Could CSU's Chase McNary be the next Bachelor?
Sometimes delicate matters should only be left in the hands of an expert.
That's why I scoured our newsroom for red yarn, watched an episode of "The Bachelorette "during work (shhh, be cool) and tacked pictures of reality TV stars alongside a scrap of notebook paper scribbled with "What does it all MEAN?!" to my cubicle wall.
I did that for you, Fort Collins. For us.
ODD: Who left their chicken at a Fort Collins Starbucks?
We have all been blessed with a 12th season of "The Bachelorette," ABC's dating show spinoff of the classic "Bachelor" series that has brought us endless amounts of tears, joy and horrible embarrassment.
And this season, which features 25-year-old Dallas real estate developer JoJo Fletcher, is a special one for us Northern Coloradans. While last year's Bachelor, Ben Higgins, made his home in Denver, this season of "The Bachelorette" boasts not only a native Coloradan contestant, but a Colorado State University graduate.
Warning: Spoilers below.
Chase McNary, a 2011 CSU grad and medical sales rep from Denver, has broken out as a front-runner on the show, making it past the halfway point to Week 6. And, while the show hasn't even ended, isn't it only right to start looking forward before the final rose blooms?
It's in our nature to focus more on what's coming next than what's going on. Will the final couple break up? Will they move to Hollywood and start posting teeth whitener sponsorships on Instagram? And, most importantly, who will succeed them on the throne of ultimate reality television power?
As it stands, all 12 "Bachelorettes," including JoJo, earned their spot on the show after originally being on "The Bachelor." However, only eight of the 19 "Bachelors" featured had previously been on a season of "The Bachelorette."
FOOD SCENE: The dish on Lucile's beignets
You see, it wasn't until Jason Mesnick's (Any one remember his tearful finale as he cried hanging over a balcony?) season in 2009 that a pattern started to emerge. Since, with the exception of Brad Womak's second season, every Bachelor has previously vied for love on "The Bachelorette." Keep it in the family, I suppose.
Of the 19 Bachelor and Bachelorettes who had previously been contestants, 11 percent won their season, 26 percent were named runner-up, 37 percent took third, 5 percent took fourth and 21 percent were eliminated earlier in their seasons.
So what does this mean for our dear Chase McNary?
He's one of six remaining guys on JoJo's season right now and received his most recent rose on a high-pressure two-on-one date with fellow contestant Derek, who was ultimately sent home. (Note: "I appreciate that!" is not what you want to hear after you tell a woman you're falling in love with her. SRY, Derek.).
And, before that, the two had a successful, albeit remarkably uncomfortable, one-on-one hot yoga date.
According to my research, the key to become the next Bachelor or Bachelorette is to hang on toward the end — the sweet spot is either being runner up or second runner up. And, most importantly, you have to either make a splash or be likable — it's what, in my opinion, earned Bob Guiney, Juan Pablo and Jake Pavelka spots as stars. (And no, Juan Pablo: It's still not OK.)
So what will Chase's fate be as Bachelor? Only time, and the roses, will tell.
Note: Contestants are not allowed to speak to the press while they are still on the show.