The Final Lemon Bars Dispute | Happy Hour

Summary

Bachelor Happy Hour Podcast Summary

Episode: The Final Lemon Bars Dispute | Happy Hour
Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt

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Overview

This episode dives into the much-anticipated “Women Tell All” episode of the current Bachelor season. Joe and Serena provide a playful, in-depth recap of the dramatic moments—particularly focusing on the infamous “lemon bars dispute” and the core drama between contestants Nicole and Debbie. They analyze cast dynamics, share behind-the-scenes insights, debate the season’s editing and casting, and speculate on future Bachelor projects.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Tone: The Tell All Format

• New Set, Same Drama:
  Serena is initially excited about the new, cozier set and chairs for the women.

  “They had new chairs…cozy, plush purple chairs last night…so that excited me." – Serena (03:17)

• General Season Reflections:
  Joe notes the “Tell All” lacked chaos and major drama, mostly focusing on everyone’s admiration for lead Mel.

  “It was more…everyone like, ‘Hey, we actually love Mel. Like, he's great and Mel’s a great guy.’” – Joe (03:58)

2. Exploring the Drama: Nicole’s Role & The Lemon Bars

a. Nicole as “Trailblazer”

• Nicole refers to herself as the ‘trailblazer’ for making the first move with Mel, sparking group reactions.

• Serena questions if this is reality or Nicole’s own narrative:

  “I wanted Jesse to be, like, show of hands. Who feels like Nicole was a trailblazer?...is she delusional, emotional, or is she right?” – Serena (08:07)

• Unanimous Agreement?
  “I don’t think anyone really interjected and said, like, you weren’t.” – Joe (08:48)

b. The Lemon Bars Dispute (10:24)

• Nicole is called the “baker of the group,” but the women argue she took full credit when others helped.

• Joe’s take:

  “The fact that this is the drama of the season—who baked the lemon bars?” – Joe (10:51)

• Lighthearted banter about dessert preferences follows, as Joe admits he’s grown to appreciate lemon bars in adulthood.

c. Debbie vs. Nicole Showdown (11:35)

• Debbie accuses Nicole of dismissing and disempowering fellow contestants, warning:

  “If you want to be an influencer, you’re not going to be if nobody likes you.” – Debbie, quoted by Serena (11:58)

• Serena appreciates the authenticity, adding:

  “It was nice to see someone say, hey…everything you said really hurt and disappointed me.” – Serena (12:08)

• Nicole’s apology is deemed genuine, but the hosts notice most contestants stayed silent during confrontational moments.

3. Hot Seats and Emotional Moments

a. Cheryl’s Hot Seat (21:05)

• Cheryl’s son and grandkids appear in the audience, moving both hosts.
• Serena praises Cheryl’s story and predicts she’ll do well on “Paradise”:

  “I really feel like someone’s gonna snatch her up. I mean, she’s so beautiful…and that’s badass.” – Serena (21:45)

b. Debbie’s Hot Seat (23:46)

• Debbie opens up about never being married, being vulnerable on the show, and her growth.
• Joe believes she’s “the perfect candidate” for a future Golden Bachelorette season.

c. Not All Stories Covered

• Both are surprised that Carol and Nicole did not receive dedicated hot seats, despite being major figures in the season’s narrative.

4. Lead Analysis & Editing Critique

a. Mel’s Confident Appearance (26:19, 28:02)

• Both note Mel’s confidence in the Tell All is higher than in previous episodes.

• Serena wishes more of Mel’s personality (as seen in unreleased “roast” footage with Jared Freid) was shown during the season.

  “There’s so much more to Mel that we just didn’t really get to see… just that clip, there was so much more personality.” – Joe (28:26)

• Discussion about the difference between “regular” and “new-to-TV” leads, with Joe arguing experience as a contestant helps authenticity.

  “You should not be the lead of the show unless you have been a contestant, or like, Taylor Frankie Paul, for instance, and has television experience.” – Joe (38:22)

b. Mel as a Bachelor Nation Fan (39:20)

• Mel is a true fan of the franchise and comedian Jared Freed, which endears him to the hosts.

5. Future Predictions & Bachelor Nation Speculation

• Who Will Win?
  Both speculate between Cindy and Peg as Mel’s final pick; Serena leans slightly toward Peg.

