Sean Lowe, star of ABC’s ‘The Bachelor,’ weighs in on everything from the ideal date to mistakes women make in their search for the perfect mate.

By Angela Barbuti

Sean Lowe will be alone this Valentine’s Day—but don’t feel bad for him just yet. The 29-year-old recently finished taping a season of ABC’s The Bachelor, where he had his pick of 26 women, all vying to win his heart. His quest for love is being aired every Monday night, with America watching as his personal life is made public. Lowe, a Texas native, was chosen for The Bachelor after competing in The Bachelorette last year, where he was the third from last contestant to be sent home. Immediately pegged as the “nice guy,” ABC rewarded Lowe for his sincerity—and six-pack abs—by selecting him as Season 13’s bachelor. He can’t tell us whether or not he found a soulmate, but definitely speaks from experience when he says, “When you meet the right person, you’ll know.”

Everyone calls you a nice guy. Do you think that’s a good assessment?

[Laughs] I think I am a nice guy. I had no idea that’s how I’d be perceived after doing The Bachelorette. Usually the adjectives that are used are ‘genuine’ and ‘sincere.’ I never really thought of myself in those terms. It’s cool that America does see that. I don’t go out of my way to be a nice guy. I’m the man that my parents brought me up to be. But I would rather be a nice guy than a jerk, I guess.

You are dating multiple women on national television. What do your family and friends think?

I think they’re really enjoying it. Of course, if anyone is allowed to make fun of me, it’s my family and friends—and they certainly do that. It seems like every Monday night they’re calling me, ragging about something I said or did. It’s all in good fun and they’re all proud of me, I know they are. I think I made them proud not only through my actions, but just the way I presented my family during this whole process.

You’ve been on some really lavish dates on the show. What is your ideal date?

Not the typical ‘Bachelor’ date. I don’t need the extravagance or the exotic settings, although that’s really nice and I’m glad I had the chance to do it. My ideal date is just something simple. I want to spend as much time with the woman as possible. Take her to a place that allows us to talk, someplace where we can really get to know each other.  That could be an intimate dinner at a romantic restaurant or dinner at my house that I prepare, or it could be just a walk through the park.

Did you expect all the drama that happens this season?

[Pauses] No, I did not. I was actually oblivious to a lot of it. [Laughs] You know, Tierra is certainly the name that’s been talked about most frequently lately and I had no idea that that was going on in the house. Outside of a few murmurs from girls who basically just said, “Well, we really don’t like Tierra.” And I would ask them, “Okay. Why? Give me some examples.” And they really couldn’t come up with any. So watching the show on Mondays has been eye-opening for me because I just didn’t know this stuff was going on.

Which moments were most memorable?

The first night was a really surreal moment. I’ll never forget Lindsay coming out in a wedding dress or Ashley, the Fifty Shades of Grey girl, who was just completely over-the-top and drunk.

What surprised you most about being “The Bachelor”?

You know, I was shocked it only took me a few weeks to really start developing relationships with multiple people. One of my greatest fears coming into this was that I really wouldn’t find a connection with anybody and it would be a waste of time. But after those first couple of weeks, I found myself really falling for AshLee and Des and Sarah. I was overwhelmed by how many great women were on the show.

Are you allowed to tell us what you’re doing on Valentine’s Day?

I can answer it. I’ll be in Dallas not doing much of anything, to be honest with you. If I have a Valentine, I wish that I could spend it with her. But obviously I can’t say if I do or don’t. I’m just going to be celebrating the day by myself.

Do people recognize you around Dallas?

Everyone is always so nice and that’s why I never turn down someone who comes up and asks for a picture. People normally say, “We were rooting for you and heartbroken when it didn’t work out with Emily. We think you’re such a nice guy and can’t wait to watch you this season.” It’s gotten really crazy and that’s one of the drawbacks from doing this whole thing. I would rather be able to go to the grocery store or out with my friends without being stopped. That’s not the case these days.

You have a degree in social science. Has that helped you on “The Bachelor”?

[Laughs] I would like to think that my social skills are above par.

What are your future plans?

