'Bachelor' creator responds to finale controversy

Monday night's "Bachelor" finale was not only huge ratings for ABC, it was hugely controversial among fans. Jason Mesnick proposed to contestant Melissa, then changed his mind six weeks later, dumped her on camera, then expressed his love for runner-up contestant Molly. Mesnick's romantic whiplash enthralled some fans, infuriated others, and made a few wonder if the hugely compelling third-act drama was staged.

Here's "Bachelor" creator Mike Fleiss:

THR: How are you feeling today with the ratings?

Fleiss: Really happy. We worked really hard, and we're glad people liked watching it. We’re proud of the fact no show has done what this show has -- gone below the 50s [on the weekly ratings chart] and into the top 10 again.

THR: Many viewers are upset with the ending; does that bother you?

Fleiss: I don’t want people to be upset, but we've seen that in the past. First time was "Breaking the Magician's Magic's Biggest Secrets Revealed" -- "How can you do that? It's sacred" -- and it did huge in the ratings. When you have a show that's big people are going to have strong reactions. I'm not surprised.   

THR: I have to ask: Many fans are wondering if the finale's twists were manufactured.

Fleiss: We have never done that. There’s 500 people on the show. Call them all. We've never done that. None of those people are under contract any more, they'll tell you -- not once in any season. It was a true change of heart. When I found out there was trouble with him and Melissa, I was in the process of trying to talk Molly into being the next Bachelorette, but she wouldn't commit because she was so upset over Jason. It's patently untrue. Also, these guys aren’t good enough actors. If they’re actors, they're the best actors on television. Whenever a show is really good, people think it's too good to be true. But this time it’s just really really good. We were happy when he picked Melissa. Deanna coming in -- that was supposed to be the big twist ... until Jason had a change of heart

THR: Why did he wait until he was back on camera to tell Melissa?

Fleiss: The only reason we felt compelled to put that on television was because it was the first time the "change of heart" involved the other person on the show. Usually when that happens, it's for other reasons, or involving somebody else. This time the change of heart was in the world of "The Bachelor." It's why it's different and why the viewers are reacting so strongly -- because it’s not part of the normal format.

THR: How did you feel about Jason's decision?

Fleiss: It was hard to watch, there’s no doubt. When he was in love with Melissa we were thrilled. We love Melissa. And he was all, "I'm going to marry her."

THR: So is Melissa the next Bachelorette?

Fleiss: Nope. She didn’t want to do it. She’s heartbroken.  

THR: Were you upset about the online leaks?

Fleiss: "Survivor" is an island. We're in restaurants, there's a lot happening in public. There's so many people and their families involved. And in this case the happy couple switched.

THR: Where do you go from here?

Fleiss: We’re just going to try to find love for our new Bachelorette. Part of the success in recent years has been keeping the story going and we're going to do that again. 

THR: So by that it sounds like the new Bachelorette is somebody from the current season -- but not Molly or Melissa.

Fleiss: You’re a smart man.

PREVIOUS: Ratings: most popular "Bachelor" finale in years

Comments

[Susan Kuhn]

Your show has turned skanky. It's time to give it up. Many, many people won't watch anymore.

[hellkat1960]

well this is what you wanted a ratings grabber and you got it but at what cost sure my 2 cents just add more to your 15 minutes of butt head fame but i and so many others are disappointed in the way this was handled and I AM VERY SURE YOU KNEW that this would all go down like this come on i and others were not born yesterday . i do not think i will be watching this show you cannot find love that fast and on national tv. the only thing you find is a fast piece for some desperate people who are afraid to be alone. THIs was as skanky as ROL on Vh-1 .

[Jane Doe]

Run, Molly, RUN!!!

[wilmahagedorn@yahoo.com]

I totally agree with Susan. Skanky is a good word.. I have been a faithful follower of Bachlor since he first began. I cried when Jason got his heart broken by DeAnna... I kept telling my daughter, "he's the one for you" "Jason would be perfect for you"..... Well thanks goodness the true Jason comes out. I have never been so disgusted in any one man in my life. Even his tears were put on.. Did anyone else notice he would look right into the camera before turning them on...
I refuse to watch your show any more... I think a lot more women will feel the same...
The producers have a lot to do with this too.

[Gagging]

This show has always been a "Cinderella" story. Now it's just another soap opera. Hopefully Jason is over. I would not want to see him again......on any show. To dump Melissa and five minutes later be licking on Molly, how sick. Melissa, you are the winner.

[R. Mily]

Give Jason a break. He fell for them both. He was honest about that. He made a mistake. Why can't he follow his heart? Why should he continue to string Melissa along if his feelings changed so that they could both get hurt? Why can't he act on his strong feelings for Molly? Molly knew all along that Jason made a mistake and he had to learn that for himself. I hope that all 3 of them find happiness. Stephanie,Jillian and Naomi too.

[Carmen]

The creep had a right to change his mind but not to let Melissa know on national TV and put her through so much humiliation and pain in front of millions of people. ABC, the producers and the creep should all be ashamed.

