“The Bachelor” Premiere Recap: First Impressions Are Everything

Season 20 of “The Bachelor” is here and I know I’m not the only one whose new year resolution is to get more Ben Higgins in my life. The episode starts out with a little “getting to know you” with our Bachelor. I gotta admit — Ben is young. At 26, most guys are not searching for a wifey. But Ben has Midwestern roots that make him mature, sweet, and not to mention very handsome. I knew Ben was a keeper the moment he sat with his loving parents at their beautiful home — because I would love if my in-laws had a mansion with a boat on the water. Plus, he’s not a farmer so the bachelorettes don’t have to decide if they want to bail hay for the rest of their life! This is a win-win!

THE BACHELOR - "Episode 2001" - One by one, the gorgeous bachelorettes are prepared to make a lasting first impression. The stakes are high as the long, stressful first night winds down and it's time for the first rose ceremony of the season. Twenty-one lucky women will continue their journey to win Ben's heart, as this highly anticipated 20th season of ABC's hit romance reality series, "The Bachelor," premieres on MONDAY, JANUARY 4 (8:00-10:01 p.m., EST), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Rick Rowell) AMANDA S., LAURA, EMILY, JENNIFER, BEN HIGGINS, MEGAN, JAMI, BECCA, BREANNE, HALEY, JUBILEE, JACQUELINE

(ABC/Rick Rowell)

We got a glimpse into the boy’s club that is “The Bachelor” alumni. However, Chris Soules is not in the married club — or in the relationship club for that matter. So, Ben, maybe don’t take his advice.

Chris Harrison reminds us that Ben thinks he’s “unlovable”, which is still a mystery to me. Who inception’d that idea into Ben’s head? Did they not just read the paragraph above? Just because Kaitlyn rejected you, Benny boy, does not mean that America rejected you.

Speaking of America, let’s talk about these contestants. You know you’ve got your hands full when someone dragging a penny horse into cocktail hour is the least of your worries. We’ve got Jackie bringing a save-the-date to their future wedding, which, if I were Ben and the objective of this show weren’t to get engaged, I would declare her a stage 5 clinger and banish her from the mansion immediately. Joelle was wearing a unicorn head, the nameless self-proclaimed stalker creeped Ben out a bit, then there’s the girl in the onesie, and don’t even get me started on the Twins. I have so many questions about how dating those two is supposed to work.

THE BACHELOR - "Episode 2001" - One by one, the gorgeous bachelorettes are prepared to make a lasting first impression. The stakes are high as the long, stressful first night winds down and it's time for the first rose ceremony of the season. Twenty-one lucky women will continue their journey to win Ben's heart, as this highly anticipated 20th season of ABC's hit romance reality series, "The Bachelor," premieres on MONDAY, JANUARY 4 (8:00-10:01 p.m., EST), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Rick Rowell) JOELLE, BEN HIGGINS

(ABC/Rick Rowell)

I am excited to see the casting directors didn’t let a silly thing like speaking English get in the way of selecting Shushanna as the token Russian of the group. That’s a thing, right? I like Sam, who sounds like she has perpetual bronchitis, because she passed the Bar exam so we know she’s smart, but with her dad passing away she has a great story for TV. Jubilee had a great candid intro of admitting she forgot her pick up line- like most people would probably do if they were on “The Bachelor!” I’m a big fan of Olivia the news anchor because I have decided I want to be her when I grow up. Lucky girl got the first impression rose! I see her lasting for the long haul.

I’d also like to meet the fortune cookie that writes all the pick up lines for these girls to say to Ben, because they are awful. Just, awful. Who wants their “how we met” story with their husband to start with “so I was on a reality show, hiked up my dress, and threw him a football from my butt?” Not me, no thank you.

Now, I’m sure at this point you’re thinking “but Kylie, what about Lace? She was basically the only woman shown during the cocktail hour!” And to that I say: boo Lace! Every “Bachelor” cocktail hour has one and the producers picked Lace to be the drunk mean girl. I was a bit disappointed with this episode because there was so much drunken crap spewing out of her mouth, I was expecting her to throw a drink and storm out screaming and crying, instead of merely complaining that Ben didn’t look her in the eye during the rose ceremony. The look on Ben’s face told me he definitely regretted handing her that rose.

I really don’t see Lace lasting long on the show- but if she does, it’s because the producers encourage Ben to keep her, not because he wants that second kiss with her. Man, that rejection was so great. I literally high-fived the TV when he let her down.

THE BACHELOR - "Episode 2001" - One by one, the gorgeous bachelorettes are prepared to make a lasting first impression. The stakes are high as the long, stressful first night winds down and it's time for the first rose ceremony of the season. Twenty-one lucky women will continue their journey to win Ben's heart, as this highly anticipated 20th season of ABC's hit romance reality series, "The Bachelor," premieres on MONDAY, JANUARY 4 (8:00-10:01 p.m., EST), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Rick Rowell) AMANDA K., BEN HIGGINS

(ABC/Rick Rowell)

Also, a bit of advice for Ben: stop calling a room filled with women “you guys!” It’s starting to make me wonder if he’s trying to manifest these women into men.

And of course you can’t have a juicy episode without a surprise twist! Tonight had two surprises — Becca Tilley and Amber James — previous rejected contestants from Chris Soules’ season of “The Bachelor.” I think Becca and Amber will go far this season, but I’m curious if it’s because they are seasoned bachelorettes and know how to play the game, or because they have genuine connections with Ben.

Only time will tell — the trailer for this season looked juicy and I can’t wait to see what’s to come of “The Bachelor!” Tell me your thoughts! Tweet me your opinions @TheKylieHodges and comment below!

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