I was lucky enough to be invited to a preview screening of the Bachelor Canada.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I sat down to view the premiere episode of the Canadian version of this extraordinarily popular US franchise.  Sometimes Canadian versions of American reality shows are great (So You Think You Can Dance), and sometimes they’re slightly lame (Canada’s Got Talent).  I stopped watching the Bachelor a few years ago. The whole making out with seven women in one night thing sort of bothered me. While it was entertaining, the well-hidden feminist in me couldn’t handle the 25 women throwing themselves at their Prince Charming for five minutes of fame.  I think my daughter, who is an overly confident 18-year-old, feels the same way.

Me: too bad you’re at university. I would have taken you to this top-secret screening of The Bachelor.  Hey, you should go on The Bachelor.

Her: What? Mom? Are you nuts? Those girls are desperate. Why do they have to go on a TV show to get a boyfriend?

Me:  But, isn’t it fun to watch? You know, the whole premise?

Her:  They’re pretty. Why do they have to beg for a boyfriend? Anyways, they don’t want a relationship, they want to go on TV. If they wanted a boyfriend, they would just go to a bar.

I guess I don’t have to worry about that girl.

I have to tell you though, regardless of the ethics of finding your spouse on TV,  Bachelor Canada, which premiers on October 3 at 9 pm est, is AMAZING entertainment! Totally watchable. Go CANADA.

Brad Smith, the bachelor

Handsome, charming, funny, and self-depracating.  I may be naive, but I believe it when he says that he’s ready to fall in love with the right woman. He’s also unashamed of his obvious appreciation of female beauty, and openly ogles the bachelorettes as they introduce themselves to him.  He went into the process with an authentic desire to be himself while seeing if he could actually meet his soulmate on National TV (I know it sounds implausible when I put it that way.)

We had a great conversation during the Q & A.

Me:  So, how was it having relationships with so many women at once. I mean, it’s not every day that you make out with 10 women in one night.

Him: You did? (Looking right at me and wishing I was his girlfriend and not a married 44-year old mother of three teenagers.)

Me:  umm…Show me your tattoo.

Smith, a CFL player (that’s the Canadian Football League) answered my question honestly by sharing that the hardest part of being on The Bachelor was figuring out how to develop deep relationships with several women at the same time. But, he said, he couldn’t have given the process a fighting chance if he hadn’t figured out how to manage it.

The Bachelorettes: Stink eyes, jealousy, and underhanded comments. If you thought the American Bachelorettes were catty, wait till you see the claws come out in the Great White North. These Canadian girls are mean. And  unintentionally hilarious. From their shiny prom-evocative evening gowns, to their constant tripping while attempting to walk in stilettos, the incredibly frank outtake interviews, the 25 women vying for Brad’s attention had me in stitches with their utterances.

I’m here because I’m looking for love.

I’m a nurse. And I specialize in mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Let’s count how many boobs are fake.

Girls who kiss on the first date are skanks. Skanks I say.  Can you hear me?  Can’t take the truth?

Everyone else: The producer and director are huge fans of The Bachelor franchise and gave it a uniquely Canadian flavour while still maintaining the excitement and familiarity of the well-loved shows.  They also allowed Brad Smith free reign to take his experience wherever it would go, allowing him and the bachelorettes to be as authentic as they could be in a contrived situation where their every smooch is captured by cameras and mikes. The host, Tyler Harcott, is absolutely great, and keeps the show running smoothly.

Other fun facts:

• Brad Smith is not short.  It’s just that Tyler Harcott is really tall.
• Brad’s favorite date from the show was a Canadian location.
• The reason Brad wanted to go on The Bachelor was to overcome his bad boy ways and have a relationship like his parents have (awww).
• Brad can cook.  Food.  And also what you were thinking.
• Brad. Brad. Brad. Brad’s tattoo. Brad is 28.  Hard limit Cougars.  Hard limit.

To get to know the Bachelorettes (don’t bother with The Bachelor-he’s mine), go to BachelorCanada.ca

Momfaze’s verdict:  Watch. Laugh. Fall in Love.

Are you going to watch?

Mara can be found blogging about life at her blog Be Nice or Leave Thanks and about teenagers and midlife mothering at momfaze.

She is the Community Manager for OurKids.net and ComfortLife, where she chats about kids, parenting, education, camp, and living the life of the Sandwich Generation.