‘Bachelor’ tryouts good singles’ outlet

When you’re single and looking to meet someone, you have to be willing to put yourself out there. For a few of our locals, “out there” includes national television.

WVII, Bangor’s ABC affiliate, recently hosted a tryout for “The Bachelor,” the reality show in which one bachelor picks his soul mate from a group of assembled women. The goal at the end of the season is a ring and a proposal; most of the time, however, the past few seasons of the show has seen a conclusion in which couples promise to get to know each other better, which is followed by a ‘they’re-no-longer-seeing-each-other’ press release. One couple who met on “The Bachelorette” – the reverse of “The Bachelor” – seems to have stuck.

This season’s show, which will be aired early next year, will be taped in Paris.

Prospective bachelors, and the pool of 25 women he chooses from, had to fill out a four-page questionnaire about their background and intentions, bring in still photos, and had to sit in front of a camera and make a case for themselves for up to 60 seconds. The questionnaires, photos and tapes are sent to the show’s production company, which makes the final casting decisions, said WVII promotions manager Gene Hardin.

The only requirements were a minimum age of 21, the flexibility to live in Paris for a few weeks this fall, and the desire to get married.

Looks, ambition, charm, success, style, class and culture are all bonuses.

Maybe it was the show’s dismal success rate, or maybe it was because the audition was held on a hot summer day in Maine, but just a few people showed up at the Sea Dog Banquet and Conference Center in Bangor to try out. Hardin said tryout for shows like “American Idol,” “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” have been much more popular.

Despite the low numbers, the tryout drew a few beautiful, handsome, kind, genuine and outgoing area singles.

Most of whom likely won’t be chosen for the eighth season of the show.

Even though every one of them had something to offer, none of them really fit “The Bachelor” stereotypes – that tall, superhero look for men and the sleek, sophisticated image for women.

And that’s just fine with our locals, who feel they would be great catches as they are. And they’re right.

“My whole deal is what you see is what you get,” said builder and realtor Drew Gelinas, who lives in Surry and echoed the opinion of several people who auditioned. “I’m not going to present myself as something I’m not. If you’re looking for a soul mate, which is what this show is all about, why present yourself as something you’re not?”

Still, you have to distinguish yourself – the “Bachelor” producers can’t take every beautiful woman and handsome man who auditions. For these hopefuls, it’s all about the person inside rather than a buff physique or long blonde hair.

For Nicole Wright of Milford, who works in a doctor’s office and has a catering business on the side, that part was easy. She seemed the most natural and comfortable in front of the camera.

“I think that my personality kind of sets me aside from everyone else, and personally I’ve always been different and looked different,” said Wright, whose pixie haircut matches her friendly, outgoing manner.

Rachel Ann Lindsey of Brewer was hoping some of her other qualities would shine though, too.

Lindsey’s sweet, down-to-earth nature probably wouldn’t get her far on a program in which women say mean things about each other behind the scenes.

But she thinks it can work to her advantage.

“I’m compassionate and a I’m kind person in general,” said Lindsey, who is a certified nurse’s assistant. “That’s what I have going for me. If I did get on ‘The Bachelor,’ it would be a challenge to still be that person. And whoever the Bachelor might be, that could be one thing that sticks out that nobody else has.”

Celal Atma, who lives in Providence, R.I., but was visiting family in Bangor, said his willingness to make a commitment stands out.

“To me marriage is a very important issue,” said Atma, who is originally from Turkey and runs a business in Providence. “It’s important to find one match for many, many years and not to go up and down with relations. That’s why it’s important to make a commitment and seek the right goals together. That way people will be stronger and everyone will be happy.”

Now there’s just the matter of waiting to find out who gets picked. After the day of the tryout Hardin had three days to mail the tapes to the production company in California.

For those who auditioned, whether or not they made final cut wasn’t a big deal. In fact, Gelinas said he only tried out for “The Bachelor” because some married friends told him they’d give him $50 for auditioning. He would, he admitted, like to meet someone.

“The Bachelor” is definitely a different route to go towards making a connection.

“It would be nice to meet someone eventually but I’m not going to settle for anything less than I deserve,” Gelinas added. “So I don’t want to just sit at a bar and wait for someone.”

Jessica Bloch may be reached at jbloch@bangordailynews.net.