so it's dark at that time. Like, what are you going to do with yourself other than drink? Like, you have very little, like, stuff to entertain you. I don't blame them. Me neither. Me neither at all. It actually seemed like kind of the ideal place for fantasy sweets because they're like, yeah, we should be inside. We should be in bed.

It's cold out. It's dark. Let's just stay here. It actually, it like makes more sense than the Caribbean. Force them inside, you know? It's like force them into a corner. Take away their options. Yeah, right.

And it's not freaking out. Like, I guarantee you that. Yeah, 100%. In fact, it seemed like at least where there was a shot, the person who writes about The Bachelor for the ringer is named Roger Sherman, and he wrote about how there was a shot of Nick and Rachel where it was like basically they were in, it was like them in bed, like from before and the after and just like their clothes that change basically, but the door was like the exact same amount, ajar and just seemed like they hadn't moved in like X number of hours, which

is like kind of amazing. But also sounds like a great night. Sounds fun. If you're like, you know, just hanging. Just hang in. You know, have sex, hang a little more, have sex, hang a little more. You know, like you said, 12 hours. Have a great time.

Yeah, and, you know, I think Nick, obviously, as we've heard, as it in him. So, you know, go Nick. I hope so. What other kind of like pre- He might be 36, but he is young at heart. 36 in the streets and a freak in the bed. What other kind of preparations do they, like, do for you before the fancy sweets? Like, do they give you condoms?

We're going to go to, like, manscaping, grooming. Well, that too. Yeah, that too. No, I mean, I think, I mean, there's obviously that option there. Sure. When you walk in, I think the preparation is pretty simple. You know, there's usually, it's in a house, and so there's, like, champagne and whatever kind of, like, drink you want. There's usually, like, maybe a fruit plate of some kind.

nothing too special because you just had dinner and then everything that you would need for the night like yeah I'd say like condoms or anything like that they would have available for you if you needed it I'm glad they're practicing safe sacks on The Bachelor thank goodness oh yeah that's a great thing thank goodness I also always very I'm very intrigued by like the like pajamas that everyone picks

it seems like a pretty big it's like a pretty big decision Rachel was wearing a penguin onesie, which I absolutely loved and thought was hilarious. And it seemed very cozy. I think that's what I would go with. I mean, because you're either, so I remember when I was on the Bachelorette, when I was like walking out of the room and I had like my walk of whatever shame or blear or whatever. And they're taping it. It's not a walk of shame. Come on.

It was fine. It was fine. Yeah, it was good. But then again, like, I remember thinking, well, that was probably my last barrage here. The, I had, like, these sweatpants on that I, like, pulled up to my calves. I thought that was the cool thing. It's the style because I saw all the guys doing it. And I just got ripped on by everybody for it.

Actually remember that. Like, if you're going to go out, just go out in a onesie because, you know, I don't know style. And so I'm not going to claim to. So if I'm going to, like, leave, I might have a little. be comfortable and wear something that if people are going to make fun of, you're already set them up to do that. You're not disappointed. Totally.

I think it's a good move. It's also sort of like, oh, Nancy. It's like, yeah, I slept here. And now I'm in my onesie. Exactly. We're in my pajamas. I like it. I like it.

I think it worked out well. I was really skeptical of the cold weather location for fantasy suites, but now I'm all in it. I think it's a great call, actually. It makes, like, a lot of sense now that we've talked it through. Next Bachelor, Indiana. Northern Indiana. Yeah, I'm calling it.

When they went to Nick's hometown of Waukesha and rented the lake house, that looks like a great house and a great place to be in an overnight. And I recall there's also a lake involved in Warsaw, Indiana, from when people went to your house, your town, too. Yeah. A lake house? A Midwest?

Yeah. Lakehouse is a great spot. I support that. Well, real estate isn't exactly the most expensive and so people can afford like lake houses. instead of little townhomes in L.A. Right. Yeah, I like it.

It's a smart idea. If they're ever like slashing the budget, we'll just tell them to go to the Midwest. We've got it all set up for them. We're in. We're producers, actually. I feel like that's our next step in mind. I would love to do that.

How do you feel about Nick being on Dancing with the Stars? Will you watch him? You know, I do, honestly, from the bottom of my heart, support Nick. And I think Nick knows that I think he's made some more. odd decisions over his four years on this franchise. I think he knows that he's made some weird decisions. But I 100% think Nick is a good man.

