Talk about a tough act to follow.
Single father Jason Mesnick’s starring turn on The Bachelor was already the reality show’s best-rated in years before he chose Melissa Rycroft on the finale, then dumped her for runner-up Molly Malaney on the “After the Final Rose” special.
After the dust settled, Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney resumed their normal lives and seem happy getting to know each other in their relationship, while Melissa Rycroft has become a sensation on a second ABC show, Dancing with the Stars.
The Bachelor is going to need a heck of an encore.
Seriously, how do you top that if you’re ABC? Who should even star? No idea who the 14th star of The Bachelor will be when the show returns next season, but we put together a short list of folks we’d love to see follow in Jason’s footsteps:
Barron Hilton. Rich and ready to get his $h!t started.
Adam Lambert. Forget handing out roses; the American Idol favorite will toss them from a stage as he serenades the ladies lucky enough to remain by his talented side.
Brody Jenner. Okay, so he’s already seeing Jayde Nicole nude every night. Not a lot he can do to top that. But things happen, and if it were to go south between The Hills star and the Playmate of the Year, what better way to rebound?
Alex Rodriguez. Think of how many Bachelor records the Yankees star could shatter – manliest-looking babes ever to make the final two, most time preening before dates, trips to second base in hot tub, home runs in the fantasy suite, etc.
Chris Harrison. The Bachelor host-pimp is a great master of ceremonies, but he really needs to get in on some of the action, don’t you think? Imagine this “After the Final Rose” stunner: he’s been married for 15 years … and is staying with his wife!
Which of these stars should be the next Bachelor? Vote in our poll below, and leave a comment with your own suggestion (serious or otherwise) …