The Bachelorette's Jesse Palmer on bare butts and puppy love in the season premiere
Published on April 20, 2026 EDT The "Bachelorette" host says Jenn responded to the guys' 'playful energy.'

Each week during The Bachelorette, host Jesse Palmer will answer a few questions about Jenn's "journey" to find "love." Today, Jesse shares his thoughts via email about the location switch for night one, the men who bared their butts, and Jenn's philosophy on kissing.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Jenn kicked off her journey not at the mansion, but the Hummingbird Nest Ranch. How did being in a new locale change the energy for night one?

JESSE PALMER: New locale, new energy on night one for sure! Hummingbird Ranch is beautiful, and a lot bigger that the mansion. I found myself getting lost on a few occasions!

ABC

Tomas A. arrived carrying two ridiculously cute puppies. Please tell us more about the little guys, and did you in fact sneak them home under your jacket?

Tomas carrying both puppies in is essentially a cheat code... it’s almost not fair! I was more than willing and happy to “escort” those cute little puppies away, and I definitely sneaked a few cuddles and kisses on their heads.

You also were charged with parking Jeremy's Corvette. Did he give you a good tip?

The only “tip” I received from Jeremy was to “keep it close." I was 50/50 on driving myself home in his ride that night.

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ABC

We had not one, but two guys bare their behinds in front of Jenn — Jonathon, who arrived in a hospital gown and nothing else, and Austin, who streaked through the hotel during Truth or Dare. And both guys got roses! Why do you think their naked ambition paid off?

I think Jenn really appreciated some of the men letting loose and having fun. Night one can be filled with so much anxiety and tension, and I think their playful energy really stood out to Jenn.

Finally, unlike past seasons, there were very few kisses on night one — just one, in fact. What did you think of Jenn's decision to hold off with most of the guys until she gets to know them better?

I don’t want to speak on Jenn’s behalf, but I respect her decision to be patient and to prioritize getting to know the men more on night one. I think it sends a clear message to the guys that this isn’t simply physical for her, she wants to know who these men are on the inside.

The Bachelorette airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

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