Ben is back from Wells Adams and Sarah Hyland’s wedding and he has some tea to spill! He takes us through every detail, including the 4 dress changes and every Bachelor Nation appearance.
We catch up with Spencer Swies (who was eliminated early in Rachel and Gabby’s season) and find out why we didn’t see more of him on screen. And he reveals if we’ll see him again in Paradise!
Plus, Ben and Ashley recap the hometown dates, which separates those looking for love from those on the show for “the wrong reasons”.
This is the Benn and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast with her Radio. This is another episode of the Almost Famous podcast. Ashley is going to be joining us today, yes, for our interview with a very special guest. Spencer Swice is gonna be here. Uh you might remember. Spencer's from Chicago, Illinois's gonna catch up with us on everything he's doing in his life, what life has looked like post Bachelor. I know they've made some good friends along the way. Ashley is gonna sit in for that interview, but before we do, I want to take a second to hang out with you all and tell you about Wells Adams and Sarah Highland's wedding. I just got back from it. Actually I'm still a little tired. But it was an incredible event and you can read all about it and see the pictures in Vogue, which was there to cover the wedding. It's a pretty good magazine to have cover your wedding. But a lot of Bachelor Nation guests were there. I mean, I'm gonna forget some of them, but you can read about him. But it's Nick Vile. It was Chris Souls, Chris Harrison was there along. Gael was also there obviously, I was there along with Daniel Maltby. She is a friend of Wells is from Nashville. Uh, Courtney Dober was there. Uh. Joe a grocery store. Joe. That was a big old list. I want to forget somebody, Oh, Caitlin Bristow, Jason tart Ik. There's a lot of people. I'm gonna forget somebody that I really love and care about. I really enjoyed my time with every person from bachel Nation that was there. Were I was kind of talking to Jessica about that. Is it's always good to have a reunion with people from the show and just have a second to get to know them a little better. After I get to know these people better every time I go. Man, I just I'm very fairly like these people. Okay, so here's the deal. The wedding, uh was just outside of Santa Barbara, a little town called Solving. Solving is a really cute town if you're ever up in that area to stop by. It was at a vineyard, one of the most incredible settings I've ever seen. The flower arrangements were spectacular, And I'm not a big like flower fan like I usually don't even notice that stuff. But their flower arrangements were spectacular. The food, we had some miso sea bass, which everybody was talking about when we had some beef tenderloin. The food was was out of this world, the best wedding food I've ever had. UM A live band. Obviously, a lot of the Modern Family cast was there. Sean White, Nina doughb Ever also there. Jessica really loved getting to see Kalin Kalin was there from Bachelor Nation, uh, and also meeting Debbie Ryan. Jessica really liked those two girls a lot, spent a lot of time with them. I got to hang out with him and uh. And so the setting was this was a three day event. There was a like a welcome party, there was the wedding, and then the brunch the next day. Uh. The wedding UM was what you would typically um I think a wedding would be like. It was just like obviously a little bit uh kind of. It was definitely like the nicest wedding I've ever been to. And then that evening we had an after party, a lot of celebration, a lot of love. You obviously know from this podcast that I love Wells. Wells is a good buddy of mine. UM. And you know they're obviously tears shared just in celebration of the two of them. They've had an incredible story along engagement. UM. They've definitely understood the meaning of being together through sickness and in health. They both are really special people, um, for for different reasons. UM, but they both are that their specialness, their uniqueness makes them an incredible couple. And you could just tell at this wedding that everybody was there just to celebrate them, Like it felt just like a big party of big celebration. You can read all about it again in Vogue magazine. Also, I think People magazine we're covering some things. UM, but that's my experience. Jessicin I had a great time. We stayed out late, we celebrated hard. Uh, we got to be around a lot of Bachelor Nation and catch up with them that we don't always get to see in person, and then obviously got to meet some new friends as well. And UH, and we're just so happy. Uh. Jessica and I are in the almost famous podcast UH celebrates Sara Wells for finally being able to have their wedding, for getting married and adding one more incredible couple uh into this world. So let's recap of Wells and Sarah's wedding from what I know I can say because I don't know all of the rules and restrictions to what I can and cannot say about the wedding, but it's also my experience from the wedding, which was something very very special. Hi Ben, I'm here. Um, thank you for telling us about Sara Mill's wedding. I just caught the end of that. It looks looked stunning and her dresses were amazing based on what I saw on Instagram, dresses four four, Oh my gosh. Okay, well, I think I've only seen two. I have to go do look at some pictures though. That is amazing. Wow, that's what like a real celebrity kid. You not almost famous? You can have four dresses. That's so amazing. Um okay, well, I am here in Nantucket. I've got a high noon at noon. Um, my sister's fiance his family comes out here every year. And because the travel time is like two hours for me and Jared, it's an hour drive, and that it's an hour ferry ride. This is the second time we've come up here and just spent a day, and I thought it was kind of fun to have Dawson take a ferry and just kind of like it out and like do a very New England vacation before the summer is over. In this summer here winds down quick like at night. I almost have to go out with that with a jacket now, and that really depresses me. Yeah, that's I've never been Nan tugget Um. But I mean it's gonna be increased as a whole family coming out. It's just his family and then then my sister and and me and Jared and and there's like like six of us right now. Awesome. Well, yeah, it's gonna be special. Thanks for taking the time to sit down and chat about everything going on in Batchel Nation. Obviously there's a lot, as I just mentioned. I just talked about Saren Wills's wedding. Uh, we also have Spencer coming on. We're gonna break down the episode today and then also do Bachelor headlines. A lot to talk about, So I'm