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TV REVIEW:It’s fun, but still so problematic. Thinus Ferreira has been watching the second season of The Bachelor SA and dissects the show that’s all about getting a rose (and its thorns).
The Bachelor SA
M-Net (DStv channel 101)
Sunday, 8pm
3/5
The second season of The Bachelor SA is equally beautiful and nightmarish.
Looking in on the mess as a viewer, the most joy comes if you’re not on the hunt for Mr or Ms Right, and can watch with interest and bit of disdain as a group of women (can we call them sad?) literally fight over a man on TV.
While Marc Buckner, as this season’s chest-baring eligible bachelor, feels like a more mature pick than Season 1’s Lee Thompson, the rest of the new edition is full of elevated levels of everything – including caricature contestants.
It’s difficult to guess who Marc might end up with – if anyone. Pot-stirrer and drama queen Nolo is gone, but she never really looked like she was there for love in the first place. Travel agent Bridget, a secret drama instigator, is still in there, but who chose her as a possible match for Marc? Really?
Interestingly, it will once again be the more “out there” and “drama queeny” women – who are riling everyone inside the mansion – who are going to end up getting the most press and social media attention.
Pasha and Qiniso come across as hyperaware of how the media might portray them instead of being authentic on camera, although my bet is that Qiniso will end up with Marc.
Contestant Rikki summed it up well when she said: “If I could tell Marc anything, it would be to watch the girls when the camera stops rolling, because girls change.”
In this season, the one-on-one dates are more down to earth, which gives Marc and co more space to breathe, the viewers time to really get to know the women and more TV time for us to see if the pair have chemistry.
I have absolutely nothing against Marc, but it’s quite problematic that M-Net went with a young white man again. It’s similar to how Men’s Health magazine featured cover models who didn’t correspond with the actual male demographic in this country. It’s a failing on M-Net and production company Rapid Blue’s part for not being capable of finding an eligible black bachelor.
It’s also disappointing to watch how a group of seemingly needy women are poured into a pot, some spice gets stirred in for extra flavour, and the producers step back so that viewers can slurp up the delicious cattiness soup in which this one is the villain, that one is the one who causes trouble and this one is the clueless, quiet, socially awkward woman who clearly doesn’t deserve a man like Marc. They’re set up that way.
Yes, it’s television. Yes, we want our rose ceremonies filled with drama. Yes, a part of all of us never leaves behind the primary school deliciousness of running with gossip-girl delight during breaktime to whisper about what your so-called best friend has said about someone. But it’s not love. And it’s not really very real.
- Who is your favourite person on The Bachelor SA? SMS the keyword BACHELOR and your thoughts to 35697. You can also email trending@citypress.co.za. SMSes cost R1.50. Please include your name and province
