Reality TV Updates

The reality show “The Bachelor” held casting calls for all available men and women in Provo, and it was OK that the women far outnumbered the men, because the show is only looking for one man and 25 women to compete for his true love.

“I’m probably here for the same reason anyone else came, because it would be a cool experience to be on the show, and if it worked out it would be even better,” said Sutton Mendenhall, 23, from Alpine.

Mendenhall didn’t come with an entourage of friends but stopped by to give it a try. She’s a fan of the show, and said she might feel like it was meant to be if she was chosen to compete in the next season.

The first Romeo to step in front of the cameras and audition for the show – 25-year-old Cory Stephens — said he is looking for someone who is funny, intelligent and a looker. The casting call was also in hopes of finding the next Bachelor for the 11th season.

“I’m not a doctor,” he explained to casting crews, “I’m just a regular guy.”

Regular or not, Dennis Elsbury, the director of marketing and promotions from the ABC-affiliate in Salt Lake City, said casting companies enjoy coming to Utah because of the high quality applicants who normally come and apply for the right reasons. Elsbury was responsible for conducting the casting call at I.M. Home in Provo on Friday night.

Most women who traveled to the auditions said they hadn’t gone out of their way to over-primp for the occasion.

“I think they look for high maintenance girls to be on the show, and I am definitely not that,” said one woman who declined to give her name. She was suckered into it by her mom — who came to see what all the buzz was about.

Any applicant chose from the casting call is not automatically qualified for the show but instead will have to travel to L.A. for more interviews before making it into the final 25. All of the girls who did complete the application process were given a complimentary rose — a trademark of the show.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to try out,” said 20-year-old Mallory Patton. “If I did make it on the show, I’d have to be careful what I did though, because of my parents.”

Patton brought her roommate for moral support — who also had to try out. Other entrants like Margo Poole, 31, from Logan said it’s pretty entertaining to watch the wide array of women competing.

“There are some who are pretty independent and free, and others who are mature and have some composure,” said Poole. The show is in its 10th season, and bachelors in the past have ranged from NFL player Jesse Palmer to Andy Baldwin, a triathlete and U.S. Navy doctor. There is also a Bachelorette version of the show in which 25 men compete for the leading lady.

“He better be tall, dark and handsome,” quipped Mendenhall, who said she is really just looking for someone with values who wants to have a family someday.

And of course he has to be handsome.

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