New "Bachelor" a Real Catch

Thu., Jan. 22, 2004 10:00 AM PST by Lia Haberman

Will the new Bachelor score a bride-to-be or fumble the dating game with a paltry promise ring?

All will be revealed when the fifth installment of ABC's The Bachelor kicks off this April with New York Giants backup quarterback Jesse Palmer as the single fella looking for love on network TV.

The Alphabet net confirmed Palmer as their MVP on Thursday.

Some stats on the QB: The 25-year-old stands 6-foot-2-inches tall and weighs in at 219 pounds--that's pure muscle, ladies.

He was drafted by the Giants three years ago out of the University of Florida as a backup to quarterback Kerry Collins. He started three games this past season after Collins was injured. Unfortunately, the Giants lost all three of Palmer's starts, part of an eight-game losing streak that cost coach Jim Fassel his job and making Palmer's employment status unclear.

Other conversation points Palmer's potential suitors might want to pick up on: He was born in Toronto. He's a movie buff. He was a Bears fan growing up and describes himself as a perfectionist.

We're guessing Palmer's prospective dates should also enjoy watching Monday Night Football.

In case you're keeping score, the Bachelor's 0-for-4 in the matrimony department. Alex Michel, Aaron Buerge and Andrew Firestone all ditched the ladies they had proposed to, while commitment-phobe Bob, who'd offered up a "promise ring" to bachelorette Estella, also reneged on his offer to "to see where we can go."

In fact, Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter are the only couple from all six installments of the Bachelor and Bachelorette to make it anywhere near the aisle. For their enduring love, the telegenic twosome landed a lavish $1 million wedding courtesy of the Alphabet net. Though to be fair, Bachelorette No. 2, Meredith Phillips, is only midway through the selection process to find her TV land soulmate. No pressure, dear.

Meanwhile, NBC has announced it's casting potential love matches for Average Joe 3: Adam Returns. Average-looking millionaire Adam Mesh was the runner-up when pretty girl Melana Scantlin picked Southern California college hunk Jason Peoples as her mate on the first installment of Average Joe.

But it wasn't all bad news for Adam. The network was flooded with calls from women eager to get cozy with him, netting the New York businessman his own series.

Adam Returns is scheduled to air March 15 on the heels of the Average Joe: Hawaii finale.