February 1, 2023 • 38 mins
It’s the passing of the torch in Bachelor Nation when legendary Bachelor OG Bob Guiney sits down with the latest lead, Zach Shallcross.
Hear the words of wisdom, the warnings, and the laughs that happen when the new guys gets a crash course in what to expect from life as “The Bachelor”!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the almost famous podcast with her radio. Hey Bob, Hey,
how you doing? Man? Good? Nice to meet you, well,
nice to meet Where are you? Nice to meet you too.
Where are you right now? I'm in California right now
seeing some family. Oh very nice? Is this where you're
from originally? Or yeah? Originally from my Anaheim? So southern
California boy, and uh then just been living in Texas.
(00:24):
But come on, everybody else tries to move to California,
you move away, look at you exactly. I'm in Austin,
um right now, keeping it weird in Austin. Ye've been
isn't that the isn't that what they say? Oh, I've
been a ton. Yeah. I used to go to south
By Southwest all the time. I loved it. Yeah, is
fun a cl all those wild events. So Zach, you
(00:48):
need to know they're calling this o G and the
new Guy? Did you know that? I like it? First
and foremost? Did you even ever even hear of my
season of the Bachelor? So my name is Bob Guinny.
I was Bachelor's season four trist Wren's reject who was
given its own season of the show disastrous season. By
(01:11):
the way, did you happen to see that one. No,
I haven't watched I haven't watched much of any uh
of any of the previous Bachelor's seasons, to be honest,
but you know I did my research on you a
little bit. I did you're the Bachelor before Jesse? Yes? Yes,
And Jesse is a good friend of mine. I paved
the road for that, man, I will tell you. Suggest
(01:32):
and I have a lot of mutual friends, and um,
oddly enough, I mean I really like him, but we've
never actually hung out in person like we've met. I
think we met a few times, like very briefly, and um,
but I think he's doing a great job as a
host of the show. I'm glad you guys are friends.
It's it makes it easier, right to navigate that whole thing. Well,
I was gonna say, you know, you walked so he
(01:52):
could run, so honestly, like he has so tell you, buddy,
Uh No, it was. It was great having Jesse's support.
I mean I got to know him a little bit
on the Bachelorette, you know, here and there when we're traveling.
But then we really had the chance obviously this season
because we're together a lot and you know, he always had,
(02:14):
you know, pieces of advice and just always was someone
to talk to constantly, and and you know, he would
give me full feedback and bounce ideas and we do
that back and forth quite a bit. But him and
I are pretty similar, like with the sports background. So
half the time I was just talking about football. Talk
to your sports background. I didn't know that I played
(02:34):
college football, UM which cal Pauly, Yeah, I know it. Well. Yeah,
so I played there for five years. It was an
offensive lineman, so never really got to touch the ball
or do any cool things in the end zone. But
still love football to death. And him and I just
really talked about that a lot. Oh that's great. Yeah,
(02:58):
I played college football too. I played Michigan eight UM.
Much like Jesse. I was a quarterback. Unlike Jesse, I
didn't play. But it's nice, uh that one of us
of the three, or I guess two of us are
the three. Actually we're players. Now I feel really bad
about myself. Let's move on. Let's not talk about sports anymore,
all right, So let's talk about first and foremost. Um.
(03:19):
You brought it up about Um that you know you
had met him when you were on the Bachelotte. So
you were on the season the first season, I believe
where we had two bachelorettes, right, we had Rachel and Gabby.
It was a second season, like I said, you were
on the second season where we had two bachelorets with
(03:40):
Rachel and Gaby. So I mean the first thing that
goes once you're an old bachelor, your memory is the
first thing that you lose. Um, So, how was that experience?
And like, I mean you you chose to be in
the Rachel camp. Correct? Correct? Correct? I mean that would
be an awkward experience. I would think that that's it
just seems weird to me. Well, it definitely was, uh,
(04:01):
since it was still a first experience altogether, you know,
the first time ever being in this world, and and
it was you know, unique, but it was all I knew.
So I didn't know what it would look like with
just one bachelor it really but um, at first it
was a little interesting. Didn't know how to um, like
I said, approached something like this. But for my case,
(04:22):
it was real apparent very early that Rachel and I
did have a connection to where it was like, okay,
it almost doesn't matter, um that there's this two person dynamic,
but for many it did cause issues. So I could imagine. Yeah,
I mean that I couldn't even I got out of
the limit with Trista, so it was all eyes on,
you know, one person, and at least you knew this
(04:44):
is the person I'm gonna you know, be trying to
figure out how to get to know her and everything else.
I mean you had a little different dynamic going on. Yeah, yeah,
well with with Rachel. I mean it was a few
days in to the event, but like not the event,
the experience, but you talking about walking out of the
lima and just being like shocked and you know, nervous
with all the cameras and you're at the mansion and
(05:06):
then you have two very beautiful women right in front
of you that is terrified and you're like, okay, here's
my one shot. You know, at least remember my name.
And I couldn't even remember my own name. I actually
forgot it and uh totally you know, shop the bet
on that one. But I do that often. So but
it's my age more so, so let me ask you this, like,
(05:27):
when you get out of the lima, do you do anything,
because I know people do stuff, right they get out
of the car. They try to do something to make
themselves memorable. Did you do anything that made you memorable
in that moment? Not at all, Not at all. Actually,
you know, leading up to it, I was, you know,
trying to think of something creative or something fun, like
for something wild, because that's you know, what people typically do,
(05:51):
and I I'm someone that just like I think I
got in my own head. I was so nervous. Um Like,
I saw the cameras and I just like freaked out
and I was like, you know what, I think the
best way for me, you know, to give this a
fair shot is just be myself and meet the women
you know, as they are as I am, and not
(06:13):
do any kind of you know, gimmicks or anything like that.
And you know, through conversation hopefully that we'll have, you'll
get to know me. But I mean I still went
up there. I couldn't tell you what I actually said.
It was all a blur. And uh, I mean it
kept me around at least night one, right, So yeah,
well they kept a lot longer than that actually right now, Yeah, yeah,
(06:39):
quite quite some time after. But for you, remember what
your limo entrance was when you were on the Bachelor. Yeah,
you know, I was. I was basic, man, I mean
it was it was actually what I did inside the
mansion that sort of went next level. But we you know,
this was so early on when I was on the
show that no one really had a gimmick. In fact,
I was just telling the producers here tonight that the
(07:00):
guy that got out of the car with something special,
which was actually quite nice. Um, he had gone to Tiffany's.
He had gotten this you know bracelet and you know,
engraved with Trista's name on it, and we all looked
at him like he was just the devil. I mean
I remember thinking this guy, like, where's his head, man,
what's he doing? And um, it was it was almost
I think, probably jealousy more than anything that he had
(07:21):
thought of something that we didn't. But it was one
of those things where you know, and he almost he
kind of became the villain of the season, frankly, um,
because none of us had anything else going in the
front door. You know, we were all just like, Hi,
I'm Bob, nice to meet you. Um. Now, granted, once
we got inside, uh, you know, there's there's a lot
of stories about that one. I mean, I I was
you know, bringing up my my study of martial arts. Uh,
(07:42):
you know, which I which I did extensively. Uh. I
was doing TIBO at the time with Billy Blanks. Uh.
You know, it's a big deal as an infomercial. It
was probably outdated, but it was at the time. It
was a spectacular exercise regimen um and I just thought
it really made me somebody special. But it was funny.
We I mean, we were just a bunch of dudes
hanging out. And I think that was what made our
show special at the time, was the guys got along
(08:03):
so great and we weren't caddy with one another. It
was a very different environment at that time. How was
it with you, Like, what what was your dynamic with
the guys Once you're all in the house, everyone's sort
of hanging out. I mean, did you guys get along
or was it immediately something you know, a little friction
going on or anything like that. I mean, I'd say
for the most part, Uh, everyone got along. I think
(08:25):
everyone recognizes that it's such a crazy experience going on
and you're trying to just take it in and you
almost look four friends in this. Yeah, I think you
have the only one that's freaking out right now. Actually,
very early on, UM established a bunch of friends. Um,
you know, one in particular was was Nate, and Nate
was you know on that past season. And there was
(08:49):
a moment that night when we were taking you know,
the photo you do right before the road ceremony with
everyone and in the lead, uh, Nate and I as
well maybe another twenty other guys didn't have the opportunity
to speak with either of Gabby and Rachel just because
the night just took so long. Wait, so on the
first night you didn't speak to either lady, Nope. So dude,
(09:11):
you just got you got your rose based on the
fact that you are just jacked in a good looking dude.
Let's be honest. I think rose. You got the pity rose.
