Who from Modesto will be ‘The Bachelor’ when TV competition hit comes to Gallo Center?
Oh, to be handed that coveted final rose.
If you’re a fan of the television show “The Bachelor” — or even mildly aware of the reality television phenomenon — you know exactly what that means.
And one bachelor in Modesto will hand out that final rose in front of a live audience of onlookers at the Gallo Center for the Arts when “The Bachelor Live on Stage” comes to the downtown venue on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
Reggie Rucker, a 37-year-old director of placemaking at the Downtown Modesto Partnership, will hold all the flower power in his hands.
Rucker, a member of the board of trustees at the Gallo Center, at first declined a suggestion he take on the Modesto “Bachelor” role. But he ultimately agreed because, well, he said, “Lynn Dickerson is very convincing.”
Dickerson is chief executive officer at the Gallo Center, and after she posted on the venue’s Facebook page a call for someone to be the bachelor, Rucker said, his “friends started tagging him,” encouraging him to do it.
In the end, “I thought everyone would have fun with it,” he said.
“Bachelor” franchise veterans Becca Kufrin and Ben Higgins will co-host the show, something of a relief for Rucker.
“One of the things that gives me a ton of comfort is ... two hosts are running the show,” he said. “They’re going to be the real show. I just get to hang out and sort of get the best seat in the house as far as the women who participate in these challenges.”
Some of the women vying for the rose have preregistered to participate, while others will be chosen from the audience, according to Doug Hosner, director of marketing at the Gallo Center. Eight to 10 women will vie on stage to be Rucker’s choice.
Rucker said he’s single and open to meeting someone.
“I’m not looking to be single forever,” he said. “I fashion myself more as a relationship person. If that comes from this night, that would be great.”
But that’s not really necessarily something he anticipates, saying he won’t be “walking on stage expecting to meet the love of my life.”
The nationwide tour of “The Bachelor” is playing in 66 cities, according to a press release.
“Through a series of games, challenges, onstage dates and other fun getting-to-know-you scenarios, the bachelor will hand the final rose to the woman he’s most compatible with,” the release said.
So what is Rucker looking for in compatibility?
“To be honest, it’s hard to answer because a lot of it is a chemistry thing,” he said. “It’s hard to put your finger on the chemistry. By the nature of them being willing to do this means they’ll be fun and outgoing, which is important to me.”
And there will be audience participation, according to the press release. Audience members will help Rucker by asking questions, making suggestions and cheering for the participants onstage.
“The Bachelor” television series is heading into its 24th season on ABC and airs in 31 countries. Rucker doesn’t watch the show, although he’s familiar with it and how it works.
“When I was going through the application process, that question kept coming up,” Rucker said. He thought that would keep him from being able to participate.
But participate he will. “Ultimately, what I’m most excited about is just being able to have some fun with friends in the audience,” he said, and to do something fun for Modesto.
He hopes people come out to share in that fun.
“I would encourage people to show up,” he said. “I do anticipate, even just by the nature of the event itself, it’s going to be enjoyable.”
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 12:12 PM.
