'Will you accept this rose?': A gateway to The Bachelor

Originally published on January 22, 2018

"Will you accept this rose?" is a question that is not only asked in every episode of The Bachelor, but has become a part of pop culture vernacular. Season 22 of the reality TV stalwart recently started, and if you've never seen it, or if you assume it's just frivolous television, writer Suzannah Showler wants you to think differently. Showler just published a book called Most Dramatic Ever, which explores the contradictions that are key to The Bachelor franchise's genius. She joined us to talk about what The Bachelor tells us about our ideas on dating, romance and North American identity.

— Produced by Elaine Chau