One thing that’s always bugged me about reality TV is how people are able to leave their jobs for a month or six weeks or however long the show takes to tape. Sure, maybe some of them have lots of accumulated unused vacation time or are self-employed or something, but that is part of the reason reality TV is so chock full of aspiring actors or unemployed people.
Well, last night, some of my “how do you get your job to let you do this?” questions were finally answered on – of all places – The Bachelorette. Ed, one of the guys left in the running to win Canadian singleton Jillian’s (pictured at right) heart and a viewer favorite, got an angry call from his boss while taping the show in Whistler, British Columbia. The boss told Ed that he either had to come back immediately or be fired. Thus the perfect storyline for the show: love or money?
Here’s part of MSNBC’s recap of the show:
Ed is looking depressed and distant by the campfire, and Jillian knows something is wrong. Ed explains that he had a conference call with his boss that morning and was given an ultimatum — come back to work, or you’re fired. ”It’s killing me,” he tells Jillian. ”You’re, like, exactly what I’m looking for.” The Bachelorette is upset but still has hope; she gives Ed the date rose so he knows for sure that she wants him around. That said, she needs an answer ASAP: ”I want you to decide whether you want to keep this rose or you want to give it back.” The other guys are a little annoyed, but they’re also not too worried. ”This isn’t the economy where you want to get fired and be looking for another job,” says Jake. ”I am pretty confident that he will not be present at the next rose ceremony.”
In this economy, it seems like job security prevails over being one of several guys who could potentially find temporary love on reality TV. I just can’t believe the company couldn’t be placated with free advertising. Or maybe the whole thing’s a ruse so that Ed can show up and profess his undying love to Jillian during the finale. You heard it here first, y’all.
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