The Bachelor
Season 16
January 2, 2012
12Episodes
This show features a previous contestant from The Bachelorette, a winemaker and owner of Envolve wines, from Sonoma, California, Ben Flajnik, who finished runner-up in the seventh season of that show. This season returns with 25 women featured in the competition, excluding a senior citizen.
Episodes
1. Week 1
January 2, 2012
90 min
Ben returns to the mansion for the first big cocktail party. He explains to Chris Harrison that, as painful as his experience was last season, he has no regrets. When Ben began his journey with Ashley, he was emotionally shut down due to his grief over his father's death. Ultimately, he was able to open himself up again to love. Because of that journey, he is a different man and ready to try and find love again.
Guest Stars:
Jamie Otis, Courtney Robertson, Lindzi Cox, Nicki Sterling, Kacie Boguskie
2. Week 2
January 9, 2012
90 min
The 18 bachelorettes vying for Ben's affections travel to his hometown of Sonoma, Calif.; 12 ladies take part in a group date where they must participate in a community theater production; tears flow as some of the ladies demand attention from Ben.
3. Week 3
January 16, 2012
90 min
One lucky bachelorette makes a 500-foot trek atop San Francisco's Bay Bridge during a date with Ben; one lady does the unthinkable and rejects Ben's request for a private date; an unexpected guest appears at the cocktail party, outraging the women.
4. Week 4
January 23, 2012
90 min
While visiting Utah, Ben and the remaining bachelorettes see the sights and bond on romantic outings; one woman tries to warn Ben of the other ladies' intentions, but her advice may backfire; two women are ecstatic to receive one-on-one dates.
5. Week 5
January 30, 2012
90 min
While in Puerto Rico, the 11 remaining ladies quickly become frustrated after fighting for personal time with Ben; despite being chastised by the other women, Courtney continues her quest to snag Ben by suggesting a very provocative rendezvous.
6. Week 6
February 6, 2012
90 min
Ben is forced to eliminate one girl after a two-on-one date of salsa dancing; Ben and six of the women go on a romantic date deep inside the Panamanian jungle; Chris confronts someone about a personal secret she's been keeping from everyone.
7. Week 7
February 13, 2012
90 min
With only six ladies left, each bachelorette desperately seeks time with Ben before he chooses the final four; everyone participates in a date while visiting Belize; upon arriving at the cocktail party, Ben makes a surprising announcement.
8. Week 8
February 20, 2012
90 min
Ben travels across the country visiting the families of the remaining four women, hoping to impress his potential in-laws; the ladies' parents put the pressure on Ben when questioning his true intentions about marrying their daughters.
9. Week 9
February 27, 2012
90 min
The three remaining ladies travel to Switzerland where each is granted a full-day date with Ben and possibly the night; a surprise visitor demands answers from Ben; after romantic one-on-one time with each woman, Ben must choose to send one home.
10. The Women Tell All
March 5, 2012
90 min
Sixteen scorned women return to confront Ben about personal decisions he made during filming while also planning to grill Courtney about her inherently deceptive behavior; new footage reveals upcoming twists regarding the final two women.
11. The Final Rose
March 12, 2012
90 min
Ben is given a last-minute chance to spend time with the two remaining ladies before he makes his final decision; Ben must reject one hopeful woman before handing the final rose, and possibly an engagement ring, to the last remaining bachelorette.
