As ABC announced last week, Bachelor producers are busy preparing for the Jason Mesnick-Molly Malaney nuptials on March 8 – the first-ever wedding to come out of the seven-year-old series (Ryan and Trista Sutter met on The Bachelorette). But in some ways, the wedding opens old wounds for producers — specifically how the spoilerific blog realitysteve.com, run by Steve Carbone, accurately revealed last year that Mesnick would first propose to Melissa Rycroft and then dump her for Malaney on a shocking After the Final Rose special. So far this year, Carbone’s blog has already leaked several details about the latest season of The Bachelor starring Jake Pavelka (pictured), including locations of dates, which contestants received “date roses,” and who would be sent home. He’s even posted spoilers about who he claims will be the final two women standing, and who ultimately gets the final rose.
“That’s something that kind of bugs us,” executive producer Mike Fleiss told EW exclusively. “In some ways, it’s just more promotion. We would like to find out [who his source is].” While Fleiss says the show has taken extreme measures in the past to track down leaks — “We spent a lot of money and we hired these guys from the Israeli secret service to shake down people and look at phone records and stuff like that. We ultimately found out who it was. That person no longer works for us.” — he has not gone to such lengths to suss out Carbone’s mole. “We would love to know if anyone knows [who the source is]. I’m offering a $25 reward!” Fleiss’ laissez-faire approach to the leak is due in part to the fact that the realitysteve.com spoilers did not keep fans from tuning in to Jason’s season: The After the Final Rose bombshell scored 17.5 million viewers last March.
As for Carbone, the blogger says he relies on several tipsters who “just fell into my lap.” A former sports talk deejay from L.A. — he’s now living in Texas while working as a national sales rep for home furnishing companies — Carbone says that while he wouldn’t want to read spoilers on his favorite shows like Survivor or American Idol, he likes to “one up” The Bachelor simply because he can. “I don’t go looking for this stuff, it comes to me because I’m willing to throw the show under the bus,” he explains, adding that he’s never received a complaint from ABC or Fleiss. Since his site gets only about 400,000 to 500,000 page views a week, Carbone doesn’t believe it impacts the show negatively. “I spilled everything about this season on Jan. 6, and I don’t think the ratings have suffered. People are still watching because they want to see it play out.”
And (once again), he’s right about The Bachelor: The audience for the Feb. 1 episode grew by 200,000 viewers for a total of 11.7 million, and the show is up 10% in viewers versus the same time last year.
To hear more from Fleiss on the Mesnick-Malaney nuptials, pick up the next issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands Feb. 5.
Two things clear from reading this article- 1)Steve is always right 2) the leaks have actually helped the show. Maybe Fleiss (Heidi’s brother!) should put Carbone on the payroll.
Mike Fleiss is Heidi’s second cousin not brother.
I actually wonder if Fleiss is the one leaking the info or if he’s told someone to do it. I know the ending of the Bachelor this season & I’m still tuning in, just like RS said, to see how it all plays out.
Honestly if Steve is right jake is a complete idiot. Vienna is not wife material is is a spoiled bitch and no one out there likes her. They will not last and his heart will be broken quickly. I really hope Steve is wrong because Vienna would ultimately be the worst match ever in this shows history. I know if this happens the show will lose a lot of valued watchers because that wouldn’t be true love. U don’t marry someone who all u can say is sexy he never really has much more to say about her than that abd that isn’t a marriage and a lasting friendship!!! Sorry very bitter about this choice and will not ever watch again if this ends up being the decision!!
I don’t like RS, he seems so full of himself and his blogs are endlessly boring. I did jump to the end about who he thinks wins and personally I’m hoping he was given incorrect information just so he’ll go away and stop his shameless self-promotion (t-shirts and everything!)
I agree. RS’s ego is out of control
How can you even know about someone you don’t even personally know and make comments about their ego??? That’s just stupid to even say! Realty Steve is entertaining and if you don’t like him then don’t read him but to say his ego is out of control? Really??? And you know him personally????? WTF!
You don’t have to know someone with a public persona personally to be able to tell something as basic as if they have a huge ego. Observing their behavior can usually fill you in.
I don’t know Kanye West personally, but I can tell his ego is out of control.
you don’t have to know someone personally to gauge their ego. You sound like a 15 year old girl with your “If you don’t like him” line. Grow up!
