Now that the horrible abomination known as Bachelor Pad has closed its doors on our nightmares forever (we hope), it's time to get back to serious business. And by serious business, I mean: "Who will be the next man to make out in a million hot tubs on his way to short-lived romantic happiness?"

The short answer: We still don't know. But an anonymous inside source (gotta trust those!) is now telling People that ABC has narrowed down their pool of potential rose-givers to two men from Ali's Bachelorette season: Cape Cod dreamboat, rainbow lover Chris Lambton or Southern crooner, "traditional marriage" fan Ty Brown.

For some of you, hearing Ty's name thrown back into the Bachelor ring must feel like a sweet, rare victory for persistent online commenters everywhere. But not so fast, Ty-lovers. According to People, "neither has confirmed yet," and "there may be one or two other men still under consideration."

I'm still firmly on Team Chris over Team Ty (though, if given the option, I'd switch alliances to Team Kirk). But it sounds like "rule breaking" Chris is still waffling, and time is running out before Bachelor season 15. It makes sense that ABC is now pursuing other avenues and dipping into the pool of Ali's rejected potentials, since their strategy of bringing back familiar faces has worked so well in the last several seasons.

From his stint as the guitar-wielding, questionable quote producing (remember "I'm tickled to death"?) Southern stud on The Bachelorette, I'm just not convinced yet that Ty has got the goods to carry a whole season. But maybe I could get convinced. He does, after all, draw a striking resemblance to Beauty and the Beast's Gaston. Not your traditional prince charming, but a bona fide Disney hunk nonetheless.

What about you? Which of these guys would you rather watch on The Bachelor? And, just so we're clear, it's totally acceptable to choose "Neither."

UPDATE: According to spoiler king Reality Steve's tweet, People is blowing smoke, and it's Brad Womack, who famously rejected both his finalists on Bachelor season 11, who will return as the next Bachelor, and they'll announce the decision "later this week, if not tonight on DWTS." Whoa, whoa, whoa. A repeat Bachelor? That would be a first, and a bold first at that--especially for Brad, who held the title as America's Most Hated Man until "pulling a Mesnick" replaced "pulling a Womack." Would he dare try again for love on the show that ruined his rep? And would America watch? I just can't decide if that would be profoundly stupid or profoundly brilliant on the part of ABC.

In light of this recent "100%" guaranteed news from Reality Steve, make sure to vote in poll #2!





(Image courtesy of ABC)