Mike defends the decision to air the emotional moment, saying that Melissa was not blindsided by Jason's action.
"They had been talking and seeing each other. I think it was clear to both of them that there were problems with the relationship at that point," Mike says. "As I understand it, they were all but broken up prior to the show. I don't think she knew that she was going to give him back the ring, but I think she knew they weren't going to be together."
As for why he aired it, he says, "First of all, it is a TV show and that was the defining movement of the series. To not put it on TV on would be strange when you consider we are doing a TV show and these people signed up to do a TV show. The real difference here was [that] his decision to break up with Melissa involved the other party in this situation, Molly. So it was all part of our 'Bachelor' universe. [To us] it seemed weird to turn the cameras off. We try to tell a complete story. To have that go on and not let the viewers be a part of it, I think, would have been a mistake."
That said, Mike reveals that Molly had no idea what was going to happen on "The Bachelor -- After the Final Rose." What she was told was that it was the regular update that the series does at the end of each season, and for which she had already been contracted.
What he wants to make clear is that the on-air breakup was not scripted by the show.
"We don't do that and we never will do that," he says. "The great thing about unscripted television is it is unpredictable. It caught us off guard and the viewers off guard. That is why unscripted television works. It doesn't feel pat. It doesn't feel contrived."
Jason, of course, is taking a lot of flack for his decision ... or, rather, his indecision.
"He was so immensely popular, he had the furthest to fall," Mike points out. "When he did something that the audience didn't want him to do, the audience was disappointed."
As for Molly's future with Jason, Mike says he was with the couple last night and they were as happy as can be.
"He told me, 'What was I going to do? I was in love with this girl. What was my choice? Not to pursue this woman I adore?'"
At this point in time, the "M" word hasn't been mentioned by the couple, but keep checking back for more "The Bachelor" news. If wedding bells are in Jason and Molly's future, we will report it.
After seeing the twisted finale of The Bachelor, will you continue to watch the show in the future?
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Comments (24)
We can't say what he went through, that show must be tough.
Jason did put me off earlier this year though with all the kissing and necking of ALL the girls. I did find this...