SEASON PREMIERE

HE'S IN LOVE, HE PROPOSED, HE'S ENGAGED! FAN FAVORITE JASON MESNICK, THE FIRST SINGLE DAD IN "BACHELOR" SERIES HISTORY, BEGINS HIS OWN SEARCH FOR LOVE WHEN "THE BACHELOR" PREMIERES, MONDAY, JANUARY 5

This Season's Highlights Include a Backstage Visit to ABC's "General Hospital," Private Concerts by Robin Thicke and Kate Voegele and a Breathtaking Trip to New Zealand for the Seductive Overnight Dates and Emotional Finale

For the First Time Ever, the Women Vote on Who They Want to Leave the First Night

Jason Mesnick, 32, hopes the "third time is the charm," as the "Bachelor's" first-ever single dad begins his own bid for true love, searching for the one woman who will complete his family as wife and stepmother to his adorable son, Tyler, when the 13th edition of ABC's popular romance reality series, "The Bachelor," premieres with a two-hour special, MONDAY, JANUARY 5 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Millions of viewers were stunned when DeAnna Pappas rejected Jason's proposal, as he dropped to one knee to profess his love in the dramatic season finale of "The Bachelorette." Jason was left brokenhearted and wondering how he could have misjudged DeAnna's intentions, but his female fans, who suffered his emotional heartbreak with him, flocked to support him.

Jason still believes in destiny and that he can find love through "The Bachelor," as he discovered when he fell for DeAnna. His heart-warming story as a handsome single father from Seattle with a three-year-old son, Ty � the apple of his eye � resonated with many women. Jason would like to start another family, himself the middle son in a family of three boys. His older brother, Sean, is married with children. Jason currently lives with his younger brother, Larry, and with Ty.

In this season's premiere, "Episode 1301," Jason returns to the same Los Angeles mansion where it all started for him with DeAnna. Twenty-five beautiful bachelorettes have traveled across the U.S. and around the world to meet him, each having seen him on "The Bachelorette," and are hoping that they will be the lucky woman to share a life with him. An adorable small town beauty, a big city sophisticate who is sick of the club scene and a swank jewelry designer are among the gorgeous, intelligent women hoping to find a new home in Seattle. All of the ladies are excited and anxious to meet the man they have long been dreaming about.

At the party, Jason is blown away as one stunning woman after another lets him know that he is the only man for her. One flirtatious brunette tries to prove that she is Jason's biggest fan by showing off her extensive knowledge of his life; another vivacious bachelorette reveals that she can assess a man based on the condiments he chooses for his hot dog and puts Jason immediately to the test; a school teacher admits she resigned from her job for the opportunity to meet the handsome single dad; and a sexy flight attendant leads a toast to DeAnna, thanking her for giving Jason the chance to be the Bachelor.

However, once Chris Harrison brings out the "first impression" rose, the competition intensifies. A Brazilian bombshell invites Jason for a sexy samba by the pool, only to have a girl-next-door type cut in and grab him for a jazzy slow dance, American style. A beautiful widow shares the story of her tragic past and a birthday gal thinks she is a lock for the rose.

The pressure mounts as the evening goes on and, in a stunning twist, each woman is asked to vote for the Bachelorette that she would like to see leave immediately! Some vote for the woman who they perceive as their biggest threat; others vote with Jason's best interest at heart. In the end, one woman is in for a shocking surprise. Finally, Jason must eliminate ten of the 25 women the first night, leaving 15 to compete for his affections, and in the end, his heart.

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. Jason escorts one lucky bachelorette to the Walt Disney Music Hall for a private performance by R&B superstar Robin Thicke, and another woman goes up, up and away on a romantic ride over Los Angeles in a Goodyear blimp. Jason closes down Legoland California and treats one lady to a thrilling surprise, which leads to one of the most touching dates of the season. A million dollars worth of jewels awaits one woman, whom the Bachelor then whisks away on a private jet to Las Vegas for a panoramic helicopter ride over Red Rock Canyon, a cozy dinner and a private performance by pop singer Kate Voegele. Jason accompanies six women to an exclusive, behind-the-scenes date on the set of ABC's hit Emmy-winning daytime drama, "General Hospital," where the women learn techniques of screen kissing and get a chance to act out their secret fantasies with the Bachelor. The three final women are treated to a breathtaking, exotic trip to New Zealand for the sexy overnight dates, as well as the thrilling finale. However, someone from the Bachelor's past shows up for a shocking last minute, heart-to-heart talk with Jason before he makes his final, life-changing decision.

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 life 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.

"The Bachelor" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.