Ah, everyone's favorite reality dating show. As "The Bachelor" celebrates its 20th season, I've noticed a few elements that just keep repeating themselves. While the predictability doesn't work in some shows, "The Bachelor" turns it into something hilarious and exciting. With every new season, here are a few things that you know you're signing up for.
1. The strange introductions.
If you're a fan of "The Bachelor"—especially in the more recent seasons—you've seen it all. There are those people that simply have to make the most memorable impression—which isn't necessarily good. Like, come on, who wants to be known as the girl who lifts up her dress and hikes a football between her legs? You couldn't pay me to do that in front of Ben Higgins. We've seen people come in on everything from horses to cupcakes, and it seems to get more bizarre with each new season.
2. Someone gets trashed on the first night.
Whether it's the girls or the guys, there's always that one person who goes a little nuts with the alcohol. Maybe they're just not used to it coming at them in an endless waterfall. Maybe Chris Harrison pays them a little extra to make a fool out of themselves. It's a defining moment.
3. There's somebody with kids.
Oh, "Bachelor" producers, you know how to pull at our heartstrings. They make sure to show us the children right away and immediately get us to feel some type of way. Everyone loves a good sob story.
4. The backstabber.
The snake in the grass. The person we love to hate. "The Bachelor" villains are real, and we can't possibly get a juicy season without them. They throw people under the bus, sabotage, lie and yet still believe that they're going to win. Most recently, this character was played by Leah, who tried to destroy the relationship between Ben and Lauren B. Ben saw right through it and sent her home. (Oh, how we love you, Ben Higgins.)
5. The two-on-one date saying...
"Two girls, one rose. One stays, one goes." Every freaking time. I have to admit, it's pretty much the perfect saying, but still. You've got a team full of writers and producers, let's put our heads together, shall we?
6. And then leaving the non-chosen person on the two-on-one at the location.
No wonder everyone's so salty about the two-on-one. Not only do they get rejected, but also stranded. We've seen Chris Soules helicopter away from the desert, Kaitlyn Bristowe leave Chris (Cupcake) crying into a scarf on a cliff, and Ben Higgins abandon Olivia on an island. (Though we can't really blame him for that one.) Every season, you can count on that feeling of "Wow, that's harsh and I feel sorry for them, but I'm really glad this is happening."
7. Awkward advertising.
Especially with the celebrity guests. Why else does Jimmy Kimmel need to come on a date? Or Kevin Hart and Ice Cube? And what about that time Chris Soules and Jade went on a date and they showed part of the new "Cinderella" movie? It's like Peyton Manning during the Super Bowl every season. I can't help but love seeing what they come up with next.
8. Dramatic cancellation of the cocktail party.
It's all fun and games until the cocktail party gets cancelled. You know the drill. Chris Harrison comes in and delivers the nightmarish news that there will be no cocktail party before the rose ceremony. This sends people spiraling, and it always happens at least once. Oh, the humanity.
9. Neil Lane shows up with his magic black box.
The beloved last episode in which Neil Lane strolls in with a box full of rings that could pay our college tuition 10 times over. We watch the men pick out these gorgeous rings for their lady while we cry into our ramen noodles.
10. Chris Harrison being...Chris Harrison.
And we can't help but wonder what this guy does all day. Personally, I like to joke about all the free alcohol he receives and portray him to myself as a lush. All we know is that he crawls out of the woodwork at the end of the day to interrupt everyone, and then disappears again. It has become quite the joke.
Even though we can pretty much predict what's going to happen on the show, it has that special charm that keeps us watching. I know I won't be tearing my eyes away anytime soon. (Side effect of having Ben Higgins as "The Bachelor," am I right, ladies?)