Bachelor Nation

For fifteen years and thirty-five seasons, the Bachelor franchise has been a mainstay in American TV viewers' lives. The... (more)

For fifteen years and thirty-five seasons, the Bachelor franchise has been a mainstay in American TV viewers' lives. The iconic reality television show's reach and influence into the cultural zeitgeist is undeniable. Bestselling writers and famous actors live tweet about it. Die-hard fans--dubbed "Bachelor Nation"--come together every week during each season to participate in fantasy leagues and viewing parties. Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman is a proud member of Bachelor Nation and has a long history with the franchise. She has interviewed dozens of producers, contestants, and celebrity fans to give readers never-before-told details of the show's inner workings. Kaufman also explores what our fascination means, culturally: what the show says about the way we view so-called ideal suitors, our subconscious yearning for fairy-tale romance, and how this enduring television show has shaped society's feelings about love, marriage, and feminism by appealing to a marriage plot that's as old as Jane Austen. (less)