glad you're here to talk about it with with me. I don't know how to do this without you today. Oh you could do it without me, I know you could. Uh. Now we're gonna get Spencer on the line, and then after that we'll do the episode recap. But before we do have Spencer, and I have to say, can you think of his name without hearing Gabby say it, Spent Spent, Spencer, sp Spencer. Yeah, I'm doing my best. I got the yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, but you have to like nod really quickly what you say it. I wonder if when you say this to him, um, if you would pick up on what you're what you're referencing, you would, of course he would. There's like invitations all over the internet, and I'm sure she's having a good time with them. Oh definitely. I mean, I've I've really loved watching Gabby and Rachel. I've I've been fans of them since the beginning. And you know, when you on this show, you always find your corks. And then Gabby's is obviously uh the yeah, like yeah, yeah, she's a good listener. She's an active listener. I guess what we could say is at least she you know, she's listening because she's responding to the things you're saying, which is a good trait to do. It's just it's just funny when you watch on TV. Yeah, but yeah, but you know it's the way she says it, because I feel like I say yeah as much as she does. But it's because like she has it's like a quirky tendency while she does it while like her voice is also quite unique, like yeah, okay, let's Spencer's wait in the waiting room. Let's bring him on hell Spencer Spencer, or as Gabby would say, Spencer. Yeah, no, she Um, she always had good Greeny Sports. I will always love Spey. Thanks for joining us today. And there's so much to talk to you about, because there's what I feel, so little of what we got to hear you talk about during the time on the show. But I obviously recording this on a Tuesday Monday night. Uh, episode aired. It was your first episode without being on it at all. How did it feel to watch an episode knowing that you are no longer a part of the season. It was actually definitely less anxiety driven. I think you always worry about what they're gonna show, what they're not gonna show. You guys have been there before, way more so than me. Um. But it was also like a really great time for me because I got to watch my friends and support them. Um, I think we all I don't know how much you guys watched last night, but I mean we got to really understand, like I know these guys because I spent every waking moment of them for you know, however many weeks I was there. But I think with this season, maybe we're getting kind of somewhat half of the screen time of the people who are on the show. Um, So you guys and all the viewers in America got to see the people that I've known now for the past couple of months. I got to see their personalities more, their parents, who I've you know, either met or you know, we talked about while we were on the show. So I really enjoyed watching even though I wasn't there, because those are some of my closest friends now, um, and getting to see you know, they've interact with their families as well as obviously something I still haven't even seen yet. So it was great. Did you watch the show before you're on it before like previous seasons? Yeah, yeah, no, I did, I think. Um, the first one I really watched was I grew up with Connor Saley from Hannah Brown season. Um, yeah, yeah, I haven't talking to him quite a bit now, UM, but I so, you know, our hometown kind of kind of all we all watched right, um to support Connor, and so ever since that, I've been keeping up with the main characters. Right like after Hannah Brown, it was you know, Pete Pete Webber, and so I kind of been trickling down the line keeping in touch with the main characters and all that. So, UM, I love the main characters, that's yeah, I mean the main characters of the of the reality show. But yeah, no, they have been keeping up the past couple years. So was there like a relation there as to how you got on? Like did Connor help you out? Uh? No, I mean just with a lot of advice. I was actually in the casting process for a different season, um, but that got put on hold for um a lot of reasons, and so ended up working out for this this season specifically. UM, And I'm pretty happy about that just because of I know it was a weird season, but I really enjoyed my time. They're meaning Gabby and Rachel um and I think the guys I just kind of really got along with as well. So I couldn't have best for a better season. And beyond. Can we can we dig into that a little bit. You know, obviously I mentioned before you came on in your intro that you've made some good friendships from the show. You just mentioned you've made some good friendships from this show. The drama amongst the cast, I would say was very limited compared to other seasons this season. Uh what about kind of the behind the scenes and your time with the other dudes? Uh did you find so enjoyable? Like what was so fun about this process? Where some people get off the show and they're like, Yeah, I didn't enjoy it. This wasn't fun for me. You obviously have a different perspective. Yeah, I, Um, I don't know. Maybe if you asked like Chris, maybe he didn't have such a good time this season. Um, But I think the rest of us, the rest of us, the rest of us did. And I'm not entirely sure, just because I haven't been on a normal season. Um. And we could probably go back and forth about this, uh, you know, comparing your best experiences to mine. Um. I just think that with there being two bachelorettes, there was a lot more The stress in the house was a little bit lower at first because you know, there's not one girl. There's not one Hannah Brown that you know, Connor and Tyler and Peter and everybody's trying to talk to you. There's two. So you know, you had more time with at least one girl up front if you weren't sure who you wanted to, you know, pursue. And that also opened up or dialogue between the guys like, oh, like, you know, how would your conversation with Rachel. I haven't talked for her yet, you know what she like, and so all these things. It was just it was a lot less stress at first, and so that kind of built up our um bonding from the start um, which maybe damp into the drama later on. I'm not entirely sure, but I think that's kind of where where the friendships kind of started to started to bloom on our season. Did you have friends that went to the quote other side the other team and then you just missed them like they weren't around anymore. So we missed Yeah, we missed him a ton. Um. It was it's because they did when um, they made it a point to be two separate seasons to different journeys, and they, um, you know, they were right about