ABC/CRAIG SJODINThe new Bachelor was revealed last night on Dancing With the Stars: long-rumored Dallas commercial pilot Jake Pavelka of the most recent Bachelorette. But the news isn't exactly having the wow effect ABC may have been hoping for.
"Jake takes vapid to a new, almost creepy level," E.W.'s Popwatch blog wrote today.
The New York Post's Popwrap "won't watch" and calls Jake a "loser."
And a fan calling herself Emmagirl wrote to us this morning to ask, "Are you kidding? Watching that guy Jake will be like watching paint dry. I'll pass."
To which we say: Not so fast! We've talked to Jake himself and to host Chris Harrison, and here are five reasons the new Bachelor season might not suck...
1. He Seems to Legitimately Believe in the Process (No, Really!): For once, this Bachelor doesn't just seem to be doing it all for the tail. "You know, when you just know that deep down in your gut that this is all just coming together for a reason?" Jake explained to us. "I've seen a lot of press that the show kind of has a rough track record [in] keeping couples together. I'm not going to force anything. If there's not a proposal at the end, I'm not guaranteeing anything, but I'm gonna give it a really good shot."
2. He's Chris Harrison Endorsed: "I haven't spent a ton of time with him yet, but he seems like a good guy," Chris told me of Jake. "I bet it's a really good season."
3. He's Open to Different Kinds of Girls: "I don't really and truly have a look that I go for," Jake told us. "I'm looking for a heart of gold. Character. Someone that's compassionate and romantic. Passionate."
4. He's Not as Squeaky Clean as He Seems: Don't forget that on season five, he ratted out a fellow contest for having a girlfriend back home while trying to woo Jillian. Tattletales make for good TV!
5. See Photo Above: Enough said.
What do you think of Jake as the new Bachelor? Will you be watching?