The Bachelor- Have you been taking notes?

In my quest to find the true 'human experience,' I have stumbled across a realization that not only discourages my pursuit but leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. As a college male, I live my life in hopes of meeting people, making connections, and developing lasting relationships to ultimately (hopefully) only better myself. As ABC's 'The Bachelor' finally comes to an end; I am anxiously anticipating the end of the mindless reviews and recaps I have found myself listening to for the past few weeks. It's as if every girl I have met in the past two months has coordinated her own life around the lives of the bachelor and his search for love. Honestly, I'm just really sick of hearing about Jake and his love life.
Okay, enough ranting. The realization I came to is an age old question of love- Do we have the power to choose who we love or Does this notion of falling for the right person (a soul mate if you will) really exist?
Does ABC's The Bachelor show true feelings or does it merely reveal the ability of people to pretend and to fake being in love?

Are these people so delusional that don't even know they possess this ability to act, to fake?
... or is it something more deceptive, more manipulative? Only time will tell.