• Paradise Dream Team
  They select their top three women to return for a potential “Bachelor in Paradise” season:

  • Serena: Nicole, Debbie, Cheryl (with regret about not choosing Carol)
  • Joe: Carol, Nicole, Jerry

• Golden Bachelorette Candidates
  Consensus that Debbie or Cheryl would be compelling picks for lead of a senior spin-off.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nicole’s Grand Claims:
  “It's giving… I saw Regina George wear crop top and cargo pants, so I wore crop top and cargo pants." – Serena (08:25)

• On Viewer vs. Human Drama:
  “As a human, I'm happy for them and… if they made up, that's fantastic. As a viewer, I'm just looking for a little more zest on my screen.” – Serena (13:13)

• On Mel’s Growth:
  “This was the best I've seen Mel.” – Serena (26:24)

• On Unrealized Potential:
  “Why are we not seeing that? …That was like the most personality I’ve seen from Mel, serious.” – Serena (28:21) “There’s so much more to Mel that we just didn’t really get to see.” – Joe (28:26)

• On Golden Bachelorette Potential:
  “If they do a Golden Bachelorette, I just feel like she’s the perfect candidate… It’s really gonna be, like, this never been kissed, never been married storyline.” – Joe (24:56)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Furniture and Format Observations: 03:17
• Nicole's “Trailblazer” Claims: 07:13
• Lemon Bars Dispute: 10:24
• Debbie vs. Nicole Confrontation: 11:35
• Hot Seat – Cheryl: 21:05
• Hot Seat – Debbie: 23:46
• Mel's Tell All Appearance & Editing Critique: 28:02
• Discussion: Should leads have prior experience?: 38:22
• Speculation: Final Two/Paradise Picks: 35:14, 36:23

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Final Thoughts

The episode is a lively, honest breakdown of a noticeably less dramatic season of “Women Tell All,” punctuated by a lemon bars debate and Nicole’s polarizing presence. Joe and Serena critique editing choices, celebrate contestant vulnerability, and share thoughtful (and funny) predictions for the franchise’s future. Their chemistry and wit, combined with genuine affection for the cast, create an engaging recap for any “Bachelor” fan—especially those who missed the episode or want insider perspective.

Transcript

[Serena]

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[Joe]

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[Joe]

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[Serena]

And I'm Serena.

[Joe]

And we are back to recap.

[Serena]

The woman tell all.

[Joe]

There you go. That's what I was looking for. That's what I was searching.

[Serena]

Bachelor.

[Joe]

Yes. Yes. And what an episode it was, huh?

[Serena]

I liked that they had new furniture. That was the first thing I noticed. They had new chairs that were. All the women were sitting in. And when we filmed our tell all, we were in chairs that looked cool but felt terrible to sit in for eight hours while we were recording. And they were in these like, cozy, plush purple chairs last night and they had like a new couch and everything. So that excited me. I didn't notice that you never noticed the furniture. If it's like the third time I feel like I've brought up furniture.

[Joe]

And that's. That's. That's interesting because I am someone that would notice the furniture.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

Because I'm very furniture alert.

[Serena]

You are. You're very into interior design.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

But, yeah, that's what I noticed in the opener. What did you think of the episode?

[Joe]

Oh, it was fine. I don't think there was anything like. I think they started off pretty hot. Debbie came for Nicole. That. Which always makes for some interesting tv. But that got shut down pretty quickly and then there really wasn't. It was. It was more. I just felt like it was. We were watching just everyone like, hey, we. We actually love Mel. Like, he's great and Mel's a great guy.

[Serena]

Yeah. I think the best tell alls are the ones where there's a lot of drama in the season and. And then there's also drama after the season, like things online or things that happen, like post filming that can come to the surface and be talked about or if the lead does like some crazy things that the girls or the guys get to watch back and kind of address.

[Joe]

You need. You need a bunch of contestants to want to clear their name.

[Serena]

Yes.

[Joe]

At the tell.

[Serena]

All right. Yeah.

[Joe]

They need to go in there like.

[Serena]

Or ruin someone else's name.

[Joe]

Yeah. But there has to be. Yeah, there has to be more of that.

[Serena]

Yeah. Cuz even when the I don't want Kumbaya.

[Joe]

Even when the lead, like, messes up, sometimes it's just like, okay, now we're all just bashing the lead. But when it's like when there's chaos amongst the Cast. And then there's also chaos with the lead. Then you have a lot.

[Serena]

Right.

[Joe]

Then you have a lot to talk about. But let's kick this off from the beginning, which we kind of get right into it.

[Serena]

We get right into it. We introduce all the women. Your favorites are back. The first thing that happened that kind of threw me off was the weird vibrator bit.

[Joe]

Yeah. And then how about how she's like, anyone want to try? It's like.

[Serena]

Yeah. I was like, we don't need to share that. You can keep that to yourself.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

And I thought, like, you know, she did. She did a cute job of, like, trying to deliver it. Like, obviously, it's a joke. It's all meant to be a joke. It just felt like it really came out of nowhere. Like, it'd be different if she had made a comment or.

[Joe]

Or that she was the vibrator woman on the show.

[Serena]

For example, like, Katie Thurston. Katie Thurston came out of the limo on her season of the Bachelor as a contestant with a vibrator.

[Joe]

Okay. Yeah. Then.

