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'The Bachelorette' 2022: Fans question maker's budget as 'Group Date' involves 29 men in Speedos

Season's first group date takes place and the internet labels it the 'Most low budget date ever'

'The Bachelorette' returns to ABC with a brand-new episode on Tuesday, July 18, 2022, and we have our first Group Date of the season. Following last week's bombshell canceled rose ceremony, Rachel and Gabby surprise the 29 men left at the mansion by challenging them to compete in a swimsuit contest in order to earn one of six slots for the group date after-party in tonight's Season 19, Episode 2.

In this season of 'The Bachelorette,' there are two bachelorettes. It's twice the trouble and twice the fun! One of the participants put it best: the two women were destined to like the same guy eventually. There would be tension as a result of that. With men pursuing both women at the same time, there's already tension. This experiment seemed doomed to fail. There are so many of them, and the women hadn't even spoken to half of them.

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But they're going to fix that tonight. Everyone is trapped inside since it is pouring outside. Our Bachelorettes are also disappointed because they had planned a pool party with the 29 men — half of whom they haven't yet met — to get to know them and see their "six-pack abs." But don't panic, producers have devised a completely regular indoor sport that will allow the men to demonstrate both their personalities and their rock-hard physiques. Fans couldn't help but point out the struggle the girls faced while deciding how to put on a show where they get to see their abs all at once. A viewer tweeted: "gabby and rachel trying to come up with a group date that will let them see the guys abs #TheBachelorette."

Rachel and Gabby both headed to the house. They chatted with the boys and even dropped off gifts. Their "gifts" were men's speedos. The girls wanted the boys to wear them, so they could see how they looked without clothes. Yes, it's Man Pageant time! The boys have half an hour to change into their banana hammocks and create a "talent" for Rachel and Gabby to perform. Unsurprisingly, many of the men use this time to practice push-ups and pull-ups in order to look their best before the event. Ryan prepares by slipping a sock inside his speedo, while some other guys use what appears to be olive oil to make their pecs look beautiful and shining. After getting dressed, the men congregate in the living room, where the Bachelorettes are sitting, clipboards in hand, prepared to judge them. Jesse Palmer reminds the guys that the winner of the Man Pageant would be able to spend time with Rachel and Gabby in the Bachelorette Pad.

Some speedos were too small. The women saw everything, while the audience at home just saw a black bar in that area. Sigh. The bachelorettes' reactions were the only indication that the viewers at home knew what each guy looked like in a skimpy speedo. Gabby let out a joyful squeal as she saw Logan in his speedo.

It was difficult for the girls to ask the guys questions. They needed time to process everything they saw before asking questions, and by the time they did, some had already made an impression. Rachel describes the group date as a beauty pageant bachelorette style, with the winner receiving intimate time with the bachelorettes later on, so there's a lot on the line for the guys. Logan describes himself as stubborn, honest, and kind when asked how his exes would describe him. Rachel admits that she has had her sights set on him since the first night, and the group date was no exception. Quincey looked great in his Borat-themed speedo. Both of his butt cheeks were exposed, as was a small turn on stage. The ladies were overjoyed to see him in his full magnificence.

Not so much for the folks behind him. There was also Jacob. In his speedo, he resembled Tarzan, and he exhibited his mortgage broker abilities. Which surely won Rachel over. When Chris began singing, it helped him stand out even more. The girls were hoping for some creativity from the boys as well as how much fun they could have while exhibiting their talent. They both recognized that personality was key because they had both done the show before.

Chris, who believes he has secured the private party invitation, but when the date card arrives that night, his name is not on it. Colin, Johnny, Jason, Brandan, Logan, and Aven meet the Bachelorettes for dinner. Fans however were not impressed with the show the men put on. Besides the men being objectified on screen for good 5-7 minutes, fans were disappointed with the budget set for the group date as it was the saga of the men and their speedos! A fan tweeted: "Was there no budget for the first group date? It looks like they only thing they spent money on was mimosa supplies and speedos? #TheBachelorette."

Some fans didn't seem to like the group date at all: "Wait I hate this “group date” #TheBachelorette."

Another fan also questioned how the bachelorettes were dressed for the group date adding to the budget concerns: "Ok. Who is dressing Rachel? On the “pageant” group date she looks like she’s going on a safari why?!?! #TheBachelorette."

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A viewer also felt with so many men vying to have a  one-on-one with the bachelorettes, there should have been multiple group dates: "Why not have 3 group dates and get to know them all? #TheBachelorette."

Catch 'The Bachelorette' on Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC. If you can also watch the show via your local ABC affiliate. 

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