Single dad Jason Mesnick, spurned by DeAnna Pappas in the 2008 edition of "The Bachelorette," does the choosing this time as he searches for a mate from among 25 young women in the dating contest's 13th edition. In the opener, Jason greets them at the L.A. mansion where he and DeAnna first met and hosts the introductory cocktail party. In a new wrinkle, the bachelorettes get to vote for a competitor they'd like to see leave, but Jason has the final say. At evening's end, only 15 remain.

Twelve candidates remain, 10 of whom get dates with Jason. For eight, it's a group visit to the Keep-a-Breast Foundation, and two others get one-on-one dates. (One, a single mom, takes her child along on a trip to Legoland; for the other, it's a helicopter ride over the Hoover Dam and a private Kate Voegele concert). One of the dates ends badly for a bachelorette, while another runs out at the very dishy rose ceremony. Eventually, the field is reduced to nine.