[Julie Beer]

Well I enjoy watching the show but to me it is not real. It is just dating gone wild to me. How can you pick from so many girls without really getting to know them in the real world. This is what happens. This is what should be expected....failure. I think most of the Bachelors selected are not that great in looks or character. I don't see why so many pretty girls hop to have chance with some of the dorks they select. That just doesn't make sense. I would have to be paid to do such foolishness. I guess there is a lot of ignorance or just bored people in the world, not to mention the ones that just want to be famous for being rejected. I think the show should pay for therapy because anyone on it probably needs it.

[Susan Hansel]

I was disgusted by Jason and his change of heart after six short weeks of "getting to know" Melissa. Is that how he handles all his relationships? A small bump in the road and he broke this poor girls heart and blindsided her on the show. How can you love two people? He is confused and I think he needs some mental health counseling. I think this show is demeaning to true love and relationships in general. I think you should stop spending so much money so that these people can make out on national TV and then end it all after it's done. Personally I think "I'm ready to be a stepmother" Molly is a sell out and it will be a matter of time before he dumps her and she deserves it! I feel sorry for Ty having to be put in the middle of such an unstable situation. If I were his mother I would yank him out of that quickly. Melissa is classy and sweet and too good for Jason. I could feel her heart ache. But one day she will realize how things happen for a reason and she didn't need that loser anyway. What a jerk!

[barb]

This was the last time i will be watching the show, Never even seen a tear from Jason

[Kelly]

I think more people should think about what you said. I have thought that too for so long. I love to watch because it makes me laugh at the drama. I hope a funny remake is done of the reality shows and this one should be the prime feature.

[resxqylw@verizon.net]

Melissa and Jason could have been happy together except Jason was like so many men, he wanted the excitement of the chase. Now he has that with Molly, whereas Melissa was so in love and loving and more of a sure thing. I sure hope Melissa finds the love and devotion she so rightfully deserves ... I wish she would reconsider being the next Bacholette and allow the show to find her a great husband. She needs to stop thinking of herself as a dumpee too ... she is a jewel and Jason is a fool.

[F.B]

Jason did the right thing. The show has been over for 3 months and to keep the secret, they had to hide their dating. Maybe, Jason finally got to meet Melissa's family. Her hair the night of the final rose, would have turn me off. Appearance can tell you a lot about the person. Jason never said one neg. thing about Melissa, only saying she was a wonderful girl. Everyone is entitled to a change of heart, better late than sorry. You go Jason and Molly!

[Erin]

As soon as Jason let Jillian the coolest chic ever go i didnt care who he picked. the waterworks definitely went overboard and seemed totally unsincere by the 100th time but I am pumped Jillian will be the next bachlorette and i am not going to miss that season just from dumbass jason messing things up :) cant wait for may 18th (i am sure molly and jason will be broken up by then and all will be hx)

[Kate]

This show is a farce! You had a soft porn scene with Jason and Jillian in the hot tub and then he dumps her next after that. He then picks Melissa, dumps her for Molly. How long do you think him and Molly will last? About as long as Deanna and Jesse? Jason is a pig, Deanna is a fake. How many marriages have you produced? One~Trista and Ryan, a fluke we will never see again. How realistic is it for a person to date multiple people at the same time, making out, and far more, and this brings about true love in six weeks? Deanna and now Jason have cured me form ever watching this trash again. Of course,Melissa does not want to do it. She wants to find REAL love and not some scripted nonsense ABC comes up with and the players honor thei contracts.For what??? Money $$$$$$$$$$$

[Elizabeth]

Molly will chew Jason up and spit him out like he never thought possible. It was obvious that he chose his attraction for s-e-x over a true and lasting relationship. Molly is a dominant personality that is used to getting her way. What happens when Ty interfers with that? Sorry, but I think Jason was thinking with his small head instead of his big one. Jason and Molly swapping slobbers just a few short minutes after he formally dumped Melissa was one of the lowest class things I've ever seen. Molly must be really desperate for a man to have sunk to the low that was required to take him back. And Jason, well sorry to say that he's just the "typical" man.

And Mr. Fless -- Mission Accomplished! -- you got the ratings you wanted. I have very serious doubts that part or most of this whole circus wasn't scripted.

[Damar]

I don't understand why so many people have to say the cruelist things about Jason, Chris, Molly and Mr. Fleiss. If you don't like these people you have a remote control that has a button where you can change channels or turn it off. I agree, Jason handled this very poorly but I don't know,I don't think any of you know the whole story. Love is a strange thing. Personally I wouldn't wanted Jason to stay with someone so all of the "fans" would be happy. This is his "real" life. I hope he and Molly will be together forever and have a wonderful life as well as Ty
does. I hope so much that Melissa finds true happiness and very soon. Have any of you wondered why all of Melissa's friends said that no guy stays with her? Possibly Jason knows why.

[Kiki]

You might have drummed up interest in your manufactured finale, but you won't fool viewers ever again. This show has jumped the shark and its time is over!!!