It was a pity rose. And I'm standing outside with
Nate and we just look at each other and we're like, wow,
we really just quarantined to just meet a bunch of dudes.
We're going home. It's been a really fun you know,
(09:35):
four hours. Yeah, it's been great night. Oh my god,
did you get a rose as well? He did? Yeah, yeah,
he did, and did a lot of the other guys
that we all got pity roses. But um, everyone you know,
you know, still in contact still, which is really cool. Yeah,
it's been some time since then, and got my core
(09:56):
group of buddies. Um, but everyone's really cool with each other.
All right, So let's let's let's skip a little level here,
so you go through the whole experience. Next thing, you know,
they reached out there like all right, Zach, you're gonna
be the bachelor, right, so now you have this whole
thing that you've been through, the whole rigamarole um, you know.
I mean, I'm sure there's a lot of emotions involved
(10:17):
in that that comes to either like we're gonna have
you be the new guy. Is it excitement that you're
hit with? Is it fear? Is it are you fired up?
Are you piste off? I mean, where what are your
emotional you know, feelings on this whole thing. I was
feeling a lot of different things. At first. It was,
to be honest, confusion. It was like really like, okay,
(10:38):
I'm honored. But also before you even get there, were
you confused about the night you didn't get a rose?
Like where was that whole what was your whole emotional
thing that set you up for this so with what
had happened on The Bachelor that season of going home
after that, like I needed time to just be away,
like family, process what happened in like and kind of
(11:01):
just recover from that whole experience of traveling the world
and and you know dating someone with other suitors and
then it you know, not being us like taking that
in and then you know, being asked weeks maybe a
little under a month um if I'd be interested in
considering being the Bachelor. I mean it was like, okay,
(11:24):
I'm getting over what, you know, being on TV, like
I like and and you know, having a broken heart,
Like how can I just hop right back in? Was
my initial thought. But it was also you know flattery.
I was like, wow, like that's that's really cool that
they're considering me for this, like what once in a
lifetime opportunity. So you know, after separate conversations, I was like,
(11:46):
I would be kicking myself if I didn't, you know,
take this shot, because I know I'm ready for it,
but like this is this is totally different now, Like
I'm not yeah, does that going on that experience now
when you look back at where Rachel and Gabby where
like you know, if we cut to the end of
this whole thing, it's got to give you a different
feeling as far as how that whole process goes, right,
(12:09):
I mean, you you get it now. It's kind of
a difficult thing to go through right on either side
of it was tough on your end, I'm sure, but
now that you're the bachelor guy and you're doing the same, Like,
my biggest fear was, oh my god, I'm gonna hurt
people who don't deserve to be hurt, you know, I mean,
and it almost makes you feel weird saying it because
you're like, are they going to be hurt? Should they
even give a shit about me? But you're, you know,
(12:29):
you're in that mindset of I don't want to hurt people,
you know. That was that was a big thing for
me because I know what it feels like on that end,
and I think that it helps, you know, having that
that time there to where, you know, being in the
bachelor role. If the whole dynamic is different, like if
you feel a lot of pressure constantly and I'm you know,
tack that on with not a lot of you know, rest,
(12:52):
and you know you're you're going a million miles and
you know other other people's feelings are at stake like that. Like,
like you said, it's kind of weird to assume, but
sometimes you have to because you have to make your
decisions off of everything around you. You know, first and
most important it is like what your heart's telling you.
But second is like, how can you go about this?
(13:14):
You know the right way if there is a right way? Um,
and it's stressful, like and you can always second guess
and and always question. But like that was the biggest
part for me. It was like, it's a totally new dynamic.
(13:38):
How long have you been done filming so far? I
mean we wrapped up just over two months ago. All right,
so you're and now you're watching the season unfold I am,
I am. Yeah, you're watching it by yourself in your
room home alone at night, or you got like a
posse of people. I recommend you deal with friends, buddy,
(13:58):
because it sucks if you do it by yourself. No. No, Well,
the first episode, you know, we had a cool premier party,
had family and friends come, friends from the show, um,
and producers and that was really cool experience. Uh. For
future episodes, UM, very low key, I'm gonna says by
(14:19):
episode five. It's a pretty lonely experience. At least that
was my experience. Yeah. Yeah, And I think, like, I'm
not someone who likes to watch myself on TV anymore,
Like where I hear my own voice and I'm like, oh,
I sound like I see it. And then I'm like, Okay,
I'm watching myself romantically. We're watching me do something good
(14:40):
at something bad, this and that, and I just feel
like I ever relive it, and I'm like, I'd rather
not you know, deal with um you know the comments
like I like to just watch it, Okay, cool, I
remember it, that's exactly how it went, or you know,
and then move on to the next one. I'm not
a big watch party guy. Watched with a bunch of people. No,
(15:02):
it's difficult, I know. I mean I can only imagine
what it's like. I mean, dude, to to date myself
and this is horrible. But when I was the bachelor, um,
there wasn't even social media, right, so I didn't have
to deal with it. There were chat rooms which seemed
off putting and you know, um a lot of gossip mags,
but there there there wasn't like on the on the
button moment by moment dissection of everything I did right,
(15:26):
And you know, I'd watch the show and I'd be like, God,
I really that's how I kiss. This is crazy, you
know that? Do I always talk like this and I
always hemming and hawing. I mean, I would dissect myself.
No one could critique me more than me on my
own worst critic um. And even though I know you're
from the West Coast, you seem kind of like a
Midwest guy to me in a weird way, which I
take that as a I mean that I should say,
is a very big compliment. Right. They don't say they
(15:48):
say Midwestern values, right, they don't say West Coast values,
they say Midwestern values. So you're getting a compliment from
me right now. And I hope you can take it
as such. But I think that it's got to be
tough because you're watching yourself. You're like, how did I
end up here? And right? And then the whole thing
is it's unfolding. I mean, I'm sure you hear the noise, right.
There's a lot of people saying things way better about
(16:08):
you than you could ever deserve, and a lot of
people saying just garbage about you that you also don't deserve.
And it's hard, right because you hear the good stuff
and that kind of goes in one year and not
the other, and the bad stuff will stick with you
for months. How have you been dealing with that? The
social media stuff is just tragic? Like how do you?
I don't mean that specific to you, I mean that
just in general. I get it all the time too.
(16:28):
I don't even know how I deal with it, But
how do you deal with it? Because it's got to
be magnified for you. Yeah, that's a good question because
I think it's constantly evolving on how to tackle that,
because like just over a year ago, you know, I
was working, you know, my my tech job in Austin,
going about life, you know, not someone that's even big
(16:50):
onto social media or understands it, let alone, Like I
don't even know how to properly like post photos at
the time. And now I'm in the world where, like
every ones on social media, everything you do is critiqued.
Now my love life is being critiquedum and everyone has
an opinion, and everyone fair like absolutely has an opinion,
and like seeing the the tough or hurtful comments, initially
(17:15):
we're really like, oh my god, like how could someone
like say that they don't know me this and it
did bother me early on? Um, and I don't know,
it took just maybe time or you know, just through
you know, confidence, or or just like seeking advice from
from family and friends was like okay, you know you're
never gonna appease everyone. Um. Also everything in a sense
(17:42):
with like short media and this is like with a
lot of things in general are pretty short lived. Um.
And you know, yeah, the next thing right away, right,
I mean instantly, if I get in my own head
about it, then it's just like I'm gonna be you know,
bummed out. And I'm not a guy that's ever bumped out.
Like I'm very positive. But then when I'm like, oh,
these people are trying to hurt me, I'm like they've
(18:03):
probably got something else going on in their life to
where they feel they need hurt. So that's how I
rationalize and justify it. But and you're a better man
than me. I still grind myself over the coals for
half the things that are said about me. But you know,
interestingly enough, someone gave me a great piece of advice
once and they're like consider the source, right, So, like
you're living your life and then you have these other
(18:23):
people who are commenting on you living your life. Right,
It's like, how often are you online commenting on someone
else living their lives? Probably never? Right? So who are
these people? And you know, hey, thank you for you know,
paying attention, but let's be kind, right, We're still human beings.
We start. You know, this is still us putting it
out there, and clearly you're someone who's you know, going
through an emotional experience. I mean, what you've done is genuine.
(18:47):
People are I'm gonna I mean, I will tell you this,
twenty years after I was the Bachelor, You're gonna still
ask you the question is it real? You know? Is
it all scripted? And you know I always say, I'm like, well,
the moments are scripted, but the emotions are real, you know,
So you're still feeling that stuff. So I'm sorry. You
gotta deal with it. I mean, I didn't have to
deal with it. I don't have to do it at
the magnitude that you all do. I mean on the
(19:07):
show today. I mean still, you know, twenty years later,
I think I have like a hundred ten thousand followers.
