Bachelor Nation, we know you’re frustrated being cooped up at home. You’re distraught that the new season of “The Bachelorette” won’t premiere on May 18 as scheduled due to a production hiatus. But fear not: “The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart” (Mondays, 8 EDT/PDT) is here to distract you for six weeks with sexy musicians looking for love – aka “The Bachelor” meets “A Star is Born” (the Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga version).
“Will a shared love of music lead to a love that is shared forever?” host Chris Harrison teases at the show’s start, echoing the traditional “Bachelor” conceit of finding love with a musical twist. We rolled our eyes, but the franchise may actually be onto something. “The Bachelor” formula is comforting, even as much of the world is anything but due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The episode starts off by introducing us to contestants, just like the typical start of a “Bachelor” season. We meet musician Brandon, who spent four years in the Marine Corps; Bri, who’s ready to meet her future husband after an engagement that didn’t work out; Trevor, the conventionally attractive singer who appeared on “American Idol” a few years ago, when Katy Perry called him hot; and Jamie, who has been cheated on by every guy she’s ever dated.
What could possibly go wrong?
‘Bachelor’ contestants mingle, make music together
There are 20 contestants in total: 12 men and eight women, all of whom will take some time to get acquainted (and some of whom will go on dates). The women have the upper hand this week, as each of them hands out a rose to the man of their choosing at the first rose ceremony. But that means four men will be roseless and sent packing. You can quickly start guessing who won’t make it.
It doesn’t take long for people to start coupling up. Ryan seems to like Jamie, and each admits the other is cute, though Trevor also catches Jamie’s eye. Another triangle is brewing between Sheridan, Julia and Brandon. Matt gives Rudi his jacket in a sweet moment, while Savannah awkwardly has to dodge a kiss from Michael Todd.
“I like your lips,” he tells her, which, gross. Remember first dates and kissing?
We get a taste of 21-year-old Jamie’s naïveté that doesn’t bode well for future decision-making: “I hope no one comes down that wants to start drama,” she says.
The biggest difference between this and other shows in “The Bachelor” franchise? These people have musical talent. There’s piano playing and singing, in addition to drinking and mingling.
Rudi and Matt head to the hot tub but fail to generate any heat beyond the water’s. Ryan and Jamie kiss, but Jamie falls for Trevor’s looks all too quickly and they make out in the hot tub. Jamie, run! Have you seen how “A Star Is Born” ends?!
The first ‘Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart’ dates begin
Ryan snags the first date card and (not-so-shockingly) picks Jamie. The pair head to Capitol Records, where they work on a cover of John Mayer’s “Gravity.” Jamie typically sings pop country music, so it’s not her style, but Ryan makes her feel comfortable and even changes the key for her while they rehearse. The date is too cute for words; their voices blend perfectly. It’s the “High School Musical” redux with twentysomethings you never knew you wanted.
Matt gets the second date card, and chooses Mel, after it looks like he might ask Rudi. Matt and Mel go to a backyard concert and see the Plain White T’s, although they fail to evoke even a plain level of chemistry. We see Rudi singing about how upset she is transposed with clips of Matt and Mel’s date, like a built-in “Glee” soundtrack. It’s just cheesy enough to work.
With the rose ceremony looming, it seems like Julia and Josh are connecting. But Sheridan makes one final play: He started writing a song for Julia and wants her to finish it with him. He plays the guitar and sings it for her and they kiss. We simply melt.
Rudi expresses her frustrations to Matt, but he thinks she misinterpreted the situation. Yikes, buddy.
Ryan and Jamie’s date may have been magical, but Jamie remains conflicted; Trevor insists on spending time with her. “I don’t want to make the wrong decision,” she says. “I feel like I always do,” Now’s your chance to do something different, Jamie! Ryan, this is a good time to cover Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” (he doesn’t).
Now for the rose ceremony: Savannah picks Brandon; Mel picks Gabe; Bekah picks Danny; Bri picks Chris; and Cheyenne randomly picks Matt.
“Sometimes you have to just take a chance,” she says.
Next: Julia picks Sheridan; Jamie picks Trevor; and Rudi picks Ryan. We say goodbye to Josh, Michael Todd, Russell and Jack.
Will the series indeed deliver on its promise of “A Star is Born”-level chemistry? We’ll have to “tune” in next week and see.
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