SEASON PREMIERE

SEAN LOWE STARTS HIS SEARCH FOR LOVE ON ABC'S HIT ROMANCE REALITY SERIES, "THE BACHELOR," PREMIERING MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2013 ON ABC

Sean Shakes Things Up, Deciding Who Will Get Roses and When, Resulting in a Most Unconventional Evening; Plus, a Mystery Bachelorette Stirs Things Up and Arie Lukendyk, Jr. Arrives to Offer His Help

This Season's Highlights Include Private Concerts by Chart-Topping Country Music Group Eli Young Band, Country Pop Artist Sarah Darling and Folk-Pop-Rock Singer Ben Taylor; Romantic Excursions to Whitefish, Montana; Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, plus a Spectacular Trip to Thailand for the Seductive Overnight Dates and the Emotional Finale

Bachelor Nation was shocked when fan favorite Sean Lowe was left heartbroken on a beach in Cura�ao earlier this year. Deeply in love, the handsome and sincere Texan envisioned starting a family with Emily Maynard. But in what became one of the most shocking moments of the season, Emily blindsided Sean, rejecting him and sending his heartfelt dreams crashing down around him. He was devastated and alone then, but he has not given up on love. Sean is back as the Bachelor and ready to risk it all again for another chance at love. He begins the search for his soul mate, choosing from among 26 beautiful bachelorettes, when the 17th edition of "The Bachelor" premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2013 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) , on ABC.

In "Episode 1701," Sean kicks off his journey - not by meeting beautiful bachelorettes, but by meeting with a friend -- someone who was also left heartbroken by Emily -- Arie Lukendyk, Jr. The handsome race driver offers his support as well as some hilarious, if questionable advice.

Arriving at the mansion for the first cocktail party, Sean is nervous, but seeing how excited the women are to meet him calms him down. These amazing women all make unique and lasting impressions, including a beautiful make-up artist who marks her territory with a kiss on Sean's cheek. A gorgeous engineer back flips out of the limousine - only to fall, unceremoniously, on her behind. A lovely cruise ship singer serenades Sean with an original song about their future love. A sexy hairdresser shocks Sean when she admits she's obsessed with the book Fifty Shades of Grey. A beauty dressed as a blushing bride steals the first real kiss of the night. However, Sean is so taken with one voluptuous woman, he decides to break the rules and offers her the first rose, to the dismay of the rest of the shocked and jealous women. But the last limo holds a real surprise: One additional guest shows up and changes the game. The competition shifts into high gear.

The women are confused and concerned when Sean gives another early rose to an enchanting wedding gown designer. When yet another bachelorette returns with a rose, the others realize that all the rules are out the window; if Sean feels a connection with one of them, she will get a rose right then and there. However not all the women are lucky enough to receive an early rose, and they wonder how best to impress him. One vulnerable woman reaches out to the Bachelor with honesty and sincerity. Another comes on strong, while still another repeatedly tries to steal his attention. Twelve women head into the rose ceremony with roses safely in hand. Sean, acknowledging how difficult it is to send seven more home, selects seven additional bachelorettes at the rose ceremony. Nineteen women will continue on with him in the search to find love.

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. For the first group date, 13 women compete in a photo shoot, with the winner getting a cover deal for Harlequin romance novels. On a one-on-one date to an art gallery opening with priceless art, Sean plays a huge prank on the woman. One bachelorette's date with Sean gives them a chance to break a world record for the longest on-screen kiss. The Bachelor gets to see another side of one bachelorette when he takes her on a date to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, and surprises her by sharing the park with two chronically ill teenagers and showcasing a special performance by country music's Eli Young Band. Sean takes another woman on a private jet ride to Joshua Tree National Park, but will she decide to go on the rock climb? Eight women join Sean for a challenging rock'em sock'em roller derby match. One lucky bachelorette gets a Rodeo Drive shopping spree � la "Pretty Woman," and the couple is treated to a VIP private concert from folk-rock-pop artist Ben Taylor, the son of legendary folk rock legends James Taylor and Carly Simon. Beautiful Whitefish, Montana is the backdrop for a traditional farm-style relay race, including canoeing, hay bucking and goat milking. A romantic ice castle plays an important part in a sensual individual date in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, and country pop singer Sarah Darling serenades Sean and another bachelorette. However, when a group of women take part in a polar bear plunge in an icy cold lake, the medics are kept busy. Finally, after spending passionate weeks traveling to a variety of locations, Sean brings his final three women to Thailand for a dramatic change of scenery for the exotic dates and the finale. Will he miss his chance for a happy ending again?

As in the past, women will continue to be eliminated each week, but if at any point 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. "The Bachelor" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with stereo sound. A parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.

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.