'The Bachelorette' Insider: Week 7

KITV4 would like to introduce you to our in-house expert on "The Bachelorette," Lauren Wang. During the day, she works in our sales department, but on the nights when "The Bachelorette" is airing, she is glued to the television set. She will keep you up-to-date with the show and give you some inside scoops on what is happening with the Bachelorette herself, Emily Maynard.

Eliminated bachelor Doug Clerget - 6/28/2012

I talked to the eliminated, single dad this morning and it was a surprisingly pleasant conversation.

I’ve been open about how I feel about Doug and this morning’s call definitely changed my mind about him.  Doug did not expect to be sent home on Monday night and he still dreads the kiss he gave Emily (ouch, I think all of America did).

He even laughed and said he didn’t want to be reminded of that (haha AND his friends back home won’t stop ragging on him about it)!

Doug was honored to get the first impression rose and throughout his time on "The Bachelorette" he was just trying to get to know Emily as best as he could.  Doug said that his feelings did get hurt by Emily, especially when she said that he wasn’t real.  He said that what you see is what you get from him.

He really did want the hometown date.  Doug felt that Emily would have enjoyed Seattle and his lifestyle with this son Austin.   He also wished he had more time with Emily.

It was cute; Doug said that his son had NO interest in the show.  Even when his son’s friends talked to him about it, he said that his son was more interested in cartoons and playing hoops.  And Doug never felt the urge to come home because his son kept telling him to stay.

Doug didn’t realize how physical all of the guys got with Emily during the show.  He understands now that he should have made a move sooner.  But, he wanted to respect Emily and he wasn’t sure if she wanted to get physical with everyone.

He thought maybe she just wanted to have a conversation every once in a while.  A lot of past girls that Doug has dated said that he needed to make a move or be more aggressive, so that is something that he knows he needs to work on.

He was very emotional during his final words because of all of the things that were going on in his life at that moment.  He missed his son, he wanted the hometown date, he was thinking about his grandfather, who recently passed away, among other things.  So that is why he was crying in the end.  He said his hasn’t cried in a long time ("The Bachelor"/"The Bachelorette" totally brings the tears out)!

Doug said that Arie, Jef and Sean are all great picks for Emily.  He was closest to Sean out of the three and the most similar to him.  Was Doug hinting that Sean is the winner?

I cannot wait to go to Jef, Arie, Chris and Sean’s hometown next week!   Check out my preview on Monday on this website.  Also, don’t forget to talk to me throughout the show on Twitter on #bachelorettehi.

XOXO~Lauren

Week 7 Recap - 6/26/2012

Emily had to go through a lot to get to her final four men!

Emily first had to overcome the fact that Arie had a brief relationship with one of the producers from the show.  She gave Arie so many chances to tell her about his relationship with the producer but he didn’t tell her.   This definitely bothered Emily. but I think in Arie’s defense he didn’t say anything because he didn’t think twice about it.

Overall, I am happy that they worked through it because I think Emily should go visit Arie’s family.  They deserve more time together and they should see where this relationship can go.

Poor John "Wolfe"… he is one naïve guy!  He really felt like there was something between him and Emily.  Like hello buddy, get a clue!  I think that you can get so caught up in the "idea" of romance on this show, and he’s not living in reality.  It was so funny how the lock didn’t fit over the wall and even Emily said, "This isn’t a good sign."  YIKES!

Sean totally stole my heart when he went searching for Emily just to have a few minutes alone with her.  Talk about a romantic gesture!  They really have a true connection and I hope that they can continue to grow as a couple.

Chris, on the other hand, is on the verge of a mental breakdown.  I think that he is a jealous, insecure guy and I know it is hard being on the show and being in his position.  But, he has to hold it together if he wants any shot at having something long term with Emily.

The three-on-one date was an intense one.  Emily got rid of Doug quickly and I think that this was the best move by her.  I hope Doug will learn to be himself more and say how he really feels and not just be someone that he is not.   I don’t think that this was a surprise elimination at all.  We all saw this coming, especially after witnessing their first kiss.  There was absolutely NO spark!

Jef and Emily were just adorable as they played with puppets in Prague. They can do just the simple, casual things and it seems so special.  I feel like every second they spend together, they cherish.  I think Jef has developed real feelings for Emily and you can tell that he is really trying to prove that to her.

I liked that there was no cocktail party this week.  She knew what she wanted and didn’t want to pull these guys along any longer.  I couldn’t believe how confident that John was.  I did feel bad for him because he really thought that he was getting that rose.  But the connection wasn’t there.  I mean, how can she meet his parents if it’s not there.  That’s a huge step.  And I know Chris is a little off but at least I can see that him and Emily have something.

Next week, we’ll get to know the remaining four bachelors -- Chris, Arie, Jef and Sean -- that much more.  We’ll get to see them with their families and in their own element!

