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CNN Live Today
'The Bachelor' Winners Speak
Aired April 26, 2002 - 12:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Once upon a time, you might remember not too long ago, there was that show "Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire?" And you remember the fallout from it, too.
Well, now there is "The Bachelor." It just wrapped up: and a Harvard grad, given his choice of 25 women, asked to choose one as his bride. Millions tuned in. In fact, 11 million tuned in this past week to see the finale for that series.
Joining us now is the couple from Manhattan: Alex Michel, who is actually still a bachelor -- we'll explain that in a moment -- and the last woman standing of the original 25, Amanda Marsh.
Good afternoon to you.
AMANDA MARSH, "THE BACHELOR" WINNER: Good afternoon.
HEMMER: How is the happy couple?
ALEX MICHEL, "THE BACHELOR": We're great.
MARSH: Extremely happy.
HEMMER: I have to admit I never saw the show. I was doing some other things at the time. I was out of the country, among other things.
Does it strike you guys a bit strange to go on national TV and pick a future mate?
MARSH: Yes. I think it is strange to be on national television, but then also to be involved in a relationship and knowing that the world is going to be watching it, definitely.
HEMMER: Alex?
MICHEL: Yes, I mean, it was a bizarre experiment.
HEMMER: Why did you do it, then, if so bizarre?
MICHEL: Because people meet in strange places. And I thought that this would be, actually, a very good way to meet someone. ABC went out and found 25 incredible women with me in mind. And I found an incredible woman. So, I could not be happier that I did it. HEMMER: Now, Alex, you bought a ring. you showed it to Amanda last night. So I guess it does exist in a physical form.
MICHEL: It does.
HEMMER: But you did not give it to her. Were you not convinced? Is that the suggestion?
MICHEL: It is not that I am not convinced. It's that we together feel like it would be premature to get engaged at this point. But we are thrilled to be dating and thrilled to get to know each other even more with the cameras gone.
HEMMER: So, you are going to move in together in California, right?
MARSH: No.
MICHEL: No, we are not even going to move in together. We are going to get separate apartments. But we are going to move to the same city and start living a real life together.
HEMMER: What is it, Amanda, that you find attractive in Alex, other than the fact that this man had the flat-out courage, some would suggest, to go on national TV?
MARSH: He is very charming. But his sense of humor, that's what won me over. I have a great time with him. We can joke around and have fun, especially in that awkward situation. And he helped me be comfortable being myself in front of everyone.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: How many dates have you guys had? How many hours have you spent together?
MARSH: Well, there were technically six dates, but, gosh...
MICHEL: We had a couple weekends.
HEMMER: But you guys were not really alone during those dates, were you?
(CROSSTALK)
MICHEL: It kind of felt like it.
HEMMER: ... producers and...
MARSH: We were really comfortable with each other by the third date that it was so easy to forget everyone. I did not notice a thing. I was so wrapped up in him, yes.
HEMMER: Yes.
Alex, you took Amanda and the second-place finisher, Tristan (sic), back to Dallas, Texas to meet your parents. Is that right?
MICHEL: Right.
HEMMER: And your mom says she doesn't even think you should be married. Did you take her advice? And is that why the ring has not been exchanged?
MICHEL: No. I think my family had some sensible advice for me. But what ended up happening was a decision that Amanda and I made.
HEMMER: Tristan, who came in second place...
MICHEL: Trista.
HEMMER: Trista, excuse me. I'm sorry. I told you I did not see the show.
She apparently did not have many kind words for you, Alex. And I want you want to give you a chance. You can defend yourself if you like. She apparently came on during the program and said you actually told her -- I believe it was the night before -- that she was the one. Was she accurate in that conversation?
MICHEL: I don't think so.
I have a lot of affection and respect for her. I think she is a great woman. And it was hard. I was dating her and we broke up. And that is a hard thing to do. And I am sure it did not make her feel very good. But she knew what the situation was: that I was dating two women and had a hard decision to make. And I think that I was sincere with everybody involved the whole way.
HEMMER: Yes, some say the process, Amanda, has been demeaning to women. How do you defend that?
MARSH: It is not demeaning at all. And we all had a decision. We got ourselves involved in this show. We had a choice and could have left at any point. And when you have a choice, how can that be demeaning? So, we all gained something from it.
HEMMER: I have about 30 seconds left.
What is going to make this relationship work, do you think? It is pretty darn strange at the outset.
MARSH: Well, instant chemistry. We get along great and, obviously, an attraction -- so a great friendship.
MICHEL: Yes. We are firing on all cylinders. We are thrilled to be with each other.
HEMMER: Well, listen, I hope it works, for the sake of both of you, Alex Michel, Amanda Marsh, the happy couple, we shall say, in Manhattan.
MARSH: Thank you. HEMMER: And enjoy California, OK? Come on back and we won't keep the producers too far from you. We'll make sure we monitor it and see if, indeed, you go to the altar. Thank you much.
(LAUGHTER)
MARSH: Thank you.
HEMMER: Talk to you later. Have a good weekend.
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