Montreal tourism officials must be smiling today after the invaluable exposure the city got on Feb. 19, with a two hour episode of ABC’s blockbuster dating show The Bachelor based entirely in our city. It is broadcast locally on Citytv.
I am not a fan of this program, yet I felt compelled to watch this episode to see how Montreal was showcased. There was no cameo made by Vanessa Grimaldi, the former Montreal school teacher who was chosen to wed bachelor Nick Viall in the 2017 season. They never made it down the aisle. Grimaldi is now happily married to Joshua Wolfe and the mom of a one year old son.
This season’s bachelor is Joey Graziadei, who began the episode with 10 women vying for a rose. Recorded last fall, the bachelorettes checked into the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. This happens to be the “go to” hotel for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he visits Montreal, since his permanent home is Ottawa. Now single and available, I have said several times that Justin might just take a walk in the snow and retire. And could you think of a more dashing, charismatic personality to star as the next Bachelor Canada?
Host Jesse Palmer, a former NFL quarterback who grew up in Ottawa, is the show’s host and he spoke pretty good French as he gathered Joey and eight of the 10 ladies for a group date in Old Montreal. There were a lot of people gawking and taking photos. Later they stopped by the Garde Manger restaurant, where owner Chuck Hughes showed them all how to make poutine. There was a little game of street hockey and once again I was surprised that no cameo from a Montreal Canadiens player was looped in. Where is PK Subban when you need him ? Come to think of it, PK would make a great Bachelor contestant as well.
For one date Joey brought his chosen bachelorette to do some moves with the Cirque de Soleil. He took Ontario bachelorette Maria Georges to shop for a dress at Claudette Floyd’s on Laurier Street West and then dinner and a private concert from Feist at the Rialto Theatre. There was also a helicopter ride over the city, with Joey repeatedly saying how beautiful Montreal is.
It is cheesy show, but with millions watching each week Montreal got a pretty good boost.