[Serena]

So if she came to the tell all and then, like, made a joke about, like, oh, yeah, like, my hips have been so sore from, like, the cheerlead, but, like, I've got my, like, handy dandy, like, massager, like, help me. Like, that's funny because it, like, ties in.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

I don't know if I, like, miss something, if she made a joke or like, something happened on the show that I missed, but it just felt like it literally came completely out of nowhere.

[Joe]

Yeah. Like, if I. It would be like, if I showed up at the tell all with, like, handcuffs.

[Serena]

Yeah. And you started making, like, a sex joke. I'd be like, what, like, grocery Store Joe? Yeah.

[Joe]

Like, that makes no sense.

[Serena]

Totally. It just. I couldn't make it make sense in my mind. And, like, that's not a knock to her, but, like, it was just so random. I, like, couldn't wrap my head around why it was happening. Yeah. Anyway, we then dive into, you know, everyone had a great time. They all love each other, they're all best friends. And we move into kind of the. The real reason why we're here, which is to talk about the Nicole drama. That's really the only drama that happened this entire season.

[Joe]

She came in strong, too. She. She. What did she say? She had a line.

[Serena]

She said. I wrote it down. She said that, you know, her and Mal had this kind of, like, palpable chemistry, which I agree. Like, we saw that they did have great chemistry that they you know, when they were making out, everyone fell away. But then she felt like she was the trailblazer of the group.

[Joe]

That's what it was.

[Serena]

And that she kind of was the first of the pack to step out and kiss Mal. And she is, like, starting the trend, I guess, of that. And then because she did, everyone else felt more comfortable. I really wanted.

[Joe]

When you. When you refer to yourself as a trailblazer.

[Serena]

Yes.

[Joe]

You are saying what exactly?

[Serena]

You're saying, like, I blazed the trail. Like no one else felt comfortable. I took charge and I did it, and then everyone else followed in my footsteps.

[Joe]

Okay.

[Serena]

Like, you're.

[Joe]

That's what I. That's what I assumed. Yes.

[Serena]

Yeah. Like, she's a leader, essentially. I wanted Jesse to be, like, show of hands. Who feels like Nicole was a trailblazer? Because I feel like the only person calling herself that is her. And I would be very curious to know if the women agreed with her or not about that statement, because some of the women might be like, you know what? Truthfully, I didn't feel comfortable doing that. And I saw Nicole do it, and it did make me feel. It's giving. Like, the way Nicole's delivering it is like, I saw Regina George wear crop top and cargo pants. So I wore crop top and cargo pants. You know what I mean? Like, that is how Nicole is describing it. Like, she's the Regina George. She's the trendsetter. And I'd be really curious if the women agreed or disagreed, because it's like, is she delusional, emotional, or is she right?

[Joe]

Well, she. She clearly believes that, but nobody. I don't think anyone really interjected and said, like, you weren't totally.

[Serena]

But no one interjected and said you were.

[Joe]

Yeah, but if. Yeah, but I feel like if they were gonna jump in, it should have been, like, for them staying quiet. I think they kind of think she was.

[Serena]

I don't know, because then a lot of them, I feel like later on were saying that the reason that they all felt so comfortable to kiss Mal and, like, take charge was because what Kathy and Susan said to them on the sleepover date.

[Joe]

How about we pan the Kathy and Susan when they mentioned that Nicole said the woman of last season weren't as good looking.

[Serena]

I know I was. I was so satisfied by that because I've constantly been thinking about Kathy and Susan's reaction to that comment. So the fact that they were in the audience while they were dressing it, I kind of wish they, like, brought them up. Like, bring. Bring Kathy and Susan into the hot Seat. Like, let's talk about it.

[Joe]

But I think a lot of.

[Serena]

Of I think, like, make Nicole say it to their face.

[Joe]

I think a lot of the women still had Nicole's back in a sense that they, regardless of all the crazy shit she did on the show, she clearly still liked Mel. Like, I, I don't think you could take that away from her. I think a lot of people are kind of like, oh, yeah, whatever. You were there to be like a, an influencer. But the truth is, I think if Mel would have picked her at the end, I still see them being together.

[Serena]

I agree. I think that she, she doesn't strike me as someone that's going to, like, go after a guy that she doesn't think is attractive and a fit for her.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Like, I do think that they had chemistry, and I do think that they liked each other. I think that was genuine. We get into the lemon bar situation. The women kind of say that Nicole was the baker of the group. She was the head chef, but she had so many people help her make those lemon bars that she should have, like, shouted out the other women, which I thought was funny because I do feel like it looked like Nicole literally didn't do anything and, like, took all the credit. But it sounds like she did kind of like spearhead the charge with the lemon bars.

[Joe]

Sure. I mean, the fact that this is the, the drama of the season was like, who cooked the, who baked the lemon bars? Also, like, I can't remember the last time I had a lemon bar, but I really enjoy lemon.

[Serena]

I know.