There's something that's pretty paltry. But um, I've probably have
worked really hard for those hundred and ten. I think
my mom's probably got like seventy ghost accounts. But the
point is no, The point is, you know, it's like
you go through this experience and it's tough, man, and
there You're never gonna please everybody. So I mean, at
(19:30):
the end of the day, you know, what are you
gonna do? But okay, let's talk about your season now.
So you come on as a bachelor. From what I understand, UM,
I may have missed a few finer points of this,
but it sounds to me like on the opening night,
one young lady um walks up and licks your earhole. Basically,
(19:50):
this gives you like tongue jacks your earbox, is what
I've been told. Yeah, any words exchanged and he like, hey,
how are you? Or she just walks up and it's
boom shaka ka right in the ear drum I from
because I think I would have married her. I'm totally kidding,
totally kidding. Well, we're watching it and then try and
(20:13):
remember that exact moment that I was, what I was feeling,
and like, like, first off, that takes you know, Cohona's
to do that um, could you imagine a poor dad.
He's just like, oh, look, I'm gorgeous. Little girl. Here
she comes, like a moment and then just tongue tongue dart.
His buddies at home are like, really, Jim, this is
(20:33):
what we're doing. This is what little Debbie's doing the night. Honestly,
my my facial reaction, I think gives it away of
just like I trying to hide, like it like with
a laugh, Like I put my head back and opened
my mouth like I'm laughing thinking it's funny, but it's
actually like like disgusting. Like I'm like, why, why you
(20:54):
can't You're like, I don't know, Okay, I mean I'm
sure it piques your curiosity for a hot second, but
it I mean, I don't know you at all, but
from what I can tell from our initial interview, you
strike me as one of those guys. I mean, I
can tell you. When I was on the show, all
I could think of, Oh my god, I don't want
to embarrass my family, Like I don't want my mom
and dad to have to go to the grocery store
(21:14):
and be ashamed of me. Right, So if the girl
walks up, she's you know, making out with your ear
drum and you're like, oh, yeah, this is first impression
rose all the way. I mean, your parents would be
so disappointed, right, So I get it. I mean, but
you said her home, you fast tractor to the limo.
From what I gather, no that that was not a
fast track to the limo. No, I I did not
(21:35):
give her a rose that night. But there were, Um,
there was another instance of there was one instance of
I'm a fast track to the limo, but someone else
not for ear looking well, tell me about it. What
was the fast track? Uh? So, you know, a night
one and um, you know, had the opportunity to to
speak with one of the women in the house and
we had a conversation and um, you know I went
(21:58):
pretty well. Um, and she decides to pull me again
for another conversation. I think that there were some feelings
of jealousy because she saw that, um, I had kissed
other women and she wasn't one of them, and so
she wanted to pull me to get her kiss. And
(22:19):
she pulls me aside and we're doing like these like
dances or something, and she pulls me in like for
a hug. I'm going in for a hug and she
goes in and pulls me in and making a kiss happen. Um,
and that did kind of rub me the wrong way. Um,
like you can't force anything, Like, you can't force it
(22:39):
if it's not there, and you know, you know had
that you know, tough decision and talking with her saying like, hey,
we can't force that, like what like if it's not here,
it's not here, And I don't want to waste your
time in the moment you did like you kind of
like you sort of pulled back and like this is
not happening. Well, so for it happens. And I'm like
processing like like did that kiss just happen like that?
(23:02):
Like is that how it really went? And I remember
talking to Jesse about it actually funny enough because he asked,
He's like, dude, like what you know what was with
that that kiss? It didn't look like you really wanted
to And I was like, you know what I I
you know, I I respect you know, her pulling me
again because you know that that takes guts And then
most people don't, you know, some people will only get
(23:24):
you know, one time, and some don't get any time.
On on night one and he's like, what do you
want to do? And I was like, what I think.
I think it's best to send her home, like I
don't want, you know, to lie to her or hold
her here if there isn't a connection, And there clearly
wasn't that spark when? So that was that was interesting.
You never know what you're gonna you're gonna get on
night one, like anything like Gritty all that stuff. Gritty
(23:49):
is a good That's a tough dance. I mean, if
they perfected, I believe they should get fast jacked the
night too. That's just me. But I'm not a great dancer,
and so I value things and others that I don't possess,
you know, right, I can't judge it Like who I
gritty on TV? And it looks absolutely terrible, So I
can't someone pulls it off in an evening gown. Moving
on next round. Did you ever watch the show previously
(24:22):
being on it? Did you know the whole drill? I'd
probably watched about a handful of episodes before, but my
my mom and my two younger sisters are die hard
fans of the show, so you know, growing up, you know,
I walked downstairs see them watching the show and of
course it would just have my attention drawn in uh
(24:42):
to watch it, but you know, not consecutively by any means.
But you know, I had a rough idea of what
to expect. Um. But you know, my sisters obviously were like, uh,
you know, given me as many planners as they could
well were some of the psy anything's sticking out right
now that you listen to or any of that you
(25:03):
didn't and you wish you would have because obviously they
know how this thing goes. Yeah. So actually, funny enough,
my sister she told me right before. I don't remember
if it was before batchelor Red or Bachelor, but um,
she said, don't cry. And I'm an emotional guy, like
(25:24):
by nature, I'm someone who wears my heart of my sleep.
It's encouraged in my house, like show your emotion like
good or bad. Um, you know, not worth holding in.
And she said don't cry, and I was like, okay,
I won't. Yeah, and that's quick to a sizzle real
if you cry, man, we all know that, I know.
And just you know, as Jesse said, this is the
(25:45):
most emotional season for the Bachelor so far, So I'll
just leave it at that. She didn't listen to her body.
It's impossible. It's impossible, you know. I gotta be honest.
For Ben Higgins. It was also impossible that dude cries
more than anybody ever saying, but he isn't a emotional
and lovely man, and I think that you'll probably have
that same kind of staying power. I didn't cry. I
(26:05):
didn't cry, and you didn't know who the hell I was,
So there you go. I probably once in my lfe
no I cry a ton Are you kidding me? I
am the most emotional disaster um back then, though it
didn't fit the mold. You gotta remember what I did
the show. They it was a very you know, we
didn't film stuff that didn't fit the mold of what
(26:26):
we were trying to present. So I could have been
falling like a baby and they'd be like, all right,
just give him some time, let's dry him off, get
him back in there and make him look stoic, you know.
So it was. It wasn't as emotionally raw. Reality television
wasn't as real back then, let's just put it that way.
I didn't feel that way anyway. Yeah, it didn't feel
that way. So one thing that I dealt with from
(26:48):
being the bachelor. Um, that I think is probably something
that is universal, regardless of social media or not. I'll
never forget it. First time I walk into my hometown supermarket,
I'm with my mom. I was just telling this story
earlier that you know, my mom would go to the
still twenty years later, she'll go to the chicken section,
and people like, according to my mom, anyway, aren't you
bachelor Bob's mom? And my mom was like, I am
(27:11):
it just Oh, everyone drives me crazy bringing it up. Yeah,
I can be in the same supermarket. No one speaks
to me. So the hardest adjustment though, was seeing your
personal life all over the tabloids, right like all of
our US weekly, People, Magazine, Star, National choir whatever it is, um,
social media. I'm sure how has that been for you? Like,
how has that adjustment been for you to all of
(27:31):
a sudden go from being, you know, a guy that's
working hard. You know, I mean you you know, you're
an athlete. So the mindset of you know, keep your
head down, work hard, and good things will happen. Right.
We all have heard those from our coaches over the years,
and um, now all of a sudden you know, you're
entire personal life and every decision you make is being
dissected by body relationship experts and you know all this
(27:53):
kind of crap. I mean, how has that been for
you as a as a an individual and how are
you handling it? Yeah, it's a good question. It is interesting,
you know with life now outside of the show. Um,
you know, similar to you know, your story with with
you your mom at the grocery store, like you know,
going to most places, um, you know, being recognized as
(28:15):
a weird feeling because I'm kind of a private person
by nature, and I like, I think it's it's really
cool when people like come support or or whant I
get a photo with me? But it's just still such
a crazy concept that people want to do that in
the first place, or people want to write an article
about what clothes I wore on my last Instagram post
(28:38):
or like well, like it's it goes back to the
opinions thing. It's like, Okay, everyone's going to have an opinion.
I get that, and and it's up to me like
if I want to read those comments or not. But
like for me, I I I welcome you know everyone
with with open arms. You know, when I meet people
out and about and you know, whether it's at the
gym or at the grocery store or this and that,
(28:58):
and just I don't know, just take the time to
say high or get to know them, um, because it is.