that. It really was on the boat. Um, we were in separate you know areas. It was. It was we didn't you know. I think you saw we have like the Social Club and someone like that. I think the Rachel camp had like a different name for their crew. But yeah, we weren't hanging out. We only saw each other cocktail parties. So um, seeing that the roster Monty cocktail parties will be even what's up man? Like, We're like, so we would compare notes and they're like, oh, you went to you know, the basketball Corey Plan the other other day. So um, it really watched separate seasons and it sucked having friends on the other side for sure. Yeah, the let's get to the elephant the room Spencer obviously, uh Fasgination knows you. Uh, they got to watch you for many weeks. But the thing I said last week on this show was we didn't hardly hear from you, um all season, and uh why was that? Are you more reserved and quiet? Do you not feel like you had those big moments? Like what was when you look back now, what what's your reasoning to why we just didn't get to see a lot of you. I I'm definitely a little more reserved. I wouldn't say I'm the ideal reality TV contestant. Um. And for a lot of reasons, I'm not sure. Um, I don't know, maybe just just where I come um, um, trying to remain calm and stressful situations. I definitely lost it once or twice, but I don't think they showed it. Um. I don't know. I don't really know what it is. I think behind the scenes, I was a lot you know, uh, talkative, laughable, enjoyable, and I was just kind of worried about, you know, what kind of edit you might get or might not get. So that kind of hurt my journey with Gabby actually looking back, because I wasn't as open or as vulnerable as I probably should have been or could have been. Um. So that's why you didn't hear me, um for sure. And and again it definitely didn't hder my relationship with again because she was putting herself out there, you know, being the lead then you know, like you you know, you're you're you're giving it all out there from episode one. So that's something I definitely should have done. Um. And yeah, I'm just kind of like a more reserved, calm person, and I wasn't really acting up on the show a lot, So maybe executive producers didn't didn't didn't love that I wasn't m maybe being as as talkative or or honest as I could have been. For sure, I always say that it's better to be a listener and be quiet and than to be the one that is out there instigating. So I think you did just find my friend. Thanks. I appreciate it that everybody is wondering this week Logan's about what a good Logan's departure. People are like, okay, wait, so the guys they were find out what happened with Logan, They were also like mysterious about it, and did he really have COVID? Or did the producers one about the show? So do you know the truth? Can you relay for us? You know? That's hilarious. I like, they have me now questioning myself if if Logan had COVID, you know, because you guys have all these crazy here as you see, these means of like that girl talking to that guy at that concert. Hilarious. Um, but I think no, as far as I know him and I'm aware, Um, he had COVID because he had to quarantine on his you know, on his like last couple of days out. They followed every protocol so um, I have not heard otherwise, and in my experience to be in there, he he had COVID. We didn't see him. We were actually pretty nervous. We retested into all that stuff. Um. So if if if he didn't, I guess they're really kind of uh digging themselves in and they're not going to reveal if he didn't or didn't. But I personally think he did. But then why did nobody else get it? And how? Because if you saw that date? Um, we were like on like the we were laying down on our backs and Gabby was like going from one to another like maybe kissing a few of us, I don't know exactly kissing or what so. Um when they were like, yeah, look at us COVID, I was like, oh my god, we all have COVID. Um, But I don't know. I don't know why. Honestly, I have no clue. I I wish I knew, like for sure, because the Internet now has me questioning like everything else about the show as well. So you guys are hilarious, especially Reddit redd it's out there with some crazy theories. Um, as far as he quarantined, he quarantined. Well, no one really talks about me because again we just saw I was on the show for four minutes over six episodes, which is wild. So I'm just there for for the good time since to see the jokes some of you guys make. UM, not you specifically, but some of the people. Well, you get an upfront and very close seat to all of the happenings behind the scenes. Now, you mentioned that you've made some friends on this show. Who have you stayed really close with? Uh, definitely, I mean, for sure, a lot of Chicago guys, Um you talked about, like Nate, Mario Colin Intermaine. Beyond the Chicago guys, though, I think, um, wow, it's tough because I really do, um feel like I'm close with a lot of them. Um, I'll say I mean for sure the Gabby side, Eric, Eric and I were pretty close towards the end there. Um, and Johnny was one of the most funny like people I've ever met. So I love Johnny as well and I wish him nothing but the best. Um. Maybe on the Rachel side, you know Ethan Avan Um. There were some good friends and I really enjoyed them on the boat when we would run into each other, Um, and you guys like you run into him, I think because we had to eat in the that's where were eating, like the cafeteria on the on the cruise ship as well. So sometimes like when you're being taken from the room to um the cafeteria and you pass him in the elevator, like you that wasn't supposed to happen. You're like pulling off and everything. Um. So that was a good break in our day. But definitely those crew Chicago Eric Ifan Ethan. Yeah. Oh well, I want to ask you a whole bunch of cruise ship questions now, but I will keep it to Bachelor. Are you going to be on Bachelor in Paradise? Um? I I am not going to be um coming up, but we'll see in the future. I'm still thinking about everything, and you guys, you know you experienced it, so maybe I can ask you is that something I should do? Yes? Okay, yes, right, just actually I've ben you to go. Actually, yeah, you liked your time? Yes, it was the most emotionally, um emotional turmoil I've ever experienced. It was so difficult. It was like going through emotion boot camp. But obviously I have a husband and a baby from it, so I'm happy I was for sure from actually okay, right, yeah, so that makes you want to go even more? Um, No, I I think it's a great time. From what I've heard, most people actually have said, you know, the texting thing as you Um, yes, uh, so I would love to go. Um and if it works out, I would definitely love