It’s hard to say. I love my business and I’ll definitely be part of Factory Girl over the course of the next decade or so. It’s a business I own with two partners. We do custom furniture, handbags, all kinds of stuff. We’re basically targeting women; they’re our main demographic. That’s the exciting part of life for me. I don’t know where I’m gonna be in 10, 15 or 20 years and I like that. A year ago I would never have imagined that I’d be where I am today.  I guess I’ve learned not to map out my future, because as soon as you try to do it, God has other plans for you.

What advice would you give single girls looking to settle down?

I would say, don’t try too hard. I find that a lot of women overanalyze the smallest things that guys really are not paying attention to. Like, “how come he hasn’t texted me back? It’s been almost three hours now.” Meanwhile the guy’s probably out doing something and just lost track of time. I think as a rule, it’s better to just relax and be yourself.

Watch Sean on “The Bachelor” Monday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC. 

Mitt Romney. Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney appeared at three private fundraising events in the Hamptons this past weekend, raising a total of approximately $3 million, and causing quite a stir among protesters. Billionaire David Koch hosted one of these notable fundraisers at his shorefront home, reports ABC News. Oil tycoon Koch has come to be known as half of the billionaire brother duo dominating conservative fundraising.

Koch’s event was tightly secured, according to ABC, as about 150 protesters showed up to express their disgust. Occupy Wall Street and MoveOn.org supporters were among protesters who made an appearance. Protesters, who could reportedly barely see the estate from where they were permitted to stand, held signs rejecting “corporate personhood” and the price of a ticket to the event ($75,000 per couple). They stood barefoot on the beach holding signs, sailing “protest boats,” flying a small plane and singing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Those who showed up to condemn contamination of the electoral process through such fundraising means called the gathering a success, saying they took the message where it mattered.

The Daily News reports Obama cancelled a vacation in Martha’s Vineyard this year, so as to not appear to be “hanging with the billionaires” and alienate those who oppose such displays of wealth.

According to the New York Times: “Tucked into the Southampton dunes, Mr. Koch’s home is valued at about $18 million by the real estate Web site Zillow, which reports that it has seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Its backyard is the sea.”

—Alissa Fleck

By Magdalena Burnham

Monday – July 2

Eureka

Eureka gets cut off from the world and the entire population might be destroyed. Wow, Eureka is not messing around with the stakes of this episode.  Airs at 9:00 on Syfy.

Also On:

8:00 – Hell’s Kitchen (Fox)

8:00 – The Bachelorette (ABC)

10:00 – Teen Wolf (MTV)

Tuesday – July 3

The Glee Project

The theme for the week is “adaptability”, which should be less uncomfortable than the “sexuality” episode.

Also On:

10:00 – Franklin & Bash (TNT)

10:30 – Workaholics (Comedy Central)

Wednesday – July 4

Futurama

This episode has Bender trying to become a paparazzo. Let’s see how many TMZ jokes they can work in. Airs at 10:00 on Comedy Central.

Also On:

9:00 – Dallas (TNT)

10:00 – The Real World (MTV)

10:00 – The Soup (E!)

Thursday – July 5

Wilfred

Ryan has to deal with the issues that arise from Wilfred’s popularity, which is a vague enough description that, considering the show, there’s a good chance some unspeakable acts comprise the main arc of this episode. Airs at 10:00 on FX.

Also On:

8:00 – Duets (ABC)

10:00 – Rookie Blue (ABC)

10:30 – Louie (FX)

Friday – July 6

Bunk

This week’s panelists are Dana Gould, Michael Che and Andy Daly. Watch for Michael Che. That is a damn funny dude. Airs at 10:30 on IFC.

Also On:

9:00 – The Ricky Gervais Show (HBO)

10:00 – Comedy Bang! Bang! (IFC)

Saturday – July 7

Merlin

In the first episode Arthur duels a mysterious warrior. In the second episode, Merlin saves a beautiful girl from a bounty hunter. Episodes air at 9:00 and 10:00 on BBC.

Also On:

9:00 – The Suze Orman Show (CNBC)

Sunday – July 8

True Blood

Jason has a disturbing dream. Meanwhile, Bill and Eric want Sookie to help them look for Russell. Maybe I’m missing something, but that doesn’t sound like a lot of plot. Airs at 9:00 on HBO.

