No Bachelorette recap this week. But never fear, my rosy comrades. There's still plenty of Bachelor and Bachelorette "news" to tide us over until the next chapter of Ashley's magical journey down the root canal of love continues...
 
JEFF THE MASK STATUS UPDATE: Still wearing the mask. Still doing what he wants. Still "eating the crap out of popcorn"? (Pointless video. Do not watch.)

How Much Did Ashley Get Paid?: $30,000? $100,000? Maybe everyone is wrong and the answer is actually, "A lifetime supply of mid-riff bearing tops and booty shorts from Cheerleader Outfits Wholesalers USA." Also: Poor Ashley. Like she didn't feel cheap enough already.

Interpreting Chris Harrison's Bachelorette Blog: A Mini Version. Since there was no new Bachelorette episode last night thanks to the 4th of July (I spent all day screaming "FREEDOM!" and no one blinked an eye) Chris used this week's EW blog to tantalize us for next week's episode-ending interview with Brad Womack's ex-fiance, Emily Maynard. You can read his hefty paragraphs here, or just keep reading for the big takeaways (and my interpretations):

- "As you have no doubt heard already, Brad and Emily have unfortunately broken up. They attempted to remain quiet and private, but with so much attention being paid to them it just wasn't possible." It's so weird how that happens (breaking up; getting attention) when you try to find a fiance (twice!) on TV.

- "This was an interview I definitely did not expect to do and did not enjoy in the least. Both Brad and Emily are friends of mine, and we all really thought the next time we saw them would be to plan their wedding."  More like, "Here is a lie and here is another lie. Both Brad and Emily are friends of mine, and here's another lie for good measure."

- "While [Brad] gave his blessing for Emily to speak on their behalf, his emotions are still just too raw and he wasn't ready to speak openly about it all yet." This actually makes me sad. Poor, simple Brad and his poor, simple heart. :(

- "In this day and age of tabloid magazines that go to incredibly desperate lengths to stir up a story, bloggers who have absolutely no culpability for what they write, and paparazzi that could care less about the people they are hunting down, there is a scary atmosphere out there for people on our show as well as others." It's so weird how that happens (tabloid stories; vicious bloggers; papa, paparazzi attention) when you try to make a scandalous, sensational TV reality show that increasingly bases its conflicts ("not here for the right reasons") on its contestants' desires to become tabloid/blog/paparazzi fodder.

- "Ashley is unfortunately getting a first hand lesson on this as well. I just sat down with her this week in preparation for the Men Tell All special airing later this month. She too has felt the wrath of the media and even fans concerning her handling of the Bentley situation." Apparently Chris didn't like my rant editorial on Friday.

- "Ashley's journey is really just about to take off, and from here on out this season is fantastic. In some ways it's just beginning for her and for the guys." And we're ONLY six episodes in! That's only twelve wasted hours of watching Ashley cry and cry and cryyyy! COOL!

- "We have wrapped production on the first part of Bachelor Pad 2. I can't begin to tell you how good this show is going to be." "...Because it is not going to be good. That's why I can't begin to tell you that it will be." Wordplay!

The Tabloids Trash Ames and Ryan, Tell Us What We Already Knew About Constantine and Bentley: Apparently Ames is lazy and rich, and Ryan is a self-promoting jerk. Meanwhile, Constantine is seriously Greek Orthodox, and Bentley likes blondes. [Wetpaint]

JP and Ashley May or May Not Have Been In the Same Place at the Same Time (or Different Times), and ET Canada Breaks the Story: Whatever this is, there are pictures of a Canadian's TV screen to prove it. [Reality Steve]

Lucas talks about Episode 6: The guy who kissed Ashley on a junk boat and then said "she's wasting my f*cking time" has changed his tune in his blurry home video diary this week, now saying of Ashley's decision to tell the guys about Bentley's visit: "I was pissed, but I commend her. She's so courageous. It was so brave sitting down with a bunch of guys and letting us know that, so I commend her for that." I commend the person who commented on the video just to ask, "Why does your head look so small?" [TheBachelor.WarnerBros.com]

(Image courtesy of ABC)