to go for sure. Um. I think you know, it would maybe open me up a little bit. I think we just talked about how I'm quiet, um, and it would, but it would be good for me to push push my emotional emotional boundaries for sure on on camera. We we love to play as game spencer and you're gonna love it too. You just mentioned that you're interested, or at least you're open to the idea of Paradise if Paradise started tomorrow, knowing what you know about Bachelor Nation and not knowing anything about what happens during Paradise this year. Who is somebody you would want to take on a date in Paradise from Bachelor Nation? Oh boy? Wow? Uh really putting me on the spot. Here. I asked the guys. I was like, A should have anything prepped in there? Like, no, just going in it's fun. You guys are good nor questions. Um, wow, I don't even know. Yes, do you seem very educated? I do know the franchise pretty well, all the main characters. I don't think there's like one girl out there who I would be like, Oh no, I wouldn't go on like every you know, the past couple of Bachelor seasons I've watched like m nine of every ten of the girls are like wow, she's adorable and hilarious and cute, Like why would I not want to go on a date with that person? Um? I think from Clayton Seen is probably the most recent one that I would like name so Um I thought, you know, I really thought was just super sweet. Um it was like Teddy, she was sweet the whole season. I would really like to get to know it, just as like a person. Um her, Well, I'm trying to go back. Um, I mean that works. You said Teddy. I mean we're Teddy fans here were cann't see a lot of Teddy. Uh, you know, after really the first week, acclaims that was kind of a weird, like she was yeah out of the gate, you know, everybody's talking about her, and then things kind of fizzled out. I don't know what happened there. Teddy would be a great choice, Uh, Spincer, I'd love to make that happen for you. Hopefully next year she's on the beach. Hopefully you're on the beach and you guys are able to go jet skiing in in Mexico. That'd be really sweet. Yeah, that would be a cool day for sure. I think I've reached my limit of of dates that with Dominatresses and Amsterdam, I think, oh my gosh. We were talking about that date last week of cars and we were just like, you know, we don't always love group dates and we don't always love overtly sexual dates, but that one was pretty fun for us to watch as an audience. But we felt really bad for you guys know it actually, So it was a super strange day to walking on And I think some of the memes about me were like so funny, um because I was like like what the like, what is this? Like? What is going on? But it actually ended up being fun because we got to like at least show the audience some like personality and for me, as someone who's like pretty non talkative, that was fun for me to watch back. Um, but yeah, it was. It was a lot. It was interesting. Group dates are are never perfect. Um, so I think jet skiing uh in Paradise would be a little bit, um, a little bit more intimate or enjoyable, especially you know, with someone like Teddy who's just like adorable and it just seems like a really sweet person Um. That's you know, you know something I would enjoy a well, I'm wishing that you were there. You're there too, man. Hey uh Spencer, it's really great to have you on. Thank you for giving us uh your time. I know that you're around a lot during the season. We were excited to have you on to get to hear more from you. We hope to see more of you in the future. But until we get to do that, until you come on again, thanks for coming on this fast podcast. It means a lot, dude. Of course, Thank you guys. You guys are super amazing. I appreciate everything you guys do. Everyone I've talked to is like, oh my god, they're the best. You know, x y Z. So you have a bunch of fans within the community, so that means a lot that is going to I know. Um, yeah, please come back and give us all the details about the cruise ship and all the other things that you weren't able to say today. Of course, of course, actually thank you guys. Alright, this week's episode is hometowns. Obviously there is a lot to discuss because there's a lot of hometowns. Ashley, let's get it started. What do you think at Jason's hometown? Jason's hometown? My My major takeaway is he doesn't seem like super into it. He's not super into it. I haven't feel like into it all season. You don't think that he's been into like Gabby that much. No, I think he is. I don't know if he knows how to express it. He's into I said that, I think after their first one on one where it's like maybe everybody here is seeing something I'm not, But I just don't see it. Like I think he's probably a great dude, and I think they have some chemistry. I just don't I don't see like the flirtation that you would expect when we're flirtation. I feel no chemistry. I was I feel weird about this because when they were together in France, loved him, thought that he was the front runner, and then all of a sudden, I felt nothing. With his hometown. He um, he seems like he's a nice family. That that house was really opulent and fun to look at. But that was my biggest takeaway. That and the fact that his mom is the absolute opposite of your typical bachelor mom. She was like, Oh, you're not ready to get engaged, but I want you to get engaged in this girl tomorrow. It was hilarious and it made me think, this mom is a Bachelor fan mom. She signed him up for the show. Now her her son is close to that like Pinnacle Final Rose, and he doesn't really care about it, and she's like, no, you should care about it. I want you to be happy. Oh yeah, well it was fun to watch. Like you said, it is a good family. New Orleans is always amazing. Uh, don't see the flirtation between the two of them. Definitely would have put it up there in my top hometown date. So let's move on then to Zach's hometown, which took place in Anaheim. Zach's hometown was nice. It was probably obviously with Rachel. Yes, Zack's hometown, to put it briefly, was probably the family that you most want to meet out of all the families we saw today, the family that like it went according to ideal plan. You know, I'm gonna go meet the parents, and it went quite smoothly. They're very warm. I feel like they're warm, but dad was a little intimidating. Okay, but but I think overall like they accepted her. Yeah, I mean, I think I think it's I mean, I would say this. The beauty of hometowns is the uniqueness of each family. And so some people might see, for example, and we're going to get to it like Tino's family and be like, wow, that was really bad, you know, And every season kind of has the family that doesn't enjoy the process and doesn't enjoy