It is a cool opportunity because I know, like when I, um,
you know, growing up, would like run into someone that
I have seen it on TV and I would like
love to meet them and get a picture with them,
and you know, it would be the biggest gut punch
it They said, no, oh sure, yeah. You always love
(29:19):
it if there's someone who you hope that you think
they are right, Like you meet Tom Hanks, you wanted
to be the greatest guy you've ever met in your
life because he seems like he is. You know it.
He's such a bomb if he wasn't, you know. But
there's a lot of pressure on those guys too. I
met Bill Murray in the airport today and Bill Murray
was amazing. I mean, he was so nice. Oh yeah, yeah,
and it was really cool and I was thankful because
(29:42):
you know, he had no clue who the hell I was,
nor should he, but I definitely knew who he was
and it was nice that he gave me thirty seconds
of his time, you know, and that's all it takes.
It's not that hard to be kind to people. It's
pretty easy, really, You're never that busy in fact that
it's just being kind, you know, like just expect that.
You know, not everyone has that out you know, outlook
(30:03):
on life. But as long as you keep that yourself,
you'll be good. That's yeah. So have you ever heard
of the term like grease in the wheel, like getting
ready for something? You so, first night of the Bachelor,
you're getting ready to you know, all the limbos of
pull up? What did you do to grease the wheel?
What did you do to like get yourself ready? Anything specific? Um,
there's a lot of pacing. Yeah. Any any beverage choices
(30:26):
that maybe helped you get to the right place? Quite
a few? Um? I had, I had a few, uh
a few beverages. Um, any of that are you know
Mexican in in in uh origin, perhaps like tequila or
anything like that. Absolutely, maybe maybe two or three if
we're honest. And then you know, you gotta have some
(30:48):
you know, artificial caffeine in there somewhere because it's a
late it is late, and a lot of blasting of
just like the most ridiculous music you can and just
like get the nerves out some way, you know, and
back to its Tequia. It's always tequila money. That's the
(31:08):
only way to Yeah. I like it. I like the
way you got there, though you took a long road,
and I appreciate it. So Okay. One of the things
that we had back in the day when I did
this show was a deliberation room, right, so they had
all the women that were there on that night of
the contail party or whatever we call it. They had
all of their photos on like a wall, like a
(31:31):
viewing wall, and I would go in and I would deliberate.
Now we just look at these photos as if to
ponder who I was going to give a roast to,
because they were all right there on the cusp. And
I remember looking at all these and I would take time.
I'd look at each one. Some of them, I grabbed
the frame and I'd stare at it for a minute.
I put it back. Do they still do that or
(31:52):
they skipped that part of it, because it was it
was really interesting time for at the time Chris Harrison
and I had to walk in there and just have
me stare a blank wall. Yeah, something just like that,
because obviously a night one like there's no way you
can remember everyone's names with the faith, and like you
(32:12):
have so many conversations and you're trying to you know,
calm your own nerves and you need to go and
just breathe in another room and just you know, figure
it out. For lack of better terms, h yeah. So yeah,
there would be several times without like throughout the night
going to a room and looking at the little you know,
(32:33):
cards with the name, and you know, sometimes it would
just be the easiest, like like you just follow your
gut on that and you're like, yep, something well seconds
with this person. Yep, I don't know what it is.
I don't know why, but yes, And then there's some
that you know, you have to deliverate a little bit
more on and and and figure out. But that was
(32:53):
something new that I didn't know how like you do it,
because I was fully prepared to come in and be like,
all right, I'm remembering all the names. We're doing it.
That's a little false because there's no shot I would
ever be able to actually come on. I'm a competitive guy,
so I gotta tell you, um, on my first night's
rose ceremony, I had I believe it was twenty eight
(33:15):
or thirty ladies there. And I had found out that
Alex Michelle, out of the fifteen women that he got
to keep on the first night, he had remembered twelve names.
So my goal was to remember all fifteen. So I
created a song in my head, and I got through it.
I got through all fifteen. However, what a lot of
people don't know a little a little sidebar is I
was nervous, right, So I was holding the rose. Uh,
(33:37):
let me see if I can hold. I was holding
the rose like this, right, So I have a rose,
and I was like Debbie, right, and then the next
one Jenny or you know. I'm just using random names,
of course, to protect the innocent. And I and I
remember the next one. I go to say the name
and the rose the top of the rose falls off
and no one knows what to do, and I think,
oh my god, this is a real show. So I
(33:57):
can't It's reality television. I can't waiver. So I hole
hold and I'm like Rhonda, and Ronda comes up on Granda,
will you accept the stem? And she takes that. I
think it's gonna be great television, and they make you
reshoot it, and I was so bummed. Point is, though
I got all fifteen. Do you remember how remember how
many of the ladies on the first night you remembered
all their names? Uh? They just say this. They didn't
(34:21):
let me test that theory. If I'm not mistaken, let
me try and reenact this and tell me this is
that rate. You'd get through like five names and you'd
be like, I'm sorry, ladies, I I need a moment,
and you'd step outside, maybe like they'd like Debbie, Rhonda, Jenny, Brenda, Camille.
(34:42):
Is that not how they did well? Not not as
dramatic as that. It would be. You know, I'll go
I'll use your names. It would be like okay, yeah, Ronda,
what do you accept the strokes? Yes, okay, And then
it would be a pause and then I would like
look to to one of the um like directors and
(35:02):
I would just give a nod and he'd nod back,
and then I'd be like and then just mysteriously, oh,
there was no explanation, because when I was on the
batchel of the rat, they didn't do any explanation. We
were like, why are the girls keep going back to
the back room like what's going on? Like are they
are they panicking or they freaking out? And then I
(35:23):
later learned that's what it was for. It took away
the drama factor. I brought some drama to that franchise.
Back then, I'd be like, ladies, I just can't. But
then I'd like, but no, I can because I got
all fifteen right here in my bean. I got through it.
Oh my gosh. All right, So one last question, No,
thank you, buddy. It was the one thing I had
going for me. I got. I had a musical memory. So, UM,
(35:44):
all right, let's ask you this. So now that you're engaged, UM,
I'm sorry, Well, I'm sorry. What was your name? I
think they all right, Well, you know what, I'm sorry.
I'm getting some bad intel. So at the end of
the day, we're so happy about the marriage coming up,
and we're excited to be invited to the nuptials. Um,
now I'm excited for you man. You seem like a
(36:06):
very nice guy, and I think that at the end
of the day, you got to remember, I have this,
I have this idea of the way the show works,
especially when I was on it. I used to say,
you know, you could have You can have a monkey
up here handing out flowers and everyone's gonna cry because
it's a social science experiment. It's nothing to do with
the guy. So I think about that all the time.
I'm always like, you know, and people like, oh, no,
that's humble pie pop. I'm like, no, it's really sincere.
(36:27):
It has nothing to do with the guy. But I
think in your case it kind of does, because you
seem like that guy. Man, you're a very nice guy,
and I have a feeling that you probably have a
lot of ladies vying for your attention and you were
raised right, and man, I'm just excited for you. I
hope it all works out the way you wanted to
and um, and you find some happiness at the end
of this thing, because it's a tough road to hope.
(36:49):
People don't get it right. They all think, oh, what
a crimeer river. You know, he handed out flowers of
thirty girls and made out with him, big deal. But
it is tough. You go through a lot to get there.
So I hope you guys find happiness, and I wish
you the best and thanks for being part of our show.
I mean it's o g to the new guy. Man,
this is a big transition. I was twenty years ago
and it's still on the air. This is bananas. Wow. Wow.
(37:11):
Well we'll first stop. Thank you. I appreciate that the
kind of words, and um, you know, yeah, like what
you're saying, it is wild and not a lot of
people understand it. You know, Fortunately you do. You're someone
that does. And it's it's crazy to know you. You
know that there are people that do support um, you
know through all the crazy social media and whatnot. But um,
(37:31):
I appreciate being on this podcast and the new guy.
That's pretty cool. Hey, we just named it tonight, Bunny.
We're excited. We're excited. Well, I wish you the best.
I mean, you know, at the end of the day,
you gotta remember, I mean, you know, just get through
it with your confidence intact. Don't let anybody beat you up.
I mean, I know it's it's not easy, right, It's
you're an easy target, dude. I mean, you know you're
(37:52):
out there, you're a nice person, putting your heart on
the line. Like you say, you wear your emotions on
your sleeve. So you're gonna get some grief for it.
But at the end of the day, Man, your happiness
twenty years from now. Take it from me, as it
matters of most. So it's gonna be a great experience.
You said yes to a fun moment. Live it up,
enjoy it, and thanks for being a part of the show. Man.