You’re kidding right? Now you’re going to gauge me as a 15 year old girl because you don’t like something I said??? Get real, I’m not the one that needs to grow up here…and ok, maybe you can tell by observing someone publicly as to how far out of control their ego is but I still stand by my statement if you dont’ like RS, then don’t read him…just like the Kanye West comparisson..I don’t like him so I don’t listen to him…and I certainly don’t go on message boards and bash his ego just because I don’t him…
like him that is….
Can’t read Reality Steve much anymore – I look for the spoilers but the self-aggrandizement and misogynistic put-downs gets pretty tedious. And it’s fairly obvious his ego has grown exponentially since he hit the big times after the Jason season. He even has his own fan club making the trek out to Vegas for a Bachelor weekend…
I have an idea…don’t read his blog!
I have an idea…don’t read the comments!
PK, have you ever watched one of Reality Steve’s videos on his site? That man is practically in love with himself. I like spoilers, but his arrogant attitude is a turnoff. And I DON’T visit his site anymore for that very reason.
You all crack me up.
The guy’s livelihood consists of posting reality dating show spoilers on the internet, an you expect him to be demure and humble? Hilarious.
Jen-Yes I am a fan of RS…maybe it’s my sense of humor but I actually find the guy funny..I don’t even notice what all of you are saying so I guess that’s why I’ve stuck up for him…I guess he’s one of those people you either love or hate-no in between…Ambient Lite: I don’t think RS’s livelihood is posting those spoilers I think he just does it as a hobby…and I’m with TI just don’t read this stuff if you hate RS or reading spoilers….this is America people no one is making any of us do anything…You have to admit RS is right about one thing…All Fleiss cares about it ratings no matter how he gets them…
@PK. Why does one have to like something to get something out of it? I think The Bachelor is a cheesy and silly show, still find it wildly entertaining though. Don’t care for Reality Steve’s personality either, and I think the structure of his writing is pretty bad, but I do visit his page sometimes to see if he has news. And obviously it’s quite possible and not even a stretch to have an opinion of the personality of someone who regularly writes a somewhat personal blog on the web.
AnneR: Hey I’m just saying if you are going to complain about the guy then don’t go to his site…if you get something out his site then he can’t be that bad then imo…and you all have opinions about him no doubt about that and like I already said I find the guy entertaining and that’s why I’m sticking up for him..but I’m done now it’s a mute point, I’ve stated my opinion and read everyone else’s and not much more can be said..we can agree to disagree all night long….
Oh my, a Reality Steve groupie. PK, sorry kid, that’s tragic. Five years from now, you’ll look back at how you vehemently defended this dork, and you will cringe.
I went to his site last year. It’s ridiculous wank. He uses 10,000 words when 100 will do. 85% of his blog is filler about how awesome he is and how super-awesome it’ll be when he unleashes a spoiler. The actual spoiler only takes up about two sentences.
Yes viva! I hate the way RS goes on and on and on with his spoiler. The guy loves the sound of his own voice.
Viva-WHATEVER!!! I like the guy so SUE me!!! I doubt that five years from now I’ll even be thinking about RS and the only thing I’m cringing about is how you have over exagerated your desecription of his blogs…Ridiculous wank??? what kind of word is WANK??? LOL Me a groupie? I like it…I’ve never been called a groupie for anyone but ok if that’s what you want to call me because I like that guy well so be it. I am so amused by your post I had to comment…especially since you are calling me kid! haha (I must be a very immature 49 year old I guess)
Oh and one that can’t spell either! tee hee :<) me bad!
@PK – you go girl! – Give em he*ll.
I’m with Jen, RS completely comes across like he has a huge ego. And so what? It’s just an opinion. I do enjoy his blog.
PK– you’re 49 years old!? Now that is just sad. I thought from your posts that you were about 17.
Totally agree. While I do like to know the spoilers for this show (it does make it more fun to watch because you’re looking more closely at the relationships that are formed with the final 4) I can’t stand to read his recaps (sooooooo long) or endless self-promoting crap. He isn’t half the writer Kristen Baldwin is and he’s not nearly as funny. He also tends to side with the wrong people (Wes, Rozlyn) just to stick it to the show.
I just wish that guy would quit posting his spoiler comments on these articles. I don’t go to his blog because I don’t want to read his information. I don’t want to read his spoilers. I want to watch it play out and be suprised. If he wants to get himself out there then he could simply post that he has inside info and to go to his blog to read it. That way I have a choice. He even says he wouldn’t want someone else to give away the ending of his favorite shows to him, yet he has no problem spoiling stuff for others. Come on.
Psst….Vienna wins!