the idea of what's happening. I actually like it and I respect it, uh to the point of where I'd say, yeah, smoothness is cool, but it's not one. It's not great viewing pleasure. And too, we don't get to learn as much about the family as maybe I would ideally want. We didn't get to learn as much as this family because they weren't they didn't have as much of an in your phase dynamic. Yeah, i'd say that. Yeah, I get that. I totally understand that. But they did have a cute pre date when they went and they watched the airplanes. I think that really kicked it off for me. I think this guy, Zach seems like this is just a prediction on my part. Seriously, guys, we are not spoiled. I haven't been spoiled for seasons and seasons. Um. My prediction is that they're really setting him up to be the heartbroken one, kind of like a Blake hurtsman. I feel like he's probably the one that she should pick in the end um and I think she's going to pick Tino, even though it seems like Zach and my opinion is way more genuinely invested. I'm a I'm a Zach fan, I'm on I'm on Zax team, and I agree with you. I'm on Zack's team now too. I think what he's showing h is that one he respects his his family, that he respects Rachel, and then he also has this creativity around wanting to have these experiences with Rachel that will be memorable and meaningful and he's going out of his way to do that, and so I do. I'm I like Zach a lot. Well, Gabby has her next hometown. It's Johnny's hometown. Johnny's an interesting character to me. It's Florida, but he's kind of one that's snuck up just to share my thoughts. He snuck up on me. I can't quite fully read him, but he obviously has Gabby's interest, but he kind of came out of nowhere from me. I think she's really physically attracted to him, and I think they have good like fun, flirty physical attraction band her and chemistry. I don't know that they're like they're not like long haul people, and I think we kind of like got a preview of that. Like he's basically says to his parents like I'm not ready to get engaged. I'm not going to get engaged now, and he made it seem like it's not even like it's not even like he was like, it's not her. I feel like, okay, I feel like he's not sold on the fact of being with Gabby long term. Not sure if he's sold there, and then I know he's not sold on getting engaged after such a short period of time, and his parents are actually again like Jason's parents, like they're kind of encouraging him two go for it if he feels if he feels like it's right in two weeks or whatever the amount of time is that they have left. Uh, they go, you know, I think you are like mature emotionally enough. Financially you may not be, but that's something you can grow together. That conversation really stuck with me. Yeah, financially, just get engaged. It's gonna work out. Don't worry about it. Uh, there's things that can happen. No, I mean his family did. I enjoyed his family dynamics. I loved his family. Yeah, there was this, there was this back and forth, and there was this kind of like you'd hope in a in a parent where you express one thing and they might not agree with you, and so from a loving place they kind of tell you what they're seeing. I think we got that with Johnny's family, and I enjoyed that that kind of dialogue. He's still up there for me. I mean, I don't I don't know how long this lasts, but there is still this. I would put him above Jason now me too, me too, And like if we had to rank them, uh so, I wouldn't last week, but now after some hometowns, I would. And I also just want to say about Johnny's family and just the conversation that he had with his parents was the first time, perhaps or one of the very few times that I've watched um you know, the contestant talk to their parents and feel like this feels really authentic. This feels like there's a hidden camera going on. There's nothing like over the top about it. This really seems like a conversation, a serious conversation that I would have with my parents over dinner, and it would be on air and I wouldn't have been known it was found. I just really really liked the vibe there. Yeah, I'm with you. I don't disagree with anything you just said. The vibe of this hometown felt very very hometown ish on what you would expect and want in need. There's a little drama, they're a little intrigue, but then there's a lot of love. Well, speaking of drama and intrigue, we have Rachel's hometown next with Tyler. This one was very unexpected. It was in Wildwood, New Jersey. I didn't see this coming, Ashley, what in my reference seen here? You sort of saw it coming because last week we thought it was super weird that he didn't have a one on one and he was going into the hometowns and meeting a family. Why bring him to hometowns then? I don't know. But anyways, yeah, lo and behold we see that he he doesn't actually she doesn't actually meet the family. They go to Wildwood Um, which is you know, basically like a fair carnival area on the Jersey shore, you know, a boardwalk, and he owns one of the games there, so obviously he has a big community there. He plays the games and goes on rides with her. It's cute, you know, It's a cute lead up to great day date before going home, and of course the cameras waiting. Yeah, but I mean, out of anybody so far, it feels like Tyler is sold out. I know this is my wife. I'm all in, let's go. He says, I'm not just falling in love with you, I am in love with you, and Rachel is like just cringing, heartbreaking, and damn did he handle it like the ultimate gentleman, like could he have been more perfect in that moment? No, he did really well, I thought he. I mean, I think he's probably he didn't even ask act embarrassed, which is probably how I would have acted, um or like just like no, never mind, I take it back. I don't really mean what I said. I don't know what I would have done. But he he just took it in stride and then gosh, dang it, ash, I mean, son of a biscuit. His family, his family was so hyped, and it was like that was hard for me. I did my awkward like I can't watch the screen. I've got to walk away because it just was so hard for me to see how happy they were and they wouldn't let the poor boy get a word out. I know, he is just a sweetness. And my biggest takeaway from that day was this guy is going to be totally fine. This is not even the kind of guy that I worry about taking Bachelor at Fame and becoming an f boy with. I think he just wants to find somebody to love. And he seems to use the Ben Higgins word just so lovable. He is lovable, and he lives in Wildwood, New Jersey and he's got to be the most eligible bachelor in Wildwood, New Jersey, now right, I mean I even know where that's at. But I mean he's I mean, think about what he can offer