Make sure to tune in to watch the hometown dates next Monday at 7 p.m. right here on KITV4!   I will be talking to Doug on Thursday, so check back here for the inside scoop on the eliminated dad.  Don’t forget to talk to me on Twitter at #BacheloretteHI!

~XOXO Lauren

Week 7 Preview - 6/25/2012

Emily finds out about that Arie briefly had a relationship with a producer from the show.  How long was their relationship?  Were they serious?  How will Emily react?  Why didn’t Arie mention this?  What will he say in his defense?  What do you guys think?  Should he have told Emily?

I’m a little torn.  I feel like he should have been honest with Emily because she was going to find out eventually.  I mean --- hello -- the girl works on the show but it was a past thing and it has nothing to do with Emily and his relationship. Yikes!

Either way, though, I think she’s still going to be upset.  No one likes hearing about someone they care about and their past relationships.  Arie is in a lose, lose situation here.   I hope that doesn’t affect her feelings for him too much.   I still think they have a lot of chemistry and the spark is definitely there.

It looks like John is finally going to get some alone time with Emily.  He gets to spend the day with the bachelorette in Prague.  John is really going to have to open up more if he wants to stay.  Even though he finally had some sort of connection with Emily last week, it might be too little too late.

Three’s Company -- Sean, Doug and Chris -- get the group date with Emily.  There is a lot at stake here.  Whomever gets the rose at the end of the date will be one of Emily’s final four men.  That means Emily will be visiting their hometown!  Who will it be?

Also, Jef, will get more time with Emily this week!  As I mentioned before he says that this date is THE turning point for Emily and him.  He turns on the charm and the romance this episode and I CANNOT wait to see this.  I am starting to like him more and more! TEAM JEF!

At the rose ceremony, Chris has a breakdown and even asks to speak to Emily alone.  Hmmm...  Jef did say that there will be a “surprise” elimination.  Is this the end of the road for Chris?  And who does Emily choose as her final four men?  Make sure to watch tonight at 7 p.m. on KITV4!  Let’s talk throughout the episode on Twitter at #bachelorettehi!

XOXO~Lauren

Conference call with Jef Holm - 6/22/2012

OK, Jef is SUCH a good guy.  Now I can totally see why Emily is attracted to him.  He is smart, sweet and you can just tell by his voice that he is an all-around awesome guy with so much to offer (hello he owns his own company… GOOGLE it, PEOPLE WATER, and you’ll be totally impressed)!

Jef was very close to all the guys. He said on their spare time they would all just hang out at the mansion and talk about Emily.  The only person that never really opened up about their dates or feelings for Emily was Sean (aww that screams genuine to me).

Jef was closest to Arie, although he did not find out about his relationship with Cassie, a producer from the show, until AFTER the show stopped filming (interesting)!

Jef was least closest to Ryan and he knew that he didn’t have the right intentions being there (Jef did say that Ryan made him laugh though but not in a good way and that he kept digging himself into a deeper and deeper hole...hahahaha).

Even before their one-on-one date, Jef said Emily gave him a “look” before her and Ryan walked out and he knew that she was NOT excited about their date!

Emily and his relationship started off as a friendship and turned more and more into a romance over time.  He said that he doesn’t regret playing it "cool."  He’s not the guy that’s going to chase someone!  Well, maybe a little, he said, but he wants to be pursued too.

Jef said up until Bermuda, he wasn’t sure about his feelings for Emily and he wasn’t even sure exactly what he was doing.  But, he made his move when he was ready and if he had to go back, he wouldn’t change a thing (obviously its working). Emily is totally into him!

He definitely sees himself as a husband AND father.  He wants a big family and sees himself teaching Ricki how to play soccer and skateboard!  There is a 100% chemistry between him and Emily and despite the rumors, his financial situation was never a topic of conversation (previous bachelors have said that Jef is very well off and that is why Emily is so attracted to him).

Jef’s sister-in-law nominated him to be on "The Bachelorette."  He was very skeptical at first because he comes from a private family.  His parents are missionaries of the Mormon church.  He does not practice anymore. But, he decided to do it once he found out Emily was the bachelorette.  He also said that he had long hair… a straight pony tail!  I’d love to see pictures of this!  But, he decided to cut his hair before the show, three weeks before to be exact!

Well, Jef, we all love your hair!  Don’t change a thing!  Jef also said that he is very into fashion and grew up with sisters and had girlfriends who were every into fashion as well, so his “Chloe bag” comment shouldn’t be taken the wrong way (he’s a dream, I love a guy that knows his fashion)!

If Jef was approached to be the next bachelor, he said he would NOT do it.  He is done with dating on TV.  But by being on the show, he has learned so much about himself and he met the most amazing person out of it (did I mention he also said that Emily was funny, sarcastic, sassy, composed, well-spoken faithful and smart…umm yep, he’s in love)!

Jef exclusively told me that on Monday there will be a “surprise” elimination!  He also said that this episode is a turning point for him and Emily’s relationship!   So make sure to tune in next Monday for a new episode of "The Bachelorette!"

XOXO~Lauren