The Slap: By now you've probably seen the clip of the first woman out of the limo slapping Brad on behalf of "every woman in America." Well, here's their whole introduction. Do yourself a favor and watch Chantelle give Brad a hand again. The sound of her hand hitting his face is probably fake or enhanced, but I don't even care. It's just so great.


"Brad. Is. Back.": Not only is Brad in for a slap on the first night (January 3! Mark your 2011 calendar!) but this promo also shows Brad's bloodsucking suitress Madyson (the girl we mentioned who thinks she's a vampire), and the gal who straps on a plastic glove to wax Brad's arm hair. It's going to be a painful premiere.


Long Preview: The quality of this next clip is totally terrible, but it's the only video I could find of the long Bachelor preview that ABC aired, which includes a lot more glimpses of Brad's upcoming dates (which Reality Steve outlined, and which I reiterate below). Although the audio isn't great here, if you listen closely, you realize it's not even necessary. Just more talk about second chances and opening his heart. It's the video that's important, though it too is pretty much more of the same: Makeouts! Waterslides! Helicopter tours!


Steve's Newest Spoilers: First, make sure to read here and here for the initial season spoilers. Now on to the new stuff, courtesy of Reality Steve:

No Major Drama: According to Steve, no one will leave the show (and then try to come back) because of work, cheat with a producer or ex-boyfriend, or pull another familiar "manufactured drama" move. Apparently giving Brad a do-over, and the standard lady cattiness inside the house, is all the drama needed to sustain the season!

The Return of the Tattoo Stunt: Who could have predicted that Kasey was starting a trend when he went out and got a tattoo during Ali's season? Says Steve, this season, "four girls go out and get tattoos together while in Vegas. Although this one isn't as sneaky and cryptic as they made Kasey's seem, it still is a complete rip-off of what he did." I guess TV footage just isn't enough to immortalize one's Bachelor experience anymore.

Special Guests: Deanna Pappas and Jenni Croft will pop in during the premiere, while ABC's latest golden couple, Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez, will drop by during the second episode.

Schedule: Including the "Women Tell All" special, there will be 11 episodes this season, with the finale airing on March 14. (How to remember: March 14 is Pi Day! I am such a nerd.)
Episode 1 (Jan 3): 30 women down to 20
Episode 2 (Jan 10): 20 to 17
Episode 3 (Jan 17): 17 to 14
Episode 4 (Jan 24): 14 to 11
Episode 5 (Jan. 31st): 11 to 8, with filming moved to Las Vegas.
Episode 6 (airing Feb. 7th): 8 to 6, with filming moved to Costa Rica.
Episode 7 (airing Feb. 14th): 6 to 4, with filming moved to St. Martins.
Episode 8 (airing Feb. 21st): 4 to 3, hometown dates.
Episode 9 (airing Feb. 28th): 3 to 2, overnight dates, with filming moved to South Africa.
Episode 10 (airing March 7th): The "Women Tell All"
Episode 11 (airing March 14th): 2 to 1, finale.

Dates: Steve spoiled the activities on several of the upcoming dates, though we don't yet know which episodes will host which dates. This season we can expect a lot of familiar activities, including: two private concerts by popular artists during two 1-on-1 dates; a NASCAR time-trial racing date; a 1-on-1 repelling date; a movie "stunt scene" group date; a 1-on-1 to Catalina Island; "the always popular 'pick out an expensive dress and jewelry' date"; a 1-on-1 to the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas; a 2-on-1 in which the winner will perform in a live Vegas show with Brad.

That's all for now, though in a couple of weeks we can likely expect the full cast list and photos of the ladies from ABC. So stay tuned for that!


(Image courtesy of ABC)