you in life. And you can always have a good time. You can play any game you want, you can ride ride just nobody else there. And he's good looking and sweet, he's so cute. Yeah. Um, but oh it was hard to watch his family. I just I kept I yelled at the screen. I kind of do this, I have your reactions. I was like, let him talk, Like, let him talk. He just goes. He has to tell you you're you're you're taking the knife and you're stabbing it in a little farther every time. You're like Rachel, and they're like Rachel. But then he had like such incredible patients. Now, and there is something to be said Ashley, because hometowns are wild and weird and wacky. There is something to be said about how the the contestants uh navigate and communicate with their parents. It's also like you can see a little bit of their character behind the scenes, and you could tell there that his character is strong, like he he obviously was not happy. He was probably a little upset with his family, but he just let it happen and then he was like, hey, just let you know this is what happened. And then there then they all reacted well. But I really was impressed with him, speaking of a man with character. Our next home date hometown date was with Gabby and it's it's with Eric, Eric's hometown. She is in New Jersey as well. This, um, yeah, this is this hometown. Obviously there's gonna be a headline here in a bit, um, but just so everybody knows, Eric's father to pass away just a few weeks after this hometown date, um, which brings the gravity of this date in this moment, and having it recorded, I feel like um to an ever brings it to even a more real level, a heavier level than it already was. Watching But this, I mean, actually, I know I'm kind of like having a monologue here, But what I found out, you know that I can't speak about things like this. I just yeah, I feel it and I can't put it into words. He seemed like such a sweet, sweet man. Um. Do you could tell that he was struggling? Yeah, Uh, you could obviously see he was struggling. You could see the other family rallying around him and Eric, their excitement for Eric. Uh. The thing that also here I didn't want to just go unspoken is that Eric has been on this show doing the best he can, investing them as much as he can into this relationship with Gabby, while at the same time knowing his dad is at home now. Some would say, like in past seasons, right, how could you leave him? I'm sure his dad wanted him to go, Like, I'm sure his dad said, like, you need to do this, like you need to continue to live your life. You don't know. I could be around for the next forty years. I could be around for the next year. You don't know this. And so let's not judge Eric for leaving. Let's give him some UM. I don't know if the word would be grace or just understanding on what his position now has been through this whole experience. Uh, it's had to be heavy on him, It's had to be on his mind. Yet he has done the best he can to try to still find love. And I'm I just I want to give him kudos for that. I mean, I left when my dad was you know, we had an open heart surgery for my time on the Bachelor. It's really hard to be focused in the midst of that. And so yeah, I'm i'm I'm I'm impressed with Eric. I guess it would be how I sum all that up me too. There was definitely a feeling of strength at that home, that hometown date, and such a such an also, um, a feeling of importance, like you knew that moment wasn't like a TV moment for them, Like that was such a real life moment, and every moment at that point that he had with his son and he had with his dad counted so much, um that like every time, I'm sure they're like, this could be the last time that I'm seeing him. Um, I don't know. I obviously again him having my speechless moment, but it's just it was a really that was just a moment. It's a moment that I will remember watching being speechless over this is really okay, And I think many people will be speechless. And that's why, you know, I guess I did. I wanted to show I wanted to say, like, hey, Eric, Eric was in it, like this is real life. This is one of those and we haven't had a lot of those this season. But it's one of those where real life kind of comes into contact with the show and it's no longer, like you said, a TV moment, and it's we have to we all have to sit back and understand just how what was happening the sacred space that was existing in that room, Uh, knowing that his father was really sick, and knowing that his family was all there, and just yeah, what was being said and not said in that moment, uh, you know, to protect his dad and protect Eric. But it was it was heavy, and but also I want to say it was very special because I think they grew, they grew closer together, um from that time. Like I didn't really want to say anything along those lines either, but that is how I felt. Um. It's it just feels like his dad is learning to be like really watching over him for what he's going through right now between like the show and whatever the after facts of the show are. F cancer. I don't like it. Nobody does sucks um, and so many of us have had personal experiences with it, um that have affected us. Switching gears. Now to the final hometown date, which was Tino's. Obviously this was going to be held to the end because it was the most controversial, the most confusing. Um, we always have a date like this every season. I'm gonna say some things there about this day actually that I know I'm going to get a lot of backlash for. Okay, but this happened in Santa Clarita, California. I again, and I've messaged you know, I like Tino like I I do. And I think he has been a fan of the show coming into it, which is even more confusing to me on why his hometown date went the way it did because I know his his family has watched it, like there's videos of them watching it together. I don't understand what was happening. Then in this environment, I think Tino uh is very into Rachel, So I will put that and say I think he just really like, actually likes her, believes that it could be his wife. But I would say this is two weeks in a row where Tino has been hasn't had his best weeks, uh And and I say this, and this is where people will probably get upset with me. I am confused on why his family was so against the process, considering they knew what he was getting into and their fans of the show I don't know what that where that was coming from. They would have to explain that. But it was his dismissal of his family's opinions that I felt like, maybe rubbed me the wrong way. Tell me if I'm wrong, tell me if you disagree with me. But I felt like he almost was like unlike maybe Johnny's like Johnny's reaction, he just wasn't listening to what his family even was trying to