[Joe]

And when I was at the time thinking about that, at the time that I had a lemon bar, I didn't really enjoy them. I was just more like, I only like chocolate for dessert.

[Serena]

Right.

[Joe]

But, like, now I feel like my taste buds have changed throughout the years, and I feel like I would really enjoy, like, a really well done lemon bar.

[Serena]

Okay, well, I bought stuff to make pumpkin cookies today, but if it doesn't work out between you and I, you can go for Nicole and get her lemon bars.

[Joe]

I mean, gee, that was aggressive, but okay.

[Serena]

After the lemon bar thing, Debbie kind of pops off on Nicole. She. She basically says, you did not empower us. You dismissed us. And if you want to be an influencer, you're going to, you're not going to be if nobody likes you. Which I was like, whoa, that's cutthroat Debbie. But I kind of liked it. You know, I'm not. I, I just for the drama, just for the entertainment, just for the television purpose, like, it was, it was nice to see someone kind of say, like, hey, like we were friends and everything you said really hurt and disappointed me. And I think that Nicole's apology was genuine.

[Joe]

Yeah, I think it was genuine. I think, I think it's all. I, like, I don't have an issue with her calling her out and doing that because she clearly did hurt her.

[Serena]

Well, yeah. And it's like we watch the show and all these women have stuff to say, like, about Nicole. Like Robin is literally going to Mel saying like, she's not here for the right reasons, but then no one has shit to say to Nicole when we're all sitting at the tell all. Like, someone speak up. Like, I know you all have a problem with her. I know at least a few of you do. Like, Robin, like, you got nothing to say now. Like, you had a lot to say to Mel on camera. Like someone say something.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Don't you think?

[Joe]

Yeah, I think a lot of them could have also like made up after the show and they are older, so they're much more mature. So I, I could see a lot of that just not carrying over. Like, I could see Robin, her could have definitely had a conversation and cleared it up and then it's, then it's squashed.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

Because we're, we're grown ups at this point. We're not gonna, we're not gonna do that.

[Serena]

I know, I know. I guess, like, as a human, I'm happy for them and I obviously don't want to see Nicole get demolished by a group of women. And I'm happy that they're friends and if they made up, I think that's fantastic. As a viewer, I'm just looking for a little more zest on my screen.

[Joe]

I know you're coming in hot on this podcast.

[Serena]

I know, I know. Well, Carol basically said, I think that's enough roasting and put it to bed.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

So I think it ended on a positive note. You know, I think everyone's gonna be friends, which is great.

[Joe]

I think the only, I think, like the, the. Honestly, I think the one thing that the women could bitch to Nicole about where I think Nicole was like, oh, that's, that's. You're, you're saying a lot with doing that was at the end when she said, like, it's not gonna work out with who you pick. So just so you know, because you're, you're essentially saying, like, this is all like. And like it's me and the rest of them, it's just not going to work.

[Serena]

Yeah. I think that Nicole was just like shamelessly shooting her shot and was like, I still think I'm the best person in this room for you.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

And I think that you're wrong.

[Joe]

But good for her.

[Serena]

I mean, if anyone has a right to be upset about that, it's whoever he ends up with.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Because she was obviously speaking about the three or four women that were still there. Yeah. Which is, I think what Debbie was kind of so hurt about.

[Joe]

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[Joe]

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[Serena]

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[Joe]

Anything that. Anything there. I mean. Yeah, I like Jerry. I thought that was a fun story. Kathy and Susan giving advice. I mean, I hope Kathy's listening to this, but neither of them won their season, so. So I don't know. You know. No, I'm joking. But yeah, I thought it was. I thought it was nice. I mean, like, here, like, exactly. Like after the Debbie Nicole drama, like, we don't really have much.

[Serena]

No. Because even none of the breakups were that crazy.

[Joe]

Oh. But let's talk about some of the hot seats.

[Serena]

Yeah. We had Cheryl.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Who I think the highlight of that hot seat was the fact that her son Tyson and her grandkids were in the audience.

[Joe]

Yeah, her grandkids were cute.

[Serena]

Thought that was super sweet. Obviously a big part of her story that she shared on the show was her experience with her son and her son's father and, you know, her love for her son really, like, shine through.

[Joe]

She.

[Serena]

She was heartbroken about Mel. Yeah, I know.

[Joe]

Yeah. Like, she. I. She really probably thought she was gonna win maybe.

[Serena]

I mean, she had, like, the first one on one date.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

They had a lot of time to progress their relationship, so. But I think she's gonna be fine. I really feel like someone's gonna snatch her up. I mean, she's so beautiful. And she does motocross and that's badass. And I just feel optimistic for Her.

[Joe]

I think she would do great on Paradise. Assuming that. Assuming we're gonna have this conversation. Assuming that paradise is gonna be the same way it was this season where it's Golden. Goldens and regulars.

[Serena]

Yep.

