'Bachelorette' Contestant Sent Home Hours Before Filming Began

So, just what would the "real" dating equivalent to this be?

My guess? It's at least a little bit like pulling out a rose for a blind date, and her pulling a shotgun in one hand and a restraining order in the other.

Hours before an ABC crew began filming the next season of "The Bachelorette" March 14, Wetpaint.com reports that producers were putting contestant Ben Smith on a plane from Charlotte, NC right back to New York.

The site quotes consistently in-the-know reality TV blogger Reality Steve as reporting that details explaining the sudden return-to-sender sitch haven't leaked off the eighth-season set yet. Worse - and maybe, more intriguingly - is that Steve claims Ben wasn't even given a reason he was dismissed before cameras had rolled.

"As you know, they bring more than 25 guys out there before filming starts," Steve said. "In case of emergencies, or guys get cold feet, etc. They have to be prepared, so they always have some standbys in case something happens. Or, they just decide at the last minute to go with someone over someone else."

Indeed, Steve claims to know two other previously accepted contestants who have been flown to Los Angeles for the show, then sent back with no explanation at all. The blogger actually went on to say that based on this, he's done releasing names of contestants before the season actually starts shooting.

This year was to be the year that "The Bachelor" Season 15 "winner" Emily Maynard takes another crack at prime-time love after the single mom's failed relationship with Brad Womack. It's a dating avenue that's worked wonders for others before: despite having the decision-making process of a head-injured pug (or a 14-year-old girl, take your pick), cast-off from  Maynard's "Bachelor" season Ashley Hebert hooked up with J.P. Rosenbaum last season. The pair are currently still engaged and have stayed largely off the tabloid radar.