Bachelor's Jesse Palmer on breaking 'take a moment and say your goodbyes' tradition

Each week during The Bachelor, host Jesse Palmer will answer a few questions about Joey's "journey" to find "love." Today, Jesse shares his thoughts via email about Sydney and Maria's two-on-one date, that horrifying "Sausage Wheel" challenge, and his shocking rose ceremony script change.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This week, Sydney and Maria were sent on a two-on-one, which is obviously the most dreaded date in the Bachelor universe. For the women, what do you think is the key to navigating such an awkward situation?

JESSE PALMER: I have actually never been on that side of a two-on-one date, so it’s hard to put myself in the women’s shoes. I think the circumstances for navigating a two-on-one date are very different for everybody.

Three words: The sausage wheel. Discuss.  

The Sausage Wheel is like an unwinnable carnival game. Super fun to witness, probably not so much fun to participate in...

Why do you think it bothered Lea so much that Madina was civil to Maria after Sydney left?

At this point in the journey, the women have all formed bonds with one another, so it's not unusual to see this kind of support.

Jesse, before the Malta rose ceremony, you broke a longstanding Bachelor tradition and said "take as much time as you need and when you're ready, say your goodbyes." What happened to "take a moment, and say your goodbyes" — and why did you choose now to make this earth-shattering change? 

The Bachelor tradition is not to be messed with, so I don’t make these choices lightly. As I walked up to Joey and the podium, I could see the tension and emotion on Edwina and Allison’s faces, so I felt like offering them the courtesy to take as much time as needed.

Since Sydney was sent home on the two-on-one date, Lea is really spending more time hating on Maria than she is focusing on her relationship with Joey. If you could give her one piece of advice at this point in the journey, what would it be? 

Focus on your own relationship with Joey!

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

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