Then stop reading his blog. No one is forcing you to.
Hahaha I just think it’s funny you care enough to get worked up over the ego of a guy who runs a blog with spoilers on The Bachelor.
It’s a blog you guys, his shtick is to be catty and fun. If he just put the information out there, we wouldn’t enjoy him as much. I stand by my name.
It doesn’t matter how many hits his site gets. The “rumors” spread across the Internet like wildfire. It is right here on ew.com that I read EVERY ONE of realitysteve’s Bachelor spoils, and I read them over and over again. They hired Israeli commandos but now think stopping realitysteve is only worth $25? Hardy har. I for one can’t see watching The Bachelor anymore if he’s just going to spoil every season. Or I suppose I could stop reading EW.
I agree – you can’t really read any comments on any of these recaps without seeing the RS spoilers. Kind of a bummer – I like the suspense. I guess if I want to stay in the dark next season I will stop reading comments.
I agree with you Minnie. I also did not seek out spoilers on my own. That just takes away the suspense! I also saw stuff about it when I read the comments section on Chris Harrison blog or Kristen’s weekly review. I guess I will also have to avoid the comments next time around, which is annoying because I like reading the comments. I will say that this season with Jake I may actually be happy I inadvertently found out because otherwise I think I would have been completely shocked. (in a bad way)
I agree Minnie and msw. I love reading the comments and leaving my own comments, but the last time I did (on monday), almost every single comment was telling us who won! I mean COME ON! Woudl you want someone to blurt out what happens at the end of a movie or a sports game before you got to watch it? No, probably not, think of others before you post stuff on EW.com, we are all on this website to get a recap, not jump to the end and spoil it for everyone else. Go to RS’s website and leave your comments there.
Vienna wins top prize!
The “$25 reward” was a joke. But still, if ratings were suffering, ABC would shoot the show live as A. Idol.
Good point, live would eliminate the leaks. I hope the produers give this due consideration. If ratings fall they might do that.
They could, but they never will because then they can’t edit it and do the voiceovers that paint their “story”. I’m not a huge realitysteve fan, but I gotta say, one of his links was to the actual contract that the contestants have to sign. Once I read that, I have a hard time believing any normal person would agree to go on that show. The contract basically says they can represent you any way they choose, including lying, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
I think the show would get better ratings if they did a live eliminatioin. Could you imagaine the drama and the limo of shame if they did that? OH I WOULD SO WATCH!!
that said – sounds like Fleiss thinks of it as promotion of the show and is not interested in going after RS – which makes me lose even more respect for him as a producer. Doesn’t care if the experience is ruined for viewers so long as they’re still making money!
Haven’t you heard the saying “any publicity is good publicity as long as they spell your name right”?
In other words, they know perfectly well that we all know the outcome, but they are going to continue to broadcast the show as if the ending is all a big surprise and there’s some sort of suspense. How insulting. Do they have absolutely no pride at all? What a hot mess of a show. It serves one purpose, and a great one: fodder for the brilliant Kristen Baldwin.
I love RS, he just proves how fake this show really is..annnnd I still watch *hangs head in shame*…will also probably watch Jason & Molly getting married, though I didn’t love the way they got together, I’m a sucker for a heavily edited, story board produced, sappy for the sake of ratings love story, sigh…
The lack of “success” with this show should be a sign that it’s time is over. That they let last guy publicly dump someone to get ratings shows they’re have no care for the humans they exploit.
Pfft – Thanks to the insessent blogging of the stupid spoilers, I will not be watching any more of the bachelor – I hate Vienna on the show. So thanks Steve for taking the joy. Hope some day I can ruin Survivor or Idol for you like you ruined the show for me
If you don’t want to know the outcome, why would you read spoiler info?? And for those that didn’t know, you just ruined it for them!
I find his blogs very funny and still watch the show to see it all play out. Knowing who ‘wins’ in the end doesn’t ruin drama being layed out on the screeen.
Sara, you are the idiot for starting the name calling.
Sorry Nancy, my comments went in the wrong place.
Who says you have to read the spoilers that RS writes??? Did someone tie you up and force you to read them????
That is true. On the flip side, I don’t read RS but I cannot go anywhere without seeing people purposefully post what RS has written on his blogs, even when people ask respectfully that the spoilers be kept on spoiler boards and not ruin it for those that don’t want to know in advance. I’ve made a note to avoid all comments next season…assuming I watch it at all.