[Joe]

I think she would do really well. Her and Debbie, I would think, would do really well. I could also see if they do another golden Bachelorette, one of. One of those two being the old ambassador.

[Serena]

I think so, too. I mean, the only two hot seats we had were Cheryl and Debbie. Yeah. Which I was surprised about. I thought that Nicole and I thought that Carol would get hot seats.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Because I feel like Carol leaving.

[Joe]

We saw a lot of Carol when she was on the show.

[Serena]

Yeah, we saw a lot of her. She was a. Like a big person on the show. Yeah, I was gonna say character, but that just didn't feel right.

[Joe]

Well, she was a big person on the show.

[Serena]

Yeah. Her story was a big part of the show. And she was the only person that sent herself home during the season, which was interesting to me because I feel like we saw a lot of.

[Joe]

Yeah, I'm actually surprised. Even if she didn't get a hot seat, I'm surprised Jesse didn't at least, like, ask her a question about, like, sending herself home.

[Serena]

Totally. And then Nicole, I'm surprised. Didn't get a hot seat for obvious reasons. I mean, she had a lot of controversy around her, but I would say she also had a really strong connection with Mel. We saw a lot of their relationship, too.

[Joe]

Nicole also vocalized how she felt like, we like Nicole's hot seat. We would. We've heard 90% of what she's gonna say.

[Serena]

Right. Because she was so open on the show, and they, like, showed a lot of.

[Joe]

Yeah, it just. Even at the beginning of the show, she's like, I was the trailblazer. Like, I think I stepped up. I think Mel really liked me. I think I did a lot of things. And the women followed, and that's how I feel.

[Serena]

Yeah, that's true.

[Joe]

You know, so she's.

[Serena]

We've covered her story.

[Joe]

Yeah, she basically had. She made her own hot seat.

[Serena]

Yeah. We have Debbie's hot seat. She was very emotional, and she kind of talks about just her experience having never been married, how the girls let her be the beach bride, and that was really impactful for her on the photo shoot date. I just think. Yeah, I think Cheryl or Debbie could be the next golden Bachelorette.

[Joe]

Do we think, in your opinion, do you think Debbie's going to get married ever? Ever?

[Serena]

I'm gonna say yes because I'M an optimist and. Because I think that she really wants to and she's beautiful, and I think that this experience opens you up to a whole new network of people.

[Joe]

Yeah. And I think she's now allowed herself to be vulnerable, which not saying she wasn't before, but I think that's just gonna help even more.

[Serena]

I think so, too, because I feel like she got close with Mel and it probably made her feel like, oh, wow, I do. Like, I'm realizing how much I want this. And it sounds like, you know, it's been something that's been a desire, but more on the back burner for her in life with her career and everything. And maybe now she'll push forward to finding her person.

[Joe]

I mean, I think she's the. If they do a Golden Bachelorette, I just feel like she's the perfect candidate. Like, she's. She has a different story than anyone prior. It's really gonna be like this never been kissed, never been married storyline, which I think they could run with. I think a lot of guys.

[Serena]

I never been kissed.

[Joe]

You mean the Drew Barrymore?

[Serena]

The Drew Barrymore movie. Yeah.

[Joe]

I just feel like they'll.

[Serena]

Well, yeah, because with Claire Crawley, didn't they play into the Graduate? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Joe]

So I could see that. I think a lot of guys would love to be on her season. So. Yeah, I would. Like, if I were to place a bet, I would say she is going to be the next Golden Bachelorette.

[Serena]

I think so, too.

[Joe]

But I also thought she was gonna win.

[Serena]

Yeah, you did. You actually really strongly felt that Debbie was going to win this whole season.

[Joe]

Oh, yeah.

[Serena]

You were like, it's her for sure. From night one. I think you said, oh, yeah.

[Joe]

I was like, it's. He's going to pick her. I just thought she was going to win. I don't know what it was exactly, but I was like, she. She's going to win. And I am wrong.

[Serena]

I actually thought it was. She asked Mel, did the fact that I didn't have children and had never been married play a role at all?

[Joe]

He's like, I didn't even think about.

[Serena]

But I was like, good question. Like, that's something I would be curious about as well.

[Joe]

He's like, that didn't even cross my mind.

[Serena]

He's like, what, you've never been married?

[Joe]

Way that never crossed. Mel came out. Mel looked good. He was good. He. You know what?

[Serena]

This was the best I've seen Mel.

[Joe]

Mel is very confident, and I think that's. And, you know, I think Confidence is. Is an attractive quality, obviously, and I think that a lot of the women see that from him, and that's why I think they all like most of the women there. Like, besides Carol, who sent herself home, I feel like they were all like, yeah, like, I would have ended up with Mel.

[Serena]

Totally.

[Joe]

I would have been really happy with Mel.

[Serena]

Yeah, no, they liked him a lot.

[Joe]

Oh, yeah, they still do. Like, you don't have any. Like, there's not one woman that was talking about him.