say, am I wrong? You're not wrong, But there's definitely just like different family relationships, Like my family is so close, you know, close close clothes can't get much closer. And we talked to each other, like if you heard the way that we talked to each other sometimes each other. Yeah, I remember one time I got on here and I thought that Lauren took my SD card and I go, lord card, that's stupid, bitch, And I literally sound like angry at her, but like then I told her, I go Lauren. I got on the podcast and I called Lauren. I said, I called you a stupid bitch. And I think that people weren't used to the fact that that's how we talked to each other, and she would like laughed, you know, and like my dad tells me all the time, you know, stuff like that, So I can if it's that, then it's that not everybody has to be like so totally. I am more puzzled now that you brought up the fact that they're fans of the show. And now again I'm worried about um, him just wanting to win to win, because you know that that's been a concern of mine the past couple weeks. And I know that he's been a fan, but like somehow like putting it together now and like that Final Rose is something that he's like watched for years, which is obviously not unlike so many of us. Um, I don't know why he's giving me f boy vibes so much and guys, again, like I said last week, it's not something I want to feel towards him, but I am there's like something there I can't fully trust. He his dad did say something on Instagram or on Facebook a couple of weeks ago. This just came out, you know, bachelor data. So he wrote a couple of weeks ago, like Tino, a suitcase had more airtime than Tino did this week. He wrote that as a Facebook status, and he goes. I don't know who goes around recording data like this like some nerd uh, but the data is out there. So that just makes me feel like the family is sort of okay. I'm totally like kind of making up a storyline and being a little dramatic here, but I'm just, you know, I'm creating a podcast, creating thoughts. Okay, what if like they really just were obsessed with having Tino get as much airtime as possible, and maybe them being fans that kind of knew how to ruffle feathers and to get some good airtime on a hometown. I don't know. I'm telling you, I know that that's true. I don't even think that's true. I'm just saying things now. Well, here's what we do know. We know they're fans of the show. Before Tina went on, there's been videos of them watching it together, which to me is confusing on why then the reaction was the way it was about how upset they were that they were at this place. I don't know behind the scenes, and and none of us do. But like as she said, she was creating a thought, this is what's going through her mind as she is playing back kind of what what just happened during this episode, but it is confusing for me. This was definitely not the hometown date that either Rachel or Tina wanted. And then it also seems like it wasn't like the family to even won a hometown date, like for Tina to show up and be like, hey, I'm really into this person. Like they were against it before you even walked in. It felt like and I mean my parents were, you know, super weirded out that I was, you know, claiming that this was gonna be you know, my my partner after the show, and that I was bringing these girls to meet them, and but you know, they were weird out by I don't think they enjoyed the idea of it. Obviously today they don't. They still they don't enjoy the idea of it. But um, they at least like gave the space to be open to it because they knew that's what I was doing and they trust me with that. And I felt like here they just weren't into it. And I don't know what of a date that you had with Jojo and her brothers. Uh yeah, probably, yeah, probably. I probably had a little bit of a bad memories from that Yeah, now you're right, it did. And it's just a weird environment to sit in where you're like, I don't know how to explain to you, you know, why we're sitting in front of you today, and then the fact that we're into each other and we're trying to figure this out. I don't know how to I can't like explain away the show. I can't tell you it's gonna work or it's not gonna work. And so I don't know what kind of answers you're hoping from me today, Like I I don't know how to give you answers without just telling you a bunch of fluffy things that sound nice and get us through this evening. But yeah, putting me in a corner doesn't help. That's kind of how I felt, um, and I think that's how I felt watching it. Was you know, Rachel's getting there being like, hey, I'm really into this guy and I potentially want to like be engaged this man, and by the way his family has uh definitely made it clear not into it. I don't know if that's how you want anybody to leave. Well, Tino seemed to like, You're like, no, everything's fine, and she was like, no, no, no, that was weird to me. Yeah, that was weird to me that he tried to do that. I mean that was like I think he was trying to save face and trying to make it like so he slept better than night. But yeah, that was a weird. I mean, if that's how they show like their love and support, then I would have other questions. Yeah, I don't know. The more I think about this, the more I'm thinking these people love the show. Maybe they talked to producers beforehand. Producers they were like, you know, put some ideas in their head and then they're like, yeah, let's roll of this. Oh goodness, I hope not well. Next week we get Avan's hometown date. In the mentel all, We're looking forward to Avan's hometown date. That's all we got for this episode as hometowns, most of them, not all of them. Again, even is next week? Mentel all is next week? And uh yeah, I don't know. I mean mentel all, it feels like it's going to be a little bit. There was no fighting here. Why even have one skip it? Skip it? All? Right? Hey, Ashley, we got bachelor headlines to roll ride into. Uh, we've talked about a few of them already. Obviously, Wells and Sarah's wedding was incredible. Um, I have some amazing stories that at some point on this podcast I'll share from the wedding, but I want to give Wells and Sarah the space to show and share everything they can from their very special day before I give all the little like details and the funny moments in between. Okay, of the people that were there and some of the the awkward run ins, but jessicin I did have an incredible time, and h bachel Nation did come out to celebrate with them, and we are excited for them as they now officially can be a husband and wife, which had been waiting for for years. We also, um, you know, I just want to again say, Hey, Eric, if you ever listen to this podcast, We're thinking about you and your