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I have been out of the country most of the last 2 months, and have followed this season from afar. However, those of you who know me from prior seasons recognize that when I do post, it's because I have developed close relationships in Texas and California that allow me to speak only when I know the information is trustworthy and reliable.
I posted one time this season, about 10 days ago. It was deleted because I inadvertently posted on a non-spoiler thread. However, I followed up with my friends via PM's. I suppose they can vouch for me.
What I said then is very close to what I read in RS' blog today, so this much I can confirm as true:
The Laurel in Austin is Brad Womack's old girlfriend. Wes has gone out with her, but she is not his girlfriend. He confided in some guys that he had it bad for Laurel, but the feeling apparently was not mutual. She wanted to date other people. The producers created this controversy and, while I personally don't care for Wes, I don't think he's the snake that has been portrayed.
Jake was led to believe that he was a strong candidate to be the next Bachelor. He agreed to come back for the confrontation under that pretense.
Tanner's foot fetish thing started as an off handed comment, a joke, and the producers ran with it. He thought it was funny and played along, but he didn't know that it would become the centerpiece of his character on the show. He is not happy.
Ed was told he could leave to attend to personal business. I'm honestly not sure how much of it was personal, but I know it was not business. I only recently learned about the thing with the girlfriend in Chicago, but I've known for quite some time that the thing about his job was bs, and that he always knew he was coming back. That was the deal he made.
As for compensation to the Bachelors, the standard contract they all sign provides for payment to the F4. I can pull the actual contract language if it's in doubt. What is unusual about this season is that money, beyond food, travel, and lodging, was offered to others not in the F4, because they needed a more interesting cast of "characters." In my opinion, the money was not well spent.
I honestly haven't read the threads so maybe nothing I've said is news. Maybe it was news 10 days ago when I first posted it, but I hope it is of some value even now.
Thanks for listening.