ABSTRACT
Television programs such as The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are a testament to the extent to which some of us will go to make a love connection. But are these shows really romantic? Or do they represent the antithesis of romance, since relationships and romantic moments are turned into commercial ventures and played out in public sphere rather than in private? Men selected as bachelors tend to be financially well-off and handsome. The women selected as potential mates or bachelorettes typically are sexually desirable and stunning. On both shows, the romantic partner candidates are whittled down until only two remain, with the ultimate choice of which one of the two to select as a potential life-partner left to “the bachelor” or “the bachelorette.” Note, however, that on each show, it is the man who gets to pop the “Will you marry me” question-proof of the enduring power of traditional sex roles.
