Tenley Watch: Who’s watching ‘The Bachelor?’

Newberg native one of four women remaining in race to win bachelor's heart

Molzahn
   Millions of viewers traveled to Newberg via their television sets Monday night when Tenley Molzahn, local candidate on ABC’s “The Bachelor,” had her hometown date with bachelor Jake Pavelka.
   “I’m in Oregon!” Jake exclaimed, moments after the familiar “Welcome to Newberg, a great place to grow” sign flashed across the screen. “You’re in Oregon!” Tenley replied.
   The pair walked through Champoeg State Heritage Area and visited Chehalem Valley Dance Academy, where Tenley studied and taught for many years. Then they headed to her parents house for a home-cooked meal with Rob and Beth Molzahn and Tenley’s sister, Karley.
   Rob, a local real estate agent, grilled Jake on his intentions; Beth, an admissions counselor at George Fox University, told Jake her daughter was ready for a new relationship but would likely have some fallout from her recent divorce from time to time.
   The show has been gathering viewers by the droves this season, marking last week its fourth consecutive week of growth in total viewers and adults ages 18-49, according to Nielsen’s TV ratings (Monday’s figures were not available at press time). For the fifth straight week, “The Bachelor” was Monday’s No. 1 TV show with women 18-34.
   Since its Jan. 4 season premiere, “The Bachelor” has grown from an average audience of 9.5 million viewers to 11.8 million last week. And, at No. 9 season-to-date last week among adults ages 18-49 in homes with $100,000-plus annual income, “The Bachelor” is the top unscripted series in Nielsen’s top income bracket this season, according to the Television Business Report.
   Locally, followers of “The Bachelor” may be more diverse. The viewing audience is not completely dominated by women — or the wealthy — and age plays little factor. Some have been watching for years, others just tuned in this season. Why? Because they’re watching for Tenley and the Newberg connection.
   “My daughters and I usually follow ‘The Bachelor’ as something to chat about — we have never taken it seriously,” said Diane Peters, a teacher at Chehalem Valley Middle School (Tenley was in her class about a dozen years ago). “Knowing that Tenley, a former student, was going to be on it made it even more fun to follow.
   “A whole group of teachers at lunch are now following it. We enjoy chatting about it. Most of us know Tenley or her family in some way ... What I find so humorous is the rumors that we are hearing this time. So-and-so knows someone who said ...”
   Peters, 58, is following the show with her daughters, both in their 20s, and a couple of retired teachers, 55 and 63.
   Sarah Thomas, a recent GFU grad, is also watching because of her connection to Tenley ... and to Beth.
   “I graduated with Tenley from NHS,” she explained. “I have watched ‘The Bachelor’ here and there, but never regularly. I heard from other NHS friends that Tenley would be on this season. I loved Tenley, and thought she was a super nice girl, so I got a few other friends (from GFU), that are other “Bachelor” lovers, to watch with me.“
   Tenley’s former pastor, Paul Gunther Jr., is also tuning in.
“I don’t usually watch ‘The Bachelor’ — before this season I have never watched it — but am following it because of Tenley,” explained Gunther, 40. “I went to George Fox and then lived in the area from 1988 through 2002 ... I was one of Tenley’s youth pastors at Northside Community Church and my wife was her small group leader for several years. We have stayed in contact with her family over the years and it’s good to see that she is doing well.”
   “I am following ‘The Bachelor’ this year because Tenley is a close family friend of mine,” said Luke McBride, 22. “Beth and my mom are very close friends and I have grown up with the whole Molzahn family. I have been watching it every week at the Molzahns’ house during our ‘Bachelor parties’ and am only watching it this year to support and cheer on Tenley.
   “The Bachelor/Bachelorette series have never been something that interested me, but it is so exciting to see somebody I personally know on national television, not to mention somebody who has been shown in such a good light as Tenley. It’s been so fun watching her and seeing how well she is representing herself, her family, her community and, most of all, her faith.”
   Brothers Daniel and Timothy Fouch, 23 and 22, are also breaking up female demographic, following because of ties to the Molzahn family. So is Donny Miller.
   “I only watch it because Tenley is on there,” Miller, 24, explained. “We went to high school together and her sister Karley and I went to GFU together. Tenley and her family are really good people. I think that it makes us — people from ‘The Berg’ — feel special to know someone on national TV. You kind of feel like you are a part of it, a part of something big. Tenley is a great representative to have on ‘The Bachelor.’”
    Some former Newberg residents are also tuning in, such as 1997 Newberg High School grad Jamie Saxton, who now lives in California.
   “I heard from a friend that there was a girl from Newberg on ‘Bachelor’ and, never watching that show before, I decided to watch ... because of Tenley,” said Saxton, whose daughter was briefly in one of Tenley’s classes at the dance academy.
   But are these new viewers hooked? When the season is over and Tenley is gone, will they continue watching? Maybe.
   “I just picked up on ‘The Bachelor’ this season mainly because of Tenley,” said Newberg resident Rebecca Nibler, who is following with her sister. “Now we are addicted and do ‘Bachelor Monday’ nights together. We plan to celebrate the end of the season with a ladies-only cheesy cocktail party.”

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