[Serena]

No, no, it's. Which is rare, especially with the male leads. There's typically at least one or two that are like, ah.

[Joe]

Might be like, like one of the most liked bachelors we've seen.

[Serena]

Yeah. But it's. For now, you know. No, I think a couple of the women always come out of the woodwork being like, I never liked him.

[Joe]

I don't think so.

[Serena]

Really?

[Joe]

I don't think so. Because even everyone we've interviewed, like, they've all talked highly of Mel. And usually when we start these interviews, you. You get. You get some contestants that are, like, throwing shade to an extent.

[Serena]

Yeah. You know, that's true.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

I thought his intro was solid, too. I feel like coming off of the hometown state where I felt like he really struggled to open up and articulate himself to. In some of the conversations. I feel like he came out with a lot of confidence and just a lot more to say than I was expecting in the best way.

[Joe]

You know, I think they should have showed. So, like, we see a clip of the roast, right? We see more of the roast. They show the roast with Jared Freed, and you see Mel's reaction to Jared that we didn't see on the show.

[Serena]

When he was, like, laughing. He's like, I'm scared of you. I'm scared right now. I was like, that's hilarious.

[Joe]

Why the are we not seeing that?

[Serena]

That was like the most personality I've seen from all serious. I'm like, why aren't you showing this?

[Joe]

Like, that's what I'm saying. There's, there's, there's. I feel like there's just much more to melt that we just didn't really get to see. Like, because just that clip, there was so much more personality than we were able. Than we saw on that fucking date when we watched it.

[Serena]

Yeah. So, like, between the clips of him on the roast date and him sitting in the hot seat, I was like, are we getting shown, like, a completely different person, like, after the season? Yeah. Like, I'm like, are you guys cutting out all the good stuff. Yeah, because I feel like he has way more personality and way more to say than what I've been seeing in every other episode of the season.

[Joe]

Oh, I, I couldn't agree more.

[Serena]

Like, I thought he looked good. I thought he like, had a little more swag than I've seen him with. Maybe he was just more comfortable. I mean, like, he's now coming back after filming the show to film the tell all and I feel like there's definitely more of a relaxed energy from him because he's like familiar and he's done this before.

[Joe]

Yeah, but I, I don't know. I, I think, I think there's a little bit of that, but I also just think they could have, with the edit, shown a little bit more of Mel. Yeah, definitely.

[Serena]

Show me his personality.

[Joe]

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[Serena]

Who doesn't dream of a bra you won't want to rip off as soon as you get home? With Adore Me, I finally found a fit that actually supports and flatters without poking or pinching. The quality is obvious. Soft, breathable lace that lays smooth under tees. Pretty finishing touches and straps that stay put all day. The set I'm wearing now gives lifted shape without squeeze. The band hugs comfortably. The cups contour just right, and there's zero digging or gaping. Adore Me offers tons of sizes with new thoughtfully designed bras, panties, lingerie, shapewear, sleepwear and swimwear to choose from. Each month. Elevate your underwear drawer with high quality sets that won't break the bank. From everyday wireless to sculpting pieces that keep everything confident confidently in place. There's a silhouette that works for every outfit and mood, and with style starting as low as $24.95, you can feel confident even if you're on a budget. Head to adore me.com now to shop styles from comfortable to sexy in over 67 sizes we've all heard of Pride and Prejudice, so I had to share that the Audible original Pride and Prejudice is an intimate performance that will have you falling in love with the Jane Austen classic all over again. Pride and Prejudice stars a full cast of voices you'll love to listen to, including Marisa Abela, known from industry and black bag as Elizabeth Bennett, and Harris Dickinson, known from Baby Girl and Where the Crawdads sing as the dreamy Mr. Darcy, plus Marianne, Jean Baptiste, Will Poulter, Bill Nye, and Glenn Close as Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Marisa Abella brings you inside the stubborn and complicated mind of Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates family expectations, societal pressures and her own misconceptions when she meets the enigmatic Mr. Darcy. This new adaptation is vibrant and moder, with an original new score by a Grammy nominated composer really drawing you into the story. Whether you're fresh to Pride and Prejudice like I am or want to revisit a cherished favorite, you're in for a new and delightful listening experience. Before enemies to Lovers existed, there was Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. A classic fan favorite, Pride and Prejudice is globally recognized as one of the greatest romance novels ever written. For good reason. So be sure to listen the new Pride and prejudice on audible.com janeaustin no.

