Before the last episode of "The Bachelor" aired last week, everyone was talking about it and the fact that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was being aired at the same time.

One woman was practically screaming on CNN about how horrible it was that these were the options for the American people to watch Wednesday night.

The commentator hosting the show took her comments lightly and said that if we get to watch women walking around in their underwear, "God bless America."

I wanted both of them to shut up.

"The Bachelor" is a terrible show on its face. Twenty-five women go on the show with the purpose of beating out everyone else to get a rich, decent-looking man.

Will they really find true love? Sigh …

Yeah, right.

But watching the show, it's apparent that some of these women really thought they had fallen in love with this player.

Yes, player.

Sure, Mr. Bachelor, 25 women are going gaga even though they barely know you. And I'm sure you're attracted to many of them, but it's not fair to whomever you eventually choose to mess around with almost all of them.

The show makes these women look like their aspiration in life to get married to a man they barely know. Forget dignity. Forget prudence.

So these aren't people we particularly admire, at least I hope not. Why then did 29 million people tune in the night of the finale? Why did I tune in even though I find the show appalling?

That's probably the question we should be asking ourselves, not whether it should air or not.

Some said we watch because it's kind of like a freak show. We can't believe someone would go through all of that to marry someone they barely know.

Others say marriage seems unattainable, especially for younger people and that may explain why "The Bachelor" attracted more viewers that night than the Victoria's Secret show. Women in their underwear can be found in any magazine. An attempt at a committed relationship -- that's rare.

The woman screaming on CNN said the show shouldn't air because it gives people an unrealistic view of courting and marriage that is harmful to young girls. It plays into age-old fairy tales where the prince rescues the princess.

I don't think she's giving women enough credit. Sure, I told my mom I wanted to be a princess when I grew up. But I was 4 years old.

I outgrew that in a couple of years.

I don't think a 10-year-old and especially not a teenager would believe that dating and marriage really work that way.

I'm more inclined to believe we watch it because it's so unbelievable. We're also curious to know more about people's personal lives.

It's entertaining.

Watching people go on dates isn't new. With "Blind Date," "Elimidate," and "The Fifth Wheel" among other dating shows, we can see people go after and even compete over someone to get a second date.

But the "The Bachelor" is different. It's a competition for marriage -- a relationship that, ideally, should last a lifetime.

Another person commented that she said the show disgusted her because she thought courting was a private matter -- not something to be splashed across television in attempt for higher ratings.

Of all the commentary I've heard about the show, this seems to make the most sense for not watching it.

It cheapens what continues to be taken less seriously -- marriage.

Watching it last Wednesday, I felt like I shouldn't have been there when Aaron asked Helene to marry him.

It was a moment I, a complete stranger, shouldn't have been a part of.

But the show will continue, the next featuring a "bachelorette."

I won't watch. Yes, these people decide to make their personal lives public.

But that doesn't mean we have to pay them any attention.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com