Ashley Hebert’s whirlwind romance — being wooed by 25 men on network television for more than two months — is about to come to an end.

And hopefully for the 27-year-old dental student from Madawaska, it will be a happy one.

As happy as reality TV endings can be, anyway.

Hebert is scheduled to pick the man she wants to marry — or at least be engaged to — on Monday’s episode of the ABC reality romance show, “The Bachelorette.” On the finale, she’ll be seen with the two men vying to win her heart.

One is J.P., a construction manager from New York City, who is quick to smile and has been jealous of the other contestants. The other is Ben, a wine maker from Sonoma, Calif., who is relatively quiet and serious.

The final episode will mark the culmination of Hebert’s appearances on two romance shows. From January to March, she was a contestant on ABC’s “The Bachelor.” Her third-place finish on that show landed her the starring role on “The Bachelorette.” And now there are rumors she will appear on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” at some point.

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Before the first episode of “The Bachelorette” aired, Hebert said she was going on the show to find love. But it’s been reported that the stars of both “The Bachelorette” and “The Bachelor” usually get paid a handsome fee, as well as having the chance to find a mate. Neither Hebert nor ABC would say how much her pay might be.

Hebert, who has a longtime love of dance, proved to be entertaining and at ease during her stint on “The Bachelorette.”

The show has had some dramatic moments, especially the several episodes when Hebert was falling hard for a bachelor named Bentley (last names aren’t used on the show), from Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bentley was seen on camera being lovey-dovey with Hebert, but when he spoke to the camera when Hebert wasn’t around, he revealed he had no feelings for her and was basically toying with her emotions.

Hebert apparently has been good for ratings. During her stint on “The Bachelorette,” the show has averaged 8.8 million viewers and won its timeslot each week. ABC publicists say it has been the second most-watched summer edition of “The Bachelorette.” The most-watched season was last summer’s, featuring Ali Fedotowsky.

And more good TV drama is yet to come, as indicated by clips ABC has been playing of the finale. Those clips show Hebert’s sister, Chrystie Corns, arguing with her.

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A tearful Hebert at one point calls her sister a bad word that rhymes with “itch.”

An ABC press release issued last week sported the headline: “A shocking fight between Ashley and her sister may spell the end of one relationship.”

But we won’t know what happens until the finale airs, from 8 to 10 p.m. Monday. ABC publicists said Hebert and her family members are strictly prohibited from talking about the show until the season is over. Hebert is scheduled to have a conference call with reporters from around the country on Tuesday afternoon; you can read about it in Wednesday’s paper.

If you can’t get enough “Bachelorette,” there is also a pre-finale show tonight from 9 to 11 p.m. on ABC, dubbed the “Men Tell All” episode. On that show, Hebert will appear with 16 of the bachelors she sent packing.

The finale takes place in Fiji, and will feature Hebert’s family visiting with her there to meet her suitors. An ABC press release says the tension between Hebert and her sister starts when Corns disapproves of J.P. She also confronts J.P., saying she doesn’t think he’s right for Hebert.

After the finale, there will be an “After the Final Rose” show at 10 p.m., during which Hebert is scheduled to confront the bachelor she didn’t choose.

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She also will appear with the bachelor she did choose, and the two will talk about their future together — or the lack thereof.

After that, Hebert will probably go back to some reality — finish dental school and go on dates that don’t involve resorts in Fiji, for example.

Or she might have proved herself to be so good on reality television that she gets yet another gig.

You’ll have to tune in to find out.

Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:

rrouthier@pressherald.com

 


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