[Joe]

One'S journey is the same. That's why Delta Sky Miles lets you do it your way. From earning miles on reloads for coffee runs, shopping and things you do every day to connecting you to new places and experiences. A Sky Miles membership fits into your lifestyle, letting you do more of what makes you you. It's more than travel. It's the membership that flies, dines, streams, rides, and arrives with you. Every great journey deserves a great story. And when you have a membership that's as unique as you are, there's no telling how your story will unfold or where that journey will take you next. SkyMiles is the membership that will be here for all your big and small moments. The membership that's there for every solo adventure or family trip. The membership that comes with the power of partnership from brands you love. The membership that moves with you. Learn [e-mail] SkyMiles I've got Dan Morgan here on the pod. Say hi, Dan. Hey, how's it going today? It's going good, man. Tell us who you are and what you do. I'm Dan Morgan. I'm an attorney and a managing partner at Morgan and Morgan, which is America's largest injury law firm. That's pretty awesome. I think I saw a billboard of yours recently that said 20 billion wonder. 20 million is an insane number. Yeah, 20 billion recovered. It's actually, I think somewhere north. Probably closer to 22, 23 after this year. And each year we get bigger and badder and our army grows. So the number will hopefully keep getting bigger and bigger as time goes on. Awesome. So how does someone get in contact with Morgan and Morgan? What would I do if I got into an accident? Probably the easiest way is dialing pound law. That's £529 from your cell phone.

[Serena]

We are always open.

[Joe]

Our call center is always waiting to take your call. 24, 7, 365. Wow. Dan Morgan from Morgan and Morgan, America's large injury law firm. Thanks for coming by the show. Thanks for having me. Visit for the people.com for an office near you. Who do we think? Who do we think he's gonna pick?

[Serena]

See, like, I've been. I've been really, like, stuck. Cindy. This whole time, I've been like, it's Cindy. It's Cindy. It's Cindy. Well, you've been like, it's Debbie. It's Debbie. It's Debbie. But I have a weird feeling. I can't remember what it was. In the episode, something happened where I was like, I think it might be Peg. But I can't remember why I said that. Do you?

[Joe]

I don't remember why, but when you said it, I agreed with you. And I still agree with you. I think it's Peg. Yeah, I think it's. I think everyone.

[Serena]

This is like the first season so long that, like, I haven't even gotten a whiff of a spoiler. Like, I literally have no idea what happened.

[Joe]

I think everyone, including Peg, was thinking it was going to be Cindy.

[Serena]

You think?

[Joe]

Yeah. And I think it ends up being packed that. But I, you know, who knows?

[Serena]

I. I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. I think. But I actually don't think he could go wrong. Like, some seasons I'm like, you should definitely pick this person. Like, they're a way better fit for You. But I actually think he could pick either woman, and they would be a great fit for him for different reasons.

[Joe]

Yeah. I think whoever he picks. Yeah. I think they're going to end up going all the way, maybe. Okay, so let's.

[Serena]

Let's.

[Joe]

Let's do this right. If there is a bachelor in paradise and golden's our ass back. Give me the three women that were there tonight that you want to see on the beach. Only three.

[Serena]

Nicole.

[Joe]

Yep.

[Serena]

Debbie. Cheryl. Oh, I love Carol so much, too.

[Joe]

Well, you didn't pick her up.

[Serena]

Damn. Sorry, Carol.

[Joe]

Yeah. Damn. Damn.

[Serena]

What about you?

[Joe]

I'm gonna take Carol.

[Serena]

Okay.

[Joe]

I'm gonna take Nicole, and then I'm gonna go with. I'm gonna go with Jerry. I like. I like the fact that she's like, you know, I was. I was in the house the whole time reading Bible scriptures, but, like, I've been in the mile high club.

[Serena]

Yeah. I love her, so.

[Joe]

I like that. So, though, that would be my three, but we're going to have, I would say probably at least seven of them.

[Serena]

Yeah, I think so. It was a good cast. Like, they could pick quite a few of them easily.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

Last couple things with Mal, he said, you know, he has a moment with Cheryl, talking about the fact that she's brave. And I thought that was really sweet. I thought he was, like, really comforting with her there. It was the most comforting. I've seen him, actually, with Cheryl. And then Nicole got really emotional.

[Joe]

You think he's, like, the most stoic individual of all time?

[Serena]

I don't necessarily think. I. I don't necessarily think that's who he is, but I think that's how he comes across this season.

[Joe]

Okay.

[Serena]

Don't you?

[Joe]

I. Yeah, but I don't think that's who he is.

[Serena]

No. Like, I'm. I. I'm happy to see these sides of him. I don't think we've been given footage of him acting this way, even though I'm sure it exists.

[Joe]

Yeah.

[Serena]

And that's been hard because you want to connect with the lead. You want to root for the lead. And I feel like I'm not getting a lot of different sides of him until. Honestly, women till all. And I feel like I've gotten a lot of different sides of him this episode.

[Joe]

I really. I strongly believe this, that you should not be the lead of the show unless you have been a contestant, Been a contestant, or like Taylor, Frankie Paul, for instance.

[Serena]

She's television experience, reality tv.

[Joe]

Couple years. She'll be fine.

[Serena]

She'll be fine.

[Joe]

But I do think you need a little bit of that.

