The Bachelor is back — and so is the Bachelor Smackdown. That’s the Jesse Csincsak-hosted recap show in which Bachelor Nation alumni opine on the current season. Here are some of our favorite excerpts:

On Bachelor Ben Flajnik:

Photo Credit: Meg Heriot Photography

Bachelorette 5’s Mark Huebner: “Ben seems like a pretty rock solid guy. I think he handled the night with grace and elegance, even though there were some crazy chicks already.”

Richard Mathy (Bachelorette 4): “I have a feeling it is going to be really easy to like Ben as the Bachelor the entire season, unlike some others Bachelors we have seen.”

Jesse Csincsak: “Ben can keep up his good momentum and pick out the gold diggers from the real ones.” Fingers crossed!

 Night one is always a shocker and this season’s premiere was no exception — Brittney brought her Grandma and Lindzi Cox rode in on a horse! “Grandma was a slick move,” according to Jesse.

Photo Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC Television Group © 2011 Disney

Photo:

Meet Courtney on The Bachelor Season 16.

Model Courtney got a serious Smackdown from the guys for what they saw as self-absorption. As Richard put it, “She had a lot of ‘me, me, me’ going on.” In Mark’s opinion, “She’s someone who has survived solely on looks alone.  Everyone at some point in their life loses what they have for looks… then what?”

We wonder what she’ll do when — and if — Ben gives her the boot!

Aside from grand entrances and self-obsessed models, what else stood out? Monica and Blakeley snuggling up on the couch for one thing!

 

The First Impression Rose may have gone to the girl on the horse (Lindzi), but how about over-analytic blogger Jenna Burke for Worst Impression Rose? She may hold the record for most tears shed on a Season Premiere.

Alexa McAllister (Bachelor 14) thinks, “She is either the most confused girl ever, believing people are being mean to her when it’s really the multiple voices in her head OR she is the smartest girl ever for playing a crazy while shamelessly promoting her blog on national television.”  Whatever the truth is, we can’t help but wonder WWJDN – the newest term coined by Mark – What Will Jen Do Next?  We’re on the edge of our seats with anticipation!

Still, The Bachelor is about love – not crazy!  So, first impressions on which lady should get that final rose?  Alexa’s vote is for Jamie. Why?  “She took custody of her siblings and still managed to create a career for herself.  That takes a woman with a major backbone and positive attitude.  For this I have a HUGE amount of respect for her.” Rich agrees; “She carries a maturity to her that life lessons offer most these other girls might never understand.”

If Mark had to choose today?  “Rachel is my pick.  She tried to diffuse the crazy girls and seems like she has a good head on her shoulders, and of course she’s pretty.” Jesse’s first impression rose goes to Kacie B. from Tennessee, who he thinks is a standout for being in the mansion for the right reasons.

Big question is though, who will Ben pick — and will she choose him back?

To view the first Beatdown Smackdown of the season, click here!

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