family. Uh, your dad. Uh show courage and strength and grace during this episode. It's all I've ever been able to see of him. It's all Ashley has been able to see of him. All a lot of us that watch the show have ever been able to see of him. But Uh, it was it was a special moment watching that dynamic in that hometown. I know it carries a lot of weight. I know. Um, it was probably hard to see over. But your dad was a courageous man from what we saw, and so take that for what you will. But moving on then to the headlines, we haven't got to talk about the bachelor. Clayton and also his his contestant, are they engaged. His girlfriend Susie are no longer living together and they're gonna do long distance. They're gonna live in different states, which is not what they told us when they were on this podcast. So this was like dramatic online, but they claim it's not really dramatic. So they didn't move to Virginia together. Clayton moved there for her, and then on the podcast they alluded to being open to moving to other places. Well, they are going to move back to where he was living, Scottsdale, Arizona. But while they're getting that house together, UM, they are going to they're gonna be a little bit apart. Clayton is going to be in Arizona and Susie is going to be in l a. Um. They said they also are only fifty minutes a flight apart. They're both chasing their dreams, um, and it's a commuter, but for right now, that's going to work for them, um, And what I read it was mostly it was mostly about them like settling eventually in Arizona and not so much going back and forth. But according to this article from people, it's looking more like it's a long term UM long distance relationship. Well, we want them to be happy because they seem like they're supportive and caring for each other, and so long distance doesn't mean it's bad. I mean, my wife and had long distance for a long time. Many of you listening have done long distance. I don't know if it's ideal or not ideal. It works out for us, it works out for many, so maybe it's gonna work out for them. But we want them happy because they seem great together and we really like the two of them together. They've been through the Ringer, I mean, they've been through a lot um with each other so far. Well. Actually, uh, the final headline today, it's really about Nate Mitchell. He's still making headlines here even since his departure from the show. We have articles and headlines here about people um threatening to not watch the show if he's the batchelor. We also have people then here saying, hey, we want him to be the Bachelor, that this is unfair for people to still be talking about the way you know, this situation went down where one person on TikTok kind of said that they're dating or Nate and he didn't tell about his daughter and then he's all dating other people at the same time. He has a quote for it, and uh, and you can break down anything I didn't say. They're actually he said the reason that you know people didn't meet his daughters because you have to get through a king to get to the queen. Is a quote from Nate Mitchell about this situation. Mm hmmm. And he said this message to Will Smith's just the two of us. Um it was pictures and um them daughter and and and father in front of Cinderella's castle and uh yeah, just basically denying the fact that Nate ever cheated on the girl who we discussed last week. Um. She claims. His ex claims uts he was deeming another girl during the relationship and that she learned about him having a daughter on TV even though they dated for a year and a half, that it's obviously a big deal. Um, but people are people are rallying to make him not the Bachelor. People really don't want him to be the Bachelor after all these rumors. Just a little tidbit here, Dustin Kennan, you know Peter Webber's bestie. He is longtime friends with Nate. And he says, first off, let me say this is not an angel. He's not a perfect guy. Um. But I feel like you don't go and try to tarnish someone's name because a relationship didn't work out. It seems childish to me. So who knows whatever happened there. But I would say that this is enough speculation in the hardcore bachelor community, you know, the people that spend a lot of time talking about and researching on the internet, that he won't be the next Bachelor. Um. And because of that, because he seemed to be a front runner for next Bachelor with this cast of guys, people are starting to think that Greg Rippo I'd be the next. This guy's name is just gonna keep popping up until they make him the Bachelor. He's just got a lot of fans support behind him. Yeah, I saw that. I want to be shocked. I want to be surprised he'd be. You know, if somebody said and we'll do an episode where you kind of break down who do we think will be the next Bachelor? He probably at He would be at the top of my listen who I think could be it? But there's some others out there as well well. Ashley. Uh final little headline, I guess just to say not Bachelor Nation affiliated. But j Lo and Ben Affley got married. I'm very passionate about this. I love those two together so so much. I love this look at him. He's rolling his eyes at me. I'm sorry, but they're like two of my favorites separately and even better together. Jared and I feel like we would be best friends with Ben Affleck. He has a lot of similar interests in His passion for all the things that he's interested in really really hits our heart. We really support Ben. We've loved this relationship back twenty years ago, and we're very excited when it re reignited last year. I haven't seen any pictures yet. I feel like Jello's dress pictures aren't out there, the actual seremony pictures aren't out there, truly. I found their Vegas wedding more thrilling than the big elaborate wedding because it was a little less expected. But either way, I think this is happy news and I think it's a really cool story. I just hope it lasts. You know, two huge personalities we'll see. I hope this is this podcast, and I hope they know that we're both of fen and we were invited to their wedding. Hey, Ashley, that's all we got for everybody today. We'll be back next week breaking down Avan's hometown day and the Mente law and everything good happening in Bachelor Nation and also what's happening in our lives. I think at that point I'll be able to give some more funny details a couple of funny stories from the Wells and sarah wedding. But it was it was special again. Congratulations to the two of them. Congratulations to Ben affleck In Jennifer Lopez on their wedding. Until next time, I've been been I've been followed the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous podcast on iHeart Radio or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.