We really appreciate it. Thank you, Bob. I appreciate it.
(38:13):
I'm rooting for you. Man. Thank you. Tell your mom,
I said, Hi, Oh, she knows you.
This is the almost famous podcast with her radio. Hey Bob, Hey,
how you doing? Man? Good? Nice to meet you, well,
nice to meet Where are you? Nice to meet you too.
Where are you right now? I'm in California right now
seeing some family. Oh very nice? Is this where you're
from originally? Or yeah? Originally from my Anaheim? So southern
California boy, and uh then just been living in Texas.
(00:24):
But come on, everybody else tries to move to California,
you move away, look at you exactly. I'm in Austin,
um right now, keeping it weird in Austin. Ye've been
isn't that the isn't that what they say? Oh, I've
been a ton. Yeah. I used to go to south
By Southwest all the time. I loved it. Yeah, is
fun a cl all those wild events. So Zach, you
(00:48):
need to know they're calling this o G and the
new Guy? Did you know that? I like it? First
and foremost? Did you even ever even hear of my
season of the Bachelor? So my name is Bob Guinny.
I was Bachelor's season four trist Wren's reject who was
given its own season of the show disastrous season. By
(01:11):
the way, did you happen to see that one. No,
I haven't watched I haven't watched much of any uh
of any of the previous Bachelor's seasons, to be honest,
but you know I did my research on you a
little bit. I did you're the Bachelor before Jesse? Yes? Yes,
And Jesse is a good friend of mine. I paved
the road for that, man, I will tell you. Suggest
(01:32):
and I have a lot of mutual friends, and um,
oddly enough, I mean I really like him, but we've
never actually hung out in person like we've met. I
think we met a few times, like very briefly, and um,
but I think he's doing a great job as a
host of the show. I'm glad you guys are friends.
It's it makes it easier, right to navigate that whole thing. Well,
I was gonna say, you know, you walked so he
(01:52):
could run, so honestly, like he has so tell you, buddy,
Uh No, it was. It was great having Jesse's support.
I mean I got to know him a little bit
on the Bachelorette, you know, here and there when we're traveling.
But then we really had the chance obviously this season
because we're together a lot and you know, he always had,
(02:14):
you know, pieces of advice and just always was someone
to talk to constantly, and and you know, he would
give me full feedback and bounce ideas and we do
that back and forth quite a bit. But him and
I are pretty similar, like with the sports background. So
half the time I was just talking about football. Talk
to your sports background. I didn't know that I played
(02:34):
college football, UM which cal Pauly, Yeah, I know it. Well. Yeah,
so I played there for five years. It was an
offensive lineman, so never really got to touch the ball
or do any cool things in the end zone. But
still love football to death. And him and I just
really talked about that a lot. Oh that's great. Yeah,
(02:58):
I played college football too. I played Michigan eight UM.
Much like Jesse. I was a quarterback. Unlike Jesse, I
didn't play. But it's nice, uh that one of us
of the three, or I guess two of us are
the three. Actually we're players. Now I feel really bad
about myself. Let's move on. Let's not talk about sports anymore,
all right, So let's talk about first and foremost. Um.
(03:19):
You brought it up about Um that you know you
had met him when you were on the Bachelotte. So
you were on the season the first season, I believe
where we had two bachelorettes, right, we had Rachel and Gabby.
It was a second season, like I said, you were
on the second season where we had two bachelorets with
(03:40):
Rachel and Gaby. So I mean the first thing that
goes once you're an old bachelor, your memory is the
first thing that you lose. Um, So, how was that experience?
And like, I mean you you chose to be in
the Rachel camp. Correct? Correct? Correct? I mean that would
be an awkward experience. I would think that that's it
just seems weird to me. Well, it definitely was, uh,
(04:01):
since it was still a first experience altogether, you know,
the first time ever being in this world, and and
it was you know, unique, but it was all I knew.
So I didn't know what it would look like with
just one bachelor it really but um, at first it
was a little interesting. Didn't know how to um, like
I said, approached something like this. But for my case,
(04:22):
it was real apparent very early that Rachel and I
did have a connection to where it was like, okay,
it almost doesn't matter, um that there's this two person dynamic,
but for many it did cause issues. So I could imagine. Yeah,
I mean that I couldn't even I got out of
the limit with Trista, so it was all eyes on,
you know, one person, and at least you knew this
(04:44):
is the person I'm gonna you know, be trying to
figure out how to get to know her and everything else.
I mean you had a little different dynamic going on. Yeah, yeah,
well with with Rachel. I mean it was a few
days in to the event, but like not the event,
the experience, but you talking about walking out of the
lima and just being like shocked and you know, nervous
with all the cameras and you're at the mansion and
(05:06):
then you have two very beautiful women right in front
of you that is terrified and you're like, okay, here's
my one shot. You know, at least remember my name.
And I couldn't even remember my own name. I actually
forgot it and uh totally you know, shop the bet
on that one. But I do that often. So but
it's my age more so, so let me ask you this, like,
(05:27):
when you get out of the lima, do you do anything,
because I know people do stuff, right they get out
of the car. They try to do something to make
themselves memorable. Did you do anything that made you memorable
in that moment? Not at all, Not at all. Actually,
you know, leading up to it, I was, you know,
trying to think of something creative or something fun, like
for something wild, because that's you know, what people typically do,
(05:51):
and I I'm someone that just like I think I
got in my own head. I was so nervous. Um Like,
I saw the cameras and I just like freaked out
and I was like, you know what, I think the
best way for me, you know, to give this a
fair shot is just be myself and meet the women
you know, as they are as I am, and not
(06:13):
do any kind of you know, gimmicks or anything like that.
And you know, through conversation hopefully that we'll have, you'll
get to know me. But I mean I still went
up there. I couldn't tell you what I actually said.
It was all a blur. And uh, I mean it
kept me around at least night one, right, So yeah,
well they kept a lot longer than that actually right now, Yeah, yeah,
(06:39):
quite quite some time after. But for you, remember what
your limo entrance was when you were on the Bachelor. Yeah,
you know, I was. I was basic, man, I mean
it was it was actually what I did inside the
mansion that sort of went next level. But we you know,
this was so early on when I was on the
show that no one really had a gimmick. In fact,
I was just telling the producers here tonight that the
(07:00):
guy that got out of the car with something special,
which was actually quite nice. Um, he had gone to Tiffany's.
He had gotten this you know bracelet and you know,
engraved with Trista's name on it, and we all looked
at him like he was just the devil. I mean
I remember thinking this guy, like, where's his head, man,
what's he doing? And um, it was it was almost
I think, probably jealousy more than anything that he had
(07:21):
thought of something that we didn't. But it was one
of those things where you know, and he almost he
kind of became the villain of the season, frankly, um,
because none of us had anything else going in the
front door. You know, we were all just like, Hi,
I'm Bob, nice to meet you. Um. Now, granted, once
we got inside, uh, you know, there's there's a lot
of stories about that one. I mean, I I was
you know, bringing up my my study of martial arts. Uh,
(07:42):
you know, which I which I did extensively. Uh. I
was doing TIBO at the time with Billy Blanks. Uh.
You know, it's a big deal as an infomercial. It
was probably outdated, but it was at the time. It
was a spectacular exercise regimen um and I just thought
it really made me somebody special. But it was funny.
We I mean, we were just a bunch of dudes
hanging out. And I think that was what made our
show special at the time, was the guys got along
(08:03):
so great and we weren't caddy with one another. It
was a very different environment at that time. How was
it with you, Like, what what was your dynamic with
the guys Once you're all in the house, everyone's sort
of hanging out. I mean, did you guys get along
or was it immediately something you know, a little friction
going on or anything like that. I mean, I'd say
for the most part, Uh, everyone got along. I think
(08:25):
everyone recognizes that it's such a crazy experience going on
and you're trying to just take it in and you
almost look four friends in this. Yeah, I think you
have the only one that's freaking out right now. Actually,
very early on, UM established a bunch of friends. Um,
you know, one in particular was was Nate, and Nate
was you know on that past season. And there was
(08:49):
a moment that night when we were taking you know,
the photo you do right before the road ceremony with
everyone and in the lead, uh, Nate and I as
well maybe another twenty other guys didn't have the opportunity
to speak with either of Gabby and Rachel just because
the night just took so long. Wait, so on the
first night you didn't speak to either lady, Nope. So dude,
(09:11):
you just got you got your rose based on the
fact that you are just jacked in a good looking dude.
Let's be honest. I think rose. You got the pity rose.
It was a pity rose. And I'm standing outside with
Nate and we just look at each other and we're like, wow,
we really just quarantined to just meet a bunch of dudes.
