“They need to be ambitious, they need to be accomplished and yes, they do need to be good looking.”

Twenty women, locked in a mansion vying for the attention of one half-decent-looking man. It’s a concept that has spawned 19 seasons in America, and three and counting in Australia (as well as three disturbingly successful spin off series).

The Bachelor – at its core – tries to be a show about finding love. And that’s what the producers and creators drill into viewers’ brains time and time again.

Ten’s Head of Entertainment, Stephen Tate, says he believes wholeheartedly in the ‘journey’ of ‘love’. He spoke to Media Week and answered a few big questions: How they choose the Bachelor, how they choose the contestants, and whether anyone is there for fame, rather than…cough… ~true love~.

Tim and Anna, the first successful couple from The Bachelor Australia. Image via Channel 10.

How do they choose The Bachelor?

Basically, Tate says the guy they pick needs to possess a very particular set of skills and personality traits. He’s gotta tick quite a few boxes (so he can be appealing to as many boxes as possible *WINK*).

“First and foremost, they need to likeable,” Tate said.

“They need to be ambitious, they need to be accomplished and yes, they do need to be good looking. [But] the most important thing is that they need to be at the right stage of their life to be making a lifelong commitment, and that’s a fairly narrow window.” (Is it really?)

This year’s Bachelor – Sam Wood. Image via Channel 10.

How do they choose the contestants?

Once they’ve got their guy, it’s time to choose the women who will compete for the Bachelor’s lurve.

Tate says the chosen Bachelor is asked what his type is (notice how many brunettes are on this season? That’s not a coincidence) and the network base their choices on the Bachelor’s preferences.

“Essentially, he holds up the types of people that he is really attracted to, the types of people that he’s had relationships with in the past that have and haven’t worked, and we try to make sure that we have as many viable contestants as possible,” Tate said.

This year’s contestants. Image via Channel 10.

Is everyone really in it for the right reasons?

Tate vehemently denies the suggestion that contestants were in it for fame.

“They have gained notoriety,” Tate said.

“But the casting team works really hard to make sure that the people we choose are there for the right reasons. If we didn’t do that, the audience would understand pretty quickly that people were maybe there for the publicity that it brings.

“If we didn’t do that, we might not have ended up with the fantastic two relationships that we had from series one and two.”

Click through the gallery below for photos of the current contestants. Post continues after video.

The Bachelor Season 3.

The Bachelor 2015.

Bec.

The one who's barely said anything but apparently pashed Bachie Wood at a piss up in Bali one time.

Ebru.

Part of the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pile.

Emily.

Emily - pitched as Wifey material, but not as Laid Back and Cool as Heather.

Heather.

Totally Laid Back Cool Girl Heather.

Jacinda.

Jacinda - The poor man's Sandra. Bachie loves her like a sister.

Jasmin.

The one who's never had a boyfriend. Jasmyn maybe?

Jessica.

Part of the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pile. GONE.

Joni.

Budget Oprah. GONE.

Krystal.

Part of the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pile. GONE.

Laura.

Dr. Anal Glands. GONE.

Madeleine.

The girl with no bum hole. GONE.

Nina.

Part of the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pile.

Rachel.

Part of the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pile.

Reshael.

The one who was scared of Sandra. GONE.

Sandra.

Sandra. Possibly a plant. But a very entertaining one.

Sarah.

Sarah. There is literally nothing interesting about her that can be put in this description.

Snezana.

Parmigiana. Has daughter called Chicken.

Tess.

Homeless Woodchopper. GONE.

Zilda.

Part of the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pile. GONE.

Something Tate didn’t speak about was what it was really like to be on The Bachelor, aside from saying that it’s all authentic and real. But contestants, former and current, tell a different story.

Emily Simms, a 31-year-old