[Joe]

Jason went on camera not to dump Melissa. He went on camera because he wanted to GUARANTEE that Molly would take him back. Think about, why would he risk dumping Melissa so early if he did not have a guaranteed back up plan. He wanted the producers and Chris there to pressure Molly to take him back.

In real life, Molly would be in Detroit moving on and ignoring his calls, but if he flew her into LA and apologized and won her back, she would not be able to turn him down. Also, the producers would butter Molly up to ensure she accepted.

[Anne]

Already getting yourself pumped up for another disappointment huh? Why on earth don't people realize, this is all hype. Jillian is pathetic to do this. She grnds and bumps with Jason in the hot tub as a last desperate attempt to get picked. She gets the boot and now we are suppos to feel sorry for her and watch another train wreck. Must be the voyerism in America to keep watching this sick show. These women are so desperate. Molly should never have taken that jerk back. She now has Melissa's leftovers, she lives with knowing she was 2nd choice. Molly lost her dignity when she gave the "massage" in hopes of getting picked. So when he changes his mind and the chemistry isn't there will "those amazing eyes" be enough to keep him with her?

[Denise from Brandon, Florida]

Mike, That is all you care about is ratings. You, Chris and Jason are scumbags to blame Melissa. I will not watch The Bachelor anymore. I wish Jillian the best, but I wish she would not have accepted to be on the show. If you are married your wife must not be any better than you. She should have told you that it was not a good idea to hurt someone like that on national t.v. Molly is just as bad as you guys.

[Denise from Brandon, Florida]

Another thing Tristh (The ex-Bachelorette) that got married said that he should have never asked anyone to get married if he was in love with 2 women. The ex-Bachelor Firestone could not believe that Melissa went out one door and he was kissing Molly as soon as she came in the other door!!DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[coffee]

After that stunt on the Bachelor finale, i'm surprised Jason ended up with anybody

[Pam]

You have to be kidding, right? If we had KNOWN Jason was going to "dump" Melissa and make out with Molly two minutes later BEFORE the show aired, we would have definitely used our remotes. Melissa is a class act, and even if she weren't, what Jason did to her should NEVER be done to anyone on national television. Questioning her integrity is just plain mean spirited. Why is Jason divorced, I would love to ask his first wife. I have a feeling she is like Melissa, too good for the little cry baby.

[P.J.]

After that stunt I can't believe anyone would want to end up with Jason...actually I felt that way BEFORE he ruined the Bachelor/Bachelorette for so many people. The only reason I watched this season is because Melissa is from my home town and it was fun to root for the hometown girl...I was actually terrified he would pick her...but not because I thought he would hurt her like he did...I just didn't like the thought of her being with him. Something about Jason has always felt "off" to me.

[Pam]

Fleiss is just plain gleeful, isn't he? He is happy with the ratings at the expense of Melissa's feelings. I guess that tells us all we need to know about the man, doesn't it? I wonder if he has a daughter? How would he react to some jerk treating her the way Jason treated Melissa...just so some t.v. "creator" could be "really happy."

And P.S. Mikie, we don't believe Jason and the staff of The Bachelor didn't contrive the whole ending, up to and including hurting Melissa on prime time television to boost ratings. We also strongly suspect Molly knew exactly what was going on long before the show was taped. She is a lousy actress.

[Kean George]

I think that was a horrible thing to do to Melissa, she should take him to court for Breach of Promise. I know that Molly loves him, but she should consider that he choose her on second thought. He don't deserve none of the two girls.

[bustoff]

Reality TV my ass. What did you expect Fleiss to say? Jason is a chicken-shit douchebag, which explains why he got kicked to the curb in The Bachelorette. Every week it was another breathless tease for the next "most dramatic rose ceremony yet...". That host dude needs to shlep his ass back to HGTV.

You want it real? Get on the Love Bus with Bret Michaels. All sleaze. All the time. No pretense. No apologies.

[Richard]

I too am a long-time fan of The Bachelor, but this was a bridge too far, and I mean way too far. Totally sickening and degrading come to mind. Jason, besides being a complete moron, is an embarrassment to the world of men, if you can believe that. And it makes Molly look utterly pathetic. Jillian is bright as a box of rocks, so it's curtains for me. No next season, no more, no way.

[Richard]

By the way, Melissa got the dunk on Jason's dumb ass, big time. She looked hot and full of that moral fire that enflames the wronged. I wish she could have beat Jason down with both shoes and the coffee table to boot, but no such luck. I'm proud that she walked away and also turned from all the sleazy offers that surely came from the producers. This show must burn--it sucks.

[Vicki P]

As much as I've enjoyed watching the Bachelor and Bachelorette in the past, I won't be doing so anymore. And I knew Jason was a complete and total moron when they went to Seattle this season and I saw an Obama/Biden campaign poster in his yard. LOSER!!!!!

[Bridget]

I'm never watching the Bachelor again.The show is a joke.