SEASON PREMIERE

BRAD WOMACK - A CHANGED MAN - BEGINS HIS HISTORIC RETURN AS "THE BACHELOR" WITH THE SLAP HEARD AROUND THE U.S., AS HE STARTS HIS SEARCH FOR LOVE ON ABC'S HIT ROMANCE REALITY SERIES, "THE BACHELOR," PREMIERING MONDAY, JANUARY 3 ON ABC

The First Bachelorette Out the Limo Offers Retribution for Women Everywhere, And an Anxious Brad Must Confront DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft Before He Moves On

This Season's Highlights Include a Private Concert by the Hit Band Train, a Surprise Serenade By Superstar Seal, Romantic Trips to Costa Rica and Anguilla and, in a "Bachelor" "First," A Spectacular Trip to South Africa for Seductive Overnight Dates and the Emotional Finale

Brad Womack, who shocked "Bachelor" fans by rejecting both of his final bachelorettes in one of the most controversial finales in the series' history, returns three years later, having undergone a radical personal transformation which he feels sure has readied him to make a genuine commitment to a relationship. He begins his search for true love, choosing from among 30 beautiful bachelorettes, when "The Bachelor" premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 3 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. This will be the 15th edition of ABC's hit romance reality series.

Womack, 38, did the unthinkable by most fans' standards and did not choose either Jenni Croft or DeAnna Pappas on his finale in November 2007. Disappointed in himself for wasting a great opportunity, Brad kept to himself for two to three months afterwards. Unaware at the time that he really wasn't ready to commit to a relationship and not knowing the reasons why, his fears and worries were validated when a media firestorm and viewers from across the country let him know what they were thinking. For the last three years Brad has undergone intensive therapy, which took him on a painful journey of self-discovery that led to personal revelations about his commitment issues. Delving deep into his family history and his unresolved feelings about his absent father, Brad was able to gain an understanding of why he would push people away as soon as they developed feelings for him. In the meantime, he put his head down and worked - buying and selling three companies and building one from the ground up. And although he has dated during this time, he hasn't had a serious relationship. This revitalized man is convinced he is a better person than in 2007 and is still optimistic and confident about finding love on "The Bachelor." He is more ready than ever to let himself fall in love, find a wife and start a family.

In "Episode 1501," Brad returns to the Malibu mansion, but is caught completely off guard when Chris Harrison escorts in two surprise guests - DeAnna and Jenni! As if he weren't anxious enough, Brad must face the two women he scorned three years ago. He attempts to sincerely apologize to them, but will they accept his heartfelt mea culpa? The 30 women are not sure whom they're going to meet, and there is no telling how they'll react when they find out who the controversial man is. Brad knows he has a lot to prove, and his worst fears are confirmed when the first bachelorette greets him with a slap to the face. Many of the women question Brad's intentions, but things lighten up when one emotional bachelorette jumps into his arms, and then a fun-loving nanny playfully grabs his rear end.

Inside the mansion, the women are bowled over by Brad's good looks but continue to express concerns about this past. Brad immediately assures them that he's a changed man, asking them to please give him a chance to show it. They respond by asking him some tough questions, putting the nervous Bachelor on the spot. But Brad does hit it off with a sweet Southern girl who doesn't care about his past. The competition heats up with the arrival of the "first impression" rose. As the women begin to believe in Brad, they fight for his attention. One woman with a "rip-roaring" career leaves Brad speechless as he samples her work, while a dancer from a famed troupe tries to teach Brad a few dance moves, and a mysterious model literally shows him her fangs, leading Brad to question this enigmatic woman's motives. But one shy blonde is ready to fall in love, even if she's not ready to tell Brad about her tragic past.

The Bachelor awards the "first impression" rose to the woman who turned his night around. Finally, after a sincere thank you to the women for giving him a second chance, he regretfully must eliminate 10 bachelorettes, confident that his future wife is among the 20 women left.

A list of the bachelorettes will be released shortly.

Romantic and adventurous dates will reach new heights this season, testing the ladies' perseverance in pursuing their romantic objective, along with fun, exciting and exotic dates that will elicit real and raw passions. One lucky bachelorette receives an extravagant makeover and then is escorted by Brad to share a private concert by the hit band Train at the Hollywood Bowl. Brad takes another woman to the famed Capitol Records studios for a recording session, where superstar Seal steps in to serenade the couple as only he can. A group of the women meet up with the Bachelor to shoot public service announcements for the American Red Cross, trying to show him another side of their personalities. Nine bachelorettes join Brad in the radio studio of the popular "Loveline" show, where they reveal their hopes and fears about love to celebrated psychiatrist Dr. Drew. The air crackles with passion and fireworks when Brad takes 11 bachelorettes on a wild trip to Las Vegas, including a visit to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a very competitive NASCAR date and a behind-the scenes visit to Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" show to learn aerial ballet routines. And then the remaining women fly from the bright lights of the Vegas strip to the exotic jungles of Costa Rica, where Brad takes one lucky lady zip-lining over the treetops, and a group rappels down a treacherous waterfall. The tropical island paradise of Anguilla is the next stop for an exciting Caribbean adventure. The final three women are treated to a thrilling trip to South Africa, which serves as a romantic background as passions ignite. Who will win Brad's heart? Will he be able to finally overcome his fear of commitment and perhaps propose to his future wife? Or will he end up disappointed?

As in the past, women will continue to be eliminated each week, but if at any point along the way a woman should decide that she's no longer interested in the Bachelor, she can reject his invitation to continue dating. Some lucky women will meet his family, and he will visit their hometowns for a slice of their lives in an effort to determine the woman with whom he is most compatible.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss and Martin Hilton are the executive producers.

This episode of "The Bachelor" will be available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online. For more information on "The Bachelor" visit ABC.com.

"The Bachelor" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with stereo sound. This program carries a TV-14,L parental guideline.