We’re not stans of the Bachelor Universe, and we still decided to stream the tenth season of Bachelor in Paradise. Let’s be real, we were curious about how the Goldens (aka more “senior” singles – 50/60+) would mix in with the standard cast (typically singles in their 20s and 30s). There’s a lot of standard making out, snuggling, and relationship drama suitable for cable television. There’s not a lot of cross pollination between the generations; although maybe in another life.
Regardless of whether you believe in the power of reality television being able to match couples successfully, BiP wiped that illusion by putting a $500k prize at stake this season. Contestants (seems fair to call them that now) pair up to compete in challenges and some still engage in heavy-petting. But the couples who were teetering on the brink before the cash prize announcement are now clinging to one another–not for love, but for money.
Heck, some pairs have outright declared they’ll likely never be more than friends but they want to stick around and compete. And who can blame them? Sure, sure, they say they don’t care about the money, but we’d guess that $500k is one of those “nice to haves” even if it’s not a “need to have.”
If you’re looking for romance, BiP Season 10 is not it. But if you like watching people in their 20s, 30, 50s, and 60s have a great time in Costa Rica, make terrible hookup decisions (some not all), and play silly games in the humidity – tune in. Maybe a game show is more your speed and ABC will expand its typical audience. I mean, we’re still watching.