I couldn’t help feeling like this opportunity was being wasted on me.
Here I am at a swanky lounge in the South Loop getting ready to have cocktails and a chat with Jamie Blyth–arguably one of the most eligible bachelors in the city–and I’m not only happily married, but also not expecting much.
OK, so Jamie’s handsome in that Ken-doll kind of way. But from what I’d seen on the show, he seemed too polished: his hair too perfect, his eyes too blue, his teeth too white (his prime-time buddy Bob didn’t nickname him “White Fang” for nothing. Jamie admits his dentist does good work).
I’m expecting vanity, a bit of arrogance and a good dose of self-promotion. And he delivers, at first. Photos are the first order of business when Jamie arrives at Tantrum. Although he looks fine to me, he mentions, half-apologizes for, his botched haircut and says he has better pictures available if we’d like them.
No thanks, I say, we kind of like to take our own.
Soon enough, Jamie, his Goose Island and I sit down at the bar to watch the main event.
We get to talking, and he seems like a nice-enough guy.
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He’s watching intently–repeatedly asking the bartenders (who were nice enough to take off ESPN and put on ABC) to turn up the volume.
He’s genuinely psyched for his buddy Ryan, clapping and laughing when Ryan and Trista hit it off during her visit to Vail, Colo.
I can see he’s treading carefully–he says that a $5 million agreement not to talk looms–but I’m fishing. He thinks he knows who wins, but, how can he be sure? I’m looking for clues. He’s said Charlie is “smooth” and “good” and “smart” too many times. He shares in what was certainly audience-wide embarrassment when Greg raps to Trista. “Oh my God. Stop it, Greg,” Jamie pleads with the TV set, predicting Greg’s demise.
Four beers later, during the rose ceremony, Jamie is straight-faced. I’m watching him watch them. And he predicts: “Ryan.” Right. “Charlie.” Right. “Russell.” Right. Coincidence?
He does dish a bit about the show: Yes, Trista is slightly high-maintenance. Charlie hated Russell so much he’d get out of the hot tub if Russell hopped in. The bachelor pad was a regular “Animal House”–kegs rolling in nightly, fun being had by all.
“It’s such a bizarre deal,” he says of the show.
Bizarre indeed.
REDEYE Q&A WITH JAMIE
Q: Who does Trista pick?
A: I’m not certain.
Q: Who’s your money on?
A: No comment.
Q: What was the best part about the show?
A: Being able to overcome the fear of anxiety. And the friends I made–the producer, Trista, Bob.
Q: So you and Trista are friends?
A: I think we are. I’ve talked to her friends, but not her.
Q: Any sparks with her friends?
A: Her friends liked Bob and I the best. Shannon’s a cool girl. I’d call her up. For now we’re just friends.
Q: How many times did you see Trista cry?
A: A lot. Multiple times.
Q: Did she ever make you cry?
A: No.
Q: What did you think of Russell giving her the Tiffany bracelet?
A: I wouldn’t do that. Bob and I and a lot of the guys on the show wouldn’t do it. I don’t know her. And I need the cash.
Q: What about Ryan’s poetry?
A: Besides Bob, Ryan was my really really close friend on the show. It seems cheesy, but he’s really genuine.
Q: How much do we not see?
A: There’s so many good things that happen, and a lot of it’s taken out. There’s a lot of creative editing.
ON THE SPOT
Mr. Blyth on favorite ‘Friends’, music and teams:
Jennifer Aniston or Courteney Cox?
Jennifer Aniston
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Britney or Christina?
Neither
Eminem or Moby?
Moby
Letterman or Leno?
Letterman
Cubs or Sox?
Sox
“L” train or bus?
“L”
Bud or Miller?
Bud
Deep dish or thin crust?
Deep dish
Dogs or cats?
Dogs
Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate