So much for that whole dating Jennifer Love Hewitt thing! Entertainment Weekly has confirmed Us Weekly's report that Bachelorette runner-up Ben Flajnik has been chosen as ABC's next Bachelor.
The 28-year-old winemaker was one of the final two men selected by Ashley Hebert on this past season of The Bachelorette. Despite his sweet and sincere marriage proposal during the final rose ceremony, Hebert rejected Flajnik for his competitor, J.P. Rosenbaum. After watching the vulnerable Flajnik get hurt so badly, thousands of female viewers (including Hewitt) wished they could reach out and comfort him -- which may be the idea behind this new casting decision!
"They think he'll be ratings gold," a network insider tells Us Weekly. "His (August 6) date with Jennifer Love Hewitt was icing on the cake!"
As the second-place contestant, the goofy, emotional Californian was the obvious choice for The Bachelor -- although he did face some competition for the title.
"Ben would be really good -- but so would Ryan and Ames!" Hebert said after the finale.
That may be true, but one thing's for sure: After watching him get burned, everyone will be rooting for Flajnik to find true love the second time around.
