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Cape Town – ABC's The Bachelor franchise is one of the longest running reality TV shows with 33 seasons.
With all the drama on the show it's no wonder it 'inspired' the Lifetime series UnREAL.
Season 1 and 2, now available on ShowMax, follows Rachel (Shiri Appleby) a young reality television producer who works on the dating show Everlasting.
She is pushed by her unscrupulous boss Quinn (Constance Zimmer) to swallow her integrity and do anything it takes to drum up salacious show content.
And boy do they go to great lengths to create the best TV viewing moments.
Watch the promo here:
Since the show draws inspiration from The Bachelor we discovered these 8 things about the show that will surprise you.
Here are 8 facts that will blow your mind:
1. 800 questions
Before being cast on the show contestants undergo a strict screening process. According to ABC News the 50 finalists have to complete multiple interviews with producers, STD tests and an 800 question psychological evaluation.
2. The bachelor gets a makeover
To get TV ready the bachelors get a wardrobe makeover from the professionals. They get styled by the resident stylists who pick the best outfits that will make them look good on the small screen. Stripes, small checkered patterns, big patterns, or solid white is a big no as it doesn't look good on screen.
3. Get glammed at your own expense
The contestants have to dress themselves for the show. All the dresses are paid for out of their own pockets. ABC only provides dresses for the finalists at the final rose ceremony. When it comes to makeup and hair they get professional help on the first night and the last. The rest of the time they do it themselves. On entering the house they get a goodie bag filled with bikinis, clothing, beauty products and jewellery.
4. Go broke or go home
Expensive dresses and an extended time off work can leave contestants in debt. According to Fortune the hidden costs can add up when you're on unpaid leave. It takes seven weeks to film an entire season. Season 5 bachelorette Jillian Harris remortgaged her house to cope with the costs. Other contestants have racked up credit card debt and even cashed their retirement savings according to Mic.
5. Blame it on the alcohol
While the contestants aren’t allowed cell phones, computers, books or music they are given a lot of alcohol throughout the show. Alcohol is the social lubricant that helps create the drama on the show.
6. All night long
The rose ceremony is an all-night affair. It takes several hours to film the insert and some have reportedly gone on until 06:00/07:00.
7. Two years and the ring is yours
To keep the Neil Lane sponsored diamond ring couples who get engaged on the show must stay together for two years.
8. From mansion to family home
Believe it or not the mansion is an actual family home. A family with small children live in the house and when filming begins they move out.
Want to watch UnREAL but don’t have ShowMax yet? Sign up for your 14-day free trial now »
(Sources: ABC News, Buzzfeed, The List)
