Who Does Emily Maynard Pick: The Bachelorette Chooses Between Arie and Jef But Her Choice May Not Matter

Culture

On Sunday, Emily Maynard will choose either Arie Luyendyk Jr. or Jef Holm to be the winner of season 8 of The Bachelorette. But, will her decision even matter? Is the hype worth it?

Debuting in 2002 and 2003 respectively, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have been two of the most popular reality television shows in history. Hosted by Chris Harrison, the shows have even sparked a reality competition show: Bachelor Pad. Although the addictive show provides quality entertainment, it has been justly criticized for not living up to its goal of matchmaking.

Here is some trivia for you:

Question #1: How many of the seven bachelorettes are still married to, engaged to, or in a relationship with the man they chose on the show?

Answer #1: Two. (Season 1’s Trista Rehn and Season 7’s Ashley Herbert)

Question #2: How many of the 16 bachelors are still married to, engaged to, or in a relationship with the woman they chose on the show?

Answer #2: Zero.

What accounts for the lack of success? Is it impossible to fall in love on television? Is it the people they are choosing? Are they just on the show for television face time? Let’s take a look back and see where they are now.

The Bachelor

1) Season 1’s Alex Michel

Status: Single. Married to his job in business.

2) Season 2’s Aaron Buerge

Status: Married to Angye McIntosh, not a contestant on the show.

3) Season 3’s Andrew Firestone

Status: Married to Ivana Bozilovic, an actress he met after the show.

4) Season 4’s Bob Guiney

Status: Single. After a breakup with winner Estella Gardinier and a five-year marriage with opera singer Rebecca Budig.

5) Season 5’s Jesse Palmer

Status: Single, and still reporting college football on ESPN.

6) Season 6’s Byron Velvick

Status: Single, and still ailing from a sucker punch he received from a drunk Mary Delgado, the winner of his season.

7) Season 7’s Charlie O’Connell

Status: Single and still an actor playing small, nobody roles on TV.

8) Season 8’s Travis Lane Stork

Status: Married to pediatrician Charlotte Brown, not a contestant on the show.

9) Season 9’s “Prince” Lorenzo Borghese

Status: Single. He needs a princess fast.

10) Season 10’s Andrew Baldwin

Status: Married … to his humanitarian work and Iron Man competitions.

11) Season 11’s Brad Womack

Status: Single. See below. 

12) Season 12’s Matt Grant

Status: Single OR possibly in a relationship with winner of season 1 of Bachelor Pad Natalie Getz.

13) Season 13’s Jason Mesnick

Status: Married to runner-up Molly Malaney after he made the wrong decision choosing Melissa Rycroft as the winner.

14) Season 14’s Jake Pavelka

Status: Single. But he is a celebrity dancer at Chippendales.

15) Season 15’s Brad Womack (2)

Status: Single. Second time’s not a charm after he and Emily Maynard split up.

16) Season 16’s Ben Flajnik

Status: Single and always will be if he continues to cheat on his future love interests like he did to Courtney Robertson after The Bachelor.

The Bachelorette

1) Season 1’s Trista Rehn

Status: Happily married to Vail, Colorado firefighter Ryan Sutter, whom she met on the show!!

2) Season 2’s Meredith Phillips

Status: Single and not talking to anybody...

3) Season 3’s Jennifer Schefft

Status: Single and happy, writing a book entitled Better Single Than Sorry.

4) Season 4’s DeAnna Pappas

Status: Married to Stephen Stagliano, brother of winner of season 2 of Bachelor Pad Michael Stagliano.

5) Season 5’s Jillian Harris

Status: Single, but jealous of Emily's two final men who she blogs about often.

6) Season 6’s Ali Fedotwosky

Status: Single and ready to mingle after a recent split up with Roberto Martinez.

7) Season 7’s Ashley Hebert

Status: In a relationship with J.P. Rosenbaum, whom she met on the show!! They are planning their wedding and might even be expecting a baby.

8) Season 8’s Emily Maynard

Status: This Monday, Emily will choose between Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Jef Holm. Will her relationship with one of these men last, or will it fail like the majority of those who preceded her?