ABC recently announced the return date for the new season of The Bachelor. You'll only about four more months to try to find closure around last season's surprising no-mance ending with Brad Womack, because we will be right back in there next March 17.

In the meantime, the search for Bachelors continues. Based on the timing of some of the casting events, either we're looking at a supe-tight turnaround for the next Bachelor (possible with the writers' strike), or – gulp – already seeking the season 13 Bachelor. Either way, we have some clues as to what they are looking for.

Back in September, New York magazine's blog reported that several top law firms were being emailed by The Bachelor's casting team, saying they were looking for someone "who is successful, good-looking, has an out-going personality, is ready to settle down, is around 6 ft tall and, usually, is between 27 to 36 years of age."

At that time, they were trying to keep the search hush-hush. The email to the law firms pleaded, "Please DO NOT forward to the press. We try to make this part of the process as private as possible."

"We've never had an attorney be The Bachelor so we are definitely looking to go that route," the e-mail continued. However, that was before The Bachelor PR nightmare of Brad Womack turning down both ladies last minute; maybe one of the most vilified professions from a metropolis that middle America sometimes views with suspicion will wind up not being the route the producers want to go.

And a recent casting note indicates that might be the way it's going. On December 5, they posted a casting call for Chicago, looking for “guys with good midwestern looks who are ambitious, successful, charming, between the ages of 28 - 35 who are looking to settle down.” Has height become less of an issue as searching has become more difficult?

On January 7, Joplin, MO will have its very own casting call, rescheduled from this year due to the Midwest storms. While the contestants still have to fill out an application form, the brief requirements listed on the main call have become even more general. Now you just have to be over 21 and single. Sometimes you just gotta lower those superficial standards in your quest for love/quest to find somebody to quest for love on national television.

And if you know anybody you think could be a fit, it's worth your time to nominate him. There's a $5000 finder's fee for successful Bachelor finds!

- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Sources: fourstateshomepage.com, starsearchcasting.com, thebachelor.warnerbros.com, New York Magazine
(Image courtesy of ABC)