Stories behind ‘The Bachelor: The Final Rose’ special inside look

On Monday, March 15, ABC News’ “20/20” will air a special, two-hour edition of the broadcast, “Inside the Bachelor: The Stories Behind the Rose.” Anchored by Deborah Roberts and Chris Connelly, with “GMA” contributor Melissa Rycroft as special correspondent, “20/20” takes viewers inside ABC’s “The Bachelor.”

From casting sessions, to never-before-seen audition tapes, “Inside the Bachelor: The Stories Behind the Rose” will include exclusive interviews with former Bachelors and Bachelorettes, as well as former contestants, including: Dr. Travis Stork, Ryan and Trista Sutter, Andrew Firestone; Meredith Phillips, Charlie O’Connell and many other fan favorites.

Brad Womack, Season 11’s “Bachelor,” who left both final women without a rose – and without a ring -- opens up to “20/20” about his life today and what he’s learned from being front and center in the reality TV’s spotlight.

Womack is also reunited with one of the final women during that season, DeAnna Pappas. Loveable, funnyman Bob Guiney -- who did not find love on-camera -- talks to “20/20” for the first time since his split with his soap star wife, Rebecca Budig. “20/20” also catches up with former “Bachelor” Byron Velvick and the woman who won his heart and the final rose, Mary Delgado.

When the cameras stopped rolling, Byron and Mary were enjoying their engagement and planning a life together, that is until a late night call to the police and years of tremulous ups and downs put an end to their romance. “20/20” updates viewers on where they are now.

In addition “20/20” features more of Jake Pavelka and his new fiancée, Vienna, including what viewers didn’t see during this season of “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love.” The program also explores surprise endings that contestants encounter from their 15 minutes of fame, most notably Melissa Rycroft. Millions tuned in to watch single father Jason Mesnick propose marriage to Melissa. But on the “After the Final Rose” special, Jason famously dumped Melissa for runner-up Molly Malaney. Rycroft went from being humiliated on national television to find herself a surprise contestant on “Dancing with the Stars,” with an aspiring television career.

“Inside the Bachelor: The Stories Behind the Rose” will revisit some of the most shocking and memorable moments in “Bachelor” history, and share a rare interview with “Bachelor” creator/executive producer Mike Fleiss and executive producer, Martin Hilton. Host Chris Harrison talks about what goes on behind the closed doors of the mansion.

Anchored by Deborah Roberts and Chris Connelly, “20/20” Takes Viewers Behind the Scenes of ABC’s “The Bachelor”

“Good Morning America” Contributor Melissa Rycroft is Special Correspondent
on “Inside The Bachelor: The Stories Behind the Rose”

David Sloan is the executive producer of “Inside The Bachelor: The Stories Behind the Rose.”

Ratings Review:
‘The Bachelor: Final Rose’ was #1 in fans and love Monday, March 8th
Hitting a Monday season high in young adults, with the season finale of “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love” and the “After the Final Rose” special, ABC stood as Monday’s No. 1 network in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, beating runner-up CBS’ all-original schedule by 2.0 million viewers (14.8 million vs. 12.8 million) and by 23% in Adults 18-49 (5.3/14 vs. 4.3/11).

ABC posted its highest-rated Monday among Adults 18-49 in 1 year – since 3/2/09.

“The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love” (8:00-10:05 p.m.)
ABC’s 14th season finale of “The Bachelor” won its time period, topping second-place CBS’ original Monday comedy block by 2.0 million viewers (15.2 million vs. 13.2 million) and by 13% in Adults 18-49 (5.3/14 vs. 4.7/12).  Up over the previous week’s telecast by 3.9 million viewers and by 36% in young adults (11.3 million & 3.9/10 in Adults 18-49 on 2/22/10) with a season-high performance, “The Bachelor” drew its second-best finale numbers in 10 seasons in Total Viewers and in 9 seasons in Adults 18-49 – since Fall 2003 and Spring 2004, respectively.  Additionally, the ABC unscripted show ranked No. 1 against regular competition in its 2-hour time period in Adults 18-34 (4.9/14) for the 7th week running.   

On average during its 14th season run, “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love” attracted an average audience of 12.0 million viewers, up over last season’s 11.5 million, generating the biggest overall audience for the franchise since Fall 2003 – going back 10 seasons/cycles.

“The Bachelor” built its audience during each half-hour from 8:00-10:00 p.m., growing by 2.6 million viewers (13.9 million to 16.5 million) and by 26% Adults 18-49 (4.7/13 to 5.9/14) from its first half-hour to its final half-hour, as Jake Pavelka proposed to Sanford, Florida resident Vienna Giraldi.

“The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love: After the Final Rose” (10:05-11:00 p.m.)
“The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love: After the Final Rose” dominated the 10 o’clock hour in Total Viewers (13.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.3/14), finishing well ahead of CBS’ “CSI: Miami” (12.1 million & 3.4/9) and the second hour of NBC’s 2-hour “Law & Order” (7.9 million and 2.1/6).   In viewers and young adults, “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose” posted the special’s 2nd-highest numbers ever.   

Building on its Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34 lead-in, “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose” stood as Monday’s No. 1 program among Adults 18-34 (5.0/15), Women 18-34 (7.4/20) and Women 18-49 (7.8/20-tie).  

(source: ABC)