Also On:

10:00 – Weeds (Showtime)

10:00 – Iron Chef America (Food Network)

12:15 – Metalocalypse (Cartoon Network)

By Angela Barbuti

Warner Wolf

For over 50 years, Warner Wolf has been eyewitness to the world’s greatest athletes and seen some sporting events that have gone down in the annals of human history. His line, “Let’s go to the videotape,” which began as a practical cue to roll a clip, is one of the most recognized catchphrases in sports history. Wolf still entertains and educates audiences on Imus in the Morning, one of the most popular daytime broadcasts in New York City.

When he’s not giving play-by-plays, he’s at home on the Upper West Side, watching highlights on ESPN.com or his game of choice, pro football.

Did you always want to work in sports?

I knew when I was 7 years old, believe it or not. There was no question in my mind. My father used to buy me Ring, a boxing magazine. There was no television, so we used to hear Friday night fights on the radio. I used to listen to every sporting event.

What qualities do you need to be a sportscaster?

This sound obvious, but you have to know sports. Not just the rules, but the history, so you can relate the importance of what has happened. Otherwise, you might think, “This is the greatest play of all time,” when it has been done five times before. You also have to be fair and can’t have an objective before you go in.

What was your big break?

In 1976, I got an offer from ABC to come to New York and do the local news, Wide World of Sports and Monday Night Baseball. That was huge. The funny thing is, my dad showed me an article that said it takes 15 years from wherever you’re working to get to New York. I always carried that around with me. I started April Fool’s Day 1961 in Pikeville, Ky. The amazing part is it was 1976 [when I got the offer], exactly 15 years later.

How did you make the transition from radio to television?

I had been on the radio eight years before I was ever on television. In 1965, I was hired by WTOP, a huge radio station in Washington, D.C. They also owned a TV station, and the TV guy left. The president of the station said—it’s going to sound funny now—“Do you think you could talk to people about sports?” At that time, I think we were the second station to do this, aside from one in New York.

What’s the most significant thing you ever reported on?

9/11. My wife and I lived in Tribeca and the World Trade Center was 10 blocks south of our bedroom window. I saw it all, so I called in to Imus to tell him what was happening and he kept me on the air.

What is one major change you’ve seen in the sports industry?

Before 1975, a player belonged to a team forever. Ninety-eight percent of players did not have multiyear guaranteed contracts, which they all have today, so the incentive to play well was huge. They had a good concept, better than today. But the owners took advantage of it and didn’t pay what they should have. Mickey Mantle, the highest-paid player, made $100,000 once. The minimum today is almost $500,000. Mantle would have been a $30 million-a-year ballplayer today.

Who do you consider the greatest athletes of all time? 

Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Jim Thorpe, Jim Brown. They were great because they played more than one sport well. I always thought the most domineering player in basketball was Wilt Chamberlain.

What was your most memorable interview with a player?

Joe DiMaggio. It was a real thrill, because I had grown up watching him play. He was a great interview. But just before it, he had a PR man come over to me and say, “If you talk about Marilyn Monroe, the interview is over.” I wasn’t going to talk about Marilyn Monroe.

Do you root for certain teams?

No, because I want to be able to report objectively. That’s why I think it’s advisable for young fellows to avoid strong friendships with ballplayers, because there comes a time when you have to say something unfavorable about them. If you hesitate, your listeners or viewers are going to realize it. You absolutely have to be honest with your audience, because they’ll know if you’re not.

What’s it like to work with Imus?

Oh, it’s fun. You never know what’s going to happen. Each day is different.

How did you come up with your catchphrase? 

I was working in Washington and videotape had just started out. Before that, we used film or still pictures. We had some videotape of a basketball game. I would give the director a normal cue. Like, “In the third quarter, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored,” and they’re supposed to roll the tape. He didn’t roll the tape. So I said it again, and he still didn’t. Then, right on the air, I finally said to the director, “Hey Ernie, let’s go to the videotape!” And the play came up. Later, he said to me, “Do that again tomorrow, because I’m very busy in the control room.”

Do you recite the phrase for your fans?

Sure I do. I’m glad they remember. You can’t say it on the radio.

Listen to Wolf on Imus in the Morning, Monday-Friday from 6-10 a.m. on 77WABC.  The show is simulcast on Fox Business Network.