We're going home. It's been a really fun you know,
(09:35):
four hours. Yeah, it's been great night. Oh my god,
did you get a rose as well? He did? Yeah, yeah,
he did, and did a lot of the other guys
that we all got pity roses. But um, everyone you know,
you know, still in contact still, which is really cool. Yeah,
it's been some time since then, and got my core
(09:56):
group of buddies. Um, but everyone's really cool with each other.
All right, So let's let's let's skip a little level here,
so you go through the whole experience. Next thing, you know,
they reached out there like all right, Zach, you're gonna
be the bachelor, right, so now you have this whole
thing that you've been through, the whole rigamarole um, you know.
I mean, I'm sure there's a lot of emotions involved
(10:17):
in that that comes to either like we're gonna have
you be the new guy. Is it excitement that you're
hit with? Is it fear? Is it are you fired up?
Are you piste off? I mean, where what are your
emotional you know, feelings on this whole thing. I was
feeling a lot of different things. At first. It was,
to be honest, confusion. It was like really like, okay,
(10:38):
I'm honored. But also before you even get there, were
you confused about the night you didn't get a rose?
Like where was that whole what was your whole emotional
thing that set you up for this so with what
had happened on The Bachelor that season of going home
after that, like I needed time to just be away,
like family, process what happened in like and kind of
(11:01):
just recover from that whole experience of traveling the world
and and you know dating someone with other suitors and
then it you know, not being us like taking that
in and then you know, being asked weeks maybe a
little under a month um if I'd be interested in
considering being the Bachelor. I mean it was like, okay,
(11:24):
I'm getting over what, you know, being on TV, like
I like and and you know, having a broken heart,
Like how can I just hop right back in? Was
my initial thought. But it was also you know flattery.
I was like, wow, like that's that's really cool that
they're considering me for this, like what once in a
lifetime opportunity. So you know, after separate conversations, I was like,
(11:46):
I would be kicking myself if I didn't, you know,
take this shot, because I know I'm ready for it,
but like this is this is totally different now, Like
I'm not yeah, does that going on that experience now
when you look back at where Rachel and Gabby where
like you know, if we cut to the end of
this whole thing, it's got to give you a different
feeling as far as how that whole process goes, right,
(12:09):
I mean, you you get it now. It's kind of
a difficult thing to go through right on either side
of it was tough on your end, I'm sure, but
now that you're the bachelor guy and you're doing the same, Like,
my biggest fear was, oh my god, I'm gonna hurt
people who don't deserve to be hurt, you know, I mean,
and it almost makes you feel weird saying it because
you're like, are they going to be hurt? Should they
even give a shit about me? But you're, you know,
(12:29):
you're in that mindset of I don't want to hurt people,
you know. That was that was a big thing for
me because I know what it feels like on that end,
and I think that it helps, you know, having that
that time there to where, you know, being in the
bachelor role. If the whole dynamic is different, like if
you feel a lot of pressure constantly and I'm you know,
tack that on with not a lot of you know, rest,
(12:52):
and you know you're you're going a million miles and
you know other other people's feelings are at stake like that. Like,
like you said, it's kind of weird to assume, but
sometimes you have to because you have to make your
decisions off of everything around you. You know, first and
most important it is like what your heart's telling you.
But second is like, how can you go about this?
(13:14):
You know the right way if there is a right way? Um,
and it's stressful, like and you can always second guess
and and always question. But like that was the biggest
part for me. It was like, it's a totally new dynamic.
(13:38):
How long have you been done filming so far? I
mean we wrapped up just over two months ago. All right,
so you're and now you're watching the season unfold I am,
I am. Yeah, you're watching it by yourself in your
room home alone at night, or you got like a
posse of people. I recommend you deal with friends, buddy,
(13:58):
because it sucks if you do it by yourself. No. No, Well,
the first episode, you know, we had a cool premier party,
had family and friends come, friends from the show, um,
and producers and that was really cool experience. Uh. For
future episodes, UM, very low key, I'm gonna says by
(14:19):
episode five. It's a pretty lonely experience. At least that
was my experience. Yeah. Yeah, And I think, like, I'm
not someone who likes to watch myself on TV anymore,
Like where I hear my own voice and I'm like, oh,
I sound like I see it. And then I'm like, Okay,
I'm watching myself romantically. We're watching me do something good
(14:40):
at something bad, this and that, and I just feel
like I ever relive it, and I'm like, I'd rather
not you know, deal with um you know the comments
like I like to just watch it, Okay, cool, I
remember it, that's exactly how it went, or you know,
and then move on to the next one. I'm not
a big watch party guy. Watched with a bunch of people. No,
(15:02):
it's difficult, I know. I mean I can only imagine
what it's like. I mean, dude, to to date myself
and this is horrible. But when I was the bachelor, um,
there wasn't even social media, right, so I didn't have
to deal with it. There were chat rooms which seemed
off putting and you know, um a lot of gossip mags,
but there there there wasn't like on the on the
button moment by moment dissection of everything I did right,
(15:26):
And you know, I'd watch the show and I'd be like, God,
I really that's how I kiss. This is crazy, you
know that? Do I always talk like this and I
always hemming and hawing. I mean, I would dissect myself.
No one could critique me more than me on my
own worst critic um. And even though I know you're
from the West Coast, you seem kind of like a
Midwest guy to me in a weird way, which I
take that as a I mean that I should say,
is a very big compliment. Right. They don't say they
(15:48):
say Midwestern values, right, they don't say West Coast values,
they say Midwestern values. So you're getting a compliment from
me right now. And I hope you can take it
as such. But I think that it's got to be
tough because you're watching yourself. You're like, how did I
end up here? And right? And then the whole thing
is it's unfolding. I mean, I'm sure you hear the noise, right.
There's a lot of people saying things way better about
(16:08):
you than you could ever deserve, and a lot of
people saying just garbage about you that you also don't deserve.
And it's hard, right because you hear the good stuff
and that kind of goes in one year and not
the other, and the bad stuff will stick with you
for months. How have you been dealing with that? The
social media stuff is just tragic? Like how do you?
I don't mean that specific to you, I mean that
just in general. I get it all the time too.
(16:28):
I don't even know how I deal with it, But
how do you deal with it? Because it's got to
be magnified for you. Yeah, that's a good question because
I think it's constantly evolving on how to tackle that,
because like just over a year ago, you know, I
was working, you know, my my tech job in Austin,
going about life, you know, not someone that's even big
(16:50):
onto social media or understands it, let alone, Like I
don't even know how to properly like post photos at
the time. And now I'm in the world where, like
every ones on social media, everything you do is critiqued.
Now my love life is being critiquedum and everyone has
an opinion, and everyone fair like absolutely has an opinion,
and like seeing the the tough or hurtful comments, initially
(17:15):
we're really like, oh my god, like how could someone
like say that they don't know me this and it
did bother me early on? Um, and I don't know,
it took just maybe time or you know, just through
you know, confidence, or or just like seeking advice from
from family and friends was like okay, you know you're
never gonna appease everyone. Um. Also everything in a sense
(17:42):
with like short media and this is like with a
lot of things in general are pretty short lived. Um.
And you know, yeah, the next thing right away, right,
I mean instantly, if I get in my own head
about it, then it's just like I'm gonna be you know,
bummed out. And I'm not a guy that's ever bumped out.
Like I'm very positive. But then when I'm like, oh,
these people are trying to hurt me, I'm like they've
(18:03):
probably got something else going on in their life to
where they feel they need hurt. So that's how I
rationalize and justify it. But and you're a better man
than me. I still grind myself over the coals for
half the things that are said about me. But you know,
interestingly enough, someone gave me a great piece of advice
once and they're like consider the source, right, So, like
you're living your life and then you have these other
(18:23):
people who are commenting on you living your life. Right,
It's like, how often are you online commenting on someone
else living their lives? Probably never? Right? So who are
these people? And you know, hey, thank you for you know,
paying attention, but let's be kind, right, We're still human beings.
We start. You know, this is still us putting it
out there, and clearly you're someone who's you know, going
through an emotional experience. I mean, what you've done is genuine.
(18:47):
People are I'm gonna I mean, I will tell you this,
twenty years after I was the Bachelor, You're gonna still
ask you the question is it real? You know? Is
it all scripted? And you know I always say, I'm like, well,
the moments are scripted, but the emotions are real, you know,
So you're still feeling that stuff. So I'm sorry. You
gotta deal with it. I mean, I didn't have to
deal with it. I don't have to do it at
the magnitude that you all do. I mean on the
(19:07):
show today. I mean still, you know, twenty years later,
I think I have like a hundred ten thousand followers.