[Serena]

I just.

[Joe]

You need a little bit of that experience because it makes such a difference. Yeah. Because it's just not easy to be yourself in front of fucking cameras, especially when you're just thrown in to be the lead of the show.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

But one thing about Mel that, like. And I remembered this when we saw the clip of him and Jared Freed is he is a fan of the show. Like, he legit watches the show. Like, he's not a guy. Yeah, he said that to us. He watches the show. He listens to Jared Freed. Like, he actually. Like, that's. Those are the things that I feel like we were missing.

[Serena]

Does he watch the show?

[Joe]

Yeah, he said that.

[Serena]

That he's a fan of the show?

[Joe]

Yeah, he said that. He told us that.

[Serena]

I thought he said, like, a few years ago he used to watch it.

[Joe]

No, he's. He's watched seasons of the show.

[Serena]

Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What do you think about Jared being in the audience?

[Joe]

Yeah, it makes sense. Great.

[Serena]

Yeah, I thought it was fine. I thought the rose date was, like, kind of maybe their strongest group date.

[Joe]

Could have did without the lemon bar joke.

[Serena]

But the lemon bar joke really threw me off when he was like, I got a lemon bar baking in my pants for these ladies. And I think it threw the ladies off too, honestly.

[Joe]

I mean, I laugh.

[Serena]

I was like, whoa, Jared.

[Joe]

I laughed.

[Serena]

Took a risk with that one.

[Joe]

I laughed. It was funny.

[Serena]

But, yeah, I thought it was fun to see him back in the audience. I think Jared's very entertaining and, like, really gets the show.

[Joe]

He also. He also want. It's. It's fun watching somebody that wants to be there. Like, he wants to be part of it. It's not like he's just like, oh, collecting a paycheck. Like, he wants to do it. It's fun. He enjoys it.

[Serena]

Yeah. And they had a lot of, like, extra footage from that date that usually I'm like, okay, I don't need to see this unseen footage. But I actually was down for the unseen footage from that date because I felt like there's a lot of funny parts. Like when he was helping Robin and he was, like, reading off jokes, and she was just, like, deadpanning him the whole time.

[Joe]

It's like, this is like talking to my mother.

[Serena]

Yeah. So funny.

[Joe]

Very funny.

[Serena]

We will actually have Monica B. Who, in our opinion and Jared's opinion, was one of the stars of the roast date on this week for an interview, and we will also have Amy. We're gonna do A little split C episode. So we'll be chatting with both of them if you want to tune into that. What did you think about the teaser for the rest of the season? We only have two episodes left. We have fantasy suites, then we have the finale.

[Joe]

Remind me of the teaser.

[Serena]

Basically, they're going to Antigua.

[Joe]

Yes.

[Serena]

It's Peg, Cindy, and Mel.

[Joe]

Yep.

[Serena]

And it seems like Peg and Cindy are both, like, kind of trying to pull a little bit more out of Mel. We see Cindy say something along the lines of, I kind of want my guy to feel like he's been struck by lightning and can't live without me. Which same love that from her. And then Peg says, like, I don't have another five to seven years to waste on, like, a nothing relationship. Like, basically both of them saying, like, I want to feel like you feel like I am your girl and you're gonna live the rest of your life with me.

[Joe]

Yeah. Interesting. I mean, who knows? Maybe. Maybe he picks no one.

[Serena]

That would be wild.

[Joe]

It's possible.

[Serena]

It is possible. It's always possible. I think he's going to pick someone.

[Joe]

Yeah. Well, we'll see. I'm looking forward to watching it.

[Serena]

Yeah.

[Joe]

Okay. Thank you, everyone, for tuning in. That is it for the recap. Make sure you download and subscribe to Badger Happy Hour.

[Serena]

We will have new and exclusive interviews every single week. Thanks for listening. Bye. We know no one's journey is the same. That's why Delta SkyMiles moves with you. From earning miles on reloads for coffee runs, shopping, and things you do every day to connecting you to new experiences. A SkyMiles membership fits into your lifestyle, letting you do more of what makes you you. It's more than travel. It's the membership that flies, dines, streams, rides, and arrives with you. Because when you have a membership that's as unique as you are, there's no telling where your journey will take you next. Learn [e-mail] SkyMiles hey, what's up?

[Joe]

It's Mario Lopez. Back to school is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. And kids may feel isolated, a vulnerability that human traffickers can exploit. Human trafficking doesn't always look like what you expect. Everyday moments can become opportunities for someone with bad intentions. Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or neighbor. Check in, ask questions, stay connected. Blue Campaign is a national awareness initiative that provides resources to help recognize suspected instances of human trafficking. Learn the signs and how to [e-mail] blue campaign.

[Serena]

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[Joe]

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[Serena]

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[Joe]

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[Serena]

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[Joe]

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[Serena]

This is an iHeart podcast.