And I was surprised if I dance with the stars. I felt my only concern, and I've talked to Crystal's about this because he did dance with the stars. Right. My only concern is that if Nick is in a relationship, I know how hard this season of life is for this couple, no matter what, no matter how good you're doing. no matter how bad you're doing.

It's really hard. And I just hope that like, if Nick really cares about this woman, he takes the time and puts in the effort outside of Dance with the Stars to show her how much he cares because she's literally.

And this is Bachelor Insight, this is the truth, this is life. And Lauren is such a unselfish person and partner to me. But for four months of our, no,

I mean, five months of our life as a couple, she had to literally ride my coattails and watch me do everything and sit back and just be my fiance. And then I feel like Dance with the Stars just perpetuates that feeling, and I'm worried that that would end up no matter who you are crushing that person. That's interesting.

That's a good point. It's sort of like it doesn't stop the celebrity cycle, so it makes it really difficult. It does. And it's hard, Julie. Like this, and we've been pretty about that. And people freak out like, oh, why are you engaged if it's so hard? But like, coming off The Bachelor is hard not just because of doing the show and the idea that I dated multiple women or that, you know, if The Bachelor dated multiple men.

But it's hard because you have waited so long to be public and to celebrate this engagement and this love. And then I have a feeling the dance at the stars just kind of slows that excitement down. Right. And maybe it doesn't. But I know in that season of life for us, I could have never done dance with the stars and invested as much, like, effort into my relationship was born as I needed to to keep, to make her know how much I cared about. Right. That's very, that makes a lot of sense. A lot of sense, Ben.

Once again, you're super rational. Very, very, very sensible. Outside of that. Outside of that, I totally support Nick. I'll say that I totally support Nick I hope he puts in the effort if he's with somebody if he's not then man go dance your life away and get you know I just like

Dance with the Stars honestly as much fun as I would have with it it almost sounds like my nightmare because there's no way I do that and come off on skate Like I would be awful Right I mean that makes sense Which might be fun Yeah I mean

Nick has a good partner in PETA so I'm hopeful for her Not that I actually don't really watch chance from the stars, but maybe I will. I will because he's doing it. And I hear it's, it's, what's her name? Peta? Petta. Petta? I hear she's super tough. Oh.

Like really tough. And so, I mean, I hope he doesn't go into it. This thing is going to be a lot of fun because it sounds like she's going to work him. Ooh. All right. Well, he's a good athlete. We know he's in great shape. So I'm hopeful he'll be okay. Yeah. You said the same thing about me. If I would, would have gone on, right? Yeah. You know he's a good athlete, and he's definitely in great shape. In great shape. Although now I know you had a parasite. I can't believe that you wouldn't even done it anyway. You were still in recovery from that. That was breaking news.

All right, Ben. I know I've made you sufficiently uncomfortable with this podcast episode making you talk about the Fantasy Suite. So thank you so much for calling in. It's great to talk to you as always. Hey, Julia, I have one last question. Oh, yeah, of course. a year ago, and I texted you this, and I need to ask this and hear your response. Bill Simmons made my mom's world when he called her hot on a podcast a year ago. She's a good-looking lady. It's true. Okay.

So if I call him out, like, he would own up to it. That he said that? Of course he said it. It's recorded, but he would still feel that way, and I could tell her, mom, you're a good-looking lady, and, like, people out there are still talking about. Yeah, absolutely. We're all in on the Higgins family here at the ringer. All right. That's all I needed. 100%, of course. You know we support you, Ben, in all your endeavors.

Thanks, Julia. I appreciate you. I appreciate you. Thanks for calling. Hope you feel better. And I'll talk to you soon. I hope so. Thanks to listening to Bachelor Party. We're almost near at the end. Nick's going to make his choice. but we will push forward next week. I'll be back as always. And thanks again to Simply Safe and to Framebridge and listen to all the other shows on Channel 33

and don't forget about our new podcast, Achievement-oriented and The Masked Man Show. Thanks again for listening. The Ringers Gaming Podcasts, Achievement-oriented, and our wrestling podcast, The Mass Man Show are breaking off of Channel 33. You can now subscribe to each of them on iTunes, Stitch, or SoundCloud,

or wherever you get your podcasts. That's it, guys. I'll see you next week when we give out the final rows. hopefully Nick makes the right choice. Have a great week and talk to you then.