The new season of The Bachelor, starring Jake Pavelka, premieres tonight. Jake is the pilot Jillian Harris eliminated last season as being “too perfect.” I found him cloying. He’s also the one that came back after he was rejected to warn Jillian about country music singer Wes — a completely sleazy move in my view.

In addition to being moralistic, he’s also quite religious. I expect the season to be cheesy and bland, just like Jake. Why watch? Some of the women may be interesting and it’s fun to figure out in advance who’s going home and who is getting a rose. Also, in the past, some of their travel destinations have been beautiful, like New Zealand, Spain and Hawaii.

While it seems like California predominates this season (Big Sur, Carmel, San Francisco, Palm Srings), the final dates take place in St. Lucia, and the scenery and hotels and activities are sure to be impressive. The Final Rose Ceremony, which is usually at a rented villa, looks to be near Jade Mountain.

Tonight Jake will meet 25 girls and cut 10. Jillian and Ed will show up to help Jake decide. Next week, the 15 will move into the mansion.

The “shocking development” (according to Chris Harrison on the Valentine Show this morning (audio here) is that one of the girls was romantically involved with one of the show’s producers. He “stepped up to the plate”, got fired, she got axed from the show.

Who to keep an eye out for? For now I’ll only go to the final 9, who I think will be Ali, Corrie, Ashleigh, Gia, Vienna, Ella, Rozlyn, Tenley and Jessie. Ali, Gia and Vienna may be three that go further.