Now on to more weighty topics, such as the harsh reality of reality show romances. Tonight Trista and Ryan have his and her bachelor parties as they prepare for their endlessly covered walk down the aisle. So, what does the "Bachelor" who first dumped Trista think about all of this? Well, first let's look at this piece by Brook Anderson. 

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEX MICHEL, "BACHELOR": It hurts me a lot to say good-bye to you, and I'm really sorry. 

BROOK ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The relationship between Alex Michelle and Trista Rehn ended with a broken heart, hers. 

TRISTA REHN, "BACHELORETTE": I did as much as possible, and I gave in to possible hurt.

ANDERSON: That was in April of last year. Since Alex offered his last rose to another, life for the Bachelor has been, well, different. He's enjoyed a small taste of Hollywood's perks, become a spokesman for the online dating site match.com, as well as a corporate spokesman offering his insights on everything from reality TV to romance. 

But for Trista, things have gone a slightly different way. From Hollywood movie premieres to television talk shows, celebrity has found Trista. And for the former NBA cheerleader turned bachelorette, the big night is almost here. 

REHN: Oh, my gosh! 

ANDERSON: The woman who lost the "Bachelor," but went on to star in ABC's "The Bachelorette" will officially be tying the knot on December 10 on ABC's "Trista and Ryan's Wedding" with the man she got to choose. 

And just like the time she was turned away by Alex, this typically personal moment will happen in front of a television audience of millions, audiences that used to cheer for Alex. But tonight, there's no Alex and no broken heart. Brook Anderson, CNN, Atlanta. 

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Tonight there is Alex, because he is here. Does the idea of Trista tying the knot leave knots in Alex's stomach? Let's find out. He's joins us right now. Alex, good to see you again.

ALEX MICHEL, "BACHELOR": Nice to see you.

COOPER; Did you make a mistake by dumping her? 

MICHEL: I can't say that I did. I picked the woman who I thought was best for me and as it turned out, we did not walk down the aisle together, but she was... 

COOPER: Come on, there's got to be a tinge of regret. It could have been you having a big engagement party special tonight. 

MICHEL: No. I have to say I'm glad that I'm not out there in public getting married. I had my stint dating in public. But to get married in public is just one step further than I was willing to go. COOPER: One step too far. Because it's endless. She can -- when she has her first baby she could have a baby on camera. And then, God forbid, if it ends up in divorce, the divorce could be on camera too. 

MICHEL: That's right. And she does seem to like those cameras. 

COOPER: You think so?

MICHEL: But it's funny, when I didn't pick her, nobody seemed to think that I had made a mistake. People thought I had picked the right woman who I seemed more compatible with. But once she became more famous, everyone is like, oh, my god, don't you wish you picked Trista. And I think, she's a great woman, but if I didn't pick her when I was the only one dating her, she didn't become more appealing by dating 25 other guys. 

COOPER: I'm trying to figure out what it was about her that made you not pick her. We have a little bit of a tape just want to show and then we'll talk about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) 

REHN: I am a true romantic and I think I do believe in love at first sight. I think it can happen. 

I'm giving you the interview. What are you going do?

And I'm like, maybe we could get engaged.

(END VIDEO CLIP) 

COOPER: Was the voice just a little bit? Was there something about the voice the high pitched...? 

MICHEL: Well, at the end of the day, she wasn't exactly the right match for me. I don't want to label any specific characteristics. 

COOPER: Anything in particular. 

I guess people are still recognize you all the time from the program. 

MICHEL: It's amazing. 

COOPER: Do you like that? 

MICHEL: Well, you know, there are definitely pros and cons about that. One thing I've learned for sure, is that people never forget what they watch on TV and they seem to remember more when they are drunk, which make me think that people... 

COOPER: That's always good. 

MICHEL: are getting drinking in front of their sets a lot. COOPER: So you get a lot of -- you're the dude from the "Bachelor." 

MICHEL: Exactly. 

COOPER: Do you still get tons of questions still about Trista? 

MICHEL: Less about Trista. More like, why did you do it? How did you get on that show? What's it really like? Do the producers influence you? People want to know what's going on behind the scenes of this reality TV phenomenon. 

COOPER: Will you be watching? I guess she has some TV special tonight and then there will be the big denouement on December 10, which I guess is the wedding, which I guess has already happened and taken place, but it's on tape. 

MICHEL: I think it's happening this weekend. And it's amazing, before I did this I never watched shows like this, but now I'm addicted. I can't miss them. I have to see what happens. 

COOPER: Alex Michel, great to see you again. 

MICHEL: Great to see you.

COOPER: A lot coming up. Stay with us. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)