'The Bachelorette' Better Not Do This

I live in the real world. I know that reality television is more often than not scripted and that what isn't scripted gets cut into bits and pieces on the editing room floor until the show we're watching ends up being completely different (and way more interesting!) than the raw material. I may know all of this logically, but that doesn't mean I'm any less mad about this potential new Bachelorette development. After announcing that there would be two Bachelorettes this season, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Britt Nilsson, the latest teaser has revealed that it might not really be the case. According to the new promo, only one Bachelorette will be left standing at the end of the show... and it seems like the guys get to vote on which one stays.

All I have to say to that is: Ugh. Let's put another decision in the hands of the men, shall we? The women on The Bachelorette may dole out the roses, but that's pretty much the only agency that they have on this show. At the end of the season, The Bachelorette doesn't get to propose to the guy she likes — she gets to accept or decline a proposal from both parties. The Bachelor goes to pick out a ring; the Bachelorette waits around for one. The decision to decline the ring is hers, yes, but really — what century are we in? Can she not make her own call?

If the guys on the show really are voting on their Bachelorette, then the show is once again making everything about the guys. I knew that having Kaitlyn and Britt on the show at the same time would breed some gross competition (not to mention confusion from the loyal audience) but I don't love the fact that now each girl has to find a way to stand out to the men immediately at the other's expense. Is it really so inconceivable to think that the plethora of ladies tuning into The Bachelorette would want to watch a television show where the guys are struggling to impress the women, and not the other way around? I'd hardly consider The Bachelorette a feminist television show, but I'd like it to try to be a little bit better than this.

Check out the promo below:

Image: ABC (screenshot)