There's something that's pretty paltry. But um, I've probably have
worked really hard for those hundred and ten. I think
my mom's probably got like seventy ghost accounts. But the
point is no, The point is, you know, it's like
you go through this experience and it's tough, man, and
there You're never gonna please everybody. So I mean, at
(19:30):
the end of the day, you know, what are you
gonna do? But okay, let's talk about your season now.
So you come on as a bachelor. From what I understand, UM,
I may have missed a few finer points of this,
but it sounds to me like on the opening night,
one young lady um walks up and licks your earhole. Basically,
(19:50):
this gives you like tongue jacks your earbox, is what
I've been told. Yeah, any words exchanged and he like, hey,
how are you? Or she just walks up and it's
boom shaka ka right in the ear drum I from
because I think I would have married her. I'm totally kidding,
totally kidding. Well, we're watching it and then try and
(20:13):
remember that exact moment that I was, what I was feeling,
and like, like, first off, that takes you know, Cohona's
to do that um, could you imagine a poor dad.
He's just like, oh, look, I'm gorgeous. Little girl. Here
she comes, like a moment and then just tongue tongue dart.
His buddies at home are like, really, Jim, this is
(20:33):
what we're doing. This is what little Debbie's doing the night. Honestly,
my my facial reaction, I think gives it away of
just like I trying to hide, like it like with
a laugh, Like I put my head back and opened
my mouth like I'm laughing thinking it's funny, but it's
actually like like disgusting. Like I'm like, why, why you
(20:54):
can't You're like, I don't know, Okay, I mean I'm
sure it piques your curiosity for a hot second, but
it I mean, I don't know you at all, but
from what I can tell from our initial interview, you
strike me as one of those guys. I mean, I
can tell you. When I was on the show, all
I could think of, Oh my god, I don't want
to embarrass my family, Like I don't want my mom
and dad to have to go to the grocery store
(21:14):
and be ashamed of me. Right, So if the girl
walks up, she's you know, making out with your ear
drum and you're like, oh, yeah, this is first impression
rose all the way. I mean, your parents would be
so disappointed, right, So I get it. I mean, but
you said her home, you fast tractor to the limo.
From what I gather, no that that was not a
fast track to the limo. No, I I did not
(21:35):
give her a rose that night. But there were, Um,
there was another instance of there was one instance of
I'm a fast track to the limo, but someone else
not for ear looking well, tell me about it. What
was the fast track? Uh? So, you know, a night
one and um, you know, had the opportunity to to
speak with one of the women in the house and
we had a conversation and um, you know I went
(21:58):
pretty well. Um, and she decides to pull me again
for another conversation. I think that there were some feelings
of jealousy because she saw that, um, I had kissed
other women and she wasn't one of them, and so
she wanted to pull me to get her kiss. And
(22:19):
she pulls me aside and we're doing like these like
dances or something, and she pulls me in like for
a hug. I'm going in for a hug and she
goes in and pulls me in and making a kiss happen. Um,
and that did kind of rub me the wrong way. Um,
like you can't force anything, Like, you can't force it
(22:39):
if it's not there, and you know, you know had
that you know, tough decision and talking with her saying like, hey,
we can't force that, like what like if it's not here,
it's not here, And I don't want to waste your
time in the moment you did like you kind of
like you sort of pulled back and like this is
not happening. Well, so for it happens. And I'm like
processing like like did that kiss just happen like that?
(23:02):
Like is that how it really went? And I remember
talking to Jesse about it actually funny enough because he asked,
He's like, dude, like what you know what was with
that that kiss? It didn't look like you really wanted
to And I was like, you know what I I
you know, I I respect you know, her pulling me
again because you know that that takes guts And then
most people don't, you know, some people will only get
(23:24):
you know, one time, and some don't get any time.
On on night one and he's like, what do you
want to do? And I was like, what I think.
I think it's best to send her home, like I
don't want, you know, to lie to her or hold
her here if there isn't a connection, And there clearly
wasn't that spark when? So that was that was interesting.
You never know what you're gonna you're gonna get on
night one, like anything like Gritty all that stuff. Gritty
(23:49):
is a good That's a tough dance. I mean, if
they perfected, I believe they should get fast jacked the
night too. That's just me. But I'm not a great dancer,
and so I value things and others that I don't possess,
you know, right, I can't judge it Like who I
gritty on TV? And it looks absolutely terrible, So I
can't someone pulls it off in an evening gown. Moving
on next round. Did you ever watch the show previously
(24:22):
being on it? Did you know the whole drill? I'd
probably watched about a handful of episodes before, but my
my mom and my two younger sisters are die hard
fans of the show, so you know, growing up, you know,
I walked downstairs see them watching the show and of
course it would just have my attention drawn in uh
(24:42):
to watch it, but you know, not consecutively by any means.
But you know, I had a rough idea of what
to expect. Um. But you know, my sisters obviously were like, uh,
you know, given me as many planners as they could
well were some of the psy anything's sticking out right
now that you listen to or any of that you
(25:03):
didn't and you wish you would have because obviously they
know how this thing goes. Yeah. So actually, funny enough,
my sister she told me right before. I don't remember
if it was before batchelor Red or Bachelor, but um,
she said, don't cry. And I'm an emotional guy, like
(25:24):
by nature, I'm someone who wears my heart of my sleep.
It's encouraged in my house, like show your emotion like
good or bad. Um, you know, not worth holding in.
And she said don't cry, and I was like, okay,
I won't. Yeah, and that's quick to a sizzle real
if you cry, man, we all know that, I know.
And just you know, as Jesse said, this is the
(25:45):
most emotional season for the Bachelor so far, So I'll
just leave it at that. She didn't listen to her body.
It's impossible. It's impossible, you know. I gotta be honest.
For Ben Higgins. It was also impossible that dude cries
more than anybody ever saying, but he isn't a emotional
and lovely man, and I think that you'll probably have
that same kind of staying power. I didn't cry. I
(26:05):
didn't cry, and you didn't know who the hell I was,
So there you go. I probably once in my lfe
no I cry a ton Are you kidding me? I
am the most emotional disaster um back then, though it
didn't fit the mold. You gotta remember what I did
the show. They it was a very you know, we
didn't film stuff that didn't fit the mold of what
(26:26):
we were trying to present. So I could have been
falling like a baby and they'd be like, all right,
just give him some time, let's dry him off, get
him back in there and make him look stoic, you know.
So it was. It wasn't as emotionally raw. Reality television
wasn't as real back then, let's just put it that way.
I didn't feel that way anyway. Yeah, it didn't feel
that way. So one thing that I dealt with from
(26:48):
being the bachelor. Um, that I think is probably something
that is universal, regardless of social media or not. I'll
never forget it. First time I walk into my hometown supermarket,
I'm with my mom. I was just telling this story
earlier that you know, my mom would go to the
still twenty years later, she'll go to the chicken section,
and people like, according to my mom, anyway, aren't you
bachelor Bob's mom? And my mom was like, I am
(27:11):
it just Oh, everyone drives me crazy bringing it up. Yeah,
I can be in the same supermarket. No one speaks
to me. So the hardest adjustment though, was seeing your
personal life all over the tabloids, right like all of
our US weekly, People, Magazine, Star, National choir whatever it is, um,
social media. I'm sure how has that been for you? Like,
how has that adjustment been for you to all of
(27:31):
a sudden go from being, you know, a guy that's
working hard. You know, I mean you you know, you're
an athlete. So the mindset of you know, keep your
head down, work hard, and good things will happen. Right.
We all have heard those from our coaches over the years,
and um, now all of a sudden you know, you're
entire personal life and every decision you make is being
dissected by body relationship experts and you know all this
(27:53):
kind of crap. I mean, how has that been for
you as a as a an individual and how are
you handling it? Yeah, it's a good question. It is interesting,
you know with life now outside of the show. Um,
you know, similar to you know, your story with with
you your mom at the grocery store, like you know,
going to most places, um, you know, being recognized as
(28:15):
a weird feeling because I'm kind of a private person
by nature, and I like, I think it's it's really
cool when people like come support or or whant I
get a photo with me? But it's just still such
a crazy concept that people want to do that in
the first place, or people want to write an article
about what clothes I wore on my last Instagram post
(28:38):
or like well, like it's it goes back to the
opinions thing. It's like, Okay, everyone's going to have an opinion.
I get that, and and it's up to me like
if I want to read those comments or not. But
like for me, I I I welcome you know everyone
with with open arms. You know, when I meet people
out and about and you know, whether it's at the
gym or at the grocery store or this and that,
(28:58):
and just I don't know, just take the time to
say high or get to know them, um, because it is.
