Getting to know ‘The Bachelor SA’ host Jason Greer

Presenter of The Bachelor South Africa Jason Greer is gearing up for the second season of the hit TV series that will be on M-Net next March.

Greer took some time out to answer the questions everyone’s dying to ask.

Season 2 of the Bachelor starts soon. How excited are you and what, if anything, have you learned from the first season?

The Bachelor South Africa is as real as any of the other editions you’ve seen overseas. The tears, in-house drama, feelings and bleeps are all genuine.

I’m very excited about season 2 and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how our bachelor Marc (Buckner) handles dating so many women at once.

What is the hardest part about presenting a reality show?

Having to maintain an anchor-like position when the ladies walk off without a rose. Some are really heartbroken which is very hard to see. I’m a hugger!

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Can you describe 24 hours in your day when you are working on a show like The Bachelor SA?

It all depends on when we shoot. If it’s a group date it might mean going to the mansion, handing over a group date card and going to an undisclosed location to shoot the date.

I then head back afterwards while the bachelor has a one-on-one with the lady of his choosing from the group date.

If it’s a rose ceremony/cocktail evening shoot, then I get up early, go to gym, do some work, have an afternoon rest and then head to the mansion at about 4pm so I’m ready to announce the start of the cocktail evening by 7pm.

We then sometimes shoot until the early hours of the following morning.

And when you have a day off?

Spending time with my family is important so I’ll make up for the times that I’m shooting.

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What advice do you have for anyone wanting to work in the entertainment industry as an actor or presenter?

This is not for everyone. It takes a lot of time, determination, dedication and, to be honest, natural-born talent (I’m so modest).

There’s only so much you can learn and teach yourself about presenting so you really do need to have a certain gift for this.

Be prepared for rejection and constructive criticism. It’s so important that you use those to become better! If it’s what you want to do and it’s your dream, persevere.

Where did it all start for you?

My good friend Rick Alan gave me my first job as a master of ceremonies at a casino and that was when I realised this is what I wanted to do. I conducted car draws, giveaways, movie premieres and more.

That was good grounding for a life on TV as it taught me to be prepared for anything, know what I was going to say, as well as people interaction. I’ve never looked back.

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What else do you want to achieve in your career?

Phew, where to start? A big thing for me would be to one day have my own foundation helping disadvantaged communities by supplying them with nutritious food to ease the plight of malnourished people in South Africa. Over 17 million people go hungry every day and we need to act.

What do you do to relax and unwind?

It’s hard with a six-year old daughter and a four-year old son running around! I usually get to relax at about 8pm once they’re asleep and that’s done by reading or falling asleep.

What are you watching on the box right now?

Not much actually. When the usual big sagas like Game of Thrones come around then I’ll watch that, but otherwise, I stick to reading or playing a game on my Xbox.

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What music is on your playlist?

A variety of mixes. 80s, chilled house, jazz and – if I’m in a great mood – a little Guns ’n Roses or Metallica won’t go astray.

What would be on the menu for your last meal?

• Starters: Mussels in a creamy white wine and garlic sauce and crunchy bread.
• Entrée: a crusted rib-eye steak and crispy fries with Dijon mustard.
• Dessert: vanilla ice cream with Bar-One sauce and/or a chocolate fondant.

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If you could sit down to dinner with five famous people who would they be?

Pieter Dirk-Uys, Morgan Freeman, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Barack Obama and Jim Carrey.

You have a day off – would you laze around the pool with a good book, go hiking/cycling, play golf or go to the movies?

I’d lie under a tree next to a quiet stream and sleep! I’d then wake up, have a snack of crispy bread, cheese and red wine and go back to sleep.

Dream holiday destination and who would you take?

I’d take my wife Ursula, whom I’ve been married to for eight years, and my two children and travel to France, Sweden, Switzerland and end off in the US.

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