The women occasionally tell all on 'The Bachelor'

Last night's "Women Tell All" edition of "The Bachelor" began with Chris Harrison reminding us that critics scorned the show for bringing back Brad Womack. He then gloats about how great the show's been this season. I'm surprised he didn't give the critics a raspberry on the way out.

We move on to Chris and Brad reviewing the season. They mention that they've talked about Chantal O.'s opening-night slap some two million times, and fellow contestant Michelle Money a combined six million times. Remind me not to converse with them at cocktail parties.

Chris then announces some bad news, as "Bachelor Pad" has been curiously renewed for a second season. He then takes us to a "Bachelor" contestant reunion in New York, which Chris claims is an audition for "Bachelor Pad." Nice to know that people like Rozlyn Papa and Vienna Girardi can bash "The Bachelor" six ways from Sunday, but are more than willing to do it all again to extend whatever 15 seconds of fame they have left.

Fifteen of the rejected "Bachelor" contestants are now on stage to discuss their memories of the show.  As expected, the focus is on Michelle, the contestant everyone loves to hate.  Michelle immediately breaks down, saying she went on the show for the right reasons, and apologizes for her behavior.  A few women wouldn't accept the comments, saying she was two-faced and didn't show her true colors.

We'll get back to Michelle momentarily, but Chris opts to move on to the feud nobody really cared about - Raichel the "manscaper" against Melissa the waitress.  The two argue some more about their feud, with Raichel shifting blame on her elimination some 30 times during the segment.  Ashley S. ends the debate by noting that the lesson learned is not to make a fool of yourself on TV.  If "The Bachelor" were on NBC, that would have been followed by the "More You Know" logo and music.

Now it's time for Michelle to take the hot seat with Chris and, once again, the claws come out. Stacey appears to imply that Michelle is a bad mother for going on the show, which causes Chris to tell the women to stifle it and allow Michelle to regain her composure. Anyone else notice that Chris seemed overly protective of Michelle?

Michelle repeats what she mentioned in a previous interview that viewers didn't get to see what's she really like, adding that she does regret leaving her daughter behind to film the show. Chris asks the women if their real problem with Michelle is the fact that Brad liked her company.  If Chris is trying his hands at flirting, he's failing miserably here. A few of the women, including Britt and "vampire" Madison, say that Michelle is a good person who did the show for the right reasons.

After more girl talk, Brad Womack comes out to a thunderous ovation with three-day stubble. Does the man ever appear clean-shaven?  Brad tells Michelle that he'll defend her until he's "blue in the face," and apologizes to Ashley S. for eliminating her during the two-on-one date.

We now reach the educational portion of the show, where Chris and Brad visit a South African pre-school to donate a solar panel and play games with the students. I know the intent was noble, but the presentation was a bit awkward, and it almost felt as if Chris was doing penance for his years of hosting the show and its spin-offs.

We're back in the studio, where Chris asks Brad if he's found his true love. Brad says he had, but we won't know if it's Chantal O. or Emily until next week. Chris gently warns Brad that he's reached his "two show limit," and he won't be invited back.

We conclude with the traditional outtake reel, which included plenty of bad dancing, Ric Flair impersonations and a naked stranger walking on the set.

Next week, it's Chantal O. vs. Emily in the battle for Brad's heart, followed by the "After the Final Rose" recap.

What did you think of last night "Women Tell All" special? Share your views with an iReport or in a comment below.