It is a cool opportunity because I know, like when I, um,
you know, growing up, would like run into someone that
I have seen it on TV and I would like
love to meet them and get a picture with them,
and you know, it would be the biggest gut punch
it They said, no, oh sure, yeah. You always love
(29:19):
it if there's someone who you hope that you think
they are right, Like you meet Tom Hanks, you wanted
to be the greatest guy you've ever met in your
life because he seems like he is. You know it.
He's such a bomb if he wasn't, you know. But
there's a lot of pressure on those guys too. I
met Bill Murray in the airport today and Bill Murray
was amazing. I mean, he was so nice. Oh yeah, yeah,
and it was really cool and I was thankful because
(29:42):
you know, he had no clue who the hell I was,
nor should he, but I definitely knew who he was
and it was nice that he gave me thirty seconds
of his time, you know, and that's all it takes.
It's not that hard to be kind to people. It's
pretty easy, really, You're never that busy in fact that
it's just being kind, you know, like just expect that.
You know, not everyone has that out you know, outlook
(30:03):
on life. But as long as you keep that yourself,
you'll be good. That's yeah. So have you ever heard
of the term like grease in the wheel, like getting
ready for something? You so, first night of the Bachelor,
you're getting ready to you know, all the limbos of
pull up? What did you do to grease the wheel?
What did you do to like get yourself ready? Anything specific? Um,
there's a lot of pacing. Yeah. Any any beverage choices
(30:26):
that maybe helped you get to the right place? Quite
a few? Um? I had, I had a few, uh
a few beverages. Um, any of that are you know
Mexican in in in uh origin, perhaps like tequila or
anything like that. Absolutely, maybe maybe two or three if
we're honest. And then you know, you gotta have some
(30:48):
you know, artificial caffeine in there somewhere because it's a
late it is late, and a lot of blasting of
just like the most ridiculous music you can and just
like get the nerves out some way, you know, and
back to its Tequia. It's always tequila money. That's the
(31:08):
only way to Yeah. I like it. I like the
way you got there, though you took a long road,
and I appreciate it. So Okay. One of the things
that we had back in the day when I did
this show was a deliberation room, right, so they had
all the women that were there on that night of
the contail party or whatever we call it. They had
all of their photos on like a wall, like a
(31:31):
viewing wall, and I would go in and I would deliberate.
Now we just look at these photos as if to
ponder who I was going to give a roast to,
because they were all right there on the cusp. And
I remember looking at all these and I would take time.
I'd look at each one. Some of them, I grabbed
the frame and I'd stare at it for a minute.
I put it back. Do they still do that or
(31:52):
they skipped that part of it, because it was it
was really interesting time for at the time Chris Harrison
and I had to walk in there and just have
me stare a blank wall. Yeah, something just like that,
because obviously a night one like there's no way you
can remember everyone's names with the faith, and like you
(32:12):
have so many conversations and you're trying to you know,
calm your own nerves and you need to go and
just breathe in another room and just you know, figure
it out. For lack of better terms, h yeah. So yeah,
there would be several times without like throughout the night
going to a room and looking at the little you know,
(32:33):
cards with the name, and you know, sometimes it would
just be the easiest, like like you just follow your
gut on that and you're like, yep, something well seconds
with this person. Yep, I don't know what it is.
I don't know why, but yes, And then there's some
that you know, you have to deliverate a little bit
more on and and and figure out. But that was
(32:53):
something new that I didn't know how like you do it,
because I was fully prepared to come in and be like,
all right, I'm remembering all the names. We're doing it.
That's a little false because there's no shot I would
ever be able to actually come on. I'm a competitive guy,
so I gotta tell you, um, on my first night's
rose ceremony, I had I believe it was twenty eight
(33:15):
or thirty ladies there. And I had found out that
Alex Michelle, out of the fifteen women that he got
to keep on the first night, he had remembered twelve names.
So my goal was to remember all fifteen. So I
created a song in my head, and I got through it.
I got through all fifteen. However, what a lot of
people don't know a little a little sidebar is I
was nervous, right, So I was holding the rose. Uh,
(33:37):
let me see if I can hold. I was holding
the rose like this, right, So I have a rose,
and I was like Debbie, right, and then the next
one Jenny or you know. I'm just using random names,
of course, to protect the innocent. And I and I
remember the next one. I go to say the name
and the rose the top of the rose falls off
and no one knows what to do, and I think,
oh my god, this is a real show. So I
(33:57):
can't It's reality television. I can't waiver. So I hole
hold and I'm like Rhonda, and Ronda comes up on Granda,
will you accept the stem? And she takes that. I
think it's gonna be great television, and they make you
reshoot it, and I was so bummed. Point is, though
I got all fifteen. Do you remember how remember how
many of the ladies on the first night you remembered
all their names? Uh? They just say this. They didn't
(34:21):
let me test that theory. If I'm not mistaken, let
me try and reenact this and tell me this is
that rate. You'd get through like five names and you'd
be like, I'm sorry, ladies, I I need a moment,
and you'd step outside, maybe like they'd like Debbie, Rhonda, Jenny, Brenda, Camille.
(34:42):
Is that not how they did well? Not not as
dramatic as that. It would be. You know, I'll go
I'll use your names. It would be like okay, yeah, Ronda,
what do you accept the strokes? Yes, okay, And then
it would be a pause and then I would like
look to to one of the um like directors and
(35:02):
I would just give a nod and he'd nod back,
and then I'd be like and then just mysteriously, oh,
there was no explanation, because when I was on the
batchel of the rat, they didn't do any explanation. We
were like, why are the girls keep going back to
the back room like what's going on? Like are they
are they panicking or they freaking out? And then I
(35:23):
later learned that's what it was for. It took away
the drama factor. I brought some drama to that franchise.
Back then, I'd be like, ladies, I just can't. But
then I'd like, but no, I can because I got
all fifteen right here in my bean. I got through it.
Oh my gosh. All right, So one last question, No,
thank you, buddy. It was the one thing I had
going for me. I got. I had a musical memory. So, UM,
(35:44):
all right, let's ask you this. So now that you're engaged, UM,
I'm sorry, Well, I'm sorry. What was your name? I
think they all right, Well, you know what, I'm sorry.
I'm getting some bad intel. So at the end of
the day, we're so happy about the marriage coming up,
and we're excited to be invited to the nuptials. Um,
now I'm excited for you man. You seem like a
(36:06):
very nice guy, and I think that at the end
of the day, you got to remember, I have this,
I have this idea of the way the show works,
especially when I was on it. I used to say,
you know, you could have You can have a monkey
up here handing out flowers and everyone's gonna cry because
it's a social science experiment. It's nothing to do with
the guy. So I think about that all the time.
I'm always like, you know, and people like, oh, no,
that's humble pie pop. I'm like, no, it's really sincere.
(36:27):
It has nothing to do with the guy. But I
think in your case it kind of does, because you
seem like that guy. Man, you're a very nice guy,
and I have a feeling that you probably have a
lot of ladies vying for your attention and you were
raised right, and man, I'm just excited for you. I
hope it all works out the way you wanted to
and um, and you find some happiness at the end
of this thing, because it's a tough road to hope.
(36:49):
People don't get it right. They all think, oh, what
a crimeer river. You know, he handed out flowers of
thirty girls and made out with him, big deal. But
it is tough. You go through a lot to get there.
So I hope you guys find happiness, and I wish
you the best and thanks for being part of our show.
I mean it's o g to the new guy. Man,
this is a big transition. I was twenty years ago
and it's still on the air. This is bananas. Wow. Wow.
(37:11):
Well we'll first stop. Thank you. I appreciate that the
kind of words, and um, you know, yeah, like what
you're saying, it is wild and not a lot of
people understand it. You know, Fortunately you do. You're someone
that does. And it's it's crazy to know you. You
know that there are people that do support um, you
know through all the crazy social media and whatnot. But um,
(37:31):
I appreciate being on this podcast and the new guy.
That's pretty cool. Hey, we just named it tonight, Bunny.
We're excited. We're excited. Well, I wish you the best.
I mean, you know, at the end of the day,
you gotta remember, I mean, you know, just get through
it with your confidence intact. Don't let anybody beat you up.
I mean, I know it's it's not easy, right, It's
you're an easy target, dude. I mean, you know you're
(37:52):
out there, you're a nice person, putting your heart on
the line. Like you say, you wear your emotions on
your sleeve. So you're gonna get some grief for it.
But at the end of the day, Man, your happiness
twenty years from now. Take it from me, as it
matters of most. So it's gonna be a great experience.
You said yes to a fun moment. Live it up,
enjoy it, and thanks for being a part of the show. Man.
We really appreciate it. Thank you, Bob. I appreciate it.
(38:13):
I'm rooting for you. Man. Thank you. Tell your mom,
I said, Hi, Oh, she knows you.
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