ACTUALLY you idiot, go back to the comments from monday’s recap on EW.com, we don’t have to go to RS’s website to have the show spoiled for us. It was kinda too late to look away when I see in capital letters VIENNA WINS!!! on a bunch of the comments. Why don’t you stop leaving comments, you’re in idiot.
You know what, while no one ties me to read the comments, I enjoy seeing what other people though of an epidoe, um, kinda the point of having a comment section. Why should I have to have one people ruin my entertainment? You people who are being rude and calling other idiots make you seem like a bigger idiot. Not cool at all.
These idiots that post the spoilers always say the same thing “then don’t read the blogs”…so someone like those above who just like to watch a show and post comments on an episode recap can’t because of that? bs.
Hey KC, Vienna wins!
hey thanks for proving for the hundredth time you’re an idiot.
If you REALLY thought the bachelor was real, then THANK reality steve for saving you from the nightmare. Come on – it’s all smoke and lights. And no one forced you to read it, so thank yourself.
oops….. Played out
but it kinda fits!
Yeah, but people… he’s NOT always right! He’s been wrong about the order, he was wrong about the Rozlyn scandal, he’s been way off this season.
And, for the slow people, the $25 reward thing was sarcastic. They are really saying they don’t care. Why should they? Ratings are up.
Way off this season? Hmm, what show are you watching (or what blog are you reading)?
Whether or not you like him or his writing, it has been very accurate so far.
Zakry, you have no idea what you are saying.
The reason I wish they would at least try to find the leak, is I am tired of other people telling me what is going to happen. I don’t want to know! I run a pool on the Bachelor, and leaking the results screws with the outcome. It just really kills the fun for everyone when 1 person looks up the spoilers and uses it for their personal gain. It takes away the fun in watching it if you know the results. What’s the point if it isn’t fun?
A pool on the bachelor? Stick to sports on that one, the show is all about ratings and someone will leak info if their ratings suck, which they did – and now people are watching. Shocker.
here’s an idea: take the ‘spoilers’ with a grain of salt. it’s all about publicity. who cares if someone posts a note about whats going to happen? does it affect what actually occurs during the airing of each episode? NO. so enjoy the show and save your negative thoughts for something you actually CAN do something about.
i could care less what the spoilers say…nothing is definite until it happens…and even then it’s debatable.
what a joke, a $25 reward? i wouldn’t even get out of bed a minute early for that…
I can’t tell if you are being sarcastic or are just an idiot.
Duh, he’s using Linda Evangelista’s comment “I don’t get out of bed for anything less than $10,000″ from back in the 90s. Have you no pop culture experience?
Well, I suppose I’m in the category of knowing the spoilers (not because I looked at RS directly, but because of reading some comments on Chris H’s blog), but I still watch the show… I wish I didn’t know the spoilers, so I guess next time I’ll have to avoid the comments section entirely. I do think it takes away from what could be a much more surprising and entertaining show if I watch knowing the spoilers… It’s fun to watch my husband watch because he doesn’t look at any of these sites and I don’t tell him what I’ve read, so he gets to see it fresh… Kind of disapointing the producer views it like he does, but I see where he’s coming from… What I do wish he would control is not giving their own spoilers on the show with their “coming up next on The Bachelor” teasers. I hate those!
HAHA, realitysteve.com gets 400,000 – 500,000 visitors a week????
I have a website with similar Alexa ranking and it’s roughly 40,000 page views a week.
+1 for crap journalism yet again!
Wait….” we hired these guys from the Israeli secret service to shake down people”. Ummm, doesnt anyone else have a problem with this? I know of two contestants they have threatened, thus this should surprise me. Really Fleiss is a piece of trash, as is his show.
Good job Wino! That’s the first thing I thought, “these people are hiring the ISRAELI secret service? The same people who work for a government that used white phosphorous on innocent civilians? ” I think the people who produce the show The Bachelor need to rethink their own actions instead of worrying about “reality steve” and his leaks.
Here’s what I don’t get. All these people are whining about leaks when they go to a freakin’ BLOG to get EXTRA information not seen on the show! Did it ever occur to them to not go to BLOGS, and just watch the show if they don’t want to know beforehand who won? Chances are pretty good that REALITY STEVE won’t show up at their door and force them to listen while he tells them who won.
lmao….this is such a hoot!
GREAT point Annie…my thoughts exactly!!
I think Fleiss was being facetious by mentioning the Israelis. Maybe a tribute to his background (he’s Jewish). Hey did you know he’s